Cameron Anderson has been nicknamed “spider” at Central – all arms, all legs and without much weight.
But the 22-year-old winger doesn’t seem to mind, in fact he embraces it.
And the slight-of-frame Anderson, approximately 80 kilograms on the scales and 185 centimetres in height, has always been up for “the challenge”.
Born, bred and still living in Swansea, the now primary school teaching intern looked up to “any outside back, because that’s the type of player I was going to be”.
As a Sharks fan, fullback David Peachey was his favourite player.
Since the 2016 season Anderson has been making his way in the Newcastle Rugby League first-grade ranks, featuring his second hat-trick on Sunday.
“I definitely like showing everyone in league that size doesn’t matter,” he said.
“It’s always been a bit of a battle for me, especially when I was younger, but I never wanted that to potentially stop me from achieving.
“Our coaching staff are really supportive that way. They say you’ve got a speed kit and you’ve got footwork, so use it. You don’t have to do the forwards work.”
Anderson has 14 four-pointers for the Butcher Boys in 2018 and shares the competition’s try-scoring lead with Souths fullback Lachlan Walmsley, who nabbed a third straight double on the weekend.
The latest haul for Anderson included a late, match-winning effort in the corner at St John Oval.
It helped Central defeat Lakes 24-22 and leapfrog them into outright second on the overall standings with two rounds remaining in the regular season.
“It wasn’t my first hat-trick, I actually got one playing fullback against Kurri in my debut year, but it was definitely my most important,” he said.
Anderson has crossed the line in seven of his last eight appearances after missing out the first three games this campaign.
“My job is too finish off and the guys on the inside have made that a lot easier,” he said.
“The older boys have brought a lot of experience with them and the boys in the middle have really laid the platform.”
However, Anderson’s highlight came earlier this year when playing alongside younger brother Grant in the top grade.
“It’s hard to describe exactly what it means, but it was pretty special,” he said.
“To run out with him and then to see him score a try as well. I was a proud moment.”
Anderson said he enjoyed the “club culture” at Central. He joined the Butcher Boys from junior club Lakes five years ago and won an under-19 grand final in 2015.
Central visit Souths at Townson Oval in Saturday’s penultimate round.
