That old INXS tune from 1988 rattles around in my head and a new teenage rugby league sensation steps in to the media limelight.
It was reported last week that 18-year-old North Queensland rising star Kalyn Ponga has signed with the Newcastle Knights for upwards of $3 million over five years.
This is an unprecedented contract for an inexperienced rookie.
So far the youngster has played only two NRL games yet had almost every NRL club chasing him, in a bidding war won by the Knights. Ponga is tipped to play at fullback for Newcastle.
Discussions are continuing between the Cowboys and Knights as to whether he will be playing at Newcastle in 2017 or 2018. Ponga is still contracted to North Queensland for next season.
The fact that Kalyn is only 18, his body is still maturing and he has only played two games at the top level makes this contract a huge risk for the Knights.
This is what makes it so bloody exciting!
It is what keeps stoking the fire for me as a rugby league fan.
I have fond memories of reading the bold tabloid ‘Million Dollar Man’ type headlines as I made the daily train commute back in the day.
From the little I have seen of Ponga he is light on his feet with a wicked sidestep and a great turn of speed. His defence may need a bit of work.
The journey will be long and hard but now I, and I’m sure thousands of other fans, will be watching Cowboys-Knights games with renewed interest in whether he can live up to the hype and money. For the game’s sake I hope so.
Here is selection of teenage rugby league sensation stories that have struck a chord with me over the years.
Benji Marshall Wests Tigers 2003 (18)
The Keebra Park High School sensation almost didn’t make it after a couple of serious shoulder injuries while his body was still maturing. He went on to play a key factor in the Tigers 2005 premiership. Benji has been signed by Wayne Bennett and the Broncos for 2017 at age 32.
Geoff Toovey Manly 1988 (18)
I can still picture the tiny fresh faced halfback making his debut for Manly against Great Britain. Toovey not only handled what the Poms dished out but scored a try and was man of the match.
It was an early indicator of the heart and determination he showed at all levels of the game.
Adam Ritson Cronulla 1993 (16) and Mark O’Meley North Sydney 1999 (18)
I have bundled these two monster forwards together as they both had young minds, overdeveloped bodies and advanced skills. Unfortunately for Ritson his career was short at three years after a brain scan that followed a high tackle revealed a life-threatening brain cyst.
On the other hand ‘Shrek’ O’Meley enjoyed a long career both in Australia and England
Peter Sterling Parramatta 1978 (18)
Parramatta coach Terry Fearnley plucked a young Peter Sterling out of Fairfield Patrician Brothers to play fullback against Manly in a 1978 semi final replay. ‘Sterlo’ went on to be one of the great rugby league halfbacks and was inducted into the ARL Hall of Fame in 2006.
Brad Fittler Penrith 1989 (17)
Accompanied by vision of a young ‘Freddie’ Fittler mucking around with his mates at McCarthy Catholic Senior High School the big news was that Ron Willey had picked him to play five-eighth for the Panthers in the finals ahead of Chris Mortimer and Brad Izzard. Fittler went on to be one of the modern day greats.
Geoff Starling Balmain 1971 (18)
To be honest this one is based on what I have heard from other Tigers supporters rather than what I witnessed. Starling, a centre became the youngest person to represent Australia (18 years 178 days) in 1971.
By 1974 he had been struck down with a mystery illness later diagnosed as Addison’s disease. Unfortunately this ended his footy career.
Greg Florimo North Sydney 1986 (18)
Flo hit the rugby league headlines initially as much for his love of skateboarding and laid back attitude to life. Flo went on to be one of the Bears greats and a popular ambassador for the club.
Ben Ikin Gold Coast 1995 (18)
Ikin became the youngest player in State of Origin history when he was chosen to play for Queensland in 1995. Appeared to play slightly overweight in his early years but had a rugby league successful career and is now a slimline commentator.
Honourable mentions go to Greg Alexander, Ben Elias, Braith Anasta, Terry Lamb, Jordan Rankin and Karl Filiga (purely for the size of the potential based contract Cronulla gave him).
Five players debuted under 17 years of age in the NSWRL/ARL/NRL (this and other story information courtesy of the Rugby League Project).
Frank Burge (Glebe) 16 years and 258 days in 1911.
Ray Stehr (Easts) 16 years and 85 days in 1928.
Jack Arnold (Wests) 16 years and 220 days in 1936.
Adam Ritson (Cronulla) 16 years and 303 days in 1993.
Jordan Rankin (Titans) 16 years and 238 days in 2008.
There has been discussion at the NRL around banning youngsters from making their debut until the year of their 19th birthday. What do you think Roarers? Should the NRL step in and prevent young guns from playing too early?
bearfax
Guest
Jacko you are arguing about an irrelevancy and I'm afraid I'm not going to respond further. You know what was intended so lets leave it at that OK.
