Memorable Debuts - Round 7

Welcome to Memorable Debuts, a new feature of LeagueUnlimited.com where we take a look at the upcoming matches of the round and see which players debuted in the same game all those years ago.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Manly Sea Eagles

While the Round 17 encounter between these two sides may be best known for producing the quickest try ever recorded in the NRL to Sea Eagles centre Albert Torrens (34 seconds), the Bulldogs 50-32 win at Brookvale Oval also saw the 2004 premiers give a debut to Trevor Thurling. Only managing one game during his time at the Bulldogs, Thurling shifted to Canberra in 2006, going onto play 99 games for the Green Machine before being released at the end of 2012.

Brisbane Broncos v St. George Illawarra Dragons

When Wayne Bennett encountered the club he coached for 21 years for the first time in 2009, the Dragons produced a 25-12 victory that would see them on their way to the minor premiership. What made that win especially significant for the Dragons, was the fact that only 15 players were used throughout the game, meaning that Matthew Head and would-be debutant Trent Merrin never got on the field in Brisbane. Merrin would go onto make his first grade debut in Round 12 the same year, but it could've been sooner if not for the coaching of Bennett.

Gold Coast Titans v Penrith Panthers

In one of many memorable debuts, one of the true journeymen of the NRL, Arana Taumata played his first game for the Panthers in 2012 against the Titans. While Penrith went down 36-18, Taumata was able to mark his comeback to the NRL with a try, playing his first game since 2010, after unsuccessful stints with the Broncos, Roosters, Bulldogs, Storm, Tigers and Cowboys. One of the most talented players in recent memory, a troubled Taumata only managed to play 14 games in his career, but showed immense talent, crossing for six tries, whilst also representing the New Zealand Maori on two occasions.

North Queensland Cowboys v New Zealand Warriors

While the scoreboard may have read a 50-20 victory in favour of the Warriors, the North Queensland Cowboys were able to provide one of their most prolific try-scorers with a debut back in 2002. Having started the season 0-3, coach Murray Hurst was replaced by Graham Murray mid-week in order to change the fortunes of the struggling club. While the results may not have been immediate, one of the major reasons for the Cowboys improved showings in later years was Ty Williams. Making his debut in the centres, Williams went on to play 151 matches for the Cowboys, scoring 85 tries and representing Queensland on three occasions in 2005.

Melbourne Storm v Sydney Roosters

He may be best known for scoring a try in the inaugural All Stars match for the Indigenous side, but few people remember the NRL debut of former Rooster and Cowboy Ben Jones. On a Friday night in August, the red-haired utility came off the bench in the Roosters 30-6 loss to Melbourne at the now defunct Olympic Park. Only managing the one game in 2008, Jones went onto play 35 games in the NRL, scoring nine tries in the process.

Wests Tigers v Canberra Raiders

While this week will mark the final game for Raiders prop Dane Tilse in the NRL, back in 2001, Tigers coach Terry Lamb handed debuts to two players in their 26-24 win at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. While fullback Hassan Saleh would go onto play 44 games for the Tigers, Dragons and Sharks, the story of winger Makasini Richter is far more complex. Having represented Tonga at the 2000 World Cup under the name Jackson Kaufusi, he changed his name again to Lipina Kaufusi before finally settling on Makasini Richter by the end of his 26 game career with the Wests Tigers and Bulldogs.

Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels

Much like Willie Isa last week, some players have the fortune to make their NRL debut right at the last minute. Having played in the NSW Cup only minutes earlier, Knights utility Tyler Randell was forced to back up for the first grade encounter with Parramatta after Newcastle hooker Travis Waddell came down with an illness during the warm up. Finishing the game with 20 stitches following a head clash with Eels centre Ryan Morgan, the Knights were able to post six tries in the second half to run out 42-12 winners.

Cronulla Sharks v South Sydney Rabbitohs

For over 100 years, South Sydney have experienced more than their fair share of controversy. Having been excluded from competition for two years, the most successful premiership team in history also has a peculiar set of circumstances surrounding their 1000th player. Coming into the Round 10 clash with Cronulla in 2003, the Rabbitohs had fielded 997 players in their history, but with Damon Alley-Tovio, David Fa'alogo and Danny McAllister all playing their first games for South Sydney in the 30-14 loss, the answer to the question of South Sydney's 1000th player remains unsolved to this day.

That's all for this week, stay tuned for next weeks edition of Memorable Debuts where we'll look at a Warrior who had to wait two years to get on the field, a current Manly legend and the Bulldogs captain who debuted for arch-rivals Parramatta.