Memorable Debuts - Round 14

Wests Tigers v South Sydney Rabbitohs
ANZ Stadium - Friday 7:45pm

While he left South Sydney prior to the Rabbitohs historic 21st premiership in 2014, Dylan Farrell will still be remembered for his remarkable start in the NRL that will live on in the history of the Red and Green. With the Bunnies predicted to struggle against Wests Tigers without much of their forward pack, as well as the loss of key playmaker John Sutton late in the match, it was Farrell who proved the difference in the 2010 Round 22 nail-biter. With the scores locked at 30-all with only seconds remaining in extra time, the former Culburra Dolphin crossed for his third try to send supporters into raptures. Cementing his place in the first grade side in 2011, Farrell also repeated his hat-trick heroics against the Sea Eagles and Dragons, before signing with St. George Illawarra in 2014.

New Zealand Warriors v Sydney Roosters
Mt Smart Stadium - Saturday 6:00pm

Having been defeated in the 2002 Grand Final, the New Zealand Warriors sought revenge against the Sydney Roosters in the Round 25 rematch the next year. With halfback Stacey Jones out injured, future Kiwi international Jerome Ropati was provided with his first grade debut in the Warriors 26-24 victory at Aussie Stadium. Coming off the bench, the Auckland junior slowly developed in a variety of positions in the backline and the halves before his breakout season in 2006. In the corresponding round that year, Ropati crossed for 4 tries in the 42-16 demolition of the Eastern Suburbs club. While a premiership eluded him throughout his 145 game career; Ropati was a try-scorer in the 2008 World Cup final for New Zealand over the Kangaroos.

Gold Coast Titans v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Cbus Super Stadium - Sunday 4:00pm

He may have struggled for time in the NRL side this year, but that hasn't stopped Kevin Gordon from establishing himself as a prolific try-scorer for the Titans. Making his debut in Round 3 of the 2009 premiership season at Skilled Park, Gordon crossed for 13 tries in his rookie season, before setting up a battle between fellow winger David Mead for the most tries for the Gold Coast. While Mead currently has his measure with 58 four-pointers, if Gordon is able to break back into the NRL side, he only stands one behind with a 50% average from 114 games.

Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels
AAMI Park - Monday 7:00pm

Having been forced out of the Eels top side due to salary cap constraints, halfback Luke Kelly will have fond memories of his time in Melbourne back in 2009. Coming in as a replacement for the Origin-weary Storm in Round 18, Kelly made an immediate impact off the bench, setting up a try, only for Parramatta to prevail 18-16 in Nathan Hindmarsh's 250th game. Leading the Storm Under 20s side to a premiership the same year, the Northern Territory product shifted to the Eels mid-way through 2012 in search of an opportunity to establish himself as first-grade #7.

With the Blues looking to level the series and the Maroons out to reclaim the Origin shield, lets take a look at some Melbourne Moments from the past.

Paul Gallen - Game Three, 2006
Making his first appearance for the Blues in the decider of 2006, Gallen would never have envisioned the impact he would make in the Origin arena. Unable to prevent Queensland from claiming a 16-14 victory at Telstra Dome, to claim the first of eight-successive series, the Cronulla lock would go on to captain New South Wales in 2011, before finally hoisting the shield in 2014.

Terry Campese - Game One, 2009
After experiencing a short-lived debut for the Kangaroos the previous year, Campese was expected to be the answer to Darren Lockyer for the Blues. With New South Wales going down 28-18 in the opening match, despite a controversial call going against Jarryd Hayne early on in the game; Campese was swiftly dropped in favour of Trent Barrett for the remainder of the series. Following a series of long-term injuries plaguing the Canberra five-eighth, Campese never returned to the Origin arena.

Brad Fittler - Game Two, 1990
Going on to represent New South Wales on 31 occasions, the most of any player; Fittler came off the bench in the Blues 12-6 win at Olympic Park, the first Origin match to be played in the Southern capital. As he did in his first match, Fittler bowed out of the Origin arena a winner, scoring a memorable charge-down try as the Blues claimed a 36-14 decider in 2004.

Aaron Raper - Game Two, 1997
New South Wales were able to wrap up the 1997 series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, courtesy of a drop-goal from John Simon. But for the son of St. George legend John Raper, the chance to play for the Blues never eventuated. Despite being selected, New South Wales coach Tommy Raudonikis opted against using the hooker. It would prove to be a heartbreaking moment for the Cronulla and Parramatta player, as he was never selected again.

That's all for this week, stay tuned for next week's edition of Memorable Debuts where we'll look at Johnathan Thurston's first match, the Broncos who's only game was in a Qualifying Final and Mat Rogers' short-lived comeback from retirement.