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\u201cIt\u2019s still a surreal feeling and it\u2019s been unreal,\u201d Bostock told foxsports.com.au hours after arriving at Blues camp.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means a lot. I\u2019ve dreamt of this ever since I started watching footy. It\u2019s a dream come true.\u201d<\/p>\n
The fairytale selection is the latest chapter in a remarkable journey for the Dolphins outside back, whose career has already been filled with both rapid success and significant adversity.<\/p>\n
DAILY TELEGRAPH 29TH JUNE 2026 NO NEWS.COM – NO NEWS WIRE – NO AUSTRALIAN – MUST CHECK WITH PIC DESK BEFORE USE Pictured at NSW Blues media day at the The Brighton Hotel in Sydney is NSW Blues players Jack Bostock and Mark Nawaqanitawase , ahead of the deciding Game 3 of the 2026 State of Origin series. Picture: Richard DobsonSource: Supplied Source Known<\/p>\n
EARLY BEGINNINGS AT THE RED V<\/p>\n
Long before he was preparing for his Origin debut, Bostock was a highly-rated junior coming through the pathways system at the St George Illawarra Dragons.<\/p>\n
However, the Shellharbour Stingrays product was a late bloomer and flew under the radar with his potential not fully realised until his late teenage years.<\/p>\n
Unlike many prospects who are identified early in their career and fast-tracked through the junior pathways system, Bostock was forced to be patient after missing out on making the Under-16s Andrew Johns Cup and Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup sides.<\/p>\n
But rather than allowing those setbacks to define him, the towering figure continued to develop his game and eventually forced his way into the squad for the Illawarra South Coast Dragons in the Laurie Daley Cup in 2021.<\/p>\n
He then progressed to the Illawarra Steelers Under-19s SG Ball Cup side the following season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we were younger, Jack was making all the rep teams, but we both kind of went through a stage where we wasn\u2019t getting picked,\u201d one of Bostock\u2019s best mates, Will Starling, told foxsports.com.au. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor me it was like \u2018Oh well, whatever\u2019 but for Jack it was \u2018All right, what\u2019s next?\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe kept training and grew taller and then all his opportunities just started flooding in from there.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was always focused on achieving this rugby league dream.\u201d<\/p>\n
Watch every game of every round of the NRL Premiership LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 20 2022: Jack Bostock during the Round 3 SG Ball Cup clash between Manly Sea Eagles and Illawarra Steelers at Aubrey Keach Reserve.. Picture Newscorp: Gaye Gerard \/ Daily TelegraphSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n It was during his time in the Under-19s competition that he began to announce himself as a genuine prospect to watch with his performances showcasing his raw talent that had previously gone unnoticed.<\/p>\n Playing alongside the likes of Ashton Ward, Dylan Egan, and the Couchman brothers, he caught the attention of rugby league officials with his powerful running game, athleticism, and aerial ability, and was later selected for the NSW Blues Under-19s side.<\/p>\n However, Starling always saw the abilities in his close mate, recognising his ability long before he became a household name.<\/p>\n \u201cOn the field we used to verse each other before we were mates so we played in separate teams and then I ended up going to his club,\u201d Starling added.<\/p>\n \u201cHe and I always had a bit of a rivalry. <\/p>\n \u201cHe was the bigger kid in his teams and I was the biggest in mine, so that\u2019d be the first memories of him from Under-8s playing footy.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we were young, he has always been committed. He was always a good kid and he\u2019s real humble. He\u2019s a good guy and always down to help.\u201d<\/p>\n Dolphins youngster Jack Bostock playing for the NSW under-19s. NRL ImagerySource: Supplied<\/p>\n MOVE TO REDCLIFFE<\/p>\n Progressing through the Dragons\u2019 pathways, Bostock was on track to make his NRL debut with the club, following in the footsteps of his junior teammates.<\/p>\n But with opportunities in first-grade limited and the Dolphins entering the competition in 2023, he was presented with a decision that would ultimately change the course of his career.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing really happened to push me out (of the Dragons), I suppose it was how it went at the time,\u201d he told AAP<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cThe Dolphins came about and I was pretty keen on doing it. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve still got a lot of mates that play at the Dragons, no hate for the club or anything, just how it all worked out, really.\u201d<\/p>\n BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 19: Jack Bostock of the Dolphins celebrates scoring a try during the round 11 NRL match between Wests Tigers and Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium, on May 19, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n The move to Redcliff proved to be a career-defining decision with Bostock embracing the chance to be part of a foundation squad and to learn off the game\u2019s all-time greatest coach in Wayne Bennett<\/p>\n Agreeing to a two-year contract at the time, he started out on a development contract but quickly forced his way into the club\u2019s Top 30 roster the following season.<\/p>\n It was here that he enjoyed a breakout 2024 campaign, which saw him claim that year\u2019s Dally M Rookie of the Year award – beating nominees Ethan Strange and KL Iro.<\/p>\n \u201cWayne was the biggest factor at the start, and once I met Wayne, I was keen to get up there [to Redcliffe],\u201d Bostock told Nine Newspapers<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I had my first interaction with him, I thought we\u2019d talk about footy. But Wayne spoke to dad the whole time, and asked me what I liked to get up to away from footy. <\/p>\n \u201cWhen the footy chat came around, Wayne got up to leave and said, \u2018I haven\u2019t seen you play, so I can\u2019t talk about your game\u2019. <\/p>\n \u201c[Recruitment guru] Peter O\u2019Sullivan had seen me play, and that was enough for Wayne.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch every game of every round of the NRL Premiership LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 07: Jack Bostock offloads during a New South Wales Blues Men’s State of Origin captain’s run at Suncorp Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n Speaking about the Blues debutant, the veteran coach highlighted the qualities and reasons behind what made Bostock an attractive prospect to try and lure to the Dolphins.<\/p>\n \u201cJack\u2019s got a lot of outstanding attributes,\u201d former Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett, who helped recruit Bostock to the Dolphins, told The Herald<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was a late bloomer, he\u2019s getting better each year \u2013 most of them do when they are young \u2013 but he was someone down at Wollongong that had mixed vibes about him. <\/p>\n \u201cHe was not as quick to develop as the other boys. <\/p>\n \u201cPeter O\u2019Sullivan had a big rap on him, and I spoke to a few guys down there who all thought he had a good future. <\/p>\n \u201cJack is a very confident person with his behaviour and attitude to football. I enjoyed being around Jack; I enjoyed being in his company.\u201d<\/p>\n DAILY TELEGRAPH OCTOBER 2, 2024. Jack Bostock the 2024 Dally M Awards Rookie of the Year winner at the ceremony held at Royal Randwick Racecourse. Picture: Jonathan NgSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n THE SETBACK HE DIDN\u2019T SEE COMING<\/p>\n After clinching the 2024 Dally M Rookie of the Year award, Jack Bostock appeared destined for an even bigger campaign the following year, but ruptured his ACL mid-way through last season.<\/p>\n This saw his playing career come to an immediate halt as the injury threatened to derail Bostock\u2019s 2026 before it had even begun.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was obviously heartbreaking at the start,\u201d Bostock told The Brisbane Times<\/a> in May. <\/p>\n \u201cI cried like a little girl when I found out I\u2019d done my ACL in the sheds. But after that, you just have to move on with life. <\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s plenty more to life than footy, so you have to roll with the punches and keep moving on with it.\u201d<\/p>\n Still recovering from the injury at the beginning of the year, playing Origin football was the furthest thing from his mind as the youngster\u2019s only focus was to complete his rehabilitation and get back onto the field.<\/p>\n