‘Would have nailed it’: Fans loses it as youngster steals the show in NRL shootout

A Melbourne Storm ballkid has caught NRL fans’ imaginations after his brilliant moment in the high-scoring clash with the Knights.

The Melbourne Storm have returned to the top of the NRL ladder after a wild 36-28 win over the Newcastle Knights at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Knights took an 18-12 lead at the halftime break, despite having been down 12-6 with less than two minutes left in the half.

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But tries to Jahrome Hughes barging over from a crash play, followed by a length of the field special where the Storm went down the short side on the first tackle saw Nick Meaney score to flip the match on its head.

The second half then saw the Storm pull away before the Knights were almost able to hunt them down.

While it was a high-scoring attack first kind of game, several fans were taken by a young ballkid after the Hughes try just before the break.

Having brought the tee out for Meaney’s conversion, the youngster used his time on the field to practice his goalkicking.

Future NRL goalkicker alert. Photo: Fox Sports

Mimicking Meaney’s run up, complete with arm swings and raising his right leg, fans loved seeing the kid’s impersonation.

On radio, it was revealed it was Storm assistant coach Ryan Hinchcliffe’s son.

Writer Shane Berketa tweeted: “Hey @storm who’s the kid in the white shirt?” before adding “love the passion” and “getting that early training in up close and personal”.

The NRL tweeted: “This ball-kid could be a future goal kicker!”

A fan replied: “I do so hope somehow this could be incorporated into next years advertising for the NRL ‘The Greatest Game of All’.”

Another suggested, tongue-in-cheek we assume: “The kid has already signed for the Bulldogs.”

American NRL fan Tanked Yank posted: “He would have nailed it. Great lead up, excellent follow through. Young man has a good footy career in front of him. Loved seeing this.”
Another fan said: “Remember his name. Will likely see him in first grade in 15 years time.”

That attempt was the only goalkick he impersonated but he had plenty of chances in the six tries to five match up.

The Storm were on the back foot early in the game before the two tries in two minutes before halftime turned the game on its head.

It was a great comeback from the Storm. Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images

It was frustrating for the Knights, who looked the more dangerous side for the best part of 38 minutes, but that period proved to be a crushing blow as they never regained the lead.

Down by 18 midway through the second half, the Knights fought it out, making it a nervous finish for the Storm, with winger Enari Tuala getting the Knights to within a converted try with three minutes left, but the Storm held on.

Although the Knights late charge came up short, they won many admirers, while the Storm saluted for the ninth win of the season.

With Lance Jenkinson, NCA Newswire