Ollie Cummins has been strolling the Manly Oval sidelines since he was four.
Last Saturday he finally got to run out as a fully-fledged Marlins first grader.
After 60 minutes off the bench in the derby, the versatile 19-year-old started at inside centre against Gordon and more than held his own.
"When I finally got the call-up I was stoked. It's a big moment for the family," he told Fillets.
"Dad was the one who told me I was in the team and I think there might have been a few tears."
Dad, of course, is Manly legend Damien "Turtle" Cummins, who played for well over a decade and is now part of our coaching team.
Ollie is known as "Squirtle".
"I remember coming down here as a little kid and running around with all the other kids while the game was on," he recalled.
"Then I became a ballboy and we used to get free drinks and food from the canteen. It's awesome to be part of it now as a player."
Unfortunately for us - but great for Ollie - his stint in 1s will be short lived.
He's off to France next month to join Pro 2 (the level below Top 14) outfit Agen as an academy player on a three-year deal.
Ollie said: "It's going to be sad leaving here but I can’t wait to get over there and get going.
"It's going to be a great experience."