‘Bulldog for life’: How Dragons rejection opened door for young gun’s ‘dream’ contract
Darcie McDonald from Fox Sports
February 18th, 2022 9:14 am
Aaron Schoupp was only two years old when the Bulldogs last won the premiership.
Naturally, he doesn’t remember that special Sunday night in 2004, but his Dad and pop — both diehard fans — made sure their future Bulldog became familiar with it.
“I wasn’t old enough to see or remember that era, but I’ve watched the replay,” Schoupp told foxsports.com.au.
The 20-year-old enjoyed a rapid rise last season in his beloved Bulldogs jersey that was only made possible by rejection from the Dragons and a new rule allowing players outside of the Top 30 to be selected for NRL.
Now, after securing a three-year deal with the club, Schoupp has one thing on his mind: “It’s my dream to win a premiership with the Bulldogs. It would be the best thing ever.”
Schoupp’s journey to Belmore started back in the heart of the Illawarra. He grew up surrounded by Dragons fans, but his dad and pop took him down a different path — which explains why this Bulli boy dreamt of pulling on a Bulldogs jersey.
He started rugby league at eight-years old, however if it wasn’t for his mum’s hesitation about the contact he would have been playing much earlier.
“She made me play soccer when I was younger so I had to beg my dad to let me play,” he laughed.
“As soon as I can remember, I was going to games with my dad and pop. The ‘Back to Belmore’ games were the best.
“I remember watching the Bulldogs and thinking ‘one day I want to play for them’.”
A young Aaron Schoupp in front of artwork inside Canterbury League Club. Source: Instagram.
The Thirroul Butchers junior progressed through the Dragons system and was a member of the Steelers’ 2019 SG Ball premiership-winning side alongside the likes of Tyrell Sloan, Jayden Sullivan, Talatau Amone and the Feagai twins.
The club locked in those five players — who have all gone on to debut for the Red V — but didn’t see Schoupp as a part of their future.
The Bulldogs offered Schoupp a gig with their Jersey Flegg side in 2020 but the competition was cancelled after one game due to Covid-19.
Eight months later he found himself training alongside the likes of Bulldogs veterans Josh Jackson and Will Hopoate when he started a $1,000-a-week train-and-trial deal ahead of the 2021 season.
“The Dragons said there was nothing really for me going forward. I could have stayed as a back-up player, but I sat down with my manager and the Bulldogs came knocking on the door,” Schoupp said.
“I haven’t looked back since.
“I took the train-and-trial as an opportunity to prove to people that I belong in the NRL.”
And that he did.
Schoupp started last season in New South Wales Cup. He scored four tries in six games, averaging four tackle busts and over 150 running metres per game.
As soon as Round 11 ticked over — when coaches could select players from outside their Top 30 — Schoupp was straight into the NRL side.
He debuted against the Titans and of course his whole family flew up to the Gold Coast to watch him in action. So too did Vivan Sos — the much-loved ‘housemum’ of the Bulldog house on York Street, Belmore, where Schoupp lived for two years.
“She’s the best,” Schoupp said of Sos.
“She was massive for me because I obviously had to move out of home for the first time. She’s been a big help for quite a few boys, she’s always there and is a shoulder to cry on.
“I still go and see her once or twice a week.”
He now lives in a unit with teammate Bailey Biondi-Odo in Belmore, not far from all the action on Burwood Road where he sheepishly admitted to getting the occasional free coffee from the famous Jobel’s Cafe.
That’s a perk every current and former Dogs player knows well.
In a season where teenage prodigies Sam Walker and Reece Walsh stole the show, Schoupp snuck somewhat under the radar.
But this hard-running centre’s rookie year didn’t go unnoticed by the Bulldogs faithful.
He played 13 NRL games, averaging 132 metres per game — the team’s second highest — and got to go up against the player he was “obsessed with” growing up, Josh Morris.
“I’ve never met him before, but I was lucky enough to verse him last year when he was at the Roosters and I got to go one-on-one with him which is pretty special,” he said.
“They won the game so I guess he won that battle.”
Schoupp was rewarded with a three-year NRL deal in September. He described the moment he put pen to paper as both “surreal” and a “relief.”
Surreal because the young Doggies fan inside of him was now living his dream. And a relief because he genuinely has “no idea” what he’d be doing with his life if he didn’t make it in footy.
Schoupp got the full experience of being an elite athlete last year, complete with off-season surgery.
He went in for what was meant to be minor shoulder surgery in September but ended up requiring a full rotator cuff repair. Bulldogs general manager of football, Phil Gould said at the time he “must be a tough kid.”
Schoupp, who revealed he has “come back a little bit earlier” than expected, has been named in Canterbury-Bankstown’s squad for Monday’s trial game against Newcastle.
It’s a good thing that shoulder is in tip-top condition because he plans on being a “more dominant player and have more presence” this season. He may even emulate a bit of Victor Radley’s game too.
“He’s just old-school,” Schoupp said when asked what he liked about the Roosters star.
“He can ball-play, he can hit, he runs hard. For someone that’s not as big as what other people are, I like the way he can hit people.
“I would love to be able to put shots on like he does.”
He’ll be able to lean on the advice of some handy players that have put the odd ‘shot’ on in their life with Willie Mason now on the Dogs coaching staff and Reni Maitua and Sonny Bill Williams also dropping by.
“It’s pretty surreal when Big Willie’s running around yelling things out,” he said.
“Reni’s popped in a few times and I think Sonny’s still busy with his boxing, but once he’s done there he’s going to come in.
“Willie and Reni came to couple of games last year and were in the sheds so it was good to see those guys when you’re getting ready for a game.”
It’s a long way down the track, but perhaps Schoupp will one day be a club legend dropping into Belmore to share his words of wisdom.
You can tell he’s thought about it.
When prompted on his long-term future Schoupp blurted it out before the question was even finished: “I’d love to be at the Bulldogs for the rest of my life... I want to be a Bulldog for life.”
