Memorable Debuts - Round 19

Parramatta Eels v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
ANZ Stadium - Friday 7:35pm

With the Bulldogs enduring one of the worst seasons in their history, coach Steve Folkes opted to hand Jamal Idris his first grade debut back in 2008. Still studying for his HSC, the 18-year-old giant lined up in the centres as Canterbury slumped to a 26-12 loss to Parramatta at ANZ Stadium. Going on to win the Dally M Rookie of the Year award the next season, representative honours followed during his time with the Blue and Whites. Signing a long-term deal with the Titans, Idris' tenure on the Gold Coast only lasted two season as injury and home-sickness saw him return to Sydney to play with Penrith in 2014. Currently sidelined with a knee injury, Idris remains one of the most popular players in the NRL due to his frame and power.

Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers
AAMI Park - Friday 7:35pm

Having celebrated his 250th game last week, it seems like a lifetime ago that Luke Lewis debuted in the NRL. Barely 18-years-old, Lewis started out as a winger with Penrith in 2001, playing his first game in the Panthers 28-24 loss to the Storm at Colonial Stadium. Going on to enjoy premiership and representative success with the Panthers, Lewis evolved into one of the most versatile players in the NRL; playing wing, centre, five-eighth, halfback and lock. Joining Cronulla in 2013, Lewis has experienced a phenomenal season so far, scoring nine tries and forming a lethal combination on the right side for the Sharks.

Canberra Raiders v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
GIO Stadium - Saturday 3:00pm

While a pectoral injury will see him miss out on the opportunity to come up against the Sharks this week, back in 2011 Sam Williams experienced a stellar debut for the Raiders. Coming into the side as a late replacement for Matt Orford, Williams laid on a number of try assists and a 40/20 on debut. Unable to secure a regular spot with the Raiders after three seasons, Williams joined the Dragons but poor form and the mid-season signing of Benji Marshall saw the Country Origin halfback link up with Catalan Dragons where he led the French side to within one game of the Grand Final. Receiving a lifeline with Canberra for 2015, Williams has been integral to the Raiders resurgence and will be eager to get back in time for their finals surge.

Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans
Hunter Stadium - Saturday 5:30pm

With the Titans hopes of making the finals slipping rapidly in 2008, coach John Carwright made a desperate play to get his side back in the top eight. At age 16, Jordan Rankin became the third youngest player in premiership history to debut in first grade. Coming off the bench in the 32-12 loss at Skilled Park, the halfback set up a late try for Brad Meyers with a grubber kick before returning to school the next day. Waiting another three years for another chance in the NRL, Rankin featured late in the 2011 season but once again was unable to cement a spot in the Titans line up. Joining Hull FC in 2014, Rankin has become a permanent fixture in the Airlie Birds backline.

St. George Illawarra Dragons v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Sydney Cricket Ground - Saturday 7:30pm

While recent club injury problems has seen him feature in Dragons backline, back in 2012 Justin Hunt made a terrific start with South Sydney. Playing on the wing in the Rabbitohs golden-point victory at Kogarah, Hunt featured in 10 matches that season including the semi-final win over Canberra. Unable to cement a place the following season, Hunt joined Parramatta in 2014 but with Semi Radradra and Jarryd Hayne starring in the Eels backline, he managed only one game. Since returning to first grade with the Dragons a fortnight ago, Hunt has impressed with his willingness to run the ball, averaging close to 200 metres each game.

Sydney Roosters v New Zealand Warriors
Allianz Stadium - Sunday 2:00pm

While the Roosters 2011 season was ultimately a disappointment, it did provide a future representative forward a chance to make an impression in first grade. Coming off the bench in the Round 13 win at the Sydney Football Stadium, Boyd Cordner played seven games in his rookie season before becoming a permanent fixture of the Roosters backrow, culminating in being rushed back for the 2013 Grand Final against Manly, despite the previous seven weeks with a knee injury. Playing for Australia and New South Wales, Cordner has become one of the best forwards in the NRL with ability in attack and defence.

Brisbane Broncos v Wests Tigers
Suncorp Stadium - Sunday 4:00pm

If there is one game which has defined Brisbane over their history, Round 14, 2002 would be it. Missing more than half their regular side through Origin as well as coach Wayne Bennett, the Broncos gave debuts to seven players: Nick Parfitt, Scott Minto, Robert Tanielu, Nathan Friend, Kris Kahler, Steve Lacaze. Coming up against Wests Tigers at Campbelltown, Brisbane emerged with a 28-14 victory with a side dubbed "The Baby Broncos". Led by halfback Scott Prince, many of the players who featured in the memorable Friday night encounter were unable to build long careers, but their role in the Broncos legacy lives on to this day.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v North Queensland Cowboys
Brookvale Oval - Monday 7:00pm

To score a try on debut is the dream for every first grade player, but to score a hat-trick is almost unheard of. Fortunately for Dean Whare, he was able to live out the rare feat during the Sea Eagles 24-20 win over North Queensland in 2010. While he initially struggled for game time early on, 2012 proved a breakthrough season for the Kiwi centre as he went on to represent New Zealand. Linking up with Penrith the following year, Whare has become one of the most respected centres in the NRL with blinding pace and tremendous defence.

That's all for this week, stay tuned for next week's edition of Memorable Debuts where we'll look at one of the Knights most prolific try-scorers, the son of a Canterbury legend and the debut of a legendary Roosters import.