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TALENTED Port Macquarie forward Jacob Selmes may have bid the local Sharks farewell recently but he will be wearing similar colours in his National Rugby League debut season next year.
The young front-rower, who has terrorised junior sides - and even a couple of senior teams - over the past few seasons in the Group 2 competition, has joined forces with Cronulla.
The teenager is walking a well-worn
path to the Sharks, following in the
footsteps of Brett Firman, Daniel Ninness, Jared Taylor, Daniel Dumas, Peter Cook, Anthony Donovan and Selmes' cousin James Collins - all local juniors who
started their NRL careers with the Cronulla outfit.
Selmes admitted he received some advice from Collins, who played alongside Firman, Ninness and Taylor in the 2001 Jersey Flegg grand final.
"James told me to keep my head right and not be overawed by the occasion," Selmes said.
"I guess a lot of guys get the opportunity
to play in Sydney, however it's how they
deal with the situation as to whether they succeed or not.
"James also said to interact with the
players as much as possible - I understand that, as I've been a bit homesick already.
"But, I'll be alright - I'm keen to play out the year with the Flegg side and, hopefully, push for a start in the Sharks' Premier League squad."
Selmes, who linked up with Collins in the Port Macquarie first grade ranks this
season, has spent the past week
familiarising himself with his new "home".
He undertook a skills session with the Flegg players on Monday, following up with weights and training on Tuesday.
Wednesday was a much-needed rest day, while another skills session occupied his time yesterday.
Today, the big forward will focus on
speed training, however his endurance will certainly be put to the test tomorrow.
"We're being made to run the Wanda sand dunes, so that should be interesting," Selmes admitted.
"The other guys in the squad have
been training for the past six weeks - they have a bit of a head-start on me, so I've just got to put my head down and do the hard yards.
"Aaron Raper is coaching the Flegg side next season and I'm really happy with the set-up here.
"I was on a scholarship with the Sharks, with a one-year option, which the club has taken up.
"I've been a big Cronulla fan since I was young - now I'm following my dream."
The young front-rower, who has terrorised junior sides - and even a couple of senior teams - over the past few seasons in the Group 2 competition, has joined forces with Cronulla.
The teenager is walking a well-worn
path to the Sharks, following in the
footsteps of Brett Firman, Daniel Ninness, Jared Taylor, Daniel Dumas, Peter Cook, Anthony Donovan and Selmes' cousin James Collins - all local juniors who
started their NRL careers with the Cronulla outfit.
Selmes admitted he received some advice from Collins, who played alongside Firman, Ninness and Taylor in the 2001 Jersey Flegg grand final.
"James told me to keep my head right and not be overawed by the occasion," Selmes said.
"I guess a lot of guys get the opportunity
to play in Sydney, however it's how they
deal with the situation as to whether they succeed or not.
"James also said to interact with the
players as much as possible - I understand that, as I've been a bit homesick already.
"But, I'll be alright - I'm keen to play out the year with the Flegg side and, hopefully, push for a start in the Sharks' Premier League squad."
Selmes, who linked up with Collins in the Port Macquarie first grade ranks this
season, has spent the past week
familiarising himself with his new "home".
He undertook a skills session with the Flegg players on Monday, following up with weights and training on Tuesday.
Wednesday was a much-needed rest day, while another skills session occupied his time yesterday.
Today, the big forward will focus on
speed training, however his endurance will certainly be put to the test tomorrow.
"We're being made to run the Wanda sand dunes, so that should be interesting," Selmes admitted.
"The other guys in the squad have
been training for the past six weeks - they have a bit of a head-start on me, so I've just got to put my head down and do the hard yards.
"Aaron Raper is coaching the Flegg side next season and I'm really happy with the set-up here.
"I was on a scholarship with the Sharks, with a one-year option, which the club has taken up.
"I've been a big Cronulla fan since I was young - now I'm following my dream."
