Perham plays waiting game
It looks like Adam Keighran will get the first crack at being the Warriors halfback this season, with Chanel Harris-Tavita getting the second opportunity.
But waiting in the wings (or at fullback to be more accurate) will be Hayze Perham, who’ll be the third choice.
That’s not to say Perham isn’t as good as the other two, but the 19-year-old is still learning the game, having spent just one full season as a league player and played at fullback during that time.
Perham’s name was initially thrown around as a contender to replace Shaun Johnson, but the options soon narrowed down to Keighran and Harris-Tavita.
But that doesn’t mean Perham hasn’t given up on wearing the Warriors’ No 7 jersey.
‘‘I played fullback the whole year last year. As soon as Shaun left, that’s when Mooks [Warriors coach, Stephen Kearney] gave me the heads up that he wanted me to train a bit at the halfback and five-eighth positions.
‘‘I’m always keen to try new things, so I’m not too fussed about starting round one in the NRL, obviously I’ve still got a bit of time to learn the role.
‘‘Chanel and Adam have played in that position for years, so I’m a step behind them, but it’s been exciting to learn.’’
Playing last season in the same position as Roger TuivasaSheck, meant that there was no chance of Perham forcing his way into the first-grade team in that position.
But last year Perham was content to soak up as much information as he could from the Dally M winner.
‘‘Roger was a big help last year,’’ Perham said. ‘‘He gave me loads of tips out on the field and looked at videos. He was my big ‘go to’ as much as the coaches.
‘‘Roger was my mentor the whole year, he’s the Dally M winner, the best player in the game, so you can’t really ask for better advice.’’