Canberra Raiders star Sia Soliola wants RLPA to build bridges

The Canberra Raiders veteran has been appointed as one of the Rugby League Players Assocation's new board members.

Soliola joins Daly Cherry-Evans and Dale Copley in casual vacancy roles which will allow them to progress to director positions within the association.

It comes after the RLPA expressed concern over the wellbeing of NRL star Latrell Mitchell as speculation swirls over the future of the out of favour Sydney Roosters centre.

The Roosters pulled a major contract offer for the 22-year-old star off the table having grown frustrated with the public nature of the negotiations regarding Mitchell's next move.

The noise was seemingly amplified by Mitchell's split from his agent Steve Deacon to link with Wayde Rushton and uncertainty continues to plague the former NSW Blue.

Now Soliola wants to help to bring all parties together to solve issues and show players there is a support network waiting for them.

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"The hardest thing we've got to work on is communication. We'll just try and be the bridge between the players, the NRL and the clubs themselves," Soliola said.

"In that respect support is always the main thing. Some players will deal with things in different scenarios.

"Talking about Latrell, I'm sure he has got support. It is the responsibility of the RLPA to protect the player first and foremost, and seeing if he needs any help.

"That's all we can do. If his manager can reach out or communicate, then the RLPA can help.

"It has definitely come a long way since I have been playing. When I started in 2005, [Newcastle Knights great] Tony Butterfield was working pretty hard [at the players association].

"Those guys were really at the forefront and worked really hard to get to where the RLPA is at.

"The association is now providing a voice for the players to be heard and to be respected within the game.

"There's always improvements to be made. For us as players, whenever an issue arises or a challenge arises, it's more about the players understanding there is support around.

"I'm really looking forward to the learning part and imparting views and experiences I have had.

"I'm actually looking forward to getting a really good understanding of what the players want and understanding the different parties, being the NRL, the clubs, players and agents."

The Raiders have returned to club headquarters for pre-season training as they look to go one better than a heartbreaking grand final defeat.

Soliola says the first few days are always pretty standard. Pre-season testing with the medical staff takes precedence over running themselves ragged.

But the 33-year-old says the Green Machine is well and truly in the thick of things now.

Among the bulk of the NRL squad remains a spattering of fresh-faced rookies looking to make their mark before the groups split following Christmas.

Ask anyone around the Raiders' Bruce training base and they will tell you those same youngsters could do worse than listen to someone like Soliola.

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After all, you don't play 200 NRL games and 117 matches across the Super League and Challenge Cup without some idea of what you're doing.

But little do those rising stars know, they are potentially just as valuable to Soliola as his words of wisdom are to them.

"It's cool man, it's cool. You always enjoy seeing the young fresh blood come into play, and the energy they bring," Soliola said.

"It's cool for us old fellas to be a part of it, you want to help them on that journey and help them to grow."