When Parramatta Eels hooker Reed Mahoney was a kid he dreamed of running around like his heroes Robbie Farah and Michael Ennis.
And now, those dreams are becoming more of a reality.
“When I was younger I definitely looked up to Robbie Farah, I used to run around pretending to be him … and the likes of Mick Ennis,” he told the Daily Telegraph.
Following injuries to the club's first-choice hookers Cameron King (knee) and Kaysa Pritchard (shoulder), Mahoney has enjoyed the promotion to starters minutes.
He is set to play another prominent role in next Saturday's game against the Gold Coast Titans, in what will be his fifth NRL game.
“It’s not going to change much, I still have to bring energy I still have to bring all the little thing I do on the field when I come off the bench,” he said.
“As far as I know I’m playing 80 minutes. I’m not too sure how about Will Smith at the moment.
“I trained hard and put the work in. I played 80 minutes last year and at the start of this year in the ISP and yeah I definitely think I’m up to it.”
With King and Pritchard set to come out of contract at season's end, the 20-year old now has the opportunity to prove himself as the club's preferred starter in the number nine jersey.
“I just need to prove I can pay 80 minute at nine,” he said.
“Not yet but I’m not too worried about that [next year]. I’m secure for the rest of the year and I’ll just worry about the next five weeks and when that negotiations come around, I’ll worry about that then.
“I want to be a Parramatta Eel.”