'I owe them a lot': How mates helped Hayden realise NRL dream

Rookie Hayden Buchanan from the Dragons has shared how his friends, Dylan Egan and Hamish Stewart, played a significant role in his journey to the NRL. Literally, they were instrumental in getting him to training.

As he prepares for his second NRL match against the Warriors this Friday, Buchanan, the youngest of the three at 19, reflects on their support. He is now the third player from Gerringong to debut with the Dragons this season, following in the footsteps of Egan and Stewart.

Buchanan joined Egan, currently sidelined with a knee injury, and Stewart as former Gerringong Lions who have made their NRL debuts for St George Illawarra this season. Excitingly, with Ashton Ward also stepping onto the field for South Sydney, the total number of Gerringong players in the NRL has now reached eight. This includes notable players such as Reuben Garrick from Manly, Tyran Wishart from Melbourne, Jackson Ford from the Warriors, and Kyle McCarthy from Newcastle.