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5:55PM Sunday 07 September, 2008 Sunshine Coast weather Mostly sunny min 10° - max 23°

Friend's NRL debut

27 June 2008

| By Jon Tuxworth

Noel “Goldy” Goldthorpe might earn himself a new nickname if he’s not too careful. Nostradamus.

When Sunshine Coast product Jake Friend made the Australian Schoolboys open side in July last year, Goldthorpe offered this quote to the Daily: “If he keeps going the way he is, by this time next year, he could be playing first grade for the Roosters.”

Late on Tuesday, the former St George halfback was proven to be a pretty good judge. Friend, who turned 18 in February, will make his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters against the Bulldogs tonight.

With several Roosters stars unavailable for selection due to Origin duty, Friend has been named in the starting side at hooker.

And when one of his mates texted him the news, Noosa Pirates coach Goldthorpe wasn’t the least bit surprised. Friend played a handful of games under Goldthorpe for the Pirates late last year after his SG Ball commitments were finished.

“I knew he was destined for it,” Goldthorpe said. “He just had to do the hard work and I told him that. He plays a real rugged style of game, he’s quick, throws a nice pass and is very strong in defence as well.”

As for Friend himself, well, he’s pretty laidback.

“I didn’t think I’d be getting a run this soon, but it’s pretty cool that I have,” he said. “It hasn’t really hit me yet. I set a goal to make it this year but didn’t think I’d actually do it.”

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