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It’s been a big few years for Hurstville United junior Cyrus Stanley-Traill who will this Thursday get the opportunity to don a Blues jersey for the first time in the side’s Under 19s State of Origin clash.

NSW have come out on top in the past three fixtures and are desperate to extend that streak come Thursday night on the Sunshine Coast.

Stanley-Traill joins fellow Dragons Jacob Halangahu and Hayden Buchanan – who both helped the state to a victory 12 months ago – in this year’s lineup.

“It was one of my goals this year to make it into this team and I’m very grateful,” Stanley-Traill said.

“When I received the news, I was in shock. I just didn’t know what to feel in the moment, but I was so happy. For myself to be able to make this team, it’s a big accomplishment… Jacob’s been very helpful and so has Hayden. They’ve shown me the ropes a little bit. They had the experiences from last year and they’ve said it’s probably one of the best weeks of their lives which is good to hear. It’s been good of them to share all that and make me feel like good going into the week.”

Stanley-Traill has enjoyed his short time in camp thanks in part to a star-studded coaching staff headed by Josh Jackson alongside Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, and Dale Finucane.

“When I received the news, I was in shock. I just didn’t know what to feel in the moment, but I was so happy. For myself to be able to make this team, it’s a big accomplishment.”

“I’ve been learning a lot off the coaching staff, and it’s been a pretty good experience so far. We’ve been training a lot. It’s been a big few days, but I feel good. The body feels good and we’re just getting to getting ready to rip in on Thursday night,” Stanley-Traill said.

“Origin was one of my favourite memories growing up when I was going to school. Just that hatred for Queensland, I still remember 2014. I was so pumped up. I think I was eight or nine. Trent Hodkinson, who’s one of our assistants, said it was one of his favourite moments in his life.”

The teenager admits that there have been some nerves but that he is honoured to have been given a chance in the Origin arena for the first time.

“It’d be very special to win on Thursday. Representing my state, it’s a pretty big thing. My nerves are kicking in,” he said.

“When I put that jersey on, it’ll be very special to represent the Blues for the first time. You think about the legacies that have been left behind in those jerseys and I just want to leave it in a better place.”

Stanley-Traill earnt his first opportunity to train with the club’s NRL squad this past summer and is just weeks removed from making his Knock-On Effect NSW Cup debut as he continues his climb up the rugby league totem pole.

“It’s been great. All of the veterans and all of the boys have been good. It’s helped me improve my game,” he said.

“I’ve gotten stronger, I’ve gotten faster. I’m just learning more. I’m going to be better at footy the more I learn off the older boys… Jumping up to Cup has been good but playing with the Jersey Flegg boys has also been pretty good. I try to teach them some stuff. I’ll try help them improve their game as well by trying to bring my experience down from our top grade. I’m still learning as we go as well, obviously.”

Few have had an impact on Stanley-Traill’s career quite like uncle Kyle Stanley who debuted for the Dragons back in 2010 and currently serves as St George District Football Manager.

Stanley helped architect St George’s 2024 SG Ball premiership-winning side in which Stanley-Traill proved a key member.

“He has been a big mentor for me,” Stanley-Traill said.

“He’s tough on me but he’s told me a lot of things about footy that have helped me. He’s just helped me a lot. He’s helped me improve my game through his experiences, which I appreciate.”