THIS time last year, former local junior and Dubbo CYMS halfback Tony Pellow was carving up the Group 11 competition with the Fishies.
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The season ended in premiership glory, to go with the under-18s title he won with the Orange Hawks in Group 10 a year earlier.
Now, in 2016, the wiry halfback is in the midst of what he’s calling the “fastest and most physical” football he’s played after debuting with the St George Illawarra Dragons in the Holden Cup last month.
But one thing hasn’t changed.
With an obvious knack of helping teams to grand final success, Pellow’s Red V outfit is tracking towards a Holden Cup finals appearance and, potentially, a decider, sitting fourth on the ladder headed into Friday night’s clash against the Bulldogs.
It seems where ever Pellow lands, success follows, and despite the chance of three straight premierships he remains level headed.
“It’s a huge step up,” Pellow, 19, said.
“The pace of it and the physicality, it’s a lot tougher. I’m really enjoying it though.
“Everyone in the team knows they’ve got to work hard to keep their place in the side, and I’m included there. We’ve got to train hard and play well. Finals is the goal, but I’m just enjoying being part of the team.”
Pellow’s floated between hooker, fullback and wing for the Dragons’ juniors and on Friday night will trot out in the No.2 jersey against the Bulldogs.
He hasn’t experienced a lot of wing in the past, having played the last two years in the halves.
“I’ve come down here as a half and with (Illawarra club) Corrmial (Cougars) that’s where I’ve played to start the season,” he said.
“But my coach Matty Head said there’s an opportunity in the team on the wing … so I took it.”
The slight-of-frame young gun says matching it with the hulking forwards and outside backs carving up the Holden Cup competition wasn't that big a deal – it’s an obstacle he’s faced his whole playing career.
“That’s not really anything I’m not used to … I’ve always been one of the smallest guys on the field. I’m getting used to it and enjoying it,” he said.
Pellow’s Dragons lost 36-16 loss to the Wests Tigers last Sunday, but are expected to bounce back against a Bulldogs side sitting 15th. He scored a try in the Dragons’ last win, a 30-22 result over the Gold Coast Titans.