The Manilla native has gone from running around for the St Joseph's College (Joeys) Third XV to packing down in the Central North first grade competition.

Linking up with Pirates this season after finishing school and returning to the area, Purtle was given his starting opportunity in their clash against Gunnedah and has stayed in first grade pretty much ever since.

"It's been a massive learning curve but I've been quite lucky to have a heap of experienced players around me to try and educate me and get me ready for when I did get to make my debut for first grade," Purtle said.

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"And I'm just really enjoying it; it's a great bunch of blokes."

His education will continue this weekend with Purtle suiting up for Central North in their home Country Championship campaign.

"I'm quite excited," he said.

"I don't know what sort of game time I'll be getting or anything like that but I'm just happy to be a part of it and just learn.

"All the fellas they're a lot older than me so it will be a great learning curve and it will be a good challenge."

In pulling on the red and white he will also be following in the footsteps of his late grandfather, who "was a half-back for Quirindi way back when" and "played Central North for a few years".

Loving being part of what is arguably the most formidable scrum in the Central North competition, Purtle said his six years at Joey's was a great experience and great for his rugby development.

"I learnt a lot of things that's helped me," he said.

Especially off former Wallaby, and Wallabies forwards coach, Andrew Blades, who is the Director of Rugby at the school.

"He sort of helped me out a fair bit to get my technique right," Purtle said.

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