MILTON-Ulladulla product Jack Murchie moved from the Canberra Raiders to the New Zealand Warriors for one main reason.
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An opportunity to play first grade consistently.
Thankfully for the 22-year-old, his dreams have been realised, as he's featured in all three of the Warriors' matches since the NRL resumption in May.
"Ever since I joined the boys on the Central Coast, I've loved it," Murchie said.
And the more comfortable he gets, the better his performances translate to success on the field.
"I'm slowly getting to know the ins and outs of everyone's games and I couldn't have asked for a much better start to my time with the Warriors," he said.
"This camp environment has really had a positive impact on everyone so far - highlighted by us producing two strong wins.
"Obviously we'd love to all have our families with us but we know they are all keenly watching our every move.
"It's up to us to continue to make them all and the Warriors jersey proud."
During the opening three matches, the Batemans Bay-born talent has gradually seen his minutes off the bench increase, so much so he played 60 minutes during his side's 37-26 win against the Cowboys on Friday.
"Although I've been a little up and down, I'm generally pleased with my first three performances for the Warriors," said Murchie, who credits Tohu Harris, Adam Blair and Blake Green for being great mentors since he arrived.
"My first game was quite strong but then I was probably a little below par against Penrith.
"However, I thought I responded well against the Cowboys - it's all about finding that consistency each week, to benefit the team the best I can.
"If I do that, and bring energy off the bench which is what coach Stephen [Kearney] wants me to do, I'm confident my role will continue to grow, especially as I get more comfortable out on the field."
Following the most recent match at Central Coast Stadium, the Warriors and Cowboys players took a knee to support the Black Lives Matter campaign.
"That was a really special moment to be a part of," the back-row/prop said.
"You've just finished a game of footy, where you've been after each other for 80 minutes but that connection after the game was one I've not really experience before in my career.
"I'm proud to be able to be a part and stand for an initiative like that, because I know how important it is for everyone in our team."
As well as becoming comfortable on the field, he is doing the same off it, thanks largely to the camp environment he's currently in, which is not too dissimilar to when he was part of the NSW under 20s or junior Kangaroos sides.
"Being around the boys 24/7 has been a real plus for me, as it has allowed to get to know my teammates a lot quicker and make up for lost time," Murchie, who's rooming with Josh Curran and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, said.
"Generally, you get to know your new teammates during the pre-season training camp but as I joined mid-season, I didn't have that luxury."
How quick he has fit into the new situation hasn't gone unnoticed, with teammate Peta Hiku, who's played for the New Zealand national team on 11 occasions, heaping praise on Murchie.
"Ever since Jack joined us, he's been super impressive," Hiku said.
"This was highlighted by him making his club debut just after he joined us.
"He's come here with an open mind and quickly adapted to our style of play.
"I'm expecting him to only get better moving forward and help us win more games of footy."
Hiku, Murchie, who won a first grade Group Seven premiership with Gerringong in 2015, and their Warriors will next play the Rabbitohs this Friday at Bankwest Stadium.
"We've already looked at quite a bit of tape on Souths and have got an idea of how they like to play," Murchie, who likes the NRL's rule changes, said.
"However, the most important thing for us to concentrate on our games and what we can do individually to help the team win the match."
Murchie, while not looking too far ahead, is confident if he continues to build on his strong start, it will put him in a good position to extend his contract with the club past the end of 2020.
"The reason I moved to the Warriors was to get a chance at first grade more consistently and I hope to be able to do that the rest of the season," the former Ulladulla and Kiama High School student said.
"I'm going to take each week as it comes and try to perform at my best.
"If I do that, I'm sure good things will come off the back of it."
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