Why Canberra Raiders forward JJ Collins had to leave the NRL

The Canberra Raiders prop has walked away from the NRL to return home to Queensland in the hope of finding work that will support his family.

The coronavirus pandemic has shortened the NRL season and had a significant impact on player wages, which led Collins to a decision he admits leaves him "gutted".

After all, football is all the 24-year-old has ever known. He left home at 18, graduated on a Friday, moved to Sydney on the following Sunday, and reported for pre-season training on the Monday.

But Collins believes now is the time to find a different avenue to provide for his family, much like his mother did for him growing up - hence why he changed his last name to "Collins", a touching move that once brought his mother Suinu'u to tears.

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"My partner and I have just had our first son and it although it was a tough decision, it was one that had to be made," Collins said.

"I'm really gutted to be leaving the club, they welcomed me last year when I first arrived, and I have nothing but respect for the staff and playing group.

"The drive is still there to play first grade footy, but at this time it's important for me to do what's best for my family, so we'll head back to Queensland and I'll look for some work and hopefully another opportunity presents itself in the future.

"It's important for me to get into a routine outside footy as that's all I really know, so I'll get a job and if another opportunity comes, I'll be ready.

"If it was just my partner and I, we would have stayed, but having a young family I had to make the tough decision to put footy on the back burner and my family first, and to provide for them I guess is my main thing in life at the moment.

"It's going to be hard not training with the boys every day, they're a great bunch of blokes and good playing group so I'm going to miss them."

Collins' departure comes as Jack Murchie links up with the New Zealand Warriors for the remainder of the 2020 campaign, while Luke Bateman also left the club to move back to Queensland a week ago.

The loss of three fringe forwards in a seven-day period leaves the Raiders with empty spots on their roster leading into their heavy travel schedule to restart the NRL season.

Canberra will resume their campaign against the Melbourne Storm on May 30, with no games to be played in the capital until their round 11 clash with South Sydney at the earliest.

The Raiders will play home games at Campbelltown Stadium until at least round nine, with no venues allocated for games beyond that point as NRL officials contend with the COVID-19 crisis.