# Rejected from the club he loved: Rising Wests Tigers star Godinet on verge of proving Eels wrong, realising NRL dreams—As a young boy, Pheonix Godinet would spend hours watching Eels highlights. But after his dream club rejected him…
Wests Tigers Rookie Pheonix Godinet: The Boy Who Turned Rejection Into Fuel for Greatness
As a young boy growing up in Sydney’s west, Pheonix Godinet would rush home from school, drop his bag, and cue up Parramatta Eels highlight reels on YouTube. The electric runs of Jarryd Hayne, the fearless tackles of Nathan Hindmarsh, and the roar of the Eels faithful at CommBank Stadium painted a dream in his young mind — one day, he would wear the blue and gold jersey.
But life, as it often does, took a different turn. Twice rejected by the Eels’ development system, the young fullback’s dreams seemed to evaporate before they had the chance to take shape. Yet today, that same boy — now a rising star — stands on the brink of a breakout career at the Wests Tigers, fuelled by a decade-old promise he made to himself: “If they don’t believe in me, I’ll make them wish they did.”
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From Backyard Dreams to Heartbreak
Godinet’s journey began humbly. Born to Samoan parents in western Sydney, his early years were spent playing backyard footy with his brothers until sunset. His father, a factory worker and lifelong Eels fan, would often take him to games, pointing out players and saying, “That could be you one day, son.”
At just 12, Godinet trialled for the Eels’ Harold Matthews Cup side. He was small for his age, quiet, and shy — but he had speed, vision, and a knack for reading the game. He made it to the final cut before being told he hadn’t made the squad. The rejection stung, but he shrugged it off, determined to try again.
Three years later, he returned for another trial, stronger and faster. The result was the same. “That one broke me,” Godinet recalls. “I remember sitting in the car afterward, trying not to cry in front of Dad. I thought maybe I just wasn’t good enough.”
For many young athletes, that would have been the end. But for Pheonix, it was just the beginning.
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The Promise That Changed Everything
Later that night, he pulled out a notebook — the same one he used to jot down drills and dreams — and scribbled a message to himself:
“I’ll make it to the NRL. Even if they don’t want me, someone else will.”
That message became his mantra. From that moment, every sprint, every gym session, every sacrifice was driven by that vow. He stopped waiting for recognition and started building his own path.
Local coaches soon noticed his work ethic. Playing for the Cabramatta Two Blues, Godinet developed a reputation for his composure under pressure and his relentless energy off the ball. By the time he was 18, his highlights reel was circulating among scouts again — but this time, it was the Wests Tigers who came calling.
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A New Home, A New Fire
When the Tigers offered him a spot in their SG Ball Cup side, Godinet didn’t hesitate. “They gave me a chance when others didn’t,” he says. “I’ll never forget that.”
At Concord, he found a club that matched his grit. Coaches spoke of his maturity, leadership, and unshakeable belief. “Pheonix isn’t the loudest in the room,” says Tigers pathways coach Ben Gardiner. “But when he speaks, everyone listens. He’s got that quiet confidence — the kind that comes from doing the hard yards when no one’s watching.”
Over the next few seasons, Godinet progressed through the ranks, honing his skills as a fullback and five-eighth. His speed and game awareness made him a natural fit for the Tigers’ evolving style. By 2024, his performances for the NSW Cup side had caught the attention of head coach Benji Marshall.
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Benji’s Belief
Marshall, himself a master of flair and perseverance, saw something special. “He reminds me a bit of myself when I was his age,” Marshall says with a smile. “He’s got the drive, the spark, and the humility you can’t teach. He just needed someone to believe in him.”
That belief culminated in a phone call earlier this year that Godinet will never forget. “Benji rang me and said, ‘Pack your bag — you’re debuting this weekend.’ I just froze. I couldn’t speak. All I could think about was my family, my dad, and those times I didn’t make the team.”
His debut, against the Titans, was everything he had dreamed of — and more. Under the bright lights at Leichhardt Oval, he produced a stunning performance, setting up two tries and saving another with a last-ditch tackle. The crowd chanted his name as he walked off, eyes glistening, heart full.
“I looked up into the stands,” he recalls. “Dad was crying. That’s when I knew every setback was worth it.”
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The Making of a Modern Tiger
At just 20, Godinet is already being hailed as one of the Tigers’ brightest prospects. His ability to play multiple positions — fullback, halfback, or five-eighth — gives Marshall valuable flexibility. But beyond talent, it’s his mindset that sets him apart.
“He’s obsessed with improvement,” says teammate Jahream Bula. “After training, he’s always doing extras — kicking practice, defensive drills, film study. He’s got that hunger.
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