MITTAGONG Lions junior star Daniel Alvaro’s flight to Brisbane today is more than just a regular journey.
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The 16-year old has been contracted to the Brisbane Broncos for two years and rugby league’s starting to get serious.
He and Moss Vale’s Matt Thorpe play their first match in the Mal Meninga Cup tomorrow, Queensland’s top level of football for players under-18.
Alvaro and Thorpe board the plane with the knowledge that a good performance tomorrow could go a long way to fulfilling their NRL dreams.
The pair will fly to Brisbane every week for the next two months to run out for the Easts Tigers.
A good season could see them rewarded with their first professional contract, a Toyota Cup start for 2011.
DANIEL ALVARO may only be 16, but he’s already a legend down at Mittagong.
The hulking 100kg front-rower has a reputation for being fierce on the field, but continually shows he’s a gentle giant off it.
And it’s this attitude that could take him all the way to the top of rugby league according to Mittagong JRL club life member Bob Hall.
Hall, who has overseen Alvaro’s development at the club, said the prop was as good a player as he had seen at the Lions.
“We’ve had our share of players go on to NRL level,” Hall said.
“But this kid’s certainly up there with them at this stage.”
It’s a big wrap to put Alvaro in line with the Aubusson brothers, Illawarra legend Ian Russell and Cronulla’s Barry Andrews, but its one Hall doesn’t make lightly.
“He’s a super kid on and off the field,” Hall said.
“He is that popular with all the other members of the club - the youngsters eat out of his hands.
“On game day he can be the last to leave. He’s happy to help out cleaning up the field, doing the barbecue - anything.”
Alvaro’s been given a shot at a professional career by the Brisbane Broncos.
A Broncos scout noticed him a few seasons ago and since then he has been monitored very closely by the club.
Alvaro is often flown to Brisbane for training and tomorrow starts a two-month Mal Meninga Cup season, which requires him to fly to Queensland each week.
“They haven’t really said anything [about the future] but I just want to go well in this tournament,” Alvaro said before leaving.
The Chevalier Year 12 student has his sights firmly set on a Toyota Cup contract, but knows he will have to earn it.
