Golden moment for Da Silva

Tallyn Da Silva can’t believe he is about to make his NRL debut, a little over 12 months after playing Under 17s for Western Suburbs Magpies.

When Da Silva runs out at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday night against Melbourne Storm, it will cap a meteoric rise through Wests Tigers pathways. 

In April last year Da Silva scored the winning try that booked Wests Magpies a place in the Harold Matthew's Cup Grand Final.  One week later he helped his team claim a maiden Under 17s premiership for the proud old club.

From that point on, it’s been an upward trajectory for this 18-year-old hooker from Campbelltown.

After playing up an age for a full season in Wests SG Ball team (U/19s) and a couple of games in Jersey Flegg (U/21s), he was then promoted to the Magpies NSW Cup team ‘competing against grown men’.

“No way did I think I would play NRL this year, no way did I think it would happen so quickly,” he said.

“I thought maybe next year I might, or even in 2025, but not this year.

“I grew up as a kid wanting this so much, and now here it is, about to happen.

It makes me feel really grateful for the opportunity this club has given me.

Tallyn Da Silva

Tallyn’s journey is just about the perfect blueprint for Wests Tigers pathways and development program, and almost identical to that of fellow Campbelltown junior Justin Matamua, who made his NRL debut last year.

Step by step, team by team, he’s transitioned from playing against boys, to men.

“I noticed a big difference in the speed of the game and the size of the bodies as I went from team to team,” said the former Westfield Sports High student.

“From Ball to Flegg, and then Flegg to Cup, I was suddenly playing against grown men who tried to target me, but I handled it ok.”

Playing with and against older footballers is nothing new for this bright-eyed young gun.  Last year he played in the same team as his father.

“It was for East Campbelltown Eagles,” he said.

“I was playing 18s and A Grade was short a player or two.

"We had to rush around and get the paperwork done, and then I was told about 10 minutes before kick-off that I was needed.

It was such a great moment playing alongside my dad.

Tallyn Da Silva

Tallyn says his father John has been a huge part of his rugby league journey.

“One hundred percent my dad has had the greatest influence on my development, and my stepmum too, and all my family."

“They have been so supportive and always encouraging me to be my best.”

I’m getting tickets for lots of family and friends so hopefully we can fill the hill at Campbelltown.

Tallyn Da Silva

It's expected the Da Silva crew on the southern hill will be in triple figures, most of them sporting their custom-made Da Silva t-shirts!

Da Silva’s debut appears to have been mapped out perfectly, coinciding with Wests Tigers Junior League Appreciation Round. 

His junior club, East Campbelltown Eagles, is one of 36 clubs feeding into Wests Tigers pathways system.