Dolphins recruit Isaiya Katoa has set his sights on becoming the youngest No.7 to start an NRL season in 15 years, dreaming up a round-one debut in 2023.
Katoa looms as one of the Dolphins' biggest long-term signings, after creating headlines and some animosity between clubs when plucked out of Penrith's junior system on a three-year deal by Wayne Bennett in February.
The 18-year-old has since gone on to be man-of-the-match in the Panthers' SG Ball grand-final win, before kicking the match-winning field-goal in their Jersey Flegg grand final.
Katoa is one of a few options to start at halfback in the Dolphins' first game, vying with Anthony Milford, Kodi Nikorima and Sean O'Sullivan for the two spots in the halves.
If he does win the jersey, he'll become the youngest player to wear the No.7 in the opening round of a season since Mitchell Pearce debuted way back in 2008.
"I'm aiming for round one, but I know that as a young kid, there's time. I don't need to rush anything," Katoa said.
"I'll just take my time, work hard in the pre-season and let my actions do the talking.
"If Wayne decides to pick me then he picks me. Hopefully, I can go out there and do a job for us. But there's still a bit of work to do."
Katoa can do his chances some good, as part of Tonga's squad for this month's World Cup in England under Dolphins' assistant Kristian Woolf.
The playmaker has had limited top-tier football this year, with Penrith leaving him out of Jersey Flegg for part of the season after signing with the Dolphins.
But the teenager admitted moving away from the Penrith was one of the hardest decisions he'd had to make, while also knowing his path to the NRL was blocked by Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.
"It was very tough for me," he said.
"Penrith's always been my home, I'm a local boy, I live in Penrith. So to leave was one of the hardest decisions I've made.
"But that's every kid's dream as a footy player: To be coached and mentored by one of the best, that's what I'm excited for."
Katoa said he was won over by Bennett in his first meeting with him, and had spoke with him at rugby league's schoolboy nationals in Redcliffe in July.
"He's just said make sure you get yourself in good shape coming into pre-season, that it'll be a tough one, but to get excited, it's going to be a great experience for me as a young kid.
"Just finishing school and being able to go straight into a professional career. Not many get to do that."
