Dream come true for Balmain junior

Brandon Tumeth will make his NRL debut on Sunday when Wests Tigers take on the Newcastle Knights at Leichhardt Oval.

The 19-year-old back-rower will come into the match-day 17 in place of Shawn Blore (concussion protocols).

Tumeth, who was elevated to the club's top-30 squad at the end of last season, will become Wests Tigers Player #266.

He is the first Balmain junior to make his NRL debut with Wests Tigers since Round 3, 2020 when current teammate Alex Seyfarth played his first game in the top grade.  Luke Brooks and Adam Doueihi are the other Balmain juniors in the side on Sunday.

Tumeth joined Wests Tigers as a 15-year-old and has steadily progressed through the club’s pathways system, earning a place in last year’s NSW U/19s State of Origin team, which defeated Queensland at Leichhardt Oval.

He stated that it will be extra special to play his first NRL game at the ‘eighth wonder of the world’.

“This is where it all started for me, playing all my junior footy at Leichhardt,” said Tumeth.

To make my debut on the same field that Benji and Robbie have played on, two players I idolised as a kid, means so much.

Brandon Tumeth

Head Coach Tim Sheens says Tumeth has worked very hard to earn this opportunity.

“Brandon played in last year’s victorious NSW U19's team and was subsequently included in our Top 30 squad,” said Sheens.

“It's tremendous to see a young man come through the Wests Tigers pathways program and finally make his NRL debut.

It's an example to other juniors in our system of what is possible with hard work and patience.

Tim Sheens

“I’m confident he’ll do a great job on Sunday and I wish him well.”