Tom Hazelton, the towering Cronulla prop, stands just 80 minutes away from a Grand Final, but his journey to this moment nearly took a different turn into a landscaping career. At 25, he embodies a rugged style reminiscent of rugby league legends, sporting black electrical tape around his shaven head as he charges onto the field. This old-school vibe, combined with his tenacity, has quickly made him a cult hero among fans at Shark Park.
Hazelton’s dedication and hard-running style have not only earned him respect on the field but have also captured the hearts of the Cronulla faithful. His commitment to the game and his unique persona have contributed to a growing following, illustrating the profound connection between players and fans in rugby league. As he prepares for this pivotal match, Hazelton’s story serves as a reminder of the diverse paths athletes can take and the potential for dreams to evolve into reality, even from unexpected beginnings.
Tom Hazelton’s path to professional rugby league was fraught with challenges, including injuries and the disruptions of the pandemic. After making the leap from Goulburn to join the Sharks’ Jersey Flegg side, he was on the cusp of breaking into the senior team when COVID-19 halted the season.
Reflecting on those tough times, Hazelton shared, “The first year I played one game because of COVID and the next year I actually broke my hand in round two after we had a bye in round one, so that set me out for about 12 weeks.” This series of setbacks almost pushed him toward a career in landscaping, where he would have used his considerable size to move wheelbarrows and bags of soil instead of tackling opposing players.
Despite these hurdles, Hazelton persevered, showcasing resilience and determination that ultimately paid off as he worked his way back to the field, earning recognition and respect in the NRL. His journey underscores the unpredictable nature of a sporting career and the tenacity required to overcome obstacles on the path to success.
During the difficult period of injuries and pandemic-related shutdowns, Tom Hazelton faced a pivotal moment in his career. “The game I was due back we had a bye, and then the comp got shut down straight after that, so I sort of didn’t have any footy for those two years,” he recalled. This absence from the game took a toll on him emotionally. “It was a pretty low time because I gave up so much leaving Goulburn, and not to be seeing any rewards was a bit frustrating.”
However, instead of throwing in the towel, Hazelton took a step back and reassessed his commitment to rugby league. “During COVID, it would’ve been easy just to throw the towel in and head home, but I got to a point where I had a good chat to a few people around me and decided that this is what I wanted to do.” His determination paid off as he worked hard to maintain his fitness and skills, eventually making it back to play in the NRL.
In the interim, he found a job as a landscaper, channeling his physicality into shoveling and other landscaping tasks, which kept him grounded and focused. Now, as he stands on the brink of a grand final appearance, he reflects on how far he has come: “To play in the NRL, but now in the finals series and with an opportunity to play in a grand final is unreal.” His journey highlights the resilience and dedication needed to succeed in professional sports, turning challenges into stepping stones toward his dreams.
Thomas Hazelton scores a try. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
“I actually really enjoyed it,” he said.
“Obviously like everything, it has it’s good and bad days. But that kind of line of work makes me appreciate the life I live now as well.”
Now in his second full NRL season and his first preliminary final, the Shire feels like home, even if he’s never embraced the local pastime of surfing.
“I tried it once and did it in budgies and got chafe pretty much all over the front side of my body, so that was enough for me to draw a line in the sand,” he said.
“I love the area, I love the club and everyone involved with it.
“The option to go home is always there, right. But at the moment I’m very happy here.
“Hopefully, all things being equal I’ll continue playing footy for a long time yet and this is somewhere I could definitely see myself settling down after that.”