Newcastle Knights rookie Dylan Phythian frontrunner for No.1 jersey

DYLAN Phthyian has gone from playing off the bench as a hooker to being just 80 minutes away being named fullback for the Knights premiership opener.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 28: Dylan Phythian of the Knights scores a try during the round 25 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Hunter Stadium on August 28, 2016 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

DYLAN Phthyian was digging ditches to lay NBN cables and in rehab after a knee reconstruction this time last year.

And when he made a shock NRL debut for the Newcastle Knights at the back end of last season, it was off the bench as a hooker.

Now, he finds himself checking out videos of Darius Boyd with the 21 year old just 80 minutes away being named fullback for the Knights premiership opener against the Warriors in Auckland in just over a fortnight.

Newcastle rookie Dylan Phythian talks to coach Nathan Brown at training on Wednesday Picture: Peter Lorimer.

Provided he gets through Saturday night’s trial against the Canberra in Queanbeyan relatively unscathed, the job is his.

“I’m very excited and a little nervous. It’s a massive dream come true and I can’t wait to get out there,” Phthyian said.

Knights coach Nathan Brown, who also looked at Peter Mata’utia and Nathan Ross as fullback options during the off-season, has confidence in Phthyian to handle the position and says it is now his to lose.

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“We’d like to think he can do a really good job and stay there,” Brown said.

“There and five-eighth are the positions he has played right through his junior career. He only played hooker last year because of the spot we were in.

“It’s one of the toughest positions on the field but he’s a great trainer and a tough kid and I’m confident he will do well.

“He’s just is a natural footballer. He understands the game.”

Phthyian knows not to take anything for granted.

“I’ve still got to go out there and prove myself for the 80 minutes and hopefully cement that spot for round one,” he said.

Phythian has just one NRL match to his name.

“Canberra’s going to be a tough game. They are obviously one of the biggest sides in the competition and they went well last year.

“But I’m confident I can go out there and hold my own.”

Brown started last season with rookie utility Jaelen Feeney at fullback in a selection gamble that backfired. Feeney’s mistake-riddled baptism of fire lasted only a few weeks.

Phthyian is not about to take a safety-first approach against the Raiders.

“I’m going to go out there and back myself but at the same time, make sure I’m not pushing it too far,” he said.

“I’m pretty confident I’ll handle it pretty well.

“I’ve grown up playing in the halves so I’ve got the ability to ball play as well so it will be a free roaming, what-I-see type role I’m going to be playing.”

Brown has named a near full strength starting line-up to take on the Raiders with ex-Manly forwards Josh Starling and Jamie Buhrer both selected. Brock Lamb will partner Trent Hodkinson in the halves.

FULL SQUAD

1. Dylan Phythian 2. Ken Sio 3. Dane Gagai 4. Peter Mata’utia 5. Nathan Ross 6. Brock Lamb

7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Danny Levi 10. Josh Starling 11. Sione Mata’utia 12. Jamie Buhrer 13. Mitch Barnett Interchange: 14. Luke Yates 15. Jack Stockwell 16. Sam Stone

17. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 18. Brendan Elliot 19. Will Pearsall 22. Josh King 23. Jacob Saifiti 24. Chanel Mata’utia.