His name is a commentator’s nightmare but Penrith coach Ivan Cleary says Dallin Watene Zelezniak has the talent to give NRL opponents sleepless nights.
The young winger, known simply as ‘DWZ’ by Panthers fans, will make his first-grade debut against Canberra on Saturday, having starred at fullback for the Panthers’ Holden Cup winning side last year.
But after a blistering performance in Penrith’s NSW Cup side’s win over Wentworthville last week, Cleary decided he couldn’t hold the 18-year-old back any longer.
“Dallin’s a local product who’s come through our junior grades and is a pretty special talent,” said Cleary.
“He’s done a whole pre-season with us and has played a few games at NSW Cup level and I think he’s ready for a shot at the big time.
“He’s a young man who’s playing his first games, but it was always going to happen it was just a matter of when.”
Cleary carved out a reputation for not being afraid to give young players a chance when he was at the Warriors, with Shaun Johnson, Kevin Locke, Elijah Taylor and Ben Matulino all given their debuts under his watch.
He admits it’s too early to say how well Watene Zelezniak will cope long term in the NRL, but he is a player that has the potential to be a superstar of the game.
“It depends on each individual and the preparation they’ve done at this stage of their career,” he said.
“But I just feel it’s the right time. I told him he was playing on April Fool’s Day so he didn’t really know how to react at the time. But I think he’s pretty excited.
“He has a strong religious faith and he is very connected to that. He’s a fun loving guy who always has a smile on his face and loves playing footy.
“He’s the kind of player you love having around.”
Cleary was nonplussed at questions about the future of former NSW prop Tim Grant being dropped after the loss to Parramatta last Saturday.
Grant was heavily linked with a mid-season move to South Sydney forcing the club to release a statement denying he was being forced out of the club.
But he has been named in the starting line-up to face the Raiders and Cleary said there is no problems between the pair after he was dumped to reserve grade last week.
“The rumours are untrue, Tim is staying, it’s not a secret that there are a couple of things he needs to work on,” Cleary said.
“But he’s done a good job and is ready to perform this week.
“Tim’s been very professional right through his career and nothing has changed so far.”
The Raiders arrive at Sportingbet Stadium buoyed by a fine win over South Sydney.
Ricky Stuart’s side are also boosted by news that back-rowers Joel Edwards and Shaun Fensom have been passed fit to play.
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