Cameron Murray began the year with the goal of cracking into South Sydney's starting side but he's since turned into a Rabbitohs sensation off the bench.
The 20-year-old enjoyed his finest hour in Souths' one-point NRL semi-final win over St George Illawarra with a crucial late strip on Leeson Ah Mau.
But Murray was again dangerous off the bench throughout his entire 58 minutes on Saturday night, topping 150m for the second time in three weeks.
A regular starter at lock for South Sydney at the start of the season, Murray has come off the bench every game since round 13 with the Rabbitohs back to full strength.
"One of my goals this year was to be in the starting 13," Murray said.
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"Unfortunately it wasn't to be. (Coach Anthony Seibold) pulled me aside and said you've got a job for the team and if you do the best you can then we'll go places.
"I found a niche and felt comfortable doing what I'm doing. I'm starting to get my fitness up in certain areas and coming on in different areas."
A South Sydney junior who captained the NSW under-20s side under Brad Fittler last season, Murray has won plaudits in his 33-game NRL career.
Australian selector Darren Lockyer has labelled him a future State of Origin player and Nine Network commentator Phil Gould credits him as having one of the quickest play-the-balls in the competition.
The latter has been crucial in unlocking the dangerous Damien Cook out of dummy-half, a facet that will once again be vital in the biggest game of Murray's life against the Roosters next weekend.
And being a Rabbitohs junior, the 20-year-old knows how big the Allianz Stadium clash will be against the minor premiers.
"Last time we played them we didn't complete as good as we should have and didn't create as much momentum as good as we should have and we almost won," he said.
"We've got to focus on completing well, building some pressure off the back of quick play-the-balls and playing fast and stuff like that. We're really confident we can get the job done."
