Much like Adam Reynolds and Jason Clark before him, Under 20’s halfback Dean Hawkins is a proud South Sydney junior making his way through the ranks at the Rabbitohs.
Having just graduated from the SG Ball side, Hawkins played 17 games in his first year of NYC this year, and despite noting the added intensity of the NYC competition, the Matraville Tigers junior showed his composure and maturity, scoring 7 tries and kicking 47 goals.
“I’m a local junior here at Souths," explained Hawkins.
"I’ve come up through the ranks in Harold Matthews where I spent two years there, I had two years in the SG Ball and this year I go the opportunity to represent in the NYC.
“NYC is a lot faster and the contact was a bit harder but the boys really helped me to settle in well and they got behind me which was good.”
While his Under 20’s career has started off on good note, Hawkins is adamant that there is still plenty of work to do in order to progress as a player and live out his dream to play for the Rabbitohs.
“Obviously I’d like to play in the NYC again next year, hopefully I could get an opportunity with the North Sydney Bears, the ultimate goal would be to play NRL for Souths after progressing through the NSW Cup hopefully I get the chance to do that next year or the year after.
“Being around the boys was quite good and to play in the stadiums that I’ve seen my idols play on when I was younger.”