The Group 11 rugby league season hasn't even started yet and already Braye Porter has achieved two of his biggest goals for 2021.
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The talented teen has had a busy few months after captaining the Western Rams in the Laurie Daley Cup and on Saturday he'll make his Group 11 first grade debut for Dubbo CYMS.
The call-up to the CYMS side comes after he was recently named in the NSW Country under 18s side to contest this year's City-Country series.
"I can't wait," Porter said of the next few weeks.
The first grade chance in Group 11 comes first and the 18-year-old will start on the bench in Saturday's season-opening match against the Parkes Spacemen at No. 1 Oval.
Fishies coach Shawn Townsend is keeping things simple, telling the versatile youngster - who's comfortable in the halves or at fullback - to just back himself and provide some attacking spark against a tiring defensive line.
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And while the experience is something Porter has been striving for, it may just make some of his new teammates feel old.
"It's going to be an unreal experience," he said of playing first grade.
"It's what you dream of as a CYMS junior and as former CYMS ball boy. I'm going to be playing with some of the ones I was watching and looking up to."
About half the players who play for the Fishies on Saturday were in the side just a few years ago when Porter was the ball boy on the sideline.
He got the chance to train with Townsend's first grade side during pre-season and for him that was enough as the focus remains on his commitments with CYMS' under 18s side this season.
"It was always a goal but the main priority is the 18s," he reaffirmed.
"But it's going to be good and hopefully it will help my career. It will be good to get a run and I was just happy to train with them and learn from them."
Porter comes into the Group 11 season having been one of the Western Rams' best during the side's run to this year's Laurie Daley Cup semi-finals.
He was one of three players - along with Darcy Leadbitter and Finnley Neilsen - to be rewarded with selection in the NSW Country squad.
"It was obviously a goal and it's good to tick it off," Porter said.
"It's exciting. We get to play at Bankwest and that's going to be a good experience too."
The NSW Country under 18s will play alongside their under 16, women's, and open-age men's counterparts at Bankwest Stadium on the weekend of May 15 and 16.
Porter could have plenty of first grade minutes under his belt by then.
He'll start on the bench alongside off-season recruits James Stanley and Bryson Ramien on Saturday.
Ali Beale, Josh Toole, and Jack Smith are other new recruits and they will start at fullback, second-row, and lock respectively against Parkes.
Kick-off is 3.45pm at No. 1 Oval.
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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.
