Tass hopes to top off a season that almost never was

When Isaiah Tass dropped out of the Broncos' top 30 at the age of 22, he knew he needed a miracle if he was to ever make his dream NRL debut.

But it was a surprise call from the Rabbitohs at the end of the 2021 season that handed the then-Queensland Cup centre his rugby league “lifeline”.

“I was at that age where I was starting to question whether it was getting too late to crack the NRL after a long few years travelling around and moving from team to team,” Tass told pan66.com.

“Then the Rabbitohs gave me a new hope of playing NRL, a lifeline I suppose."

It’s been a full circle journey to South Sydney for the Mackay product, leaving his family in 2016 to pursue an opportunity with the Rabbitohs SG Ball side.  

After no opportunities arose through Souths pathways system, Tass then tried to attract the attention of scouts in the third-tier Ron Massey Cup with Cabramatta, and the Bulldogs' U-20s, before joining the Broncos. 

But when the 23-year-old fell out of their top 30 and was resigned to another season in Queensland Cup, he was beginning to lose hope of an NRL debut.

“My managers didn’t tell me that there were talks with the Rabbitohs so when they called up saying they were interested, it sort of came out of nowhere,” Tass said.

“But I’m glad it did because I was 22 and sort of planning on settling for Cup footy at that stage.

“It’s never too late - like Cody Walker debuted at 26 for example, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t losing hope of ever playing in the NRL.”

Less than 12 months down the track and not only has Tass made his NRL debut for Souths, the explosive left-edge centre has made the departed Dane Gagai’s spot his own.

With fullback Latrell Mitchell and in-form five-eighth Cody Walker often weaving their magic down the left corridor, Tass has proved to be a crucial link to laying the platform for Alex Johnston’s incredible 30 tries this season.

“You’ve got to be ready to go as soon as you get into position on that left side because you know the attack is coming there and you’re on to set up AJ (Johnston),” Tass said.

“The way he can finish off tries and his positioning, it’s unnoticed really. People just think he’s catching it and putting it down, but he does a lot of work to get himself in the right position and finish those tries.

“Having Cody inside and Alex outside, it’s been an unreal experience. They’re teaching me the ropes of the game and guiding me to find my own game as well.

“I watched them a fair bit coming through, especially Cody and Latrell. I suppose playing to their standard is what I had to challenge myself to do from the start.”

The rookie outside back admits his long-awaited NRL breakout season “still hasn’t sunk in” but knows Saturday night’s Preliminary Final showdown will bring with it arguably his biggest on-field challenge to date as the Cardinal and Myrtle’s No. 3.

“Penrith are a strong, physical side and we’re going to need to match their standard from the start,” Tass said.

“I feel like their back five get them started so if we can shut them down we should be able to handle the rest of the team.

“The reason you play rugby league is to get to that end-stage and hold up the trophy at the end so to be there at the end would just cap off the year.

“More than anything, it was a goal to make my debut this year so to be here playing my first finals series, I don’t even think it’s sunk in yet.”