Mat Rogers, son of Sharks immortal Steve and a club legend in his own right, officially launched A Father’s Son at Sharks at Kareela last night, his book telling a story of family, football and forgiveness.
Before a crowd of around 150 friends, family and fans, with Beau Ryan acting as master of ceremonies, it was a memorable occasion as Rogers offered insights into his motivation for detailing a life which has included incredible highs, some devastating lows, and an ability to overcome to be the father, husband and man he is today.
To most he is known as the high achieving sportsman, Shark #301, Rogers played 123 games for the Sharks, debuting as a teenager, representing Queensland and Australia, before switching codes and becoming a Wallaby and a dual international. He would return to play in the NRL for the Gold Coast Titans.
Along the way he endured challenges, the untimely passing of his father Steve included amongst them, all lived under an intense public spotlight.
Since his retirement in 2011, Rogers has raised four children, “the first two kids saved my life, my nickname was ‘rat’, my next child saved my life,” with son Max on the autism spectrum, as the book delves into his sporting journey, while going much deeper into the man who is much more than just a footballer.
“I had the pleasure of going on the TV show Survivor a couple of times and people had the opportunity to get to know me as a person,” Rogers said. “The publishers Simon and Schuster approached me and asked me if I’d like to tell my story.”
Initially terrified by the prospect of penning his own memoire, “if only my English teachers could see me now”, Rogers is now proud of the finished product and hopes people while appreciating his footballing exploits will get a better appreciation for the man himself.
“It breaks down who I was, why I struggled to be who I was and the person I am today,” Rogers said. “But there’s a lot of funny stories in there too, it’s not all doom and gloom. It’s about overcoming.
“To have the opportunity to write a book and to put your life into words, is bloody tough. But I’m grateful I got through it.”
A schoolboy rugby prodigy growing up on the Gold Coast, to a Shark playing for the Club his dad helped make famous, with Rogers going on to reach the pinnacle of both league and union, a husband and father dealing with all the hurdles along the way, A Father’s Son covers it all, and then some.
For more on A Fathers Son, including promotional tour information and book signing dates CLICK HERE.
A Father’s Son, now available in bookstores.
