Melbourne Storm young gun Sua Fa’alogo has earned comparisons to Billy Slater and Reece Walsh after scoring a double in a stunning NRL debut performance.
Fa’alogo took just minutes to cross over for his first try after being brought off the bench in the 34th minute and added a second after the break in a debut to remember.
His first touch at the NRL was a scintillating linebreak before he had a one-two with Ryan Papenhuyzen to score his first ever try, with the play leaving Queensland great Paul Vautin stunned.
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“I tell you what, it reminds a lot of the man sitting on the sideline in the commentary team … Billy Slater,” Vautin exclaimed on Nine’s coverage.
“Reminds me of his debut game and the try he scored against the Cronulla Sharks. Wow!
“That got me out of my seat! Sua Fa’alogo, remember that name. I can’t remember a first touch better by an NRL player … Sua Fa’alogo. Remember that name!”
Slater, who sung Fa’alogo’s praises prior to the match, compared the Storm youngster to rested Broncos star Reece Walsh.
“He’s very similar to Reece, easy to watch, so much brilliance in his game,” he said on Nine’s coverage.
“He didn’t let me down, did me? This was his first actual run of the football and he will remember this day for the rest of his life.
“He’s just a real good kid. I’ve worked with him down in Melbourne, he’s a great lad and he’s got a great energy to be as good as he can possibly be, so I’m really happy for him.
“A great moment with Ryan Papenhuyzen, he’s played a lot of footy with him in the last couple of weeks in the Queensland Cup, so to actually combine for that first try would’ve been a memorable occasion for him.”
Fa’alogo admitted he was caught by surprise when he learned he would be facing the Broncos.
“I wasn’t expecting it. I never thought I would get a chance to play here at Suncorp, and I’m just very grateful to be here,” he said after the match.
“Bells (Storm coach Craig Bellamy) just talked to me said to keep it simple and play to my strengths.
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“When I was 13 I came straight from Samoa and never thought I’d get a run in the NRL. I played junior footy in Melbourne and got lucky to be here with the Storm.”
Papenhuyzen was also full of praise for his young teammate, describing him as an “absolute magician”.
“He’s been doing it in the Queensland Cup for enough time now and he deserved his shot,” he said.
“It’s just unfortunate, he’s probably playing NRL week-in, week-out at another club, but he had to bide his time and that’s what he gets the fruits for now.
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“He’s a special player, so keep an eye out for him.”
Bellamy agreed with his star fullback after the game.
“There were lots of time during the year where we wanted to give him a start and it probably wasn’t the right time or the right game,” the Storm coach said.
“He got his opportunity, we know he’s a brave little player, he’s obviously quick, that’s his strength, but he still needs to learn a few things about the game.
“We’re trying (to teach him) that as quickly as we can, but we all see the potential that he’s got and I’m sure he’s going to be a regular first grader in the not-too-distant future.”