Barrow Raiders half-back Jarrod Sammut admits his longevity in the game has been a dream come true.
Sammut made his 350th career appearance in Sunday’s 18-18 draw with Newcastle Thunder last weekend.
He has enjoyed time in both the NRL and Super League, as well as being a talismanic figure within the Malta national team.
“If you asked me as a young player that I’d end up making 350 professional games, I would’ve said that it would be a dream,” Sammut said.
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“To sit here now with it fast approaching, the realisation hasn’t set in yet nor will it for a little while.
“But it’s something that I look at with immense pride and look at some of the sacrifices that myself and my family have made over the years to get to this point right now.
“I’d like to think that I’ve got more left in me, but I’m not quite sure what’s around the corner so I’m just going to take it in and try to make the most of it.”
Sammut joined the Raiders ahead of their return to the Betfred Championship and played a key role in the club’s run to the play-offs last season.
The 36-year-old has amassed a wealth of experience and admits he is taking each game in his stride as he looks to maintain a high levels of performance throughout the 2023 campaign.
“When I first started I was still wet behind the ears,” he admitted.
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“While I was honoured to be given the opportunity to play the game that I do, it didn’t set in as to how easily it could be taken away from you – through poor attitude, lifestyle choices, injury or lack of performance.
“As the years have gone on, I’ve seen some close mates of mine fall below the wayside and I thought that it was a little disappointing that they’d fallen in that way.
“I count myself lucky in the way that I drive myself to high standards. It is something that has come with age, in how much I appreciate the game now. I still love it just as much as the first time I tied up a pair of laces.”
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