Anyone who has watched Jacob Kiraz play over the past 12 months for Canterbury would assume it was a simple case of a talented young player bursting onto the scene - but that couldn't be further from the truth.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic rise since making his debut in Round 7 last year, becoming a consistent figure in the backline for the Bulldogs and representing Lebanon at last year's World Cup.
With a blend of size, skill and athleticism, Kiraz has been equally as impressive in both the centre and wing roles for the Dogs, notching 11 tries in 30 games and proving himself to be a tackle-breaking machine.
But his journey to the NRL didn't come without its challenges for Kiraz, who took the long road to the top after first being overlooked by Canterbury during high school.
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Jacob Kiraz recalls being overlooked by Bulldogs
On the latest edition of The Sporting News/YKTR's EBBS AND FLOWS, Kiraz opened up on his teenage years and the disappointment associated with missing out on junior rep selection at Belmore.
“It was a bit different... I didn’t really make Harold Matts, but I was with the Dogs and I was a Dogs junior," he said.
"You think as a young kid you have to make all these teams and all my mates from my club was making them. I remember speaking to my parents and they said ‘Just go back to club and keep playing’.
"SG Ball came and I tried out for Dogs, Dragons and Roosters and Dogs said they didn’t want me and I made Dragons. I just wanted to be out of my comfort zone. I knew Dragons weren’t actually a strong team, so I knew if I go to Dragons… I could stand out.
"I was a five-eighth growing up my whole life, believe it or not, and I went there… they said ‘Nah, you’re a centre’ and then played a couple of games at centre."
After playing in the U18s competition for the Red V, the rangy outside back attracted interest from a host of NRL clubs - but his next move came as a surprise to everyone in his inner sanctum.
Jacob Kiraz explains failed Cowboys, Knights tenures
Kiraz's form in the under-age competitions would see the Cowboys sign the teenager on a tiered deal, which would see the Lebanese star move away from home for the first time.
"That’s when North Queensland came to the table … it was a big shock and it was a big move, particularly in our culture... we don’t move away until we’re married," he said.
"I remember when the recruitment manager came from Cowboys, it was the best deal… I had to take it. It was a fresh start, especially as an 18-year-old, I had just finished school.
"All my mates were going to smoke argileh every weekend and going out every weekend. If I went to Townsville, there’s not of that there and it’s a good thing for me to go and I’m there just to play footy.
"I played one game and then COVID hit. They wanted to put me in the bubble but there’s obviously restrictions, so I remember speaking to them saying ‘If I’m not playing footy, I’m just gonna go home’… I couldn’t even work there."
After returning back to Sydney at the height of the pandemic, Kiraz was left in a tricky position heading into the 2021 season - which is why a phone call from the Knights led to another career shift.
"I went back home and the recruitment manager from Cowboys actually went to Newcastle and then he spoke to me - I had to try and get released, it was a bit of a mess," he said.
"I went to Newcastle, played there for a bit and then COVID happened again. I stayed at Newcastle and trained, I didn’t go home for seven months and it’s a bit different in our culture."
Jacob Kiraz's career comes full circle with Bulldogs return
A local junior from the St Johns Eagles club, Kiraz would come back to Sydney once again early in the 2022 off-season and began to consider a potential move home.
And for the first time in his life, the same club that turfed him as a kid finally wanted him in the fold.
"I went down to my junior club and the chairman, John Khoury, was always telling me how they always wanted me back and at the time, it wasn’t the right time," he said.
"When I was in Newcastle, I was getting ready for pre-season and I thought I’d had a good pre-season… I was top 30 at the time but I just had this gut feeling. I was like third or fourth string and I just felt like my opportunity wasn’t gonna be there.
"I remember ringing my manager saying I want to leave at the end of the year. He told me Dogs were keen on me now, but they can’t give me top 30 because they’re full… it was a big risk.
"Even my parents were like ‘Are you sure you want to do this’ and I said you know what, I just need a fresh start and I knew I wasn’t gonna get my opportunity up there."
Kiraz would begin the season on a train-and-trial deal with the Bulldogs, but it only took a few months before he was tearing up in the top grade - the place he knew he always belonged.
“I always knew I had the ability, it’s just sometimes you just need the opportunity," he said.
"I trained hard, I work hard, I knew it would come. I’ve got lots of strong faith, I’m a Catholic Christian, and I knew everything happens for a reason and I know if I put my best foot forward, it will happen."
Kiraz has now been elevated to the club's top 30 roster and is signed until the end of next year, with the Bulldogs hopeful of locking down the versatile speedster long-term.
Jacob Kiraz 2023 NRL stats
| Games | 17 |
| Tries | 5 |
| Try Assists | 2 |
| Linebreaks | 6 |
| Tackle Breaks | 71 |
| Avg. Run Metres | 171 |
