Jayden Okunbor story mirrors cult figure Jamal Idris but Canterbury Bulldog tyro wants to shape own story

Bulldogs debutant Jayden Okunbor admits his hairstyle, lineage and story is similar to cult figure Jamal Idris, but when he runs out for Canterbury this season he wants to “make my own name”.

Eight years ago, Canterbury fans fell in love with the athletically gifted son of a Nigerian father.

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The thick dreadlocks, schoolboy track and field honours and powerful build quickly turned Jamal Idris into a Bulldogs cult figure.

Jayden Okunbor, whose shotput record at the Pacific Schools Games set as an 11-year-old still stands, was a fan of Idris, too.

And while the young pup’s hairstyle, lineage and story is startlingly similar to Idris, the NRL-bound 21-year-old wants to make one thing clear.

“We do have a fair bit in common, both being Nigerian,’’ Okunbor said. “We both did athletics growing up. He was a good discus thrower and I did shotput, so our stories are pretty similar.

“But I’d like to make my own name.

Jayden Okunbor will make his NRL debut for the Bulldogs this season. Picture: David Swift

“Four years ago I wrote down a goal to become the best African to ever play rugby league and that’s still one of my goals. I’ve got to make it happen, starting this year.’’

Okunbor is more than just an Idris doppelgänger.

His story, starting from his time as a local junior with the Milperra Colts, is everything the rebuilding Dogs need right now.

A member of the Bulldogs system for the past four years, Okunbor is chasing his NRL debut this year following a pre-season in Dean Pay’s top 30 NRL squad.

“At Belmore we have a back shed for the boys that aren’t in the top 30 contracted players, so I was in there for three years,’’ Okunbor said. “You’re not really a first grader until you’re into the change rooms.

“But I’ve got a locker this year and it’s a pretty good feeling having my name up there.

“I know it doesn’t seem like much, but to me it was a pretty big deal to see my name there. Sitting there next to the boys makes me feel like I’m on my way.’’

Jamal Idris became a cult figure at the Bulldogs.

Jayden Okunbor wants to forge his own path.

Weighing 106kg, Okunbor played in the ­second-row of Canterbury’s ISP team last year. However, a relegation to park football to “toughen up” and a late season switch to the wing have transformed his game and mindset.

“I thought NSW Cup would be a walk in the park and that’s why Georgie (NSW Cup coach Steve Georgeallis) did drop me, I was just cruising,’’ he said. “I wasn’t training hard.

“But by far this has been my best pre-season. I’m pushing very hard to be part of that round one team.

“With Brett Morris going and Josh (Morris) as well, there was a spot for me in the backs and I think this is my year. It’s my last year signed to the club and I’ve got to make the most of it. If I want anything to come of it, I’ve got to make my mark now.’’

A national shotput champion at age 14, Okunbor’s Pacific Games record of 16.35m still stands from 2008. He was also a representative cricketer for Bankstown and was selected in the NSW under-14 Emerging Blues cricket squad.

“With shotput, I thought it was a bit hard getting Mum to fork out money just so I could go throw a ball three times,’’ he said. “And I played cricket reps until 15 and I had to make a decision between cricket or footy. It was always going to be footy. I played one game with the (Emerging Blues) and knew I really didn’t want to be there.’’

Okunbor said his father, who moved to Australia from Nigeria 25 years ago, is a rugby league tragic.

“Dad watches every game,’’ he said. “He’s been sending back videos of NSW Cup to my relatives in Nigeria, bragging a bit. Nigeria is a huge country and some of the athletes that have come out of there are pretty freakish.

“People think I’m islander and are a bit surprised when I say I’m Nigerian. But I love saying it. I love that I’m probably the only player in the NRL at the moment or trying to make it from Nigeria.’’

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