By Liam Cook

A Dragon through his juniors, current Sunnybank winger Peter Lee is philosophical about what he wants to achieve in the twilight of his career.

The journeymen is full of gratitude for his experiences in a code he wasn’t always enamoured with.

“I’ve got a bit of a journey. It started a bit unorthodox compared to most rugby players because I played junior league for Easts Mount Gravatt,” Lee told Rugby News.

“I played both union and league from under eleven and twelve but I’ve been at Sunnybank since under twelves.

“I was actually a swimmer before I started playing rugby but I fell in love with team sport.”

It’s this comradery and sense of community that has kept Lee going in premier grade through the years.

“Rugby is just one small component of what premier rugby has to offer, it’s also the community, the life-long friends and being a part of something that is the key”, he said.

“I wasn’t going to play this year but I got the tap on the shoulder from the new GM Ben Armstrong who said, ‘you still got it’ and I thought ‘thank goodness you still believe in me’.

“Having that type of support from the GM, head coach, staff, and players is great especially coming in as an old head this year and turning thirty-one.”

Sunnybank’s challenging 2022 season hasn’t weakened the club’s commitment according to Lee.

“It’s an awesome community to be a part of and we’re not getting the results but we have supporters, volunteers and coaches that believe in us.”

The Dragon’s currently sit seventh on the ladder with five games to play.

Despite only recording two victories for the season, Sunnybank have displayed their competitiveness against side’s like Brothers, GPS, and Easts and by beating UQ.

Lee says inexperienced has been a major factor in his side’s lack of consistency.

“It’s been tough not going to lie, we’re not where we wanted to be.”

“We don’t go out to lose games and the boys are trying. We’ve got a pretty young side.

“You look at the average age, experience, depth, and recruitment of other teams like GPS or Wests and we are a lot different.”

The No.14 and his teammates believe there is still a lot to gain from the rest of the season. 

“We came into the season wanting to be in that top half and we’ve still got the chance with five games left to hopefully finish as high as fifth.”

Sunnybank’s chance to achieve that goal begins with a stern test against the top of the table Wests this weekend.

“They’ve got some good depth even without their Reds and Wallabies’ players coming into the mix.”

“If we got out there naïve or expecting not to compete than we’re going to be rolled but if we come with the mentality to compete and work for each other than it can be a different game.

“Confident we can cause what you say might be an upset but I want to win and everyone in our team wants to win.”

The winger has been a rare senior head and reliable performer for Sunnybank this season.

After an extensive odyssey in rugby league, Lee only returned to the club he joined as a junior four seasons ago.

He says the decision to come back to the Dragon’s has been a major factor in his growth both on and off the field.

“I came back to Sunnybank in the last four years as a coach and strength and conditioning coordinator because I didn’t want to play again. I got the tap on the shoulder from Sione to see if I wanted to play and said why not.”

“Fast forward four years and Sunnybank still has me there and I’m now looking after the grassroots and junior space.”

The veteran quickly earned his way from the lower grades and into the top team where he has thrived ever since.

“I came in with the intention of just playing grade and I played fifth grade, then the week after fourth grade, week after that third grade and then eventually they said, ‘come down to premier grade training.’”

“You earn your spot at Sunnybank it’s not just given to you which I like. Being at Sunnybank for so many years the jersey doesn’t just belong to me and Sione is big on that.”

At thirty-one, Lee is able to reflect on his career with appreciation and satisfaction.

Appearing on the NRL Rookie television show, Lee was presented an opportunity to join Wentworthville in the NSW Cup.

“I didn’t take the show as seriously as I should’ve but it was still awesome rubbing shoulders and being mentored by guys like Brad Fittler, Mark Geyer, Adrian Lam, Billy Slater and Paul Gallen.”

Not wanting to move away from home, Lee’s manager was able to secure a gig with the Tweed Seagulls and extended Titan’s squad before injury struck.

“I had really good intentions of getting into the Titans squad but I tore the tendon off the bone in my left-hand which kind of made my decision easy to come back to Brisbane.”

The stalwart believes his journey turned out the way it was meant to.

“There’s no regrets because if I went down to Wentworthville I might not have met my wife and I now have a business running out of Sunnybank in mentorship and investing in life skills for young players which is where my heart is.”

“I’ve been blessed, you do get a bit of head noise now and then but that’s why you have your support networks like my boys and my wife.”

Since arriving back at his first union club, Lee has been impressed with the young talent Sunnybank boasts across juniors, colts, and premier grade.

“Tommy Lucas has still got it and I’m just waiting for him to get snatched up.”

“Dave Feliuia Lene, our inside and outside centre, is a freak and he’s still young. Once he gets into a system the Wallabies or international rugby is where he’s headed.

“He’s got that X-factor and is a good manager of the game and understands the game. Growing up I know he was a five-eight so he hasn’t been able to display those extra skills on the field yet and I’m really excited when he does have the opportunity in a system that allows him to do that.”

As he approaches the back end of his career, Lee is hopeful he can push on to a major milestone and keep giving back to the club and community that has given him an immeasurable amount of joy.

“You’ve got to look yourself in the mirror and realise your time’s coming up and that I’ve had a really good career playing professional and semi-professional rugby in both codes.”

“Personally, my goal is to finish up next year when I hit one-hundred games. Hopefully Sione looks at that and allows me to play.

“The club’s done so much for me with friends and family and I’ve met some of my best mates growing up here.

“It’s about giving back to your community and hopefully my two boys will put on the Dragon’s jersey.”