After three years frustratingly consigned to the sidelines, the moment Nathan Watts had been dreaming of since he pulled on the black and white as a junior finally arrived on Saturday, and he made the most of it.
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Making his run-on first grade debut, the No.8 was one of Tamworth's best in their 24-12 win over Coffs Harbour, picking up the one point.
Before this season Watts hadn't run out for the Magpies since 2017, after undergoing an ACL reconstruction.
"I came back at the start of this year and I'm loving it, it's great to be back and playing," he said.
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He was very appreciative of coach Peter Burke and assistants Joe Goldsworthy and Michael Bird for giving him the chance to play first grade, the experience made all the more special by the fact that running out alongside him was younger brother Mitch.
"I haven't played with Mitch in nine years so it was a great feeling to get out there and play with him, especially with how he's gone lately (he earned the three points not for the first time this season)," he said.
The last time the two had played together, before this season, was in 2011 for the Hills Hawks league side.
Upon relocating to Tamworth, Nathan initially played league but was converted to union by former Pirates coach Barry Everingham when he was at Tamworth Public School. His rugby passion was then further fostered by Goldsworthy during his time at Calrossy, Watts describing the former NSW Country coach as a "great mentor".
A NSW Country juniors representative, Watts said what he has endured the last three years added that bit of extra feeling to Saturday. It was a tough road at times.
"The rehab part of it getting back, especially getting over the mental fact of not being able to do anything at all and knowing that there is a long road ahead to get back to where I wanted to be really played on my mind a bit," the 19-year old said.
"But I'm really appreciative to be where I am now and getting some game time."
He said the first year watching on from the sidelines was the hardest. He just "wanted to be out there playing".
"I kind of got used to it the second and third year," he said.
"But I was raring to go at the start of this season."
At first, coming back, it was "a little bit nerve-racking".
"But once you get over that and get your confidence back it all comes back to you," he said.
His start came after strong performances for second grade and in stints off the bench against Glen Innes and Walcha.
If not for COVID though it might not have happened. Watts had moved down to the Central Coast with his girlfriend for uni and was planning to play in the Central Coast competition. But it got called off and then things didn't quite work out with uni so he moved home.
