Wests Tigers come calling as East Campbelltown junior Tallyn Da Silva set to achieve NRL dream

Following a whirlwind charge along the Wests Tigers pathways program, East Campbelltown junior Tallyn Da Silva is set to make his NRL debut. For proud father John and over 100 family members, it’ll be an occasion to savour.

Tallyn Da Silva ahead of his Wests Tigers NRL debut, 17 June 2023.

Up until this week, John Da Silva was happy flying under the radar as son Tallyn chased his NRL dream.

On Tuesday that all changed with one call. Now as the 18-year-old hooker prepares to make his Wests Tigers debut off the bench against Melbourne, the family has unified in support.

“The club has been great,” said John. “Tallyn has been in the Tigers system since he was 13, so they’ve given us 50 tickets to Campbelltown Stadium which is more than usual.”

More than most, but still not enough to satisfy the cravings of this massive Macarthur based footy family.

King of the kids: Wests Tigers player Tallyn Da Silva returns to his junior ground at Waminda Oval before his first grade debut. L-R East Campbelltown juniors Izayah Tutton and Moustapha Moussa along with Tallyn’s sister Peyton and brother Kyle. Picture: Richard Dobson

“I’m one of eight, so the extended family is big ” John explained. “We’re probably looking at around 100, and with friends there will be around 150 in support.”

Noise aside, if Tallyn needs inspiration, he’ll know exactly where to look.

“We’ll but on the hill at the southern end, the same spot we used to sit with Tallyn when he was little boy,” John said.

A member of the Wests Magpies’ premiership winning Harold Matthews Cup side two years ago, the East Campbelltown junior’s rise through the ranks has continued at a whirlwind pace.

Since the SG Ball season wrapped up in April, the speedy rake has featured in Jersey Flegg, and last week struck from the bench to score the decisive try in Wests’ draw in the NSW Cup.

But even with Origin star Api Koroisau sidelined through injury, John still couldn’t believe what unfolded when Tallyn answered his phone just before the team was officially announced.

“We were checking the phone all day, then just before 4pm Tallyn received the good news from Tim Sheens and assistant coach Benji Marshall,” he said.

In an uncanny parallel, 20 years ago Sheens also handed an 18-year-old Marshall his top grade debut, also off the bench at Campbelltown.

While “super proud” of his son, John reflected on the Wests Tigers pathways program and the East Campbelltown Eagles, who he also represented for over 20 seasons until hanging up his boots last year at 43.

Wests Tigers player Tallyn Da Silva with sister Peyton and brother Kyle ahead of his first grade debut. Picture: Richard Dobson

“The pathway system has really developed in the last couple of years,” said John. “And I think former Tiger Shannon Gallant deserves plenty of credit, he’s been massive for this area and the results are starting to show.

“It’s also Wests Tigers Junior League Appreciation Round, so there should be a few little Eagles jumpers running around supporting Tallyn too.”

Now almost a year after he shared the field with Tallyn in the Eagles’ top-grade, John acknowledged come kick off there will be a few nerves and even a tear or two as his eldest of three tackles the Storm head-on.

As for the fanfare and attention, the father of this footy-mad family also has an eye on next week.

“It’s exciting,” John said. “But also very stressful.”