NRL 2024: Debutant Jamie Humphreys delivers for Manly and his mates

Jamie Humphreys and his mates had plenty to cheer about following his eye-catching debut for Manly - but there was another interested onlooker 900km away.

Jamie Humphreys. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

The only blokes happier than Jamie Humphreys after his brilliant debut for Manly were his 50 or so mates who loaded up on him to score a try. No doubt, incoming South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett watched on with a rare smile as well.

Humphreys, who marked his debut for the Sea Eagles with an eye-catching role at halfback in a big win over Newcastle on Sunday, was announced as a Souths player less than 24 hours after his remarkable debut.

The two-year deal was done a little while back but Souths held back an announcement out of respect for Humphreys to help him prepare for his maiden first grade appearance free from distractions.

“Footy isn’t always how you want it to turn out,” Humphreys said.

“I never expected those things to happen. But it’s a business at the end of the day. I’ve got really strong relationships with lots of people here.

“Not just the footy staff but all the admin and fans and community. To be able to debut … in front of them is something I will cherish forever.”

Jamie Humphreys celebrates with his mates. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

So will his mates who grabbed the $26 on offer for him to cross the line. They were there in numbers at 4Pines Park to help Humphreys celebrate a debut that has been years in the making.

“There were a lot of happy faces,” he said.

Humphreys looked pretty pleased, himself. There were days when he wondered whether this day would ever arrive, a broken jaw setting him back last year before the decision was made to try him at hooker.

Humphreys never complained. He just went about his business, hustling for an opportunity, and he finally got his reward on Sunday with Daly Cherry-Evans unavailable due to State of Origin duty.

Humphreys let no one down.

Jamie Humphreys celebrates scoring on debut with Haumole Olakau'atu. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“I transitioned into hooker midway through last year,” Humphreys said.

“I had a chat with the coaching staff here and they thought that was my best progression to first grade because we have two pretty good halves here at the moment with Brooksy (Luke Brooks) and Chez.

“That was something I could either take with two hands or sook about. It was something I chose to work hard on - coming into pre-season this year just on the focus of becoming the best hooker I can be.

“We had a few injuries in the halves and I ended up playing a lot of reserve grade there anyway. The transition back wasn’t hard, because I came through as a half.”

Cherry-Evans is likely to return from Origin duty this weekend, meaning Humphreys stint in first grade this season may be short.

Yet he has shown coach Anthony Seibold that he belongs and Bennett would have taken note as well. Souths are preparing for the arrival of Englishman Lewis Dodd next season but Humphreys will give them an insurance policy with his ability to cover halves and hooker.

“Playing proved to me I can handle that level,” he said.

“It’s something that now I have a taste of, I want to keep going with it and build off that. It’s something I want to continue.

“I don’t want to be one and done, I want to build off this.”