There’ll be none prouder than the Cant family when talented youngster Tom makes his NRL debut for the Newcastle Knights on Friday evening.
With the Hunter-based club suffering an injury crisis, which has claimed superstar Kayln Ponga, captain Jayden Brailey, Tyson Frizell, Adam Elliott and Kurt Mann among others, coach Adam O’Brien has handed the East Maitland Griffins junior a spot on the interchange bench to face newcomers Dolphins at McDonald Jones Stadium on 17 March.
It’s been a meteoric rise for the tough 20-year-old forward.
In May 2021, as a teenager, Cant made his maiden Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League (Real NRL) first grade appearance for the Maitland Pickers, the same organisation his dad Matt represented in 1995.
On that occasion, his father presented him with his jumper.
“Tom’s a real credit to himself,” Matt said at the time.
“My wife and I are extremely proud of him as he’s done all the hard yards [to get to where he is].”
Those emotions will only intensify when Cant, who’s been in the Knights’ system since the age of 13, finally runs onto the field.
In fact, he’s set to fulfil a boyhood dream.
“Most of these boys, I’ve been watching on TV for the past eight years or sitting in the grandstand watching them,” he said.
“I always thought I would love to do that one day.
“Now that it is actually going to happen, it’s crazy.
“Running out for your hometown, where you live, where your family and friends are and all going to be there (on the night), it’s going to be unreal.
“I’ve always wanted to be a Knight.”
Cant also captained Newcastle’s successful Jersey Flegg team, which enjoyed a memorable 2022 campaign, finishing second before suffering a heartbreaking extra-time defeat to the Penrith Panthers.
“Unfortunately, we got beat in the grand final, but it’s been a massive 12 months,” he said.
“If you had told me last year whether I would be making my NRL debut, I would have said no chance.
“The grand final was the last weekend of September and then I was in here (Knights) on 1 November starting pre-season.
“Adam gave me an opportunity to come away on the pre-season camp… and I played in the two NRL trials.”
Ever humble, Cant was quick to praise the duo who matter most to him… his parents.
“My mum and dad have been massive for me, and took myself all around the country playing footy,” he said.
“I can’t thank them enough for all the support and obviously my coach, Adam, for the opportunities he’s given me and playing me in the trials and given me my first (NRL) jersey.”
For more sports stories:
- REAL NRL: There’s a huge talent pool in the Hunter, says Matty Johns
- Newcastle Rebels keen to tame Western Rams
- REAL NRL: Time for talk is over as 2023 season launched
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