Memorable Debuts - Round 21

WELCOME to Memorable Debuts, a feature of LeagueUnlimited.com where we take a look at the upcoming matches of the round and see which players debuted in the same game all those years ago.

Wests Tigers v Melbourne Storm
Leichhardt Oval - Friday 7:45pm

On a night which saw the Wests Tigers produce some of the most scintillating tries of the 2013 season in torrential rain, Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy handed a first grade debut to former Panthers lower grader Tim Glasby. Coming off the bench in the 22-4 loss at Leichardt Oval, Glasby looked set to join North Queensland for 2015, but after securing a release from the contract the Queensland forward re-signed with Melbourne where he has become an established player, providing off the bench and as a starting player.

Sydney Roosters v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Allianz Stadium - Friday 7:45pm

In a highly-publicised match which saw Sonny Bill Williams take on his former club at ANZ Stadium in 2013, it was 20-year-old Dylan Napa who stole the limelight during the Roosters 20-18 win. With the Roosters missing several of their star players through State of Origin duty and suspension, Napa came off the bench to deliver a monstrous hit on Canterbury prop James Graham. Renown for his hard-hitting defensive technique, Napa represented the Cook Islands at the 2013 World Cup and has since become a permanent fixture of Trent Robinson's squad.

New Zealand Warriors v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Mt Smart Stadium - Saturday 3:00pm

The New Zealand Warriors have been responsible for some of the best young players in the game since the introduction of the Under 20s competition in 2008. One of the first stars to make the step up to the NRL was Ben Matulino who came off the bench in the Warriors 24-8 loss at Toyota Park. Going onto represent the Kiwis in 2009, Matulino has been a consistent performer at club and international level where he has played 20 tests for New Zealand and will bring up 170 games for the Warriors this weekend.

North Queensland Cowboys v Canberra Raiders
1300SMILES Stadium - Saturday 5:30pm

While best known for his six seasons at Manly, Michael Robertson started off his NRL career in 2001 at the Canberra Raiders. Debuting on the wing in a 29-10 victory over the Cowboys in Townsville, Robertson was unable to cement a position in the Raiders backline and subsequently shifted to the Sea Eagles in 2006. Playing 139 consecutive matches for Manly including a three try effort against the Storm in the 2008 Grand Final; Robertson featured in a second premiership winning team returning from injury in 2011 where he again played a prominent role. Finishing his career with the London Broncos in England, Robertson retired in 2013 after playing 250 games across all three clubs.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Brisbane Broncos
Central Coast Stadium - Saturday 7:30pm

Round 12, 2011 may be best remembered as the game Daly Cherry-Evans scored a remarkable try set up by Brett Stewart, but for Kurt Baptiste the match holds significance despite the lopsided scoreline. Finishing up 34-10 in favour of Manly, Baptiste featured in a further four matches for the Broncos. Seemingly destined for a career in the Queensland Cup, the Canberra Raiders signed the hooker on a second-tier contract in 2014 where he has since gone on to play a prominent role in the Raiders resurgence off the bench.

St. George Illawarra Dragons v Newcastle Knights
Jubilee Oval - Sunday 2:00pm

Coming into first grade following an injury in the warm-up, Mark Gasnier experienced a remarkable introduction to first grade in 2000. After Matt Cooper suffered an injury just moments before kick-off in Newcastle, Gasnier, the nephew of Rugby League Immortal Reg Gasnier, experienced a dream introduction to first grade. Scoring a try in the Dragons 25-18 win, Gasnier went on to become a star at the Dragons, representing New South Wales and Australia before departing in 2008 to play French Rugby. Returning to the Dragons in 2010, Gasnier scored the first try in the drought-breaking Grand Final win over the Roosters before opting to retire after just one more season in 2011.

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Penrith Panthers
ANZ Stadium - Sunday 4:00pm

While he may be best known these days as a hard-working front rower, David Tyrell initially started his career at the Rabbitohs as a winger in the Under 20s. Coming off the bench in 2009, Tyrell continually developed his game, spending time in the second row and centres, before moving into the front row where he played a role in helping South Sydney claim the 2014 Premiership.

Gold Coast Titans v Parramatta Eels
Cbus Super Stadium - Monday 7:00pm

After enduring a horror 2011 season, Parramatta experienced a moment of ecstasy when they demolished the Gold Coast in the final round to avoid the wooden spoon. Central to the win was Ken Sio, who crossed for a try on debut; going onto become a regular first grader over the preceding seasons, Sio moved to England to play for Hull KR after scoring 37 tries in 27 appearances for the Eels.

That's all for this week, stay tuned for next week's edition of Memorable Debuts where we'll look at the Dragons winger-turned-prop, Matt Moylan's first game for the Panthers and the Newcastle brothers who debuted on the same "Knight" last year.