GARETH Palamo has laid eyes on plenty of young guns during his time at Eastwood and powerhouse Auckland club Otahuhu.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In his second year at the helm of Lake Macquarie, the former breakaway hadn't seen Nic Benn until the day the teenager made his first-grade debut against University in round 12.
Benn is a Lake Macquarie junior and represented NSW Country under-18s. With the Roos under-18s having a bye, he stuck his hand up to help out in grade.
After playing the first half in seconds, he sat on the bench for the top grade. Within 15 minutes, he was on after Brendan Holliday fractured his collarbone.
"He looks very comfortable playing first grade and is only going to get better in that environment," Palamo said of the year 12 Belmont Christian College student.
"We are playing him out wide. He is very smart on his feet. I know in the 18s he has been playing inside centre and five-eighth. He adds a different dynamic for us. He is a bit of a ball player but he plays out wide.
"The thing I really like about him is that he is engaged and listens, whether you are talking to him about the game plan or giving him some advice on his game. You can tell he takes it on board. I really like the kid."
Benn's debut was "a bit of blur" but enjoyable.
"I was pretty nervous still but all the boys made me feel welcome," he said.
"The first time going into contact, everyone was flying at me. They knew how to hit. I got up and thought I'm going to feel that tomorrow."
Benn was joined by Roos under-18s and NSW Country teammate Justis Gerrard a week later.
The young guns have now played five and four games each and are set to feature in the finals.
"I have been playing alongside Justice since we were 13," Benn said.
"It's nice knowing there are two of us playing first grade. Playing against Hamilton and Merewether and teams like that, you can feel the intensity rising as the finals approach."
Gerrard, who turns 18 on Saturday, has been equally impressive at breakaway.
"Justice is another," Palamo said. "Both have the talent and skill set to be in first grade. You have to nurture them and look after them. At that age, to be playing first grade says something but, at the same time talent only gets you so far. If they want to go to the next level, they need to do the hard yards and make sacrifices. These two are showing good signs.
"Justice, I would say has the perfect mould for a hooker, given his size. He is a dynamic player as well. I played with a lot of good players. Keven Mealamu was one. He was an awesome back-rower who made a great hooker. That is where he wants to be looking long term."
