At 35, English second row Elliott Whitehead decided to return to Perpignan and to the Catalans Dragons club for which he wore the colors from July 2013 to 2015. The former Canberra captain wanted to write new lines to his history with the Dracs of Steve McNamara and Bernard Guasch. Interview with this competitor, who has become one of the world's references in the position.
How have you been feeling since your return to Perpignan?
I'm very excited to be here. I can't wait for the season to start and do everything to win the Super League. That’s my goal and that’s why I’m back.
Do you measure the milestones reached by the Dragons since your departure in 2015?
The club has really improved under Steve McNamara. They've made two League finals and hopefully we can snag a third final and get a win this year. There are a lot of different players since I left in 2015, but there are still the same faces around, which is good. It shows the type of club it is, the fact that they are loyal to their team and their members. JI think we're building something here. There has been a big recruitment drive and I hope we can come together and get the wins the public expects.
You started your career with Steve McNamara (Bradford in 2009) with Steve McNamara as coach and you risk ending it with him…
Yes, that's the plan. That was one of the conversations we both had because I wanted to come back. And then I made a promise to President Guasch a few years ago. It was during the 2022 World Cup. I expressed an interest in returning once my career was over in Canberra. Bernard (Guasch) told me that I would always be welcome. I'm glad we kept our agreement. When I arrived in 2013, in the middle of the season, the club supported me very well and I am grateful to them. My only goal has always been to come back here and finish my career in Perpignan.
“I feel like I still have something to give”
Wasn't it difficult to go back for a season at 35 and after nine full seasons in the NRL?
No, I feel like I still have something to give. Last year I played well and felt ready to start a new season.
Your last match with Canberra was full of emotions. Wasn't your departure heartbreaking?
Yes, it was difficult. I spent nine big seasons there and made very good friends. Coach Ricky Stewart was very good to me and obviously, it's difficult to leave a place where you feel good. It's a big part of my life.
Have you successfully integrated since training resumed on November 11?
Yes and I am currently a Catalan and I want to do good for this club. They probably helped me improve as a player when I first came here.
Are you no longer the same player as in 2015?
No, and I learned a lot among other players and new ideas, among the different coaches. I hope I will bring some experience and that will help support Steve McNamara and the other coaches in their daily life.
Will 2025 be the last season of your career?
I don't want to say that this is my last season. But we'll see how my body does and how I play this year. If I have the opportunity to stay another year, I may be able to extend. But that's far from happening. I just want to focus on playing good Rugby and getting results for the club.
In your mind, it's not too difficult to get back into three long months of preparation?
It's true that it's a long time, especially when you're 35. But we don't want to start slowly. Like I said, the competition is tough. There are a lot of good teams in the competition. We want to start fast and well and maintain this consistency throughout the year.
