When January 1, 2019, rolls around, Brendan Elliot will be hoping it marks the dawn of a new beginning at the Manly Sea Eagles.
Elliot turns 25 on New Year's Day and for a man who has scored 19 tries in 40 first grade games, 2019 could well be the season where he re-establishes his NRL career following stints at three previous clubs.
A centre who can also play wing and full-back, Elliot has penned a two-year deal with the Sea Eagles, a club he always found 'tough and gritty' to play against since making his NRL debut in 2014 with the Sydney Roosters.
Hailing from Queensland, the Runaway Bay Seagulls junior signed an academy scholarship with the Roosters at the age of 15.
Following three years with the Roosters in the NYC U20s competition, Elliot made his NRL debut against the Cronulla Sharks in round 17 of the 2014 season in a match that saw him line up play alongside Anthony Minichiello, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, and Sonny Bill Williams.
His NRL debut came as an unexpected shock.
"I used to mow lawns for a bloke on a Friday afternoon. I had a missed call from (coach) Trent Robinson and my boss joked I should call him back because he may want me to play tomorrow. We had a laugh,'' Elliot recalled.
"So I rang Trent and he told me to come into the office as soon as possible to do some video work as I would be playing NRL the next night. I couldn't believe it.
"My family came down for the game and were put in a corporate box. I scored a try and I remember looking up to see a row of boxes. It was all pretty calm and then I saw the box my family was in and they were going crazy. We led 28-6 at half-time but lost 32-28."
In 2015, Elliot re-signed with the Roosters on a two-year contract. He ended up playing eight more first grade matches, scoring a try in every game.
However, Elliot then unexpectedly found himself at the Newcastle Knights in June 2016.
"I scored a try for Wyong Roos in a televised (Intrust) match in Wollongong and the commentator mentioned that I could be set for Newcastle,'' he said.
"After the match, I had all these messages asking what was going on.
"My manager informed me the Knights had made an approach. On Monday, it all happened and on Wednesday, I was in Newcastle. By Saturday, I was playing for the Knights."
Elliot went on to play 23 games for the Knights before signing a one-year deal with the Gold Coast Titans for 2018.
However, after three matches for the Titans, Elliot was set to join Leigh Centurions in England before two major injuries in the outside backs saw him remain on the Gold Coast.
"I asked my manager if there was anything for me down south and then Manly came through with an offer,'' Elliot said.
"I've always loved living in Sydney and I'm really happy to be back. I want to stay at Manly and make it home, so I need to make the most of my opportunities.
"For me, it all comes down to consistency. If I can get a good pre-season under my belt and get an opportunity, I need to take it with both hands.
"I've only been training for just over a week here but (coach) Des Hasler is super hands on.
"He is always out there giving the players great feedback. His wisdom and experience is second to none."
Extra-time with Brendan Elliot
- Played for the Runaway Bay Seagulls JRL Club
- Went to The Southport School, a renowned rugby school
- Childhood idol was Darren Lockyer
- Signed to the Sydney Roosters on an academy contract at age 15
- Played SG Ball for the Roosters with current Manly team-mate Lloyd Perrett.
