Recent Panthers debutant Harrison Hassett has admitted he had his doubts on whether he’d ever get to play in the NRL with Penrith.
With the Panthers stacked with premiership-winning talent – especially in his position of back-row – the 21-year-old thought his day on the big stage may never come.
A few NRL clubs were eying off the local junior, but Hassett remained solid – knowing hard work and persistence would eventually pay off.
“Of course you have those doubts,” Hassett admitted to the Weekender.
“But I knew if I kept sticking to my craft and kept working away every day, the day would come. I just had to stay patient.”
Hassett was told he was making his first grade debut last Tuesday in the lead up to Penrith’s Round 12 fixture against the Knights in Bathurst. While he wasn’t originally listed in the 17 for the match, the Hills Sports High graduate knew well in advance that he would be running out onto the Carrington Park surface.
“After the training session on Tuesday last week, Ivan called me into his office and he told me. It was the best feeling, and then he told all the other boys in our next team meeting,” Hassett said.
“Iv told me to keep the news on the down-low, so I told Mum and Dad not to tell everyone, but I think they got a bit excited and told the whole family.”
Despite his request to keep it quiet, the news travelled fast and before Hassett knew it he had 45 of his nearest and dearest travelling from the Hawkesbury out to Bathurst for the special occasion.
“We had about 45 tickets and they all got a bus up from the Hawkesbury to Bathurst. It was the best support crew!” Hassett said.
Making the debut even more memorable for Hassett was his first-ever NRL try, in which he scored not too long after entering the field in the second half.
It was Penrith’s only try that evening against Newcastle, who were too good for the depleted Panthers 25-6.
“To score in front of my friends and family who were in that corner made it so much more special – it was such a good feeling,” Hassett said.
“The whole experience was a dream come true. It still doesn’t feel real. I keep thinking about the game, the try, how it all happened!
“Of course it was disappointing not to get the result, but I’m sure we’ll be better for the run.”
Hassett, a former Australian Schoolboy and Penrith SG Ball Player of the Year, has been in the Panthers system for several years. He grew up playing with both the Windsor Wolves and St Marys before he went full-time at Penrith in 2023.
Following his stand-out debut last weekend, Ivan Cleary has once again named Hassett for this Sunday’s Battle of the West against Parramatta at CommBank Stadium.
With Penrith’s Origin contingent due to return for the blockbuster clash, Hassett said he can’t wait to play with some of his idols for the first time.
“You bloody train every day here looking up to those boys, so to run out with them on Sunday will be very cool,” he said.
“I grew up watching all the Battle of the West games, so I really can’t wait to be out there.”
Hassett is off contract at season’s end but said he would “love” to remain part of the Panthers’ future.
He’ll leave the contract talk for others to sort out.
“My manager is dealing with that,” he said.
“I’d love to stay here, it’s my home. I just have to see what happens!”
Nathan Taylor
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.