He is a former Dally M Winger of the Year.
Former Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma is set to return to Australia, reportedly joining a new Australian club after a brief stint in the Super League.
Earlier this season, Nofoaluma moved overseas after playing 192 games for the Tigers between 2013 and 2023 and six games for the Melbourne Storm on loan in 2022, amassing 104 career NRL tries.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Nofoaluma will return to Australian rugby league next week with the Glebe Dirty Reds, who compete in the Ron Massey Cup and are affiliated with the Sydney Roosters.
In the third-tier competition, Nofoaluma will play alongside former NRL stars Dean Whare and Kane Evans, aiming to make a comeback to first-grade and impress enough to secure another NRL deal in the future.
Nofoaluma made headlines earlier this year when the Wests Tigers terminated the final two years of his contract after off-field officials Justin Pascoe and Lee Hagipantelis were relieved of their duties at the end of 2023.
Reportedly agreeing to a $300,000 severance package, Nofoaluma refused to train and arrived late to a session after complaining to the RLPA about unfair treatment from the club’s coaching staff.
“It’s obviously disappointing. It hurts me personally,” Nofoaluma told The Sydney Morning Herald about his exit from the Wests Tigers in February.
“People often forget that we’re humans before athletes. Instead of addressing it on a personal level, there’s no need to leak negative stories to the press. I don’t think it’s a nice thing to do.
“It shows what type of club you are. I don’t have to deal with that anymore, which is a good thing.
“I was the longest-serving player in the team while I was there. Despite the challenges and their desire to move me out, it doesn’t erase my time there.
“In the last year or two, I struggled a bit, trying to pull things together on the field. Many Tigers fans still appreciate me and love me for all the good things I’ve done for them.
“Rugby league is a business these days. My advice to any young athlete is not to expect loyalty.”
