Even while acting as Canberra’s ball boy, Tom Starling never cared much for claims the Raiders’ NRL season ended with Josh Hodgson’s knee.
He had no interest in listening to the critics who claimed Hodgson was impossible to replace after the Englishman’s ACL went in July, let alone by a 22-year-old with just four NRL games to their name.
“To be super honest, I didn’t really give a s***,” Starling said.
“Without sounding too cocky, I hadn’t had the chance to prove myself. I know what I am capable of doing.
“Sticky (coach Ricky Stuart) put that faith in me straight away and said you’re in.
“I knew Sticky had faith in me. I just had to take it with both hands.”
Starling’s words echoed those of Stuart’, who claimed he “didn’t give a s***” that critics thought Canberra’s season was shot.
At the time of Hodgson’s injury the coach made a point to back the rookie Starling, straight out denying that the Raiders would hit the market in search of another No.9.
Instead, his faith was firmly in Starling, who hadn’t played in game in four months due to the cancellation of reserve grade.
“My mum rang me up after that. She said I like Sticky, he knows what he’s got and he’ll back you up,” Starling said.
“That gave confidence to me too, to have your coach’s backing.”
Stuart’s faith has paid off.
Starling has been more than solid at dummy-half and Canberra are just one win against Melbourne away from another grand final.
But it’s not the first time Starling has had to back his own ability against the odds.
He debuted for Newcastle in the final round of 2018 but never heard back from them after the season.
It prompted him to head to Queensland and link with Tweed Heads, before fellow Knights junior Hudson Young tipped the Raiders about him.
“He still tries to get (a manager’s fee) out of me,” Starling said.
“It was tough times when I didn’t re-sign with the Knights and not knowing if I’d get another chance with an NRL team… That’s the game.
“You just have to sink or swim. Sometimes there are going to be hardships in life.”
Which is why after another hardship in COVID-19, those who knew Starling best never doubted he could stand up in place of Hodgson.
“I just kept telling him you are one injury away from playing,” Young, now his housemate, said.
“But I knew once he got his chance he would take it with both hands.”