THE FAST FACTS

■ Born and bred in Newcastle, where he played as a fullback in the lower grades

■ Took the Knights’ NYC side to their first finals campaign in 2011, only to be flicked at season’s end with Wayne Bennett’s arrival at the club

■ Snapped up by Penrith, awarded 2012 under-20s coach of the year and won an under-20s premiership in 2013

■ Served as NSW under-18s coach in 2012

■ Won the NSW Cup with Penrith in 2014 and the NSW Cup-NRL State Championship double in 2017