It proved a touch poetic that Victorian native Sione Finau's awaited NRL recall came in week where much of the community's focus is on the opening clash of this year's State of Origin series.
With just the one NRL appearance under his belt heading into Saturday's win, the 22-year-old ran for 184 metres from 19 carries, racked up six tackle breaks, and made a momentum-turning line break off the second half kick-off.
Finau was one of a half-dozen Knock-On Effect NSW Cup regulars brought into the side as a result of several of the club's stars being unavailable due to Origin or injury concerns.
The result made for a happier memory than his NRL debut late last year in Auckland which lasted just 25 minutes before he succumbed to an ankle complaint.
“It actually felt like it was my actual debut,” Finau said.
“I got through the 80 which is what I was aiming to do. I'm extremely grateful for Flano giving me a chance, especially early in the year. It was really good. I had my parents there too, so that was mad... I feel like Ben Woolf's done a really good job with the Cup boys and it's a win for all of us seeing the boys progress through.”
Having grown up in Wallan in country Victoria and played his juniors with the Sunbury Tigers in the Melbourne Rugby League, Finau watches Origin each year as a Maroons-leaning neutral thanks to his love for Billy Slater.
“I'm a proud Queenslander,” he joked.
“I've been going for Queensland ever since I was a young kid. I played in Queensland too [for the Brisbane Tigers].”
Whilst his Origin allegiance may lie north of the border, Finau is proud to be headlining a new crop of Victorians making their mark on the NRL.
“There's a lot of boys starting to progress through and they're all my brothers as well,” he said.
“Knowing your roots and where you come from is important. It's just mad seeing all of them progress.”
The likes of Sualauvi Faalogo, Fonua Pole, and Dean Ieremia have progressed through the ranks in Victoria up to the NRL whilst Finau's older brother Haele has become a key member of the Dragons' Knock-On Effect NSW Cup squad.
Another Victorian product, Trent Toelau, made his NRL debut for the Panthers against Finau on Saturday.
“I caught up with him after the game and had a chat,” Finau said.
“It was good seeing him. I played junior footy with him throughout the years... I was so glad to be a part of his debut.”
Rugby league in Victoria is this year heading towards record junior participation numbers - a trend which instills a tonne of pride and optimism in Finau.
“It's mad seeing junior footy in Victoria growing,” he said.
“It's getting better and, knowing we haven't seen very many Victorians getting their shot in first grade, it's a good way to start. It's very pleasing.”
