Kobe Bone: Talented youngster set to make his first-grade debut for Norths

At age 19, this handsome and well-mannered product of the Central Coast and Tamworth is back at the North Tamworth Bears, but with his thoughts still occupied by his end goal: an NRL career.

On Sunday at Jack Woolaston Oval, Bone will make his first-grade debut for Norths in a highly anticipated round-one clash against Manilla. He has been named at lock.

Come the end of the season, he hopes to have the ideal springboard as he continues his pursuit of that lofty ambition - Sydney, Brisbane or a return to the Wyong Roos, where he made his top-grade debut last year, potential destinations for him to further his footy.

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This time last year, the former Greater Northern Tigers junior had played his last match for the North Sydney Bears' SG Ball Cup side, after cementing a starting spot in the second-row.

Based on the Central Coast with his girlfriend, water polo standout Mikayla Gross, he then segued to action with Wyong - going on to play three first-grade games in the Newcastle competition: two games in the second-row and one at centre.

When the competition was abandoned due to the pandemic, he returned to Tamworth and is now working as a concreter, although he plans to resume his carpentry apprenticeship at some stage.

Bone arrived at Jack Woolaston Oval on Friday morning to speak to the Leader. The strapping teen had come from work and apologised for his appearance: the footy shorts torn and filthy, the hands dirty.

He changed into a new Bears shirt for the photo, then sat down for a chat - revealing that he has never lost a game at Jack Woolaston Oval, his last match there coming in September 2019 when the Bears won the grand final.

"Bloody oaf," he replied when asked if he still wanted an NRL career. He was "hoping to have a really good year" at the Bears and then sign with a club elsewhere and resume his NRL quest, he said.

Bone is one of three youngsters who will debut for the new-look Bears on Sunday - the others being fullback Adrian Graham and winger Ashton Constable.

"From moving away and then coming back, there's a lot more new people here than I expected," Bone said of Norths. "But we do have a strong side ... Got a few young fellas. But they wouldn't be there if they weren't up for the job, obviously."

Norths coach Paul Boyce described Bone as "so energetic" and "a good addition" to the side, who will face a Tigers outfit freshly promoted from reserve grade.

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