ONE of the youngest pups at the Belmore kennel is showing that his bite is worse than his bark, with former Griffith boy Gary Warburton making a Canterbury starting jersey his own late in the NRL season.
For the past two weeks, Warburton has been rewarded for his efforts during the year, with injuries allowing the former local to pack down alongside captain Andrew Ryan.
However, club officials are
said to be very impressed with the 20-year-old’s work ethic, stressing his first grade selection is by no means a token gesture.
The hardworking backrower said he was very grateful for the opportunity, adding that his development had come on leaps and bounds since his promotion to the top grade.
“It was the kind of opportunity I couldn’t ignore. I am really grateful for the opportunity the club has given me,” Warburton said.
“When I got to the club I just wanted to work hard – the goal was always to try and get into first grade.”
Since joining the Bulldogs in 2005, the former Waratahs junior has had a plethora of potential
role models to learn from, with
the likes of Terry Lamb, Jim Dymock, Brad Clyde and Ryan all taking the youngster under their wings.
“Andrew Ryan has been a really big help to me. Obviously playing the same position as me and the same kind of style, he has always been happy to answer any questions,” Warburton said.
“Bradley is more in the administration side of things these days, but he comes to all of the games and he is always giving out pointers.
“And I have played most of my football under Terry Lamb since I got to the club and a fair bit of the credit of me starting in first grade must go to him.”
Warburton, who actually supported the Sharks growing up, admitted this season had been a struggle at Belmore, with the second-rower saying that hopefully the team’s efforts off the paddock would turn into results on it.
“It’s been a pretty tough season, but everyone has been ripping in at training, and the feeling at the club has been really good in the last few weeks. Hopefully we can get a couple of wins to finish off the season,” Warburton said.
“Folksey (coach Steve Folkes) said in the last few weeks we need to throw the ball around a bit more and increase our ball movement so our play isn’t so one-dimensional.”
Whether or not Warburton and the Bulldogs beat the Brisbane Broncos this weekend, the former Griffith High School student said he would like to stay at Belmore for at least the foreseeable future, saying he hoped to build on the experience he has gained at he back end of the season.
At the current rate, Gary may not be the only Warburton donning the iconic blue and white strip, with younger brother Carl also impressing club officials.
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