This time last year, teenager Matt Burton was running around in bush footy in Dubbo.

He started 2019 in the under-20s and only made his NSW Cup debut a month-and-a-half ago.

On Wednesday he had his first training run with the Penrith NRL squad, where some of his teammates were light on background for the 19-year-old.

And on Friday Burton will make a remarkable and unexpected first grade debut for the Panthers after being asked by coach Ivan Cleary to solve the club’s halves conundrum.

Burton began the year so far down the club’s depth chart, a NRL debut wasn’t on his radar.

He wasn’t even on the club’s development list and the Panthers had to seek an exemption from the NRL just for him to be cleared for the high stakes clash against Cronulla at Panthers Stadium.

Burton’s rise to NRL playmaker came in Steven Bradbury-like circumstances after James Maloney was suspended by the NRL judiciary for tripping and Jarome Luai was ruled out with an eye injury.

Tyrone May also remains unavailable after being sidelined under the “no fault” stand down rule.

So enter Burton, who starred for the NSW under-20s with two tries and man-of-the-match honours in their win over Queensland last month, to partner star Nathan Cleary.

Fellow Dubbo product and Panthers teammate Isaah Yeo was among the few who were aware of Burton’s burgeoning reputation.

“It’s a rapid rise but he’s been the standout coming through in Dubbo,” Yeo said.

“He was always the one highlighted and they thought he’d go on and make something of himself.

“When I was younger, he was always the one coming through. He was the same age as my cousin and I’ve been fortunate enough to watch him play a little bit of footy – he’s been a tall, rangy standout.”

Burton’s debut will be celebrated in NSW’s central west where, just over 12 months ago, he had been turning out for Dubbo CYMS in the Group 11 competition and playing on the wing in their grand final loss to Forbes.

“I don’t know too much about Burto,” Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards conceded.

“I’ve seen a few NSW Cup games and he’s training alongside us quite a few times. He’s a big body, he’s got a good little kicking game on him and he defends well.

“Nathan will control the side and Burto will just play eyes-up and play what he sees. It won’t be a complex role for him.”