NRL Round 10 live SuperCoach scores, analysis, updates
Rising Parramatta fullback Isaiah Iongi grew up right outside of Redcliffe but it wasn't until a chance meeting with Penrith he found his path to the NRL.
A proud Queenslander who grew up on the outskirts of Brisbane, the 21-year-old slipped through the cracks of the system despite playing his entire junior rugby league career with Aspley Devils at Harry Kirby Park, just 30 minutes from Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe.
All the star teenagers signed deals with Brisbane or Gold Coast, and more recently the Dolphins, but nothing ever came his way.
It wasn't until he's finished school at the famous Wavell State High, and began playing in the Queensland Cup as an 18-year-old, that the Panthers came knocking.
'I was playing footy in Brisbane for Norths Devils, I was 18, fresh out of school. And then Penrith picked me up from there,' he says ahead of Thursday's clash with the Dolphins at CommBank Stadium.
'It was an SG Ball contract. It was pretty scary at first because it was just me who moved over, and it was a big decision, but it had to be made. It ended up being the right call.'
Desperate for any opportunity to play NRL, he moved to Penrith in 2022 with former pathways player Jack Garrod, and then his mum Andrea soon followed as support.
She still works at the Panthers Leagues Club in reception, and he still lives with her in Penrith while commuting the 40 minutes each way to the Eels' training base in Kellyville.
'I just wanted to play footy anywhere, that's one of the reasons I moved, it was an opportunity for me,' he says.
'No club ever approached me, so Penrith was my first club, the first system I was in.
'I tried to make the best of it, it all worked out.'
It's the same reason he left Penrith for Parramatta under new head coach Jason Ryles, who hand-picked him to replace former skipper Clint Gutherson this season.
Blocked for a shot at the No.1 jersey by NSW and Australia fullback Dylan Edwards, Iongi approached Panthers coach Ivan Cleary and explained his situation.
He was released from the final year of his deal with Penrith to take up a three-year offer with the Eels.
'I had a talk with Ivan one-on-one, I told him what my situation was and what I wanted to do with my career, he was supportive of me and that made it a whole lot easier for me,' he says.
'He was so good about it and wanted what was best for me.
'It happened so fast, I spoke with my manager about moving out of Penrith for the opportunity for me to play first grade, and luckily enough Parra came along.
'Rylesy called and told me he wanted to build something here and wanted me to a part of it. I was shocked.
'He's been the best, he's been a good coach and a mentor or me, helping me with my game and doing what he does best which is coaching.
'He allows us to play to our strengths.
'I'm loving all of it.'
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