Tom Starling transitioned from bench specialist to breakout star after proving himself to the Raiders.
It was only less than a year ago that the Raiders sat Tom Starling down and told him he'd need to take a massive pay cut to remain at the club.
And that, for a seventh straight season, he was again going to be a bench specialist.
Which is when Starling, coming off a year where he took on the NSW Police, and won, decided to front up to his coach, Ricky Stuart, as well.
"I sort of said, 'Do you reckon you could give me a crack at the starting nine?" he asked.
"I believe I can do it."
So Stuart gave him the pre-season to prove it.
Tom Starling has truly gone from a bench specialist to a breakout star for the Raiders in 2025. Picture: Getty Images
"I had to work for it. It wasn't just handed to me. I had to prove it and work...