Hame Sele lived and breathed the Red V.
Somewhere deep down he probably still does, as he explains his heartbreak in his flashy new grey Panthers colours.
From birth it was his destiny, brought into this world only a few hundred metres away from the Dragons' home stadium in Kogarah.
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He played his entire football career in their system, from the first time playing football with the Kingsgrove Colts to successfully graduating through the club's Harold Matthews, SG Ball and NYC squads.
So when his junior club informed him his days in the Red V were over, and everything he knew was no more, Sele's heart sunk to the floor.
‘’It was pretty heartbreaking leaving,'' an emotional Sele told Sporting News.
‘’About mid-season last year they told me to look for a new club. They were giving me a bit less than what I wanted.
‘’When they told me, I was pretty down for a bit. It hurt more not getting many games last year as well.
‘’It was just a punch in the face. I thought I was doing good but obviously in their eyes I wasn’t.’’
The 22-year-old played just three games last year - a surprise demotion after a breakout 2017 season that earned him a place in the last ever City-Country fixture in now-NSW coach Brad Fittler's City side.
He slipped behind the likes of Jeremy Latimore, Luciano Leilua, Blake Lawrie and Jacob Host down the pecking order with no space on the bench.
When news of his departure dropped, fans were devastated to see a local product go to waste.
Shame to see those young boys moving on , particularly Sele. #wishthemwell
— christopher werrell (@magicdragon10) October 3, 2018
Waste, however, is what Phil Gould thrives on.
The Panthers boss has a knack for discovering unwanted talent and transforming them into stars through the reputable Penrith system.
Josh Mansour, James Fisher-Harris and Corey Harawira-Naera are just some of the mastermind's discoveries. Sele could soon be on the list.
‘’There was a new door opening for me and I had to take it,'' Sele said.
‘’Gus made a call to my manager and told me to come by. They said that they wanted to have me in the following year.
‘’Once Trent Merrin got the call up overseas it was the green light for me to come through.
‘’I’m really honoured to come here.''
Gould announced the signing with excitement - perhaps realising he just pounced on a rival club's mistake - cheekily teasing fans on Twitter in the build up.
Did the Panthers sign a new player? 🤔 I’m hearing whispers. Have to wait and see I suppose.
— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) November 23, 2018
"Hame Sele is a tremendous addition to our playing roster," Gould said at the time.
"We consider ourselves very fortunate to have recruited such a talented forward at this stage of the season.
"Hame's style of play will complement our forward depth perfectly and coach Ivan Cleary is excited to have him at our club."
Rising up the ranks at the Dragons, Sele was in awe of the talent being produced from rugby league's most established nursery.
He faced up against the likes of Tyrone May and Moses Leota, and still has to pinch himself sometimes to think he will be lining up with James Maloney and Nathan Cleary this year.
‘’It’s a big change for me growing up footy playing for St George and then actually moving clubs to somewhere I don’t know,'' he said.
‘’Growing up I used to verse all the Panthers juniors and I always thought they were so good and to finally be here is still surreal to me.''
