Wil Trow made his first-grade debut in the last round.
Just seven days later he found himself activated as a concussion substitute in a NEWRL qualifying semi.
Trow, a Central Newcastle junior, played 65 minutes in the absence of injured hooker Harry Reid as the Butcher Boys edged out South Newcastle 26-18 at Townson Oval on Saturday.
Central coach Lucas Miller, now one win away from a grand final in his first season mentoring at Charlestown, described Trow's performance as "outstanding" and gave credit to all 35 players called up during 2026.
"Just the mental strength we showed after losing one of our strike players so early," Miller told the Newcastle Herald.
"Then someone like young Trowy, skinny Trowy, coming on like that in just his second game after debuting last weekend.
"We've played 35 players this year because everyone has deserved to play first grade at some point. Not all injuries either, reggies boys just earning a spot.
"That's why Trowy was ready to step in, every jersey is up for grabs every week, and he took his chance with both hands.
"He was outstanding. Playing 65 minutes at hooker up against [opposite number] Mitch Black and Souths prop [James Taylor]. Very proud of him."
The second-versus-third encounter hung in the balance for the entire 80 minutes.
Twice level in a gripping contest, including 12-all at half-time, with a biggest margin of eight midway through the second stanza.
Ultimately, the defining moment came late.
Souths, on the attack and attempting to reel in a two-point deficit with less than three minutes remaining, made a mistake.
Central centre Cahleb Faulkner, already with one try to his name on August 15, made it a double when he pounced on the loose ball, streaked away and tapped his Butcher Boys badge en route to the southern end of the Merewether venue.
"It's not an easy place to come and play, let alone win. Souths have a great team and we had a bit of adversity to overcome.
"It was a great game of footy and everyone left it all out there. We all had our problems with injuries and concussions and whatever else, but I was so proud of them.
"They play for each other - that period there where we had to defend our own line and coming up with the big plays when we needed to.
"When Cahleb streaked away at the end I was cheering him home like I'd just backed the winner of The Everest. I looked down at my watch and my heart rate was 160."
Souths opened the scoring in the 10th minute via winger Maps Uasi, who used pure strength during a one-on-one battle with his opposite number after a short-side scrum play.
Central evened up 6-all midway through the first half with centre Faulkner successfully chasing down a Tyson England grubber, winning the race to the footy just inside the dead-ball line at the northern end.
Butcher Boys winger Travon Lemalama was johnny-on-the-spot to pick up the scraps to help put the visitors up by six around the half-hour mark, Chad O'Donnell's cross-field chip kick eventually bouncing favourably in the in-goal.
Approaching the main break Souths made it 12-all with Quincy Ross, fresh off the interchange bench, running a line, hitting a hole and stumbling over.
Following the change of ends Central got in front 20-12 with back-to-back efforts by the hour mark, fullback Cameron Anderson and a flying Lemalema both crossing.
Lions winger Jacob Afflick, NEWRL's leading try scorer, was put on report and sent to the sin bin with just over 10 minutes left, leaving them with 12 men.
Souths rallied via Luke Miller, taking a Ryan Glanville kick on the run before muscling his way to the line and reducing the margin to two as the clock counted down to single figures.
But on the brink of full-time it was a knock-on from the home side while trying to get ahead, that opened the door for Faulkner to scoop up the spoils and race away for a Central success.
The Butcher Boys, who finished third on the overall rankings, missed the top five last season and now set up a major semi against minor premiers the Pickers at Maitland Sportsground on August 22.
"We're excited. Got close to them a couple of times this year. So that's our next job. I'm confident it will be another good game of footy," Miller said.
Reid will be sidelined due to the 11-day mandatory stand-down period following a failed HIA.
Second-ranked Souths, already without the likes Reeve Howard, Ethan Fowles and Lachlan Fitzgibbon, now face a minor semi against The Entrance.
The Entrance defeated Kurri Kurri 28-12 at EDSACC Oval on Sunday with NEWRL top point scorer Corey Fenning adding another 14 to his individual tally.
Souths and The Entrance will meet to keep their respective seasons alive at Kurri Sportsground on August 23.
A preliminary final the following weekend will take place at St John Oval on August 29.
The 2026 decider will take place at McDonald Jones Stadium on September 6.
A concussion substitution in just his second game of first grade has helped Central Newcastle move within one win of a NEWRL grand final for 2026.
Butcher Boys rookie Wil Trow, who only debuted in last weekend's last round, was called into action shortly after hooker Harry Reid was taken off for a HIA early in the first half.
Central eventually prevailed 26-18 over South Newcastle in Saturday's gripping qualifying semi at Townson Oval, with doubles to left-side pair Travhon Lemalama and Cahleb Faulkner.
The Butcher Boys will next face minor premiers Maitland in a GF replay from two years ago, the Pickers hosting the major semi on August 22 after having this weekend off.
Souths, who finished second on the competition ladder, instead tackle the winner out of Sunday's elimination semi between The Entrance and Kurri Kurri at EDSACC Oval.
The August 15 game hung in the balance until the final whistle with a mistake from a late Lions attacking raid turning into a runaway try for Central centre Faulkner, who tapped his jersey badge while en route to the clincher at the southern end of the Merewether venue.
Souths opened their account in the 10th minute via winger Maps Uasi, who used pure strength during a one-on-one battle with his opposite number after a short-side scrum play.
An intercept attempt soon after from NEWRL leading try scorer Jacob Afflick could have gone either way, but a dropped ball ultimately denied a Central try via the Jake Maizen flick pass.
The Butcher Boys levelled proceedings 6-all midway through the first stanza with centre Faulkner successfully chasing down a Tyson England grubber kick, winning the race to the footy just inside the dead-ball line at the northern end.
Central winger Travon Lemalama was johnny-on-the-spot to pick up the scraps to help put the visitors up by six around the half-hour mark, Chad O'Donnell's cross-field chip kick eventually bouncing favourably in the in-goal.
Approaching the main break Souths evened up 12-all with Quincy Ross, fresh off the interchange bench, running a line, hitting a hole and stumbling over.
Following the change of ends the Butcher Boys got in front by eight (20-12) with back-to-back efforts by the hour mark, fullback Cameron Anderson and a flying Lemalema both crossing.
Afflick was put on report and sent to the sin bin with just over 10 minutes left, leaving the Lions with 12 men.
Souths rallied via Luke Miller, taking a Ryan Glanville kick before muscling his way to the line and reducing the margin to two as the clock counted down to single figures.
But on the brink of full-time it was a knock-on from the home side while trying to get ahead, that opened the door for Faulkner to scoop up the spoils and race away for a Central success.
The Butcher Boys, third on the overall rankings, missed the semis last season.
