Elliott Whitehead is returning to Super League but he’s already planning for what’s next after this time with Catalans Dragons.
The Bradford-born forward has signed a one-year deal that sees him return to his former club Catalans Dragons following his successful spell Down Under.
Whitehead played over 200 times in the NRL during his eight-year spell in Australia’s capital, leading the club to a Grand Final and captaining them in his final few years.
Now, aged 35, he returns to Super League and he’s outlined his plans when speaking to friend and former international teammate James Graham on The Bye Round podcast.
When Graham joked that he was only returning to France due to the unemployment benefit named chômage, Whitehead quickly confirmed that he has no plans to stick around in France beyond his deal and is instead keen to get into coaching.
On chômage, Whitehead explained: “I’m not too sure what the ins and outs are but I think once you finish, you get two years and you get a certain percentage of your salary which I’m not looking to do.
“I want to come back to Canberra once the year’s finished at Catalans and do some coaching here (Canberra) and hopefully progress in that aspect.”
Why Elliott Whitehead returned to Super League
Despite Graham claiming that the unemployment pay packet is a key reason why many players end their career at the Perpignan club, Whitehead noted the other positives around the club as he confirmed it had always been his intention to return.
“Obviously the heat is a little bit different to England and stuff and it’s a lovely place to live,” Whitehead explained.
“There’s a lot of love for rugby league there so the people around the area really get involved and get very passionate about that.
“It’s a good club to go to and to join. I loved my time there for two and a half years and I always said if I ever go back after Canberra then it would definitely be back to Catalans.”
After spending two-and-a-half seasons with the club between 2013 and 2015, Whitehead confirmed that there was something he wished he had done more of – learning the language.
“That’s one thing I wished I learned whilst I was there but I think Steve McNamara is trying to drive it so that they have to try and learn it. I’m looking forward to trying to learn a bit more.”
Whitehead is one of several NRL stars heading to the Super League club with Nick Cotric, Tevita Pangai Jr and Luke Keary all arriving, as well as Tommy Makinson and Oliver Partington.
Despite that exciting roster, Whitehead can’t see himself staying beyond one year: “I reckon I’ll be done, depends on what body is. They’ve made some great signings for next year and you know looking forward to joining up with all of them.”
