Sam Fechner showcased what being a Tiger is all about when he starred for Greater Northern under 18s in their win over North Coast Bulldogs at Aberdeen's McKinnon Oval on Saturday.
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The Year 12 Quirindi High School student locked the scrum for the Tigers, a relatively new position for Fechner, in the opening round of the Laurie Daley Cup.
The 17-year-old did it so well he was awarded the Greater Northern game ball.
Coach Darryl Rando thought he was outstanding in attack and defence.
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Fechner, who plays for the Scone Thoroughbreds in Group 21, was aggressive in attack and defence, combining some hard-hitting and stinging tackles with some dynamic running.
He also crossed for two tries.
His first was early in the second half and signalled his side's fightback from a 12-8 half time deficit to grab a 14-12 lead.
His second try was another short but dynamic burst. The thud as he planted the ball over the line could be heard around McKinnon Oval.
The noise and the effort personified Fechner's thoughts, an aggressive and silent "take that".
Just scoring two tries in a game would have made anyone happy but to score them in the way and shape Fechner did underlines his determination to do well, and for the team to do well.
Fechner is somewhat new to the number 13 jumper.
"It's my first year at lock," Fechner admitted after the game.
"I've been a dummy half...just got bigger."
Not a great deal bigger but he has filled out into a mobile lock with strength and desire to break the line or break a few attacking hearts.
While he attends Quirindi High he has played all his junior football at Scone.
"Been playing there since the under 11s," he said of the Scone link.
"They've got a good club down there."
He's had plenty of success down there too and won a premiership with their under 16s in the Group 21 competition two years ago. Not playing last year was a disappointment but he's hoping to make up for it this year.
It could be a double act too.
Scone Thoroughbreds and Greater Northern Tigers.
"That was good today. Loved it," he said with a smile.
He is now looking forward to this Saturday's second round Laurie Daley Cup clash with Central Coast at Wyong's Morrie Breen Oval.
