On the back of just 64 minutes in the NRL, Bulldogs forward Jack Underhill felt confident enough to make a Captain’s Challenge at a crucial point in Friday night's clash with the Storm.
Scores were locked at 20-20 when the rookie prop charged down a Jahrome Hughes kick, which referee Wyatt Raymond ruled a knock-on, but Underhill was adamant it wasn’t.
He was proved right on video review, the Bulldogs retained possession, scored three sets later and eventually won the match 30-20 on the back of Jacob Kiraz's 78th minute sealer.
“I didn’t feel like I dropped it – I was saying ‘no way’ so I was really confident because I slowed into it (the tackle),” the 21-year-old said.
It was the sort of courage Underhill showed late in the first half, when he put Storm back=rower Alec MacDonald on his backside in a front-on tackle.
“The boys got around me straight away – it was just a confidence boost when you put a hit on like that,” Underhill said.
Underhill goes BOOM!
But don’t for a minute think the 21-year-old Bulldog, who made his debut against the Sharks in Magic Round, has any traits of arrogance in him.
This is a man who lost his mum to cancer when he was seven and has a tattoo to remember her by – so does his sister.
He is also a player that has had to fight hard to try and get to the NRL.
“It’s been on my radar and I’ve had a lot of chats with Ciro (coach Cameron Ciraldo) and just kept trying to push myself. I got my opportunity and I don’t want to lose it," he said.
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Originally from the Sunshine Coast he came into the Bulldogs system in 2023 and played SG Ball Cup (Under 19s) before being a part of the Bulldogs Jersey Flegg Cup (Under 21s) premiership win over Cronulla in 2024.
Bulldogs great Josh Jackson coached him there and kept encouraging him to stick with his dream, even when he was playing Ron Massey Cup trying to break into the NRL squad.
“I probably wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Jacko … he flogged me and kept challenging me," Underhill said.
His tackling technique has given Underhill the nickname ‘The Undertaker’ which he’s not particularly fond of.
“It was a Newtown commentator that started it... some smart arses put it up on social media... it’s sort of funny.”
He’s also been compared to several blond-haired front=rowers, who made their mark at Canterbury like Aiden Tolman, James Graham, even Ben Hannant.
Jacob Kiraz Try
“I always get told I look like them … it’s funny," he said.
“It’s been a massive culture shock (being part of Bulldogs community) but everybody has welcomed me in. I’ve been to some yummy restaurants – it’s cool.”
And now he’s helped the Bulldogs snap a five-game losing streak.
“I felt like we’ve been confident every week going into the game. We just had to keep pushing and we were going to get it."
He’s emerging as a star in is own right, revealing he had 120 messages after the Storm win after his 10 hit-ups for 101 metres, an off-load and five tackle-busts in 34 minutes.
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But Underhill has had a tough journey in life, let along trying to make first grade.
“It’s hard but you’ve just got to keep your smile, keep going and keep positive," he said.
“I got here just trying to play SG Ball, couldn’t make the Flegg team that year, played Ron Massey but kept learning and learning.
“Jackso kept pushing me – getting into training with him at 5am – you just keep on trying and never give up.”
