‘A bit surreal’: Ourimbah Magpies’ Blake McDonald claims historic hat-trick

For most people, playing three games of footy in one day is a huge effort in itself. But an 18-year-old from Ourimbah took it to a new level after pulling off a historic feat.

Blake McDonald scored a try for the Ourimbah Magpies in under-19s, reserve grade and first grade on the same day. Picture: Supplied

For most people, playing three games of rugby league in one day would be a huge effort in itself.

But for Ourimbah’s Blake McDonald, that was just the start, with the young gun not only playing in three games against Terrigal at Bill Sohier Oval on Sunday, but remarkably scoring a try in each of the Magpies’ under-19s, reserve grade and first grade fixtures to complete a very special hat-trick.

“I was just stoked to be playing all three grades, to begin with. And then scoring in all of them – it was just a good day out,” said the 18-year-old outside back.

In what turned out to be quite the occasion, McDonald had no idea what the day would bring when he woke up on Sunday morning.

“I only debuted the week earlier with first grade, so I wasn’t sure if I was in the squad or not. I didn’t know until the day that I was playing either grade, I only knew I was playing 19s.

McDonald (right) being presented with his jersey by captain James Maloney ahead of his first grade debut a week earlier. Picture: Supplied.

“They called me up for seconds and then called me up for firsts while I was playing.”

Things started well for the young gun, who pounced on a Terrigal mix-up to shoot through and score in his side’s 16-all draw in the under-19s.

In reserve grade he was the beneficiary of a beautiful three-man cut-out ball to run through untouched in the Magpies’ 40-0 win, while in the main game he did it all himself after coming off the bench in the second half to seal a 28-14 victory and a very special day out.

“Terrigal tried to throw a cut-out ball to their winger but I intercepted it on our 20m line and just sprinted down field,” said McDonald.

After what was a good day for Ourimbah’s men’s teams, the 18-year-old received special attention back at club sponsor the Tall Timbers Hotel for his rare – and possibly even historic – feat.

“There was talk going round that I might be the first in the history books to do it,” said McDonald.

“They gave me a shout-out for playing three grades and I drew the numbers for the meat raffles.”

Sunday’s exploits capped off what has been a whirlwind start to senior footy for the outside back, who remarkably lined up directly against his uncle Ryan McDonald in his first grade debut against The Entrance a week earlier.

“We have this group chat in our family where we all arrange to go to games, so like my brother, my cousins or myself.

“We found out I was playing firsts against The Entrance and Ryan texted the group chat saying, ‘See you out there.’ I didn’t know what side I was playing on until the day of the game and then saw him there as the opposing centre.”

McDonald lined up against his uncle Ryan McDonald in his first grade debut against The Entrance. Picture: Supplied.

In what was very much a throwback to wrestling matches at Christmas, the two McDonalds made sure they gave as good as they got as uncle and nephew went toe to toe on the field.

“Whenever we ran at each other we’d always say something or rub each other’s heads in the dirt. Just a bit of friendly banter,” said McDonald.

And while it has been a frenetic start to life in senior footy, McDonald is just going with the flow and enjoying the ride.

“It kind of still feels a bit surreal. Even to think I’ve been in first grade after playing 17s last year. It’s all a bit ‘in your face’ but I love it.”