Goondiwindi Boars president Tony Carter proud of former star David Armstrong ahead of NRL debut

Three years ago, he was Goondiwindi’s hero as he led the Boars to the 2021 TRL premiership with three tries in the grand final, now he’s set to make his NRL debut for the Newcastle Knights.

David Armstrong on his way to score a try for Goondiwindi in the 2021 TRL grand final. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Former Goondiwindi Boars star David Armstrong is set to fulfil his dream this Sunday when he makes his NRL debut for the Newcastle Knights at Suncorp Stadium against The Dolphins.

Only three years ago he was tearing it up in the Toowoomba Rugby League and Goondiwindi Boars president Tony Carter said the young fullback was always an immense talent.

“He was always a star, it was three years ago we won the TRL premiership, I think he nearly won it on his own there,” Carter said

“(He had) such talent and he had super speed, he could read a game so well but he had super speed and never lost that by the look of it.”

Carter said the entire club was proud to see one of their brightest talents earn his chance on the big stage and has been celebrated by his former TRL teammates.

“The boys at training last night (Tuesday) were overwhelmed by it all – they are delighted,” he said.

“He is just one of the boys and nothing changes when he comes home, his parents are just delightful people out here.

“They are so proud of him, so are we all, he deserves it, he really does, he’s a good young gentleman.

“He is very humble, he doesn’t say too much, he just gets in with the boys and it is like old times, they just have a ball.

David Armstrong in action during pre-season. Picture: Knights Media.

“And same as his folks too, they don’t talk a lot about it, we gotta ask them how he’s going but he is just a lovely kid and got such a future and I hope he does really well.”

In an unfortunate fixture clash, the Goondiwindi players will be unable to make the trip to Brisbane to watch Armstrong play in person as they kick-off their round 4 clash against reigning premiers Dalby at 1.30pm – just 30 minutes before The Dolphins and Knights face-off.

However, despite this, his former teammates have already planned to tune into the game the moment their clash finishes.

“The boys will come back and we can watch the replays at The Queensland Hotel – that’s their pub – so we will be watching replays and it will be good,” Carter said.

For the Goondiwindi juniors, Carter said there is now a clear pathway for those who are aspiring to one day make it to the NRL.

“All the kids know him so they all want to be a Davey Armstrong,” he said.

“We got such a big junior club as well so all those kids will be watching him, they love it.

“He was outstanding here at the school with the athletics, they are just a very talented family, no doubt about it.”