Dolphins winger Jack Bostock was happy in St George Illawarra heartland until a twist of fate involving a current teammate changed his life.
The 20-year-old played superbly and scored his first NRL career double in the 30-14 win over Gold Coast on Saturday night and is relishing life under coach Wayne Bennett.
Dolphins playmaker and former Penrith half Sean O'Sullivan was performing some scouting for his father - Dolphins recruitment boss Peter O'Sullivan - when Bostock emerged as a target while playing for the Illawarra Steelers in the SG Ball competition.
It was current Dolphins half and former Penrith junior star Isaiya Katoa whom O'Sullivan had gone to watch.
"Sean O'Sullivan actually saw me playing (SG) Ball for the Steelers," Bostock said.
"I was playing out at Penrith and Sean came out to watch Isaiya Katoa. Katoa didn't play. He had a broken hand. I was (playing against) them and we got a good win against them.
"So then I think he called his old man and his old man called my manager. Then I came up and met with Wayne. Once I met with Wayne, the decision was pretty much made."
Bostock signed a three-year deal until the end of 2025 and has been given first chance at solidifying a left-wing position after playing just four NRL games last year.
His discovery by O'Sullivan has certainly fast-tracked his career.
"I was only 18, so I still had that fire in my belly and the want to make it to the NRL," Bostock said.
"That's what you want to do as a kid.
"You dream about that, but I wasn't really ready to get signed by an NRL club.
"I was just happy to stay at the Dragons and just play 21s or whatever it was, but it was a good opportunity that came and I took it with both hands."
Playing under Bennett as his first NRL coach has been a blessing.
"He just instilled a lot of confidence for me that the club was going to look after me and no matter how long it took to get to first grade, they were going to do it the right way and not rush me in," Bostock said
"It made my dad and mum feel really confident, sending me up here, moving away from home for the first time.
"Obviously it was pretty tough, but the staff here made the move really easy."
Now Bostock just wants to make Peter and Sean O'Sullivan glad they found him.
"Sean always says he and his dad always have an argument that if I'm a half-decent player, they'll claim me," Bostock grinned.
"If I'm not, they'll both be blaming each other for who picked me."
