Memorable Debuts - Round 24

St. George Illawarra Dragons v Penrith Panthers
WIN Stadium - Thursday 7:45pm

For every player making their debut the worst thing that can happen is making a mistake. For Jason Nightingale, his first game for the Dragons in Round 8, 2007 saw the future international winger come up with two knock-ons inside the opening 10 minutes. Fortunately for the experienced winger, he was able to make amends as he crossed for a try in the 28-16 win at Kogarah over the Panthers. Going on to become one of the best wingers in the NRL, Nightingale has scored 85 tries in 194 matches for the Dragons, including a double in the 2010 Grand Final win over the Roosters. Awarded the captaincy in the absence of Ben Creagh early on in 2015, Nightingale has been a mainstay of the New Zealand test squad, earning 24 caps, since debuting in the Centenary Test at the SCG in 2008.

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
ANZ Stadium - Friday 7:45pm

While Round 4, 2002 is best remembered as the night Nigel Vagana scored 5 tries for the Bulldogs, for Matt Utai the match marks the beginning of his first grade career. Going on to win the Dally M Rookie of the Year, Utai formed a deadly combination with Hazem El Masri which yielded enormous dividends in the 2004 Grand Final victory over the Roosters, where Utai crossed twice. Injuries and suspension limited his time in first grade over the next few seasons, but before departing Canterbury at the end of 2009 he was apart of the victorious NSW Cup Premiership winning side. Given a second chance with Wests Tigers in 2011, the New Zealand and Samoan international divided his time between the backline and interchange before retiring at the end of 2013. Renown for his pocket-rocket stature, Utai finished his NRL career with 167 first grade matches, scoring 85 tries.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Wests Tigers
Remondis Stadium - Saturday 3:00pm

While his time at the Sharks lasted a mere eight minutes, Sam Moa has since gone onto become the ‘one that got away' from Cronulla. Coming off the bench in a 20-16 loss to Wests Tigers at Toyota Park, Moa spent four years with English club Hull FC honing his craft before an opportunity to return to Australia lured the nugget front rower back to the NRL. Recommended to incoming Roosters coach Trent Robinson by former teammate Craig Fitzgibbon, Moa played a vital role in leading the Bondi club to the 2013 Premiership and was unlucky to be overlooked as Clive Churchill Medalist in favour of Daly Cherry-Evans. Playing test football for New Zealand and Tonga, Moa has proven that players who spend time in the English Super League can make a mark in the NRL upon return.

New Zealand Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys
Mt Smart Stadium - Saturday 5:30pm

Scoring a try in his NRL debut against North Queensland in Round 4, 2002, Lance Hohaia proved his versatility over a decade long career for the Warriors. Developing a formidable partnership with Stacey Jones, Hohaia holds the record as the only player to appear in both Grand Final appearances for the New Zealand club. Starting out in the halves, the Kiwi international spent time at hooker and in the centres before establishing himself as a premier fullback in 2008. Given an opportunity in the number one position following a long-term injury to Wade McKinnon, Hohaia went onto score a double in the 2008 World Cup Final win over Australia. Moving to England with St. Helens in 2012, Hohaia was knocked out by Wigan prop Ben Flower after just three minutes in the 2014 Grand Final before retiring early the following year due to concussion.

Sydney Roosters v Brisbane Broncos
Allianz Stadium - Saturday 7:30pm

Anthony Minichiello may have stolen the headlines in Round 25, 2005 as a result of a scintillating length-of-the-field try, but largely overshadowed by the result was the debut of Shane Shackleton. Coming off the bench in the 17-10 win over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, Shackleton spent five seasons with the Tri-Colours before signing with Parramatta for the 2010 season. Suffering a horrific hamstring injury in the opening round of the season, it took the City representative twelve months to get back on the field. After a falling out with coach Stephen Kearney, Shackleton shifted to Penrith in 2012. Unable to secure an NRL contract the following season, the hard-running forward has spent time in NSW Cup with Mounties and currently Guildford's Ron Massey Cup side.

Gold Coast Titans v Canberra Raiders
Cbus Super Stadium - Sunday 2:00pm

Starting out his career in 2012, Jack Wighton has become a major figure for the Raiders under coach Ricky Stuart. Debuting against the Titans on the wing, Wighton shifted throughout the backline early on before cementing a place at fullback late in 2014. Representing Country Origin on three occasions, Wighton has been touted as a future New South Wales representative, while he has also drawn comparisons to former Raiders legend Laurie Daley.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Parramatta Eels
Brookvale Oval - Sunday 4:00pm

Starting out his career in the lower grades of Parramatta, Trent Hodkinson's big break came in Round 2, 2010. Debuting for Manly against his former club, Hodkinson scored a try to help establish a 20-0 lead for the Sea Eagles but a second half capitulation saw the Eels run out 24-20 winners which led to Des Hasler infamously tearing a door off its hinges. Signing with Canterbury in 2011, injury threatened to end his career, but in combination with Josh Reynolds the pair led NSW to their first Origin series win since 2005. Due to join Newcastle next season, Hodkinson will be looking to make amends for last year's Grand Final loss by taking the Bulldogs to their first premiership in more than a decade.

Melbourne Storm v Newcastle Knights
AAMI Park - Monday 7:00pm

Making his first grade debut in Round 2, 2004 against Melbourne; George Carmont featured in 83 matches for the Knights before enjoying immense success in England with Wigan. Forming a strong centre partnership with Matthew Gidley at Newcastle, Carmont was deemed surplus to requirement following Brian Smith's cleanout at the end of 2007. Going onto play 153 matches for the Warriors, Carmont played in the 2010 Grand Final victory over St. Helens before retiring two years later. Representing Samoa at the 2008 World Cup, Carmont also famously scored the match-winning try in the inaugural Exiles match in 2011.

That's all for this week, stay tuned for next week's edition of Memorable Debuts where we'll look at four Dragons to debut on the same day, Paul Gallen's first game for the Sharks and the curious case of Greg Smith.