Moving interstate for any teenager is tough but 19-year-old Curtis Scott is balancing a change of scenery with a bright NRL career ahead of him.
Having been reportedly chased by up to 12 NRL clubs before signing a three-year contract with the Melbourne Storm, the talented speedster could be one of the game's next big stars.
After representing the NSW Under-18s side as a Cronulla Sharks junior in 2015, Scott decided it was in his best interests to make the move south to the Victorian capital.
Joining a club as intimidating as the Storm with coach Craig Bellamy at the reigns would overawe most youngsters but Scott thrived last season to make his NRL debut in Round 2. However, cruel fate struck Scott two weeks later when he suffered a season-ending leg injury.
Scott's second season in Melbourne shapes as his comeback after a strong showing at the Downer NRL Auckland Nines resulting in a last-gasp semi-final loss to the eventual champions, Sydney Roosters.
Scott is ready to further press for his return as part of the Storm's 26-man trial match against the New Zealand Warriors this Saturday at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
"Pre-season's been really good," Scott told NRL.com. "I've found in the second year, preseason has been much easier. Hopefully, I'll just keep working hard and see what happens.
"It was an awesome experience at the Nines. The boys did really well. The media didn't think we would do so well sending such a young team over but we all competed. It was unlucky to lose on the bell (in the semi-finals) like that."
Travelling to the Sunshine Coast this weekend is a familiar scene for Scott who spent time playing with the Storm's feeder club, the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Super Trust Cup last season.
"It was good getting up there, playing with different people and adapting to the conditions and different teammates – I thought it was best for me at the time," he said.
"I tried to do what is best for the team at the time. If Craig [Bellamy] wanted me to go play up on the Sunny Coast, that's what I did and I tried my best up there.
"At the time [the injury] was really disappointing but that all becomes part of the job. I just had to get through my rehab, look at the future and get myself back in the team this year around."
Scott – who has travelled extensively between Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland in the past year – was joined in Melbourne by his loyal mum Diana who he dedicates a tattoo of her name on his upper arm.
"Mum moved down with me. She gets to put up with me every day," Scott joked. "She's probably having fun with her life."
With another familiar face in former Sharks teammate Josh Addo-Carr joining Melbourne, Scott is hoping to rekindle their combination at the Storm – and they'll get their shot in Saturday's trial.
"Josh and I played a little bit in our time at Cronulla in the juniors," Scott said. "We've known each other before this.
"He's gotten a bit quicker. I try to get the ball to him as quick as I can so he can get a bit of meat, a few tries."
The Storm face the Warriors at 5.15pm (local time) at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Storm side to face Warriors: 1 Young Tonumaipea, 2 Suliasi Vunivalu, 3 Curtis Scott, 4 Cheyse Blair, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Cameron Munster, 7 Brodie roft, 8 Christian Welch, 9 Slade Griffin, 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11 Kenneath Bromwich (c), 12 Felise Kaufusi, 13 Vincent Leuluai. Interchange: 14 Ryley Jacks, 15 Jeremy Hawkins, 16 Mark Nicholls, 17 Tui Kamikamica, 18 Dean Britt, 19 Joe Stimson, 20 Justin Olam, 21 Jake Turpin, 22 Scott Drinkwater, 23 Charlie Galo, 24 Dylan Kelly, 25 Jesse Arthars, 26 Linc Port
This article first appeared on NRL.com
