Trent Waterhouse

Tall back-rower, a Penrith junior from the same club as Brad Fittler (Cambridge Park), made his impact from the interchange bench during the Panthers’ premiership-winning season. Waterhouse was one of four ‘super-subs’ used to great effect by coach John Lang during that year (the 22 year-old appeared in 21 matches from the interchange bench during 2003) and was rewarded after Penrith’s 18-6 grand final victory over the Roosters with selection on the Kangaroo Tour. Waterhouse scored a try on debut in the First Test against Great Britain and ultimately played in all three matches of the Ashes-winning series. In 2004 he moved into Penrith’s starting line-up as Scott Sattler’s lock forward replacement and his good early-season form led to his selection in Australia’s ANZac Test team. Waterhouse was dropped from the NSW team after the Blues’ loss in the second match of the series and the change in his playing role – from interchange player to starting lock - seemed to be taking the edge off the young forward’s form. Waterhouse’s standout performance in Penrith’s 31-30 win over St George in the quarterfinal saw him return to his best attacking form but Australian selectors ultimately overlooked him for the Tri Nations competition at the end of the year. Although he was recalled into the Australian Test team for the one-off Test against NZ in April 2005 Waterhouse’s form at lock for the Panthers has not warranted a return to rep football.