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He is probably the biggest ‘Teddy’ in the NRL, but at last, Manly prop Josh Perry can grasp his claws on an Australian World Cup jumper.
‘Teddy’ wasn’t always this lucky.
More often than not, he would tear up all the good work he underwent in eighty minutes of tough footy by either committing an error or giving away a stupid penalty.
Indeed, the pinnacle of his once, uncontrollable temper, was in round two of season 2008, when the Sea Eagles played Perry’s former club, the Newcastle Knights.
In the final minutes of the game against Newcastle, Perry gave away a penalty and was placed on report for an alleged head-butt on opposition player Danny Wicks.
The Knights then went on to win 13-12 in extra time, while Manly remained winless after the first two weeks of NRL competition.
It seemed back then that Perry was yet to stop the ticking time bomb that was always constant in his game.
Fast forward eight months and the clock has stopped. New batteries have been installed and everything has been reset.
Since his move to the Peninsula, Perry’s reputation has grown immensely under the tutelage of Des Hasler. He has been appropriately rewarded with his second Premiership triumph, after he was a part of the Knights stunning 2001 Grand Final win over the Parramatta Eels.
Although 2001 was extraordinary, League’s centenary year has been a coming of age for Perry.
The 27 year-old is now on the cusp of playing in the Rugby League World Cup for the Kangaroos – five years after making his only Origin appearance for NSW.