South Sydney debutant Dean Hawkins required 15 stitches for a nasty leg gash after he attempted to leap into a group of mates inside Stadium Australia, only to slip and come down on the fence.
Hawkins was given 14 minutes of game time for his beloved Bunnies on Thursday night, and his rowdy entourage - impossible to miss in Matraville Tigers jerseys - erupted every time he touched the ball.
As skipper Adam Reynolds re-lived the NRL’s first-ever two-point field-goal after the 35-6 blowout win over Brisbane, the only player who looked happier in the Souths sheds was Hawkins.
The 22-year-old halfback tried to keep a straight face while re-living the embarrassing moment he was pretty confident none of his mates captured on video.
“I had about 30 of my mates in the grandstand, I’m a Matraville Tiger, they were all wearing those jerseys - I’m a mad ‘Matto boy’ - so I went over to say ‘hi’ and went to jump on them, but I stacked it on the side of the fence,” Hawkins said
“I didn’t even feel it when it happened, probably because of the adrenaline.
Dean Hawkins with his mates, and the nasty leg wound that required 15 stitches.
“It wasn’t until I walked off I realised I’d sliced it [my leg] open.
“I’ve ended up getting about 15 stitches. I’m pretty sure the boys didn’t get it on video.
“The doc said if it heals properly I’ll be right for next week, but if not [I’ll] probably just one week.
“The physio told me to stay off the beers this weekend. It’s unfortunate, but that’s the way it’s got to be.
“I’m just stoked I’ve made my debut. Nothing can take away from that moment.″
Hawkins thought he had helped Jamayne Isaako lose the ball on one play, only for the Broncos to successfully challenge it had been knocked out, while there was also a 40/20 attempt that almost came off.
Hawkins was standing around at training with one of his best friends, Souths centre Campbell Graham, when coach Wayne Bennett told him the good news before a field session at Redfern at the start of the week.
“Wayne pulled me aside and said, ‘congratulations, you’re in the 17 this week’,” Hawkins said.
Adam Reynolds launches a monster 43m two-point field-goal on Thursday night.Credit: Robb Cox/NRL Photos
“He was really good, he explained to me he wasn’t sure when I would get on, but to stay ready. I trained on both sides of the field all week.
“I was expecting five or ten minutes. I got nearly 15. I’m stoked. The boys were really good. When I came on they said, ‘back yourself and have a crack’. I did that.”
Hawkins will return to reserve grade with the suspended Cody Walker due back for next weekend’s clash against the Wests Tigers.
Like Reynolds, Hawkins remains without a deal beyond this year, and can only hope he extends his stay at his junior club. Like every Souths fans, Hawkins hopes Reynolds stays put.
“Reyno is a legend of the game, he’s taught me a lot he’s an awesome fella,” “Hawkins said.
“I’m off contract this year. I haven’t commenced talks yet. I’ll let my footy do the talking. I’m a proud Souths boy, I’m a junior, I’d love to stay here, but I’m open to anything.”
Meanwhile, Reynolds knew he was never missing when he launched a field-goal right on half-time from 43m out. The ball landed at least 10m the other side of the dead-ball line.
Reynolds said he and Latrell Mitchell normally had a kicking duel before each game with the winner given the chance to take the long-range field-goals.
“I actually nailed one in the warm-up and said, ‘I’m on it tonight, so if it comes up, it’s mine’,” Reynolds said.
“He [Mitchell] had it last week but we didn’t get the opportunities for one. He’s got a big boot on him. He could probably make it travel 50m if it comes to the crunch.”