HEADING into 2020, Tyran Wishart thought he'd be following in his father Rod's footsteps in the red and white colours of St George Illawarra.
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However, once the NSW Canterbury Cup was cancelled, due to coronavirus, the young half knew there was only one club he wanted to play for - the Gerringong Lions.
His junior club as well as the one his 177-game NRL veteran father started his career at.
"I was shattered when I found out Canterbury Cup had been cancelled," Tyran said.
"Nothing could change the decision though and so I just tried to stay positive and I've kept my training consistently, which has been really positive."
Wishart, who's been with the Dragons for four years, was all set for his biggest year in his career, after his toughest pre-season to date, which marked his first with the club's top group
"Pre-season was great leading up to the first round," he said.
"It was definitely my most intense and beneficial to date, making me the fittest I'd felt.
"Training with the first grade group was one of the best experiences of my footy career, as it saw me play in the trial against Newcastle, which was a dream come true.
"The next step for me now is gaining a full-time contract, which I'm determined to do."
To help Wishart, who started at five-eighth for the Dragons' opening round NSW Cup loss to Western Suburbs (32-12), achieve that goal, the 20-year-old continued to work hard during lockdown.
"Through lockdown, I have been fitting training in with work (as a carpenter) each day, either early in the morning or after work in the afternoons," he said.
"I really wanted to keep my fitness up after pre-season, so I have been doing plenty of conditioning and gym work, based on the program the Dragons sent me.
"I didn't really find it hard to stay motivated, as every player with a full-time contract was still training every day and being a part of that squad was my main driving force."
The other goal driving the Kiama High School alumnus was leading Gerringong to their first Group Seven premiership since 2016.
"Apart from representative footy, I can't see myself playing for another club besides Gerringong," he said.
"It was a no-brainer to go back there and play with my mates.
"Everyone is on the same page and our goal as a team will be winning the premiership in 2020."
Wishart is just one of a host of players set to return to Michael Cronin Oval in 2020, along with Dragons Jersey Flegg players Hamish Holland and Denver Ford, as well as Dapto's Tim Moore.
"I have only played a handful of games in the senior competition, so being able to play a full season will be really special."
Following the Group Seven season, which kicks-off on July 18, Wishart hopes to get back into the Dragons' squad.
"Obviously the main objective is to get back to playing solid footy an enjoying myself," he said.
"If I do that, hopefully, it puts me in a strong position to secure a full-time NRL contract."