Picture: Stephen Tremaine
By Jordan Hughes
If Sam Dalton had any idea how huge a role he would play in the Bull Sharks stunning clean sweep of the Sunnybank Dragons, he would have had more Weet-Bix for breakfast.
He began last Saturday in his comfort zone, playing fullback in third grade’s 45-0 victory where he scored a try and set up several others. He repeated his efforts in second grade, providing impact off the bench, scoring another try after a brilliant pick up from a kick in the 21-5 win.
Dalton, 20, was about to walk off the ground, satisfied with his work and ready to call it a day, when he was suddenly tapped on the shoulder.
“Once the final whistle of second grade blew, Oli Singh who was running water for us, came up to me and said that I was benching for the premiership team,’ said Dalton.
“I thought he was joking! It became a reality when Peter Jones and Damon Virtue called me over to the warm-up.
“I saw Lachie McInnes cop an unfortunate knock in second grade, but I was unaware it would rule him out to be on the bench for first grade.”
Dalton who is a product of Bond University’s Pathway to Premier program, found himself sitting on the interchange in first grade waiting to make his debut.
In the 74th minute it was Dalton’s time to impress when he was called on to replace Spencer Jeans at halfback much to the delight of Bond faithful at The Canal.
“It is difficult to describe what I was feeling running out, to do it in front of the home crowd and all the Bond boys was a surreal experience,” said Dalton.
The Somerset College graduate closed out the game securing his 3rd win of the day in the emphatic 40-0 drubbing of Sunnybank.
“It was an honour making my debut and I am grateful for the opportunity to play with such a great bunch of boys,” said Dalton.
“I had played 7s with the majority of the boys at the end of last year so they made me very comfortable and they backed my ability to do my role. I absolutely loved the experience and was stoked to be a part of a dominant first grade victory.”
The men's teams have a bye this weekend.