It's been hard to wipe the smile off Zane Harrison's face this week as the highly-touted playmaker prepares to make his NRL debut on Friday night for the club he's always dreamt of playing for.
A high school prodigy coming through the grades - the 20-year-old is a proud Gold Coaster and spent all his junior years in the Tweed, alongside his twin brother Isaac who is also part of the Titans family skippering the NRLQ squad.
Boasting an impressive rugby league resume, his past 24 months have been filled with success... something he is hoping to replicate for the team he grew up supporting.
Steering Palm Beach Currumbin to Queensland and National Schoolboy Cup success in 2024, Harrison also claimed the Justin Hodges Medal and Peter Sterling Medal in that same year, having completed a NRL pre-season before going back to finish Year 12.
Having also previously represented New South Wales in the Under 19 Origin before his standout start to the season in the Hostplus Cup, Titans coach Josh Hannay believes now is the time to give him his shot after knocking down the door in the pre-season.
"I can’t wait [to debut]. I found out Tuesday morning and have been excited ever since," Harrison said.
"I’m not trying to think about it too much but I’m excited.
"Growing up on the Gold Coast, I knew that’s where I wanted to be. I just had to continue to work hard to earn my spot and earn every contract.
“It’s special to debut for a club that I’ve always supported. I just can’t wait.”
Match: Roosters v Titans
Round 10 -
home Team
Roosters
3rd Position
away Team
Titans
14th Position
Venue: Polytec Stadium, Gosford
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
A keen student of the game, Harrison profusely studies the likes of Nathan Cleary and how he plays week-in, week-out.
The perennial premiership-winner is one of his favourite players, alongside Johnathon Thurston who he grew up watching as a kid, and happily admits he also picked the brains of now-retired champion playmaker Kieran Foran when the pair trained together at Parkwood.
"They’ve been massive for my journey," Harrison said.
"Foz last year was a great mentor and the same for Davo (Titans assistant coach Brad Davis).
"He’s been there since I’ve been here and has been part of the Titans for a long time now.
"Whenever I’ve need to do extras at training or work on anything, he’s there to help me as an individual coach.
"I can’t thank those boys enough for how they’ve supported me and helped me along the journey so far."
'The start is really important against them': Hannay
Harrison also had the backing of his coach who has high regard for him, and despite the challenge ahead against a premiership heavyweight like the Roosters, knows he is ready to make his mark over the coming weeks as he is introduced to regular first grade.
"He ticks every box - toughness, temperament, character and talent. The only thing he needs now is experience at the top level," Hannay said.
"This isn’t a one-and-done deal for him. We don’t need him to go out and show the world everything that he’s got in one game.
"He now gets the chance to get his NRL feet underneath him.
"We think really highly of him and know he's worked hard and is ready for the opportunity."
While many would consider Friday night's match as a baptism of fire for a young gun on debut, the task ahead is one Harrison is relishing, excited by the prospect of squaring off against two Origin legends and a highly-regarded emerging halfback in game number one.
"I can’t wait," he said.
"It’s a big challenge with Chez (Daly Cherry-Evans), Sam Walker and (James) Tedesco. I grew up watch those boys on TV, so it’ll be surreal running out against them but I’m definitely ready for it."
