Grand final: Penrith’s smallest fan fulfils his dream and meets his idols

Six-year-old Durakai is recovering from a horrific injury suffered in a dirt bike accident, but meeting his Panthers idols has given him a big boost in morale ahead of the NRL Grand Final.

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When six-year-old Durakai Smith opened his eyes from an induced coma after suffering horrific injuries from dirt bike accident – he didn’t immediately remember much, but he did remember NRL player Brent Naden.

The Dubbo youngster had been a Cronulla Sharks fan until family friend Brent Naden encouraged him to support his team the Penrith Panthers and Durakai was sold.

Durakai Smith, 6, suffered from a brain injury and has been getting rehab at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. He is also a massive Penrith Panthers fan. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Durakai with the Penrith Panthers. Source: Instagram

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Months later as he recovered from his accident in August which caused two broken arms, two broken legs, a broken finger, ligament damage, broken facial bones and a brain injury – it was his love for the Panthers that kept him going.

“When the accident happened, Brent would Facetime us and check in with Durakai and even after the brain injury he remembered Brent,” mum Brinae Smith told The Daily Telegraph.

And Naden was the one who introduced little Durakai to his new idol, NRL star Nathan Cleary.

“We took Durakai to the Panther’s game and we sung out to Brent who came over. We had carried Durakai from the disabled area to the front so he could see the team,” Ms Smith said.

“Then Brent told Nathan (Cleary) about Durakai and Nathan took off his boots and signed them and threw up over to the fence to us.

Durakai pictured next to Nathan Cleary’s boots that were gifted to him. Source: Instagram.

Durakai Smith is on a slow and steady road to recovery. Source: Instagram

But the sweet gesture was met with concern from the young fan who was worried his favourite star would now have no boots for his matches.

“Durakai was really concerned about what he’s going to wear. He made me call his grandfather to bring over his own boots so he could sign them and give them to Nathan to wear.”

The Smith Family hopes Durakai’s signed boots will serve as a lucky charm for Cleary and the Panthers team as they play the Melbourne Storm in the NRL grand finals.

“I’m excited to see the finale and I want the Panthers to win. Nathan Cleary and Brent Naden are my favourite,” Durakai said.