The likes of Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker, Warriors playmaker Reece Walsh and Wests Tigers winger Zac Cini have made stellar NRL debuts already this season, while this weekend’s Magic Round is set to see Jakob Arthur blooded at five-eighth for Parramatta.
Getting that initial call-up is an unforgettable career highlight for any player – the stuff of rugby league dreams. But not every debut follows the fairytale script.
Will Evans from This Warriors Life relives some of the most unfortunate maiden first-grade forays from over the years.
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4. Tony Caine (Cronulla Sharks)
Tony Caine was called up to make his NRL debut off the bench for Cronulla against the Warriors in 2006, but the 19-year-old’s season finished courtesy of a severe knee injury, sustained while having his kick charged down in controversial fashion by Steve Price.
The younger brother of prominent Wests Tigers winger/fullback Joel Caine battled back to play a further 15 games for the Dragons and Sharks, but the troublesome knee continued to hamper the utility and he was forced to give the game away in 2008.
