A clear mind and setting short-term goals has Tyrone Peachey finally feeling like an Origin level footballer again.
It is no secret the Gold Coast utility struggled through the 2019 NRL season. By his own admission it was the worst year of his career, mired by constant headlines suggesting he was unhappy and wanted to move back to Sydney.
But with a new coach in Justin Holbrook and the birth of his second daughter Florence four weeks ago, Peachey is not only feeling settled on the Coast but he is reinvigorated and confident a return to his NSW Origin form of 2018 is not far away.
The 26-year-old made a flying start to 2020 with a terrific showing at the NRL Nines in Perth, earning selection in the team of the tournament.
He now wants to carry that output into Saturday’s NRL Indigenous All Star clash with Maori All Stars at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.
"I’ve been part of three [Indigenous All Star games] and it’s always a special moment for me, all my family get to come up and watch and it’s always really good to get around the boys," Peachey said.
"A lot of people come to the game and we’re playing for our culture and so are the Maoris. There is definitely pride on the table."
The Indigenous All Stars Team of the Decade
The key for Peachey turning his fortunes around on the Gold Coast has been to focus on his mental health and set short and attainable goals.
For him, simply getting through the pre-season without missing a session has been key.
"I don’t think I’ve missed a day and I’ve got through it healthy so I’m really happy with that, that is what I wanted to do at the start of pre-season," he said.
"It was a tough year for me personally and probably the worst year I’ve had. I had a couple of goals going into the end of the season and this season coming and it was to get through the pre-season.
"I kind of feel like I’m back to the weight where I was in Origin and to be back to feeling like that it’s really good to be back and I’m happy for the season to start.
"I just want to get through [the next few weeks] healthy and get it started.
"I don’t think the coach knows the starting team yet so I’m just going to try put my best foot forward and see what happens.
"I’ve got no idea [what position I will play], I’ve been training everywhere."
