Dragons flyer Cody Ramsey hoping for repeat of debut heroics in return to WIN Stadium

Cody Ramsey is hoping for a repeat of his debut heroics - and if he can pull it off, make sure there’s a camera on his mum.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 20: Cody Ramsey of the Dragons runs the ball during the round two NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the St George Illawarra Dragons at QCB Stadium, on March 20, 2021, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

If Cody Ramsey’s second NRL game at WIN Stadium goes anything like his first make sure Fox League has a camera trained on his mum.

Ramsey scored two tries in the first half of his first grade debut against Canberra last year and his mother, Kim Stojanov’s reaction to his dream debut went viral after she was captured crying tears of joy when Ramsey crossed the stripe with his first touch.

She was one of 67 relatives who made the trip to Wollongong that day and Ramsey is hoping for a repeat dose of both the tries and the celebration when the Dragons host Manly on Friday night.

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The "Flying Plumber" Cody Ramsey talks about his mum's reaction to the moment he was denied a hat-trick in his #NRL debut for the @NRL_Dragons

It'd be a fair bet that everyone back in his hometown of Molong had the same reaction!

Story - @WINNews_Woll at 6 pic.twitter.com/P0A9URkDpA

— Corey Hammond (@Corey_Hammo) September 14, 2020

.@hannahhollis_ chats with Cody Ramsey Mum on what today means 💪https://t.co/ewnAUpCe4a

📝 Live blog: https://t.co/isv3KPGQ7Y

📱Match Centre: https://t.co/rnwvPzHbJEpic.twitter.com/BdVBKDNyjr

— Fox League (@FOXNRL) September 12, 2020

“We should put a mic on her through the whole game, maybe make a segment,” Ramsey said.

“This’ll be my second game of first grade at the ground and hopefully we can do it again with a win.”

The clash also marks Jason Saab’s first match against his old club with Ramsey set for a David vs Goliath battle against the former Dragon — he’s giving up 14cm and 19kg to the towering Sea Eagle.

Given Saab’s height, Ramsey is sure to come under heavy pressure but the 21-year old is welcoming an aerial bombardment from the Silvertails.

“Manly will kick to me? That’s good, I like catching the ball,” Ramsey said.

“I can’t wait. There’ll be a bit of banter, hopefully, through the game. Saaby is big and strong, we’ve got to keep him contained through the game.”

The high ball holds no fears for Cody Ramsey of the Dragons. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Saab requested a release from the Dragons last year to link up with Manly and the Red V’s familiarity with his style could help them shut the towering winger down.

But, as Ramsey pointed out, that familiarity is a two-way street.

“That probably goes both ways. He knows things about me that he’ll tell them,” Ramsey said.

“But we’ll get out there and run whatever Hook’s (Anthony Griffin’s) game plan is because it’s been working so far.”

After his initial foray into first grade, Ramsey has settled on the left wing and has begun to strike up a combination with centre Jack Bird and five-eighth Corey Norman.

Bird in particular has been of great help to Ramsey with the former Origin representative’s experience helping guide the way.

“It feels pretty smooth with Birdy and Normy there. I just run and catch the ball, that’s all I do. Sprint down the sideline and hope for the best,” Ramsey said.

“They know what they’re doing, they’re always just asking me to stick on the line and stay on their hip.

“(Bird) has a great football sense, he knows what he’s doing and he can play anywhere. He knows what to do and tells me what to do and we just work together.”

Originally published as Dragons flyer Cody Ramsey hoping for repeat of debut heroics in return to WIN Stadium