’I am ready’: David Armstrong has sights set on NRL debut ahead of big 2024 season

In what shapes to be one of his biggest seasons of his career, a former Toowoomba Rugby League star believes he has what it takes to play first grade for the Newcastle Knights.

David Armstrong in action during preseason. Picture: Knights Media.

From the small country town of Mungindi to the rugby league haven of Newcastle, former Toowoomba Rugby League flyer David Armstrong has been a mesmerising talent wherever he’s gone.

Heading into his third season with the Newcastle Knights, the 22-year-old has been loving life in the Hunter Valley.

“It has been a change from being back home but it has been good,” Armstrong said.

“I think it was something I needed to do and make that next step but I think it has been a positive change for me.”

After having one of his strongest pre-seasons, Armstrong is excited to continue his growth and has his eyes set on an illustrious NRL debut.

“In terms of short-term goals, I want to have another good year in the (NSW) Cup,” he said.

“I finished leading try scorer for us last year and missed out on a bunch of games so I want to stay injury free and have a good consistent year.

“I would love a possible debut, I feel like I am ready but as long as I do everything right so if the opportunity does come, I know I’ve done everything I can.

“There is still a fair competition for that right wing spot which is available now but there are probably another three or four boys who are pushing for it as well.”

Currently on the fringes of the First Grade side, Armstrong has been pushing his case in the New South Wales Cup and has relished the opportunity to learn from some of the most talented and explosive backs in the game.

“Obviously you have KP (Kalyn Ponga) there, he won the Dally M last year so I’ve just been picking his brain all year round and watching how he goes about his business.

“Not just him but the Saifiti brothers, Bradman (Best) and (Dane) Gagai, I think it is cool being around them every day and seeing how they go about their business and when they are switched on you can really see their mindset flip.

David Armstrong has been loving his time with the Newcastle Knights. Picture: Knights Media.

“They are really big on making other people accountable so getting your extras in after training, getting your recovery right and all your off-field and nutrition.

“It has been good, they are really good like that and even on your days off like a lot of us boys will go play golf, the group is pretty tight down here which makes it easy as well.”

While these players have all had major influences on him as a player, Armstrong gives the most credit for his rise to his family, who made countless sacrifices to help him chase his dreams.

“Back when I was young in Mungindi, the shortest trip would probably be an hour and a half and that was just for a 10 or 15-minute game of under 8s so I always think back on moments like that there and think about how much my family have done for me,” he said.

“Some games would be over two hours so it was pretty crazy looking back at it now.”

After spending his formative years playing for his boyhood Mungindi Grasshoppers, Armstrong made the switch to Goondiwindi, where he began to take flight.

“I was out there (Mungindi) up until under 10s I think, footy only goes to 10s out there then I moved across to Goondiwindi for two or three years,” he said.

“I then went to boarding school in Toowoomba for three years and played rugby there and after that had a year down in Redcliffe then went back home to Goondiwindi before getting contracted down here.

“It didn’t come until after the grand final so it obviously happened very quick because once the grand final finished, the bigger clubs start their preseason only a few weeks after that.

“So at the start it was a rush getting down here but I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

Originally published as ’I am ready’: David Armstrong has sights set on NRL debut ahead of big 2024 season