‘Time to put down the tools’: Teenage Tiger ready to earn his stripes

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This time last week, Tallyn Da Silva was scaffolding for about $20 an hour. It’s not unusual for Da Silva to squeeze in two or three labouring shifts between his footballing commitments, but this isn’t any ordinary week. On Saturday, the 18-year-old will make his NRL debut for Wests Tigers.

“I don’t have my accreditations and tickets, so I’m just there to help,” Da Silva said.

“Everyone on the job site knows about my rugby league, that it’s my dream, and they are really supportive.

“If I’m playing, they are not going to force me to come back and work. I spoke to the boss and said ‘I’ll let you know, I might be playing’. I told him I might come in for a day and he said ‘Nah, scaffolding is the last thing you need to worry about.’ He’s very supportive.”

Someone else will need to be on the tools for now. Da Silva is the beneficiary of Apisai Koroisau’s broken jaw, an injury that will allow the youngster to come off the Tigers bench against Melbourne.

“I was watching the game with dad and as soon as it happened, we both said to each other that while it wasn’t looking good for him, it was looking good for me,” Da Silva said.

“As much as it is hard for him having his time out, that’s football. I’ve got to take my opportunity now.

“It will be really hard to fill those boots, he is such a great player. It’s so unfortunate for him, especially to miss Origin, but I see it as an opportunity to prove what I can do for them.”

It has been a heady rise. In late April, Da Silva blew out the candles on his 18th birthday cake. As of a fortnight ago, he hadn’t even played a single game of reserve grade.

The Westfield Sports High School product started the year in SG Ball (under 19s), then graduated to the Jersey Flegg competition (under 21s). He then got 12 minutes in NSW Cup at Lidcombe Oval against Canberra and played his second game against Blacktown last weekend.

Wests Tigers rookie Tallyn Da Silva.Credit: Nikki Short

It was enough to convince Tigers coach Tim Sheens that he was ready for the step up to first grade.

“The coaches obviously think I’m ready, Sheensy and Benji [Marshall] have put their faith in me,” Da Silva said.

“Last week’s game, I think I handled NSW Cup alright. I understand the NRL is a big difference, it’s a lot tougher and faster, but I think I’m ready for it. For the past 15 years I’ve been waiting for this opportunity.”

Sheens has gone on record to describe the current crop of Tigers cubs as the best he has ever seen during a storied coaching career. Da Silva is the first of them to push into the NRL ranks.

Api Koroisau.Credit: Getty Images

Making the appearance all the more special is the fact he is a genuine Tigers junior, having grown up his entire life at Campbelltown, just down the road from the ground at which he will debut.

“I’m a Campbelltown boy, I’m very proud of that,” he said. “Some people look at Campbelltown as a bit of a cheap suburb, not as good as other suburbs, but I think it’s one of the best.”

Da Silva began his career as a wiry halfback, before transitioning into a dummy half under Steve Hales, the Westfield Sports High coach now assisting Anthony Seibold at Manly.

Another big influence is his father Johnny; the pair even played an A-grade game together last year for Easts Campbelltown. Johnny, step-mother Danielle and Da Silva’s four siblings are part of a 50-strong contingent of family and friends who will be in the stands of Campbelltown Sports Ground, wearing specially made t-shirts to mark the occasion.

If all goes to plan, his labouring days may be behind him. “I did a bit of work placement in high school in the construction industry. Hated it. Couldn’t stand it,” he said. “Going into scaffolding … it really makes me appreciate what I’ve got.”

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