FORMER Scone Thoroughbred Cade Cust will long remember his NRL debut.
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The talented playmaker was a late call-up for the Manly Sea Eagles after regular five-eighth Lachlan Croker suffered a hamstring injury in the side's previous outing against the Brisbane Broncos.
But, partnering halfback Kane Elgey in the halves and wearing the No 19 jumper on his back, Cust produced an outstanding performance to set up the team's shock 24-14 victory over the Cronulla Sharks - ironically, coached by another Scone-ite in John Morris - at PointsBet Stadium on Sunday evening.
With his family and friends watching on from the sidelines, the youngster looked dangerous in attack and exceptionally strong in defence, earning well-deserved praise from Channel 9 commentators Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler, as well as his captain Jake Trbojevic, in his first senior appearance under Des Hasler.
"He [Des] made a comment during a video session this week about my role, but I didn't know I was actually playing," Cust said.
"Then I found out on Thursday.
"With Daly [Cherry-Evans], Trent Hodkinson and Lachlan unavailable, I'm grateful for the call-up."
Cust, who had been in terrific form for Manly's feeder club Blacktown Workers, certainly didn't look out of place among the game's elite.