Jacko
Guest
Rubbish Bruce it comes from a salary cap. 100% of cap is paid for by TV rights so no subsidy different from any other player at any other club
Jacko
Guest
Lets hope the expectation doesnt weigh too heavily on him. Remember Foran. His is the only name you mention yet its not about him? Forans demise had ZERO to do with expectation and you mentioned him directly-and only him- so what did you expect.
bearfax
Guest
Jacko what on Earth are you on about. I'm making a generalised statement about how a player can promise the world but circumstances can interfere with that potential. You're making this all about Foran. Forget Foran. He was merely an example of what can happen to players during their career. It wasnt criticism, it was merely a statement of fact regarding what can happen to any player who promises at the beginning of their career to become the next big thing. Foran started a champion but circumstances in his life caused him to go off the boil at Manly and then we all know what happened at Parramatta. I'm certainly not blaming him for what happened at Manly or Parramatta. Just that he lost his way. He may well find it back and good on him if he does,But that wasnt what the issue is about.
Jacko
Guest
I have never ever seen a club take a useless player and DEVELOP them into stars. The clubs BUY talent...Not develop it.
Jacko
Guest
Your maths is bad. 50% bigger? try 500% better and you may understand why he moved on. Very very simple reasons
Jacko
Guest
Or it could be that all the other players in the club didnt play as well as when they won the premiership maybe??? Or is Manly not winning and Parra not winning ALL Forans fault?
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Are you a lovechild of Oikee?
mole
Guest
He will go to Europe and play Rugby. In 5 years maximum the NRL will be dissolved. The dinosaurs are dying out and the young kids want to play Football ;)
Albo
Guest
Yep Jimmy ! Not only had great individual skills , but read the game so well to set up opportunities for his team mates. Never reached his full potential however, as he had limited representative action due to his playing period being when King Wally & Alfie dominated the national teams. When he got the odd call up at half back it was inside Wally who was naturally running the show. On Kangaroo tours he would get runs as fullback & winger , but never clinched a spot as the general that he had at Penrith.
The Spectator
Roar Guru
Newcastles coaching staff may change before 2017 kicks off, judging hypertheticals.
bearfax
Guest
Jacko I could have mentioned any number of players who promised much but because of certain matters in their life their potential was not fully reached. Foran may come back and good luck to him. It wasnt a dig at him. It was merely demonstrating that there are so many factors that can interfere with a players perceived potential. I mentioned Foran because he was seen as the next big thing when he first appeared in first grade. Sterling said he was potentially the best back playing the game and believed he would be the major factor that turned Parramatta around, He will be near 27 when he plays next year, yet in his career so far he had his break out year that promised so much, was outstanding the following year with Cherry Evans when Manly won the premiership, and has not made much of an impact since. It could be personal issues, it could be susceptibility to alcohol and drug use, gambling, a succession of serious injuries or just plain hitting a level the player doesnt exceed despite promise of more. It happens. Only the lucky and determined ones, like Thurston manage to perform year by year as dominant players and its impossible to predict. By the way if you think Foran's problem was mainly his marriage break down, I can assure you that was just the tip of the iceberg. He's been a troubled young man influenced by bad associations for a long time
Hammerhead
Guest
Julian O'Neill? Had two premierships by the time he was 21 and if it wasn't for a string of off-field incidents it would have been a lot more.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Wasn't Josh Hannay 15 going on 16 when the Cowboys tried to give him a game.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Woops... I had forgotten about that
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Age and GP is the only difference. Thurston was 21 with 29 games and 3yrs of first grade and Ponga is 18 with 2 games and 1 year
andrew
Guest
You may be right Hoy. The counter argument is, he could bust his ankles or knees next year and never reach his potential - so why not grab the money while it is there? If you asked Jaral Yow Yeah should a player take the first big contracted offered, or play a few seasons for less to develop your skills, and get more money later i think I know what he would recommend
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hutch debuted with the Dogs...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Your perspective is the only difference. The Dogs would have kept Thurston but couldn't afford to on the coin the Cowboys offered. There were players in front of him and the Cowboys offered a regular first grade spot. The Cowboys would like to keep Ponga but can't match the coin the Knights have offered. There are players in front of him and the Knights are offering a regular first grade spot.
matth
Guest
Karmichael Hunt was another special one. Thrown into fullback at 17 and played every game in his rookie year. I loved how he always brought the ball back at absolute full pace, generally getting belted in the process. And of course Ray Warren's pronunciation of his surname was kind of special.