Stewart’s sights set on becoming NRL’s latest Lion

Few rugby league nurseries boast a profile quite like that of the Gerringong Lions on NSW’s picturesque South Coast.

Paul Quinn became the club’s first Kangaroo in 1963 before Michael Cronin – whom Gerringong’s famous oceanside Oval is named after – joined him a decade later and Rod Wishart in 1991.

The Sims family were introduced to the NRL in the 2000s with brothers Ashton, Tariq, and Korbin all representing Fiji at World Cups as sister Ruan grew into one of sport’s eminent female pioneers.

In more recent years, the likes of Jackson Ford, Reuben Garrick, and Tyran Wishart have grown into regular first graders with a host of other Lions scattered throughout lower grades sides across the country.

Had you turned the television over to the Charity Shield on Saturday afternoon, there’s a strong chance you’d have seen a collection of Gerringong products plying their trade.

Dylan Egan, Hayden Buchanan, and Hamish Stewart – who is a cousin of Ford – all donned the famous Red V whilst Ashton Ward, the Dragons’ Jersey Flegg Player of the Year in 2024, took to the field for South Sydney.

“Rugby league’s definitely a way of life down there,” Hamish said.

“Gerringong’s been successful down in Group 7 for a number of years and I put it down to the older boys. Blokes like Nathan Ford and Rixon Russell, they’ve driven the standard for us young boys. We trained with them coming through. They were in and around the system and they didn’t quite make it, but they know what it takes. They’ve pretty much nurtured us to compete and train hard. They’ve shown us the way.”

Hamish’s three older sisters are hockey standouts – including Grace who co-captained the Hockeyroos at the 2024 Paris Olympics – but he grew up around rugby league thanks in large part to dad Scott.

Scott has spent the past 22 years with the Dragons working in wellbeing, administration, and coaching roles whilst also managing to coach Gerringong to back-to-back first grade premierships.

“He’s my harshest critic. Sometimes, he annoys me,” Hamish laughed.

“He’s a good judge of the game. He’s been around for a long time, so I listen to him as much as I can. He watches and he knows what it takes for someone to make the NRL.”

Off the field, Hamish spends time surfing and last year became a qualified carpenter but, with the 20-year-old now at the back end of his second NRL preseason, has had to put the tools down for a bit.

“I do a few jobs here and there,” he said.

“You’ve really got to look after your body through pre-season and you’ve got to make sure that training’s your main focus. There’s days where you wake up sore and you don’t really want to come in but having a good group of boys like we do have this year makes it a lot easier.”

"There’s days where you wake up sore and you don’t really want to come in but having a good group of boys like we do have this year makes it a lot easier."

Hamish has come along in leaps and bounds since undergoing his first NRL preseason 12 months ago owing it to an increasing level of comfort and understanding.

“The first year really, you don’t know what it takes,” he said.

“It was definitely nerve-wracking. They don’t wait for you, so you’ve got to stay with the pace and challenge yourself each and every day… You’re really just looking and learning and then, this year, you can really put it into practice and come in flying. Last year, I was a bit modified because I had my shoulder injury but, this year, I’ve had a full preseason under my belt. I can really feel that when I’m playing.”

The presence of childhood friend and now carpool partner Dylan Egan has made the transition into the NRL squad easier for Hamish.

The duo came through at Gerringong together before filtering into the Illawarra system at the same time with both spending two seasons playing Harold Matthews Cup and SG Ball prior to making Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup debuts.

“Me and Dyl played all our junior footy together. We were in a pretty good side growing up,” Hamish said.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing with Dyl. You knew when Dyl was getting ready in the sheds with you, you’re in with a good chance of winning. He always competes. He’s a hard worker… It’s surreal driving up together, playing in the Charity Shield together. It’s just awesome. He nearly put me away for a try, but unfortunately my eyes lit up too much.”

Hamish and Dylan have both taken a big step towards a hopeful NRL debut this year earning promotions from the club’s development list up to the NRL squad.

“I feel like I am ready, but there’s still a lot of quality ahead of me,” Hamish said.

“I’ve just got to keep playing well and if the opportunity comes, I’ve got to take it and do my job for the team and rip in.”