‘It means that my goal of playing in the NRL (National Rugby League) is no longer just a dream but something that is achievable,’ he said.
‘This keeps me motivated to keep doing what I am doing and stay focused.
‘Playing for this side means that I get the opportunity to go to Cairns, where I could get selected into the Australian U18s Schoolboys team.
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READ NOW‘Luckily, this year is the World Cup, so if I get selected into the schoolboys side, I will have the opportunity to play internationally.’
The 17-year-old switched to rugby league as a 12-year-old after playing Australian Rules football.
His commitment to the sport is obvious, training four times a week and playing twice a weekend.
He also commutes daily from Cannington to Leederville so he can be a part of the Aranmore Catholic College specialist rugby program.
‘Training almost every night, and commuting to and from school, means I only have a short turnaround time between getting home and going to training,’ he said.
‘This makes study hard but I would like to do a sports science degree one day.’
His commitment to the sport has paid off on field after also being selected in the Australian Combined Side last year.
‘This was a real eye-opener for me,’ he said. ‘I realised that I was a little fish in a big pond and that I would have to work exceptionally hard to achieve my goal, because there are a lot of talented players with the same aspirations and goals.
‘To make a career of playing the sport I love, and through a successful sporting career, I can give back to my family, especially my parents, who have done everything to support me.
‘My main goal is to play in the NRL before I am 21. Playing for Australia would be massive ” who does not want the honour of representing their country? But NRL is my goal and anything else is a bonus.’