Illawarra and Shellharbour junior Jack Bostock set to make NRL debut for Dolphins in Wollongong
Stingrays of Shellharbour junior Jack Bostock is set to make his NRL debut this weekend in Wollongong for the league’s newest club, the Dolphins, and there’ll be a huge turnout supporting him.
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Stingrays of Shellharbour junior Jack Bostock is poised to make his NRL debut for the Dolphins this weekend.
In doing so Bostock becomes the first former Stingray first grader to do so in the club’s short history.
To make the occasion even more special, Bostock will be debuting against the St George Illawarra Dragons at WIN Stadium, having been a part of the Dragons system while playing junior rep footy.
Chad Towle is the current reserve grade coach of the Stingrays of Shellharbour and a former coach of Bostock, saying he expects a healthy turnout of Bostock fans in Wollongong this weekend.
“We were supposed to have our season launch this Saturday, but we might have to reschedule that now!” Towle said.
“It’s great to see a Stingray go on to play NRL footy, he’s the first to do so.
“We’re still a very new club in first grade, we’ve only been around since 2017, so it’s a great moment for the club and great to see some local talent do so well.”
Bostock has been named to start on the wing in his side’s fixture this Saturday, having played there and scored in the both of the Dolphins’ pre-season games against the North Queensland Cowboys and Gold Coast Titans.
Bostock played for the Stingrays of Shellharbour from U6s all the way through to first grade in the Group 7 competition, signing a three-year deal with the Dolphins in April 2022.
Towle, who coached Bostock in U18s, recalls how he played the young star in five-eighth and fullback for the Stingrays, but fancies him to move into the centres eventually.
“He always had the ability, but there wasn’t a lot of him back then,” Towle said.
“Back in the U18s he was probably only about 60kg.
“Now in the space of two years he’s probably 6’3” and nearing on 100kg.
“He was damaging enough before the size hit, now he’s turned into a monster.”
Bostock made his first grade Stingrays debut in September 2020, before developing his career through the Dragons pathways systems.
He played for the Illawarra South Coast Dragons in the Laurie Daley Cup in the 2021 season, impressing enough to play SG Ball Cup footy for the Illawarra Steelers in the same season and the following year.
He also represented the victorious NSW Blues U19s in 2022, crossing for a try from the wing.
Bostock comes from some talented footy genes as well, with his father Josh Bostock playing centre and wing for the Balmain Tigers in the 1997 season.
“He takes after his father quite a lot,” Towle said.
“He’s gained a lot of respect defensively on that edge, getting right up in the line and in the face of his opposition.
“He’s got a good running game, doesn’t mind coming in the middle and making some yards.
“On the ball he’s smart as well, making good choices and pass selections, he’s got a nice flick as well.
“A lot of his mates are still at the club playing first grade, so no doubt they’ll be there on Saturday.”
The 3rd placed Dolphins take out the 14th placed Dragons at 5:30pm this Saturday at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
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