Queensland debutant J'maine Hopgood has opened up on the sacrifices his family made to enable him to chase his rugby league dream.
The forward completed a remarkable journey on Wednesday night when he ran out for his first State of Origin match, just two years after he was a regular reserve grader for the Panthers.
Hopgood moved to the Eels last season and never expected the shift would lead to a Queensland debut.
"It's been surreal," Hopgood told pan66.com. "It's a pinch yourself moment. I was playing [reserve grade] at Penrith only two years ago, I've come a long way.
"I went to Parramatta trying to get an opportunity just to play NRL. I had an experience last year in the [Queensland] squad, it only made me hungrier to want to actually put the jersey on and run out there. It was everything I ever dreamed of."
Hopgood's family was rocked by tragedy when his father died of a heart attack in 2007, the footballer just seven years old at the time.
The death took a heavy toll on the family, with Hopgood's mother Anita guiding J'maine and his siblings through the challenging time.
Anita's support was present a decade later when she moved the family from Queensland to Sydney so a 17-year-old Hopgood could chase his rugby league dream at the Panthers.
Match: Blues v Maroons
Game 1 -
home Team
Blues
away Team
Maroons
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
While success didn't come easily or quickly, the 25-year-old knows it wouldn't have come at all if he didn't have his mum by his side during those early years.
"With the situation we had, we all depend on mum a lot," Hopgood said. "She's the rock of our family after what happened with dad.
"It's special she was here watching [my Origin debut]. She's been with me the whole way. She moved to Penrith when I was in SG Ball to make life easier for me, she made Penrith feel like home so I wasn't getting homesick.
"I can honestly say I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for her making my life so much easier."
Hopgood enjoyed an eventful 32 minutes in his Origin debut.
He was on the receiving end of a punishing hit from former Penrith teammate Liam Martin that is sure to feature in highlight videos for years to come but ultimately received the last laugh with the Maroons running out 38-10 winners.
Two huge hits from the NSW Blues!
The first taste of Origin was everything Hopgood had dreamed of as a child and has made him even more determined to feature in Game Two at the MCG.
Now, however, the focus turns to helping Parramatta find form after a challenging start to the season.
Hopgood is looking to back up for the Eels in their clash with the Bulldogs on Monday afternoon and he hopes to make an instant impact on and off the field.
"All I want to do is put on this jersey again but at the same time I've got to go back to Parra and we want to win some footy games there," he said. "That's where my mind is now.
"I'll only take positives out of an experience like this. It will only make me better at clubland and I'm looking forward to getting back with the boys."
