The greatest try-scorer outside the NRL is finally closing in on a long-awaited shot at the big time.
After making his Dragons debut in the trial victory over Parramatta last week, Jonathon Reuben is pushing for inclusion in St George Illawarra's Charity Shield squad as he attempts to become one of the oldest debutant in NRL history.
Keen viewers of the Queensland Cup, where Reuben scored 107 tries in 106 games from 2015 to 2021, will already be familiar with the 28-year old's work as one of the most prolific finishers outside first grade.
And after impressing the Red V's brains trust against the Eels, where he scored a try with a sharp finish in the corner, Reuben is closer than ever to following the likes of Cody Walker and Jamal Fogarty in securing a belated NRL debut following years honing his skills in the state league.
"For a 28-year-old, you wouldn't think this opportunity would come around again. I just want to take it with two hands and put my best foot forward every day," Reuben said.
"The atmosphere was awesome. Being in the sheds before the game, seeing all the professionals and how they warm up and prepare, it was a great experience to be around that environment again.
"They were really happy. Hook (NRL coach Anthony Griffin) and Russ (NSW Cup coach Russell Aitken), all the coaches said they were really happy with my performance even though I only played 20 minutes.
"Fingers crossed he pulls me into his office and says I'm playing, but we'll see what happens. If you get named in the Charity Shield you know you've done something for the club, you've made a good impression, so I'll just hope I'll get that tap on the shoulder."
Reuben is currently signed on a development deal, meaning he's guaranteed a spot in the Dragons wider playing squad for at least the rest of the season.
It also puts him firmly in the frame for a possible NRL debut, a lifelong dream he thought had passed him by.
"I'm aiming for a debut this year. That's my goal. I've sacrificed so much for this opportunity," Reuben said.
"I've done all the Q Cup stuff, I was winger of the year and top tryscorer and won a grand final, so my goal is to play one NRL game. I'll play more if I get the opportunity.
"It would mean so much to me. I'm so grateful just to get this chance training with the Dragons, but getting a debut, all that sacrifice I've done since Under 20s, it'll all be worth it to play one game, to make my family and my girlfriend proud."
Reuben's talent has never been an issue. He's blessed with extraordinary speed and footwork, as well as a knack for finishing that's been serving him well ever since his Under 20s days with the Raiders- back in 2012-13, when he scored 44 tries in 46 games for the Green Machine before inking a deal with the Roosters.
"I kind of struggled in Sydney, being a country boy from Townsville going to the big smoke, I didn't really adapt to it. The Roosters were a good club and I loved training but when I got at home I struggled. I was only a 20-year old at the time, so I went back home," Reuben said.
The tries kept coming for Reuben – he scored 70 in 68 games for the Blackhawks, one of North Queensland's feeder clubs, including 28 in 23 games in 2017.
The Cowboys never came calling, but Reuben kept playing - for Sunshine Coast and Redcliffe and Norths Devils, all over Queensland.
And wherever he went, he kept scoring tries. It's just something he knows how to do.
"Playing at home in front of my family every week, I loved it, and I thought there might be something when I was playing for the Blackhawks but it didn't really happen until I went to Sunny Coast," Reuben said.
"I had a pre-season with Melbourne in 2019, I did another one with Brisbane just before COVID hit but that didn't work out, so I was thinking I'd just be happy to play Q Cup.
"I had a good job working with Indigenous kids at St James College, I was an Indigenous liaison officer there and I was working for Clontarf in Townsville.
"That was always my plan B, working at schools and helping mob out, and I was really happy doing that."
But victory in last year's Queensland Cup grand final with Norths Devils got the fires burning again for Reuben, and when the Dragons offered him one last shot he jumped at the chance.
"I got a call from my manager in January. I was meant to start work on the Monday, but he called me and said he had a deal. It was crazy. Instead of going to work on that Monday I found myself in Dragons training gear instead," Reuben said.
"It happened really fast, but the Dragons admin really supported me with the move. I've been pinching myself every day."
The Dragons are well stocked for wingers with Fijian powerhouse Mikaele Ravalawa, twins Max and Mat Feagai and Cody Ramsey all vying for a place.
But don't write off Rueben's chances, especially with COVID certain to wreak havoc with club's selections in the early days of the season.
And even if Reuben's last roll of the dice doesn't go the way he wants, he's sure he's given himself every chance of making it.
"If I don't play this year I know I gave it a crack with no regrets, holding nothing back," Reuben said.
"You can never give up on your dreams."
