How Rabbitohs’ Dally M Medal leader Jye Gray slipped through the Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Titans

Rabbitohs fullback Jye Gray was told he was too small to make it in the NRL, but he’s come a long way since slipping through the cracks at the Broncos, to lead the Dally M Medal voting.

Energiser bunny Jye Gray is the Dally M Medal leader who slipped through the net of the Titans and Broncos and is keeping NRL superstar Latrell Mitchell out of South Sydney’s No. 1 jersey.

Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has compared Gray to Queensland legend Allan Langer after retaining the pocket rocket at fullback for Friday’s grudge match against the Roosters.

Such has been Gray’s form in Souths’ 3-1 start to the year, NSW and Kangaroos star Mitchell will make his first appearance of the season at centre.

Gray, 21, has scored 14 out of a possible 24 points to lead the Dally M Medal tally after four rounds ahead of the likes of Maroons stars Kalyn Ponga (12), Cameron Munster (10) and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (10).

Jye Gray has been on fire for the Rabbitohs, jumping to the top of the Dally M leaderboard after four rounds. Picture: Getty Images

A Gold Coast junior, the Titans were trumped by the Broncos for the signature of Gray in his development days.

He was part of Brisbane’s famed academy system alongside the likes of Reece Walsh and Blake Mozer until South Sydney swooped with the offer of a full-time NRL contract that the Broncos couldn’t match.

Former Eels, Manly and Warriors playmaker Michael Witt coached Gray in Burleigh’s Mal Meninga Cup team and said he slipped through the cracks in Queensland.

“The Broncos had him but I don’t think they thought he’d go to the next level,” he said.

“I remember talking to ‘Choc’ (Gray’s agent Clinton Schifcofske) about an opportunity coming up at Souths.

“The Broncos always had Blake Mozer in the same age group who was their superstar.

“He is a good player, don’t get me wrong, but if I had to pick one to be in my team it’d be Jye.”

Gray grew up on the Gold Coast and played for Burleigh Bears. Picture: Scott Powick

A Runaway Bay Seagulls junior, Gray attended league nursery Coombabah High School before being poached by elite Gold Coast rugby school TSS.

He juggled league and union, playing at Burleigh before the Broncos moved him to Souths Logan for his final year in under-18s.

Despite always being one of the smallest players, Gray was determined to crack the top grade and the Rabbitohs took a punt.

“He was electric, exactly like he is now,” Witt said.

“He was always little and during the younger grades a lot of people told him he was too small to ever make it. He has proven them all wrong.

“He has that rapid speed to go from zero to 100 really quickly so the big fellas can’t get hold of him.

“He has always had that blistering pace to get out of trouble. He is little, but too quick.

“He is smart too. He picks his moments and times. He was always a class above.

“He is obviously a really good footballer but he is a lovely kid. He was always open to learning.

“He is a good bloke from a very tight family. There’s no shit in him.

“He’s a cheeky little bugger, as you need to be as a half-fullback, but you’d have to dig hard to find any dirt on him.”

Gray played rugby for TSS on the Gold Coast. Picture: Mike Batterham

Bennett has seen it all during a near 50-year coaching career.

Gray is one of the NRL’s smallest players at 170cm and 78kg and Bennett compared him to diminutive Broncos great Langer, who dominated the game at 165cm.

“I can’t be more pleased with Jye, he is like the Allan Langer of fullbacks,” he said.

“I didn’t know too much about Jye when I got here but he has a wonderful attitude. He throws himself into everything and he has the attitude you want in your players.

“He plays a lot like Trai Fuller did for me at the Dolphins. Trai would put everything into every run and that’s Jye.

“He has great bravery and the other players love playing with him.”

Originally published as How Rabbitohs’ Dally M Medal leader Jye Gray slipped through the Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Titans