Puts everyone else first Selfless teen Moale ready to make debut for Souths

Davvy Moale often goes out to deliver food to the needy, even when his own belly is empty.

“That’s true,” said Jacqueline, the mother of the latest South Sydney debutant. “He puts everyone before himself. He gives the shoes off his feet to someone who needs them more than him. That’s being literal.

“I’ve seen many shoes come in and out of this house. That’s the sort of heart he has, the sort of person he truly is. This kid of mine, that’s his nature, he’s so caring, giving, loving.”

When he makes his NRL debut against the Dragons on Saturday, Moale will fulfil the promise he made to his mother when he was just 12 years old. It will be the chance for footy fans to get a glimpse of the 18-year-old forward often compared to Payne Haas, although his former Harold Matthews coach, Gavin Sheehan, believes there’s a better likeness.

“He is more of a Glenn Lazarus kind of player,” Sheehan said. “He just does his job so well, makes great yardage and is a great defender.

“You will get 100 per cent out of him every game. Davvy on average was running for over 200 metres per game, wouldn’t take a break. He was the premier forward in the competition. Probably the biggest impact on the team was Davvy.”

Davvy Moale, with his sister, fellow South Sydney player Moniqua.

The last statement is significant, given that said Rabbitohs team contained fellow young guns Emmanuel Di Bartolo and another teen you may have heard of, Joseph Suaalii.

Like his former teammates, Moale is a former Coogee Wombat whose team won seven of the 10 premierships they contested. After earning a scholarship to Waverley College, he was also selected in CAS and NSW rugby teams, but stuck to the 13-man game.

Moale has come from the humblest of beginnings. He is one of six children, each providing inspiration in their own way. Older sister Moniqua has already represented Souths in the women’s competition, while younger brother Stanley, who has non-verbal autism, is perhaps his biggest fan.

“His big brother was his tackle bag,” Jacqueline said. “His big sister plays for the Bunnies too. He’s been a great mentor to his brother [Stanley], caring for him and sharing with him.

South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Davvy Moale, second from right, often delivers food to the needy.

“Then he’s using the little brother as a rugby ball. We’ve all had a share in his training attributes.”

It has been a constant struggle for the family to make ends meet. Although he is on a relatively modest contract by NRL standards, Moale puts most of it towards ensuring his family doesn’t go without.

“He wouldn’t see it as a responsibility, that would be a given,” said Jan Earl, South Sydney’s head of wellbeing. He’s a really special boy. He comes from nothing, works really hard, does a lot of work off the field. There’s not an ounce of entitlement in him. He is going to go far.”

Jacqueline adds: “Whenever necessary he [contributes financially] and even when not necessary, he makes sure his little brothers and sister get a little treat.

Davvy Moale with his family.

“Just something little he can do for them, like bring some Maccas home on payday. Going shopping and bringing his siblings something new from the clothing shop. Just everything.

“Even me, I say to him ‘Stop, save some for you’. There’s where it is with him. He hasn’t had anything just given to him. He’s a fighter, this kid of mine.”

Moale will come into a South Sydney squad which will also feature Anthony Milford from next season. As revealed by the Herald last week, the Rabbitohs were going to make Milford a priority signing after Dane Gagai opted to leave for Newcastle.

The former Maroons playmaker will shift to Redfern in 2022 on about a third of the $1 million-per-season contract he has enjoyed at the Broncos.

“He comes to us highly recommended by [current head coach] Wayne [Bennett] and ‘JD’ [incoming 2022 head coach Jason Demetriou] who both worked with him at the Broncos where he played a leading role in taking them to the 2015 grand final,” said Rabbitohs head of football Mark Ellison.

“At his best he is one of the most electrifying players in the game.”

Adrian Proszenko is the Chief Rugby League Reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald.

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