He spent 15 months over in the UK and will now use his skills to help Mittagong Lions win a Group 6 premiership.
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New recruit Dylan Readman returned to Australia late last year after he spent time playing rugby union and rugby league over in England.
“I hadn’t played union since I was 12-years-old. At first I struggled, I had no idea what was going on,” he said.
“But once I got the hang of it i loved it- except for standing out in the rain."
Bit his season was cut short after he broke his arm.
During his recovery, Dylan signed with Hemel Stags, based near Watford.
He was unable to play until round four of the 2016 season when he made his League 1 debut as hooker.
While the Stags finished the year in second last place, Dylan said it was a great experience. The team travelled across England to play and event went as far as France to take on Toulouse.
Dylan and the Stags faced a tough level of competition, with League 1 just a couple of steps down from the Super League.
“Skill level I think is the same as group 6 in a way but just more professional. It’s not as quick and tough but there’s just more passion which does make it harder in a way.
“Everyone wants to be there and you’re fighting for positions. We had a squad of 40 so it was hard to get a position every week.”
It’s not as quick and tough but there’s just more passion which does make it harder in a way.
- Dylan Readman
He was not the only Aussie trying his luck in England.
At Hemel there were several Australian players who had made the trip to the mother country to test out their skills.
Dylan believes his time in the UK has helped him mature as a football player.
“Apart from meeting everyone, I’ve got friends all over England, I think it’s just playing footy overseas and starting fresh. You get to create your own pathway. It’s all up to you, see how far you want to go with it.”
Already since being back in Australia he has been busy on the field.
He first appeared in the green and gold for Mittagong against Narellan in round two of the 2017 Group 6 competition.
A man of many talents, Dylan also travelled to the Oztag State Cup with the Razorback where his team made it to the division two semi-final. His next start for Mittagong will be the round three clash against The Oaks at home on April 22.
