In typical Melbourne Storm fashion, Will Warbrick has emerged from relative obscurity to become one of the NRL's most reliable wingers.
The 26-year-old was poached from the world of rugby sevens after making himself known at the most recent Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Here's a closer look at his journey thus far.
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When did Will Warbrick compete in the Olympics?
Born in Kawerau, New Zealand, Warbrick was a multi-sport talent in school.
Bizarrely, his first step into elite sport came as an Australian rules football player, selected for the New Zealand national team in 2016.
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He then transitioned to rugby sevens and debuted for his nation in 2019.
Warbrick made his Olympic debut in Tokyo two years later, winning the silver medal in 2021 after falling to Fiji in the gold medal match.
Shortly after, Warbrick made the switch to rugby league, spending most of 2022 playing for the Storm's feeder club Sunshine Coast Falcons.
The following season, he broke into Craig Bellamy's first team, and has been regularly selected on the wing since.
Transitioning from rugby sevens to rugby league is not entirely uncommon, with Australian talent Lachy Miller also signing with the Sharks in 2022.
Will Warbrick contract: Winger signs Melbourne Storm extension
Warbrick inked a fresh deal with the Storm in 2023, which will see him remain with the club until the end of the 2026 season.
He had only made 11 first grade appearances prior to the extension but had already impressed the organisation with his speed and strength.
"Will really had to get back to basics when he first arrived and having some senior players around him at the time has certainly helped his progression," Melbourne's general manager of football Frank Ponissi said at the time of the extension.
"We always knew there would be a period of transition from rugby but he’s now seeing the rewards of that hard work over the last season and a half."
