Bulldogs centre Jamal Idris needed to take only five steps for his powerful 115kg frame to generate enough power to hurl a javelin 55 metres at the Sydney Athletic Centre in Homebush.
The ease with which he threw it after a long lay-off posed the question of whether he ever regretted turning his back on a possible Olympic berth for league.
''Occasionally I think [about having] a throw because I didn't do [a] weights [session], and what I'm doing at the Bulldogs might help me throw better,'' said Idris, who represented Australia in discus at the 2007 world youth championships in the Czech Republic and was world-ranked in shot-put and javelin.
''I won't say the idea of how far I might've gone isn't sometimes in the back of my head. When I think about my accomplishments in athletics, I'm proud of them.''
Idris, 19, ranks with Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne, Melbourne's Greg Inglis and Billy Slater, Penrith's Michael Jennings, Canberra's Josh Dugan and Newcastle's Akuila Uate as a generation of boom athletes making the NRL faster and stronger.
Hayne won the 100m hurdles at the schoolboy nationals without training, Uate was a gifted 100m sprinter before focusing on league, while Inglis, Slater and company are born runners.
Idris said a stint in athletics should be a ''must'' for any aspiring league player.
''Throwing taught me to use every part of my body,'' he said. ''I developed power in my legs and it helped instil balance when I ran. It taught me to deal with pressure.
''There's 13 men on each side for the crowd to watch in footy, but in athletics it's just you. It's daunting, but coming into first grade after competing in the world youths, where everyone's eyes were on me in the discus circle, was incredible.
''No one is out there to help you. In footy, 12 mates can help.''
Though, as Parramatta centre Timana Tahu declared after contesting a blood 'n' bone duel with Idris in their round eight match on the Sydney Olympics site, the teenager has ''it''.
''He's a fine young player and showed real toughness out there,'' Tahu, a family friend, said after the clash.
''He's maturing. He's only 19 and played first grade for two years. It's my hope Jamal represents because he's talented.''
Jamal: the vital statistics
Age: 19
Born: Auburn, NSW
Nickname: Jammer
Position: Centre/Wing
Height: 192cm (6' 3")
Weight: 106kg (233lbs)
First-grade games: 32
First-grade tries: 13
First grade debut: Against Parramatta at ANZ Stadium - August 23, 2008
Representative teams: Country Origin (2010),
Indigenous All Stars (2010)
Awards: 2009 Dally M Rookie of the Year
SMH
The ease with which he threw it after a long lay-off posed the question of whether he ever regretted turning his back on a possible Olympic berth for league.
''Occasionally I think [about having] a throw because I didn't do [a] weights [session], and what I'm doing at the Bulldogs might help me throw better,'' said Idris, who represented Australia in discus at the 2007 world youth championships in the Czech Republic and was world-ranked in shot-put and javelin.
''I won't say the idea of how far I might've gone isn't sometimes in the back of my head. When I think about my accomplishments in athletics, I'm proud of them.''
Idris, 19, ranks with Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne, Melbourne's Greg Inglis and Billy Slater, Penrith's Michael Jennings, Canberra's Josh Dugan and Newcastle's Akuila Uate as a generation of boom athletes making the NRL faster and stronger.
Hayne won the 100m hurdles at the schoolboy nationals without training, Uate was a gifted 100m sprinter before focusing on league, while Inglis, Slater and company are born runners.
Idris said a stint in athletics should be a ''must'' for any aspiring league player.
''Throwing taught me to use every part of my body,'' he said. ''I developed power in my legs and it helped instil balance when I ran. It taught me to deal with pressure.
''There's 13 men on each side for the crowd to watch in footy, but in athletics it's just you. It's daunting, but coming into first grade after competing in the world youths, where everyone's eyes were on me in the discus circle, was incredible.
''No one is out there to help you. In footy, 12 mates can help.''
Though, as Parramatta centre Timana Tahu declared after contesting a blood 'n' bone duel with Idris in their round eight match on the Sydney Olympics site, the teenager has ''it''.
''He's a fine young player and showed real toughness out there,'' Tahu, a family friend, said after the clash.
''He's maturing. He's only 19 and played first grade for two years. It's my hope Jamal represents because he's talented.''
Jamal: the vital statistics
Age: 19
Born: Auburn, NSW
Nickname: Jammer
Position: Centre/Wing
Height: 192cm (6' 3")
Weight: 106kg (233lbs)
First-grade games: 32
First-grade tries: 13
First grade debut: Against Parramatta at ANZ Stadium - August 23, 2008
Representative teams: Country Origin (2010),
Indigenous All Stars (2010)
Awards: 2009 Dally M Rookie of the Year
SMH
