Charlie Murray's persistence and dedication have been rewarded as the latest Brisbane Catholic Education graduate called up to the National Rugby League.
Charlie, 23, has been named for his NRL debut in the Wests Tigers' match against premiers Penrith on Sunday afternoon.
He follows former Marymount College students including Xavier Coates, Karina Brown and Sophie Holyman in reaching NRL and NRLW level.
That means Charlie has been forced to rearrange his work commitments as a finance broker to realise a dream that began in the backyard with his father and first coach Grant.
Charlie was tipped as a future star when he was at Marymount College, Burleigh Waters.
In 2019, he received the prestigious Player of the Carnival award as Marymount College reached the semi-finals of the Confraternity Carnival for the first time.
The individual accolade has been awarded to the likes of Australian players Wendell Sailor, Julian O'Neill and David Taylor in previous years.
But Charlie admits he felt as though his NRL dream may never be realised in the following seasons as he reached Queensland Cup level with Burleigh Bears but was unable to crack the NRL.
His former Marymount teammate Xavier Coates, who graduated one year before Charlie, began his NRL career eight months after leaving school and quickly reached Queensland's State of Origin team.
Charlie and Xavier had trained together as part of the Melbourne Storm system.
"I think I played in nearly 70 (Queensland and NSW) Cup games, so when those numbers start to add up you think it might have got away," Charlie told reporters this week.
"Last year I was scratching my head a bit but then I got given this opportunity."
The Wests Tigers offered Charlie a chance to play with their squad so he moved to Sydney, where he has been working as a finance broker while also juggling study and training commitments.
"I've been in Sydney, Gold Coast, Melbourne, so you've got to get your stuff together and start thinking about jobs and careers," Charlie said.
"So I'm like, 'Oh, one more crack, I'm 23, I'm not too old,' but then you want to get started with your life."
Charlie was coached at Marymount College by teacher Matt Geyer, a former NSW State of Origin winger and Melbourne Storm premiership winner.
Mr Geyer is preparing to coach the Marymount College girls' team at this year's Confraternity Carnival, which begins in Rockhampton on 30 June.