Luckless Manly centre Brayden Wiliame is hoping his 10th NRL game will result in a rendition of the team song for the first time in his NRL career.
The 22-year-old played six games on the wing for a wooden spoon Eels outfit in 2013 and has now played in Manly's past three losses – and he says the experience has only made him hungrier.
"It sucks – I haven't actually got an NRL win yet so I'm hungry. Six for Parra, three here, I'm hungry as I can be! I want that win and I think we can get that this weekend [against Penrith]," he said.
Wiliame, in the first year of a two-year-deal on the northern beaches, knows he is just keeping a spot warm for injured centres Jamie Lyon and Steve Matai but said the experience in first grade has boosted his confidence.
"There's not really [extra pressure] – they talk to me all the time and they just said 'mate, you go in there, don't try to do anything special' and that's what I do and in a way I'm gaining confidence like that.
"[After] my third game at Manly I don't feel like I'm out of place there so in a way it's helping my confidence knowing that they can pick me after those boys. Because they could have easily shifted other people in positions and chucked some other people on the wing but they didn't, so it made me more confident in a way.
"In my three games I don't think I've played bad but I know I've got a lot more in me but it's definitely a confidence-builder for me.
"I know once the boys come back from injury that means my spot's not there but all I can do is every game that I get a chance just play my best. I think I'm doing that to an extent now but I know I've got more in me."
Wiliame praised the senior playing group and coaching staff for their positivity despite the recent run of losses, and said he'd love to stay at the northern beaches club long-term after stints with the Melbourne NYC side followed by Parramatta and Newcastle.
"I want to stay here, I love it here, regardless of what they're saying off the field, I absolutely love it, and all the boys are happy here as well.
"I'm hoping to be [a part of it next year] – the experienced players are getting older now so that's my goal to try and be that next guy in but again, I've played three games here so I'm not going to go saying it's my spot. But I want to try and make it [in first grade at Manly]."
And can he finally get that elusive win?
"We'll be playing our heart out, I think we can get the win. I think it's about time!"
