When Matt Burton made his NRL debut last year he was thrown in the deep end at the last minute, having less than a week to train alongside the Penrith Panthers' top side.
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Things will be far different in his second NRL match after he was locked in at five-eighth ahead of Sunday's match against the Newcastle Knights.
The former Dubbo CYMS star made his debut in August last year after James Maloney was suspended and this time he'll line up in the place of Nathan Cleary, who was handed a two-game ban after being found to be untruthful to the NRL integrity unit over a social distancing breach.
While he will form an inexperienced halves combination with Jarome Luai, Burton spent pre-season with the Panthers squad and is now well-versed in coach Ivan Cleary's plans.
He's got the backing of his teammates as well, with fellow Dubbo junior Isaah Yeo praising him earlier in the week while Luai is also looking forward to teaming up with the 20-year-old.
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"I played a few games with him in reserve grade, so we've got a few games under our belt together. He's doing really well at training," Luai told AAP.
"We've got a lot of faith in Burto to get the job done."
He might just one NRL game under his belt but Burton's debut was one to remember as he set up the first try in the win over Cronulla and was composed throughout.
"He's a bit similar to Nath [Cleary] in terms of having that calming influence out there on the field, especially out on that edge," Luai added.
"He's got a really good kicking game. He's a big frame, he can run the ball. He's just a playmaker."
As well as Burton, the Panthers side for Sunday's meeting with Newcastle will also feature Yeo and Wellington's Brent Naden while Parkes' Billy Burns Dubbo CYMS junior Kaide Ellis, and former Forbes Magpies gun Charlie Staines were all named on an extended bench.
The Knights have named Dubbo-born Connor Watson at hooker for the match which pits two sides which won each of their first two games before the suspension of play against each other.
Elsewhere, Wellington products Kotoni Staggs and Blake Ferguson will go head-to-head when the Brisbane Broncos tackle the Parramatta Eels on Thursday night while another Wellington junior, Tyrone Peachey, will start in the centres for the Gold Coast Titans against the Cowboys.
Coonamble pair Braindon Burns and Jesse Ramien will also start in the centres for the Rabbitohs and Sharks respectively in round three.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
