A grand remaining rookie is a uncommon factor at Penrith lately however after his finest sport of the season, a reborn Paul Alamoti refuses to be overawed.
The 20-year-old crossed for a double within the Panthers’ thumping preliminary remaining win over Cronulla, put two big photographs on Sharks winger Sione Katoa for good measure and is now set for his grand remaining debut in simply his thirty fifth NRL sport.
Alamoti was a junior of some renown when he got here by means of the ranks at Canterbury however given his household all know him as “Brandy” — the identical nickname as Penrith legend Greg Alexander — it is nearly like he was all the time imagined to be a Panther.
Likewise, Alamoti says he won’t be overawed within the largest sport of his life subsequent Sunday, partly as a result of he has all the time been certain he would make it thus far.
“That is the very best prep you will get heading right into a grand remaining, that provides me nice confidence, realizing all of us carried out nicely,” mentioned Alamoti.
“There is not any scarcity of confidence on this group. The boys flip up each single day and put in plenty of work and we take plenty of confidence from that.
“It was good this week, the entire finals sequence has been good with nerves.
“I’ve all the time dreamed of this second, I all the time believed I might get right here finally someday.
“It is like I have been right here earlier than, however I have never. It is extra pleasure than nerves.”
Alamoti had some large sneakers to fill at left centre for the Panthers however he improved because the season continued, hitting high gear just lately after recovering from a damaged arm he initially feared would finish his season.
“It was Paul’s finest sport, finest all-round efficiency. He is had an ideal season. We misplaced Critta [Stephen Crichton], who was an enormous loss for us, and his substitute, Taylan Might, we misplaced him too,” mentioned Cleary.
“Abruptly, Paulie was the person and he is performed an ideal job this 12 months. He is come again from a damaged arm and tonight he was excellent.”
Alamoti is shaping as considered one of three potential grand remaining rookies for the Panthers, together with bench forwards Liam Henry and Matt Eisenhuth — though the latter might drop out of the aspect for Scott Sorensen.
After discovering a house at Penrith, Alamoti shapes as a giant a part of the membership’s future after re-signing earlier this 12 months.
However that future can watch for now — like his extra skilled teammates, he is locked in on the decider.
“I am nonetheless not glad. We nonetheless have one sport to go and I need to win a premiership, that is the explanation you play this sport,” mentioned Alamoti.
“The boys right here have been right here the final 5 years, so the vibe across the group has been actually calm, actually assured, they know methods to deal with themselves in these conditions.
“It is a calm feeling, that is the place my head’s at, I simply comply with the vibe.”
The Milperra junior is anticipating an enormous assist contingent to make their option to Stadium Australia subsequent weekend, with no less than 30 relations to be available.
Raised by his father, Soane, after his mom Nita died of breast most cancers when he was simply seven, Alamoti is striving to make them proud.
“My dad is the principle purpose I play this sport,” Alamoti mentioned.
“I am considered one of 4 youngsters and he was a single guardian elevating us, plenty of credit score has to go to him and my grandmother, who handed away just a few years in the past.
“They’re the explanation why I play and that is the explanation I am right here.”
