He’s gone from the South Sydney scrapheap to a premiership with Melbourne in the space of two years – now life as a Queensland miner awaits Jaiman Lowe.
With the likes of Sam Burgess, David Taylor, Roy Asotasi and Michael Crocker in front of him, Lowe was squeezed out of the Rabbitohs at the end of the 2010 campaign and resigned to working underground for a living.
However, a phone call out of the blue from Storm coach Craig Bellamy offering him a two-year contract, brought Lowe to the Victorian capital and plans to take up a job in his home state were subsequently shelved.
And he signed off his 10-year career, which began with North Queensland, with a fairytale finish as the Storm edged out Canterbury 14-4 in the grand final at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
“Stuff like this doesn’t normally happen to blokes like me, it’s pretty magic,” Lowe told AAP.
“It was a good decision wasn’t it to hold off going to the mines.
“I am just so happy for the club. It’s been through a lot and taken a lot of knocks but it still stands tall and that is a true sign of character.”
Lowe paid tribute to Bellamy for giving him the chance to end a solid rather than spectacular career on a high, and said the culture he instills at the club helped him reach new heights.
“I owe my premiership ring to Craig,” Lowe said.
“I came to the club to do a job, but it wasn’t to the extent of blokes like Cam Smith and Billy Slater.
“But when you are around the club and see the work Craig puts in, it gives you an insight into why they’re so successful – it’s no secret it’s just hard work.”
Despite his success, the 29-year-old said he has no intention of staying in the NRL.
“Not a chance, this week we’re heading to Moranbah in Central Queensland where I’ll hopefully find a job in the mines – but I’ll enjoy this for a few days first.”
The grand final was also the last game for Todd Lowrie, Sika Manu, Richie Fa’aoso and Dane Nielsen who all join new clubs for next year.
Fa’aoso, who’ll join Manly in 2013, was cut by Newcastle earlier this year before being picked up mid-season by Bellamy.
However, the 28-year-old, admitted he felt slightly uneasy about winning a ring, having played just seven games off the bench and 15 minutes in the grand final.
“I feel a bit of an arsey prick, to be honest,” Fa’aoso told AAP.
“Some guys like (Jason) Rylesy missed out through injury and he’s been here all year so I am not sure I deserve it.
“But I’m very happy, this is the best moment of my career.”