Bailey Simonsson will suit up for the biggest game of his life with next to no idea of what his role will be.
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But Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart knows Simonsson will rise to the occasion if he gets the nod for next week's NRL preliminary final at Canberra Stadium.
Simonsson and Canberra forward Corey Horsburgh split the club's rookie of the year award at the Meninga Medal function on Tuesday night.
The 21-year-old winger has been a revelation for the Raiders since arriving at the club's headquarters on a train and trial contract having filled gaping voids opened by injuries.
Stuart took a punt on keeping Simonsson on the bench when Canberra returned to full-strength and now he is set to play a key pinch-hitter role in the Raiders' premiership tilt.
The only thing is, even Simonsson doesn't quite know what that role truly looks like.
"It has been crazy because every week I've had media I've been asked, 'when do you think you're going to come on?'," Simonsson said.
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"I never really know how I'm going to come on or when I'm going to come on. I obviously didn't think someone was going to get a firework exploding in their eye and then jump on and start [in place of Joey Leilua last week].
"I'm just so grateful to be a part of the team, and every minute I get out there, whatever my role is, I just want team-first and I want to win a comp.
"Whatever I have to do and whatever role I have to play, I will look to play that as best as I can.
"Every time I go out there I am just looking to put 100 per cent in for the team and do my role.
"I don't know how [Stuart] is going to run the team over the next couple of weeks but I'll be grateful for whatever role I get."
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
