‘Couldn’t have scripted it any better’: David Armstrong delighted after dream NRL debut

Nine minutes was all it took for Newcastle Knights young gun David Armstrong to put the NRL world on notice as he crossed over for a dream try on debut. Hear from the debutant himself after an incredible performance.

Former Mungindi and Goondiwindi flyer David Armstrong’s dreams were realised on Sunday as he made his long-awaited NRL debut for the Newcastle Knights against The Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.

In a moment where the world seemingly stood still, Armstrong - with his trademark lightning pace - broke through to cross over for a try just nine minutes into his debut right in front of his friends and family.

“I couldn’t have scripted it any better … crossing over early into the game was a special moment,” he said.

“I would have liked to have gone and celebrated with them (his friends and family) but the boys jumped on me pretty quick and they were all pretty excited for me.

“That’s the type of club and the way the boys are here, they are a real loving, caring group and they want to see you succeed.”

Armstrong said the way his teammates celebrated his maiden try made the moment all the more special and made him valued within the squad.

“Definitely really special to have the team celebrate like that with you,” he said.

“Just makes me realise how much I mean to the boys, they mean a lot to me and I know for sure I mean something to them because I wouldn’t have gotten a reaction off them for nothing.

“I am really grateful for this playing group and the way they are towards me as well, they have taken me in with open arms.”

David Armstrong is congratulated by teammates after scoring a try. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

After he found out he would make his NRL debut, Armstrong had a whirlwind week full of excitement and nerves.

“It has been unreal, I found out pretty early last week that I was gonna make my debut and since I found out, it was a really enjoyable week,” he said.

“I let my mum and dad know straight away, that is probably one of my favourite phone calls to date.

“I was nervous all week leading up to the game, not getting much sleep.

“I was really nervous but we’ve got a lot of good senior boys in the playing group here and they were a good shoulder to lean on throughout that time leading up to the game.

“People like Jayden Brailey and Jackson Hastings were really helpful towards me if I was to single out two.

“They have played a lot of NRL now and they are real good leaders in our team and they put me under their wing for the week.”

Ahead of his debut, Armstrong was presented with his jersey in an emotional ceremony with his teammates and parents.

David Armstrong of the Knights scores a try during the round eight NRL match between Dolphins and Newcastle Knights. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

“They are moments you dream of,” he said.

“As a kid all I wanted to do was play NRL and to have them two present my jersey to me along with a couple of my other family members there, I will never forget that night.”

Along with his extended family, Armstrong had a massive contingent of friends make the trek to Suncorp Stadium to cheer him on.

“I had most of my family there but also a lot of my school mates as well,” he said.

“I’ve still got a lot of mates in Toowoomba, obviously done my schooling there for a few years, so a lot of those boys came up and mixed in well with my family and filled that corner.”

After a stunning debut where he picked up all six Dally M votes, the 23-year-old was delighted to put his home town of Mungindi on the map on a national stage.

“Mungindi - no one would probably knows where that is, so it is good they are getting a mention,” Armstrong said.

David Armstrong playing rugby league for Mungindi as a junior.

“That little town, not many people have come out of there and done something, I am just in a really fortunate position at the moment to give it a name and bring it back to life.

“It is tough living out there and I’ve still got a lot of family out there as well, it is a really good feeling to represent where I’m from.”

The celebrations weren’t limited to just Mungindi, as Armstrong’s former Toowoomba Rugby League club - the Goondiwindi Boars - threw their continued support behind their 2021 premiership hero.

“I seen a bit last week, I tried to stay off social media as much as I could but I seen a few things and that is Gundy,” he said.

“Ever since I started my journey with them, they have backed me up and when I moved away as well.

“Even when I wasn’t playing NRL they still backed up and that’s what I liked about them.

“They just haven’t come because I’ve played NRL, they’ve ridden the wave with me when I was coming through the ranks as well.”

David Armstrong of the Newcastle Knights with his friends and family after his NRL debut at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Knights Media.

Along with representing Mungindi and Goondiwindi, Armstrong also flew the flag for the Kamilaroi mob.

“(I am) super grateful to be representing my mob,” he said.

“I’m a real proud Indigenous boy and I love my culture, love representing that and it’s very special.”

After an electric debut, Armstrong is now excited to continue to improve and test himself at the top level.

“I am just trying to focus each week, I am not trying to look past and say I am gonna dominate the NRL, I am just looking at going to training and improve my game week to week and hopefully things take care of itself on the weekend,” he said.

“After the weekend I am quite confident I can handle it but it is just about me improving each week.”

Originally published as ‘Couldn’t have scripted it any better’: David Armstrong delighted after dream NRL debut