Bulldogs young gun Jake Averillo drawing rave reviews ahead of tough clash with Roosters

The Bulldogs are in the midst of another nightmarish season - but there’s hope on the horizon. And it’s coming in the form of a 19-year-old sensation who already good enough for the club to cut loose young gun Morgan Harper.

Debutant Jake Averillo with his family at full time after the first NRL match to be played with no crowd due to the COVID-19 virus between the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium, Sydney. Picture. Phil Hillyard

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Jake Averillo has been earmarked as the attacking future of the Bulldogs, with the club poised to turn the Bankstown boy their next playmaking star.

News Corp Australia can reveal the teenage sensation is the reason Morgan Harper will not be at Belmore next year, with the Bulldogs opting to extend Averillo’s deal rather than re-sign the rising centre.

Set to go head-to-head with Josh Morris in a coming-of-age clash against the Roosters on Monday, Averillo is being groomed as a playmaker with a spot in the spine beckoning.

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Jake Averillo has made a big impression at Belmore.

Bulldogs coach Dean Pay admitted the club had a grand plan for the player that first joined the Bulldogs as a 13-year-old as part of a development squad.

“He can play a number of positions but at the moment we have put him in the centres,” Bulldogs coach Dean Pay said.

“He has played on the wing for me as well but he could play at fullback or in the halves in the future. He is a very talented kid and we will just take our time with him.”

Averillo admitted his plan to become an NRL playmaker after making it through his first full 80 minutes in the NRL during last week’s win over the Dragons.

“I played most of my juniors in the halves,” Averillo said.

“I also played a bit of fullback. Long term I want to play as either a five-eighth or a fullback. I would like to get my hands on the ball as much as possible and give myself more opportunities to create.”

Averillo scores a try against Manly in the Bulldogs’ round three defeat.

But while he is destined to earn a spot in the Bulldogs spine, the Bankstown Sports junior is just happy to be in the NRL for now.

“It has always been a dream of mine to play in the NRL,” he said.

“And I am just looking to make the most of the opportunity. I don’t want to let it go. I want to cement my spot in the team and play every game this year. I am willing to do whatever it takes and play wherever Deano needs me.’’

The heir apparent for Kieran Foran, Averillo will not rely on his talent or reputation to get to the top.

“It is good to know they think high of me,” Averillo said.

“But at the end of the day I have to let my performances do the talking.”

Averillo with his family after the round two game against the Cowboys.

A hug from his mum after a job well done.

And so far so good with Pay throwing Averillo back in the starting side following his first full NRL game.

“He did really well last week in his first starting game and hopefully he puts in another quality game,” Pay said.

“He is a local boy and a really good kid. He is from a good family and a humble kid that works really hard. He has come through our system and is a really talented kid.”

Averillo last year extended his contract to the end of 2021 on an upgraded deal.