When a young footy player gets the chance to play a higher grade of rugby league, they can have a number of highlights, if they are lucky, in a career.

The first-grade debut is certainly one of these.

A lot of great players never get the chance to run on the field in ONE premiership match. I certainly did not.

Ashton Ward is a young player who sought a chance at South Sydney this year.

In the normal course of events, he most likely would have just played in the lower grades and hoped for a chance next year or the one after.

This would be the same for many young men and women in all the NRL clubs. But this has not been a normal year for Souths.

Almost a whole NRL team has been on the injury list on many occasions. This meant Ashton got a chance to play first grade, and he has made every post a winner.

He has played in five premiership games. By coincidence (or is it coincidence?), Souths have won the last three games in a row after a horror run of losses.

Last week was the highlight in his brief career when he starred in their 40-0 win over St George Illawarra.

Ashton's old teammate from his Gerringong days, Hayden Buchanan, was playing at centre for the Dragons so this game had a special meaning for him.

And what a game it was. Ashton played no small part in a great victory. The highlight was the try assist for the first try of the match.

Ashton threaded the needle with a little kick behind the line for Jacob Host to pounce.

In fact, he was heavily involved in just about all of the significant attacking plays in the match.

Ashton’s defence has been notable in all games. He has a beautiful style of “grasscutting”, an old term meaning he tackles around the legs. Everybody did that in the olden days.

On top of this, the rookie five-eighth was in sensational goalkicking form with six goals from seven attempts.

The commentators were generous in their praise of him although they made jokes at his expense about his size and the fact that he looks very young.

Interviewed after the match, Ashton did make a comment about how tough it was when huge bodies headed his way.

Mind you he and Jye Gray share the ‘little blokes’ tag in the team and the fullback has also been in sensational form.

They only have one more match this season after the bye when they face the Roosters next Friday.

Ashton will hopefully get to have extended time playing alongside Cody Walker next season. Cody is a brilliant, highly experienced playmaker and would be a great mentor.

South Sydney’s supporters certainly hope so - they have been lavish in their praise on The Warren fan forum with comments like these ones:

“This kid is not ready for first grade, but no one told him. He has stood up with one of the smallest frames to play the game in a long time. The kid tackled his heart out and stood in front of anyone.”

“We’ve had two wins straight with Ward starting.

“Ward is a very legitimate chance to be one of our long-term halves.”

“Ward reminds me of a young Keary. If he’s half as good as Keary, he’ll be a fine player.”

“Take a bow Ashton Ward, and a ten-year contract.”

Will Ashton be able to compare with the other Gerringong legends who made it in the premiership like Eels legend Mick Cronin, Paul Quinn and Rod Wishart?

Time will tell but he’s off to a great start.