Daine Laurie enjoyed a dream debut with the Penrith Panthers on Saturday night and it was a game that was made all the more special given he has been a core part of the club's junior development system in recent years.
Laurie first joined the club as part of their UNE SG Ball Cup squad in 2017 before making the transition into the Jersey Flegg Cup and being crowned as their Player of the Year.
In his 22 appearances in that remarkable 2018 campaign, he recorded 17 tries, 20 line-breaks, 119 tackle-breaks, eight try-assists while averaging 134m per game.
The 21-year-old has played just six games in the Canterbury Cup NSW since 2018, which makes his first-grade debut more impressive given he had played just one senior match before Saturday.
He was called upon by coach Ivan Cleary for the Panthers Round 13 clash against Canberra Raiders – producing a six-minute stint in the dying stages to help his side claim a 28-12 victory.
The Panthers currently sit first on the competition ladder after 13 rounds, and continue to stamp their premiership credentials with a blistering eight-game winning streak.
Laurie joins Dylan Edwards and Caleb Aekins as the club's fullback options for the 2020 NRL season, with the trio providing invaluable depth for the Panthers as they search for their first premiership since 2003.
