The likes of Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker, Warriors playmaker Reece Walsh and Wests Tigers winger Zac Cini have made stellar NRL debuts already this season, while this weekendโs Magic Round is set to see Jakob Arthur blooded at five-eighth for Parramatta.
Getting that initial call-up is an unforgettable career highlight for any player โ the stuff of rugby league dreams. But not every debut follows the fairytale script.
Will Evans fromย This Warriors Lifeย relives some of the most unfortunate maiden first-grade forays from over the years.
Check out This Warriors Lifeโsย websiteย andย podcast, and follow them onย Facebookย andย Twitter.
6. Karl Lawton (Gold Coast Titans)
Gold Coast utility Lawtonโs maiden NRL call-up at centre in 2016 came partly due to an agreement that the Titansโ mid-season acquisition, Konrad Hurrell, would not face his former club, the Warriors.
After a solid 46 minutes on debut at Mt Smart Stadium, the 21-year-old suffered a horrific broken leg under the weight of a tackle from fellow rookie Bunty Afoa. Lawton bravely returned to the paddock for Round 1 of the following season before linking with the Warriors in 2018 โ and exorcising some demons with a double off the bench on club debut in Auckland.
A popular and versatile performer, Lawton played 33 NRL games for the Warriors before a torn Achilles struck him down in the 2021 pre-season. He gained a release to join Manly in March.
