Three things in life are certain: death, taxes - and Gerringong juniors making it into the NRL.

After making his NRL debut late last year, Kyle McCarthy officially became the sixth Gerringong Lion to don an NRL jersey in 2025 when he was given a run on the wing by Newcastle.

McCarthy got his first taste of the top grade for Newcastle in Round 24 last season against the Cronulla Sharks before earning his second NRL game on April 13 this year, taking on the Wests Tigers.

Despite the Knights’ loss, McCarthy delivered an impressive performance - racking up 151 running metres, three tackle breaks and a line break. Since then, he has been named 18th player for the team but has not got on the field over the past couple of weeks.

McCarthy joined the Gerringong Lions in his first year of under 18s and was coached by John Ford, who recalls his talent was obvious from the start.

“He was always one of the top players,” Ford says. “He had a lot of skill, and once he got his mind on the job, he couldn’t be stopped.”

Kyle McCarthy playing for the Gerringong Lions. Photo: Game Face Photography

Ford says watching former players achieve their dreams is one of the most rewarding parts of coaching.

“Because I coached him, I saw the hard work he put in - the time, the effort. Seeing him get the rewards now just makes me so happy,” he says.

Together, Kyle and John never lost a game during their time with the Lions in 2021 and 2022. After the 2021 season was abandoned, they went on to win the under 18s competition the following year.

McCarthy now joins a growing list of Gerringong juniors who’ve cracked the NRL, including St George Illawarra duo Hamish Stewart and Dylan Egan, Storm utility Tyran Wishart, Warriors forward Jackson Ford and Manly centre Reuben Garrick.

And the pipeline doesn’t stop there. More Gerringong products are knocking on the NRL’s door, including John’s son, Taj Ford, who is playing in the Jersey Flegg Cup for the Cronulla Sharks, as well as Nick Quinn and Ashton Ward, who are playing in the NSW Cup for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Ford credits the club’s culture for its consistent success.

“I think they’re just brought up the right way and taught from an early age that hard work gets results,” he says. “They’ve all bought into that, and now they’re seeing the rewards.”