Not-so-young talent time: Fuller part of a new wave defying the age-old question

As part of the Dolphins "assassins" squad, Trai Fuller is expected to strike whenever the opportunity arises, finding an opening to go in for the kill.

It's the name the Dolphins give their back-ups who although aren't playing NRL, are ready to step up with any chance presented to them – just like the one Fuller is making the most of through Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's injury.

Former Maroons representative Ben Te’o coaches Fuller in reserve grade and works with him at the NRL level, where he is in command of the "assassins" squad pushing the NRL regulars all the way.

"When the first grade team are maybe a little bit sleepy and not too motivated, they have got to be careful, because they get assassinated," Te'o joked.

“I look after that group of players and we train against first grade and we try and test them out, we try and push them to the right level that they need to be.

“Everyone around the Redcliffe Dolphins is ecstatic for Trai – he’s been a strong player at this club for a long time, long before I was there.

"I know Hammer is out injured, but just to see Trai given an extended period where there is no pressure and he can just knuckle down and play his game, I think we are going to see what he can really do.”

As one of the older players to make their NRL debut in recent seasons, Fuller is a great example of how patience and persistence pays off, having excelled at Cup level before getting his chance in the top grade.

The Eidsvold Eagles junior made his debut in Round 25 last year at the age of 26 before stepping up last week in his second appearance to dismantle the Eels in Darwin – scoring a try, setting up another and running for a game-high 191 metres in his side's big win.

The winner of the Petero Civoniceva Medal as the Hostplus Cup player of the year last season, Fuller said the career of late bloomer Cody Walker – also a past Cup player of the year winner who made his NRL debut at the age of 26 – had been an inspiration to him to keep working hard.

“Just have a look at what he's been doing,” Fuller said. “How he started, it gave me hope and with the Dolphins getting the NRL team, it also boosted my hope to get in the NRL; it gave extra motivation.

“When I came down for Under 20s with the Broncos, Reddy was my affiliation team. I ended up staying out here and working my way up through the grades at this club, so to go to the NRL at this club is very special to me."

This week, in amongst the young guns getting their first taste of the top grade is Solomon Alaimalo, who at 28 and 122 days, will make him the oldest player to debut for Wests Tigers in the history of the joint venture.

Te’o said overall, more NRL clubs should look to add players with extended playing experience to their squads, given their ability to step in and perform an immediate role.

“I don’t want to talk up my players so people come and poach them, but Josh James can play NRL, Aublix Tawha can play NRL, Max Bailey has already played NRL, Brent Woolf can," Te'o said.

"I can rattle off the names of these guys who, in a system, are experienced enough and have played enough Cup that they can go and do the job.

“Everyone is so obsessed with finding the next young superstar, they sometimes don’t pay attention to the 25-26-year-old reserve grade player who is getting better every year; and that type of player is someone who can come in and help you win straight away. With injury tolls, concussion and the salary cap evening things out, there's a real market for those players. 

“I am a big fan of the reserve grade competition and I know there are a lot of players hanging in there just dreaming of that opportunity, so it’s great to see Trai doing well."