Shellharbour Stingray Tommy Warner lived out a childhood dream on Saturday, helping Country to a thrilling 26-20 win over City in the CABE Men’s Open Age clash at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah.
Incredibly, Warner's name was nowhere to be seen when the team was first announced, getting the late call-up to join the squad on Monday prior but only as the 18th man.
An injury to fellow front-rower and Illawarra South Coast teammate Luke Chalker meant Warner gained a spot on the bench.
The talented forward grabbed the opportunity with both hands in his Country debut, making an impact in the middle and scoring a try as a depleted Country held off a fast-finishing City to claim back-to-back wins in the annual fixture.
"It's a funny one; he was on a bit of a shortlist but wasn't in the side we named," Country coach Damien Quinn said.
"We had a couple of injuries and I spoke with Wade Forrester, the coach of Illawarra, and he gave Tom a big rap, and I was an assistant coach last year (for the Newcastle Rebels) when we played Illawarra in the (Country Championships) Final, and he was outstanding, and I thought he should have been in the side last year.
"We asked Wade if Tom would be keen to be picked but as 18th man, and he said yes, so Tom came on board and he was unreal the whole time. He's a great fella, a terrific bloke, and just a good teammate.
"He prepared like he was going to play and really bought into what we were doing, and five minutes before the end of the captain's run, Luke Chalker tore his hamstring, and I said to Tom, 'Are you good to go? Because you're in'.
"Once he got out there, he was great for us. He played well and got a try, and after the game he was wandering around the sideline with the shield with a massive smile on his face, and you could see what it all meant to him."
This achievement is even more impressive because Warner is 30 years of age and before selection, he was still dreaming of playing for Country. Over the years the Cootamundra product has turned out for Group 20, Group 9, Riverina and Monaro among other representative teams, but a Country cap had eluded him.
But Warner's cut from a different cloth, with the back-rower turned prop maintaining an elite level of play over a 14-year First-Grade career.
"That's the great thing about Rugby League, there are always opportunities there and you can never say never," Warner said.
"I've worked hard on my game over the years and it's a bit rewarding to get the nod finally."
Warner's side played a man down for the final nine minutes as they withstood multiple City attacking raids before emerging with the six-point win.
"We set ourselves up with a good lead, and just how we played in the first half, we deserved to win," Warner said.
"We withstood some pressure and kept turning up for each other and that's been a theme for the Country boys – just keep showing up, and that's what we did.
After what seemed an age of City dominance, Country has now won back-to-back fixtures, showcasing the current depth of talent in Country Rugby League competitions.
"It was a long time coming last year, and to back it up is outstanding," Warner said.
"It brings more exposure to bush footy competitions and shows everyone that there is some great talent in the Country."
In a storied career, Warner has been a 'gun for hire', playing for various Country Rugby League Clubs since making his First-Grade debut as a kid for the Cootamundra Bulldogs way back in 2010.
He played for the Harden Hawks in the George Tooke Shield in 2011 before a two-season stint with the Yenda Blueheelers in Group 20. Returning to Group 9, Warner spent a season with Wagga Brothers and two more with Cootamundra before helping the Tumut Blues to a droughting-breaking premiership in 2019.
Warner has since plied his trade in Group 7, spending two years with Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles before linking up with the Shellharbour Stingrays with his brothers Ben and Joe in 2022.
The trio have helped the Stingrays to a perfect start to the season, with the top-of-the-table Shellharbour boasting five wins from five games. Warner even backed up from Country's victory on Saturday to help the Stingrays to a 30-18 win over the Jamberoo Superoos on Sunday.
In a testament to his character and love of Rugby League, there will be no rest for the wicked and he will turn out again in Round Seven with Shellharbour when they take on the Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Magpies on Sunday.
