Waka Hammond to play Jersey Flegg for Melbourne Storm on Saturday

Waka Hammond has been one of the stars of the recent Storm Cup and Peter Mulholland rugby league tournaments. Now, he’s set to make his next move, which will get him closer to the NRL. More here.

Waka Hammond will make his debut for the Storm’s Jersey Flegg team this weekend. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography.

Waka Hammond is proof Victoria can produce talented rugby league players who could make it to the NRL.

The 17-year-old full back has been rewarded for his excellent performances recently with a spot in Melbourne Storm’s Jersey Flegg team for their clash against Newcastle on Saturday.

The Storm’s Jersey Flegg team has some of the best under-21 players in the game, looking to impress, and make a step up to the NRL in the following years.

WakaHammondplaying for the Melbourne Storm in the Harold Matthews Cup competition this season. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography.

Hammond might be young but he’s been trusted by the Storm coaching staff he can do a job for them.

The equivalent to the full backs rise is a 17-year-old playing VFL in the AFL system ready to be drafted.

“It came out of the blue for me,” Hammond said.

“The coach, Mark from Jersey Flegg, has put a lot of belief in me for the past couple of weeks.

“He thought I was ready, so it’s exciting.”

Hammond was the player of the tournament in the recent Storm Cup, which his team Hallam won.

He then put in a man of the match performance for the school in their upset win over Patricia Brothers Fairfield in the Peter Mulholland Cup.

The teenager has also impressed for his club the Casey Warriors.

Hammond is set to start at full back, which is a testament to the strength of his season.

Instead of starting on the bench and playing a limited role, the young star is being given a big opportunity to show his craft.

“It’s a big role for me to really stand up and show what I’ve got, but I think I’m up for it,” he said.

“There’s a lot of importance in the role of full back.”

Hammond said his focus was to make sure the numbers in defence was right and to impress when he gets the ball.

Hallam school coach Janan Billings said it was a great reward for Hammond.

“We’re very proud as a school for him,” he said.

“We work hard with him but he puts in the hard work himself.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how he goes.”

Billings said Hammond’s success was testament the pathway in Victoria can produce NRL players for the Melbourne Storm and the teenager is on his way to doing it.

“It shows clearly now to all the young kids in Victoria there is a clear pathway with Waka being in high school and playing at under-21 level,” he said.

“He’s setting the ground work for a lot of other Victorians.

“He has the potential and the ingredients to go all the way and play NRL.”

The game starts at 1.30pm in Broadmeadows.