Ryan Matterson is on the cusp of playing his 100th NRL game.
He’s in the form of his career has been a fan favourite since returning to the Blue and Gold form this season.
So it’s hard to believe he had plenty of doubters coming through the ranks.
"I've been told all my life I'd never be good enough to play first grade,” Matterson said.
His maths teacher was one of his biggest detractors.
"I don't know whether he was trying to make me listen in class or what but he was adamant that he knew what quality rugby league players looked like and he said I wasn't one of them," Matterson said.
Just getting one NRL game meant everything to the second-rower, so much so he played the next 99 games like they were his last.
"Once I did that and proved the haters wrong I knew an obstacle wouldn't be able to hold me back.
"So to play just the one I was over the moon and ever since then I've been playing every every game like it was my last,” he said.
But it’s not the haters Matterson is playing to impress or prove wrong.
He’s doing it all for his family.
"I always said I wanted to play first grade, my old man played first grade and my uncle played first grade, everyone in my family did that and so that's all I wanted to do.
“To get one hundred is massive.
"I've always wanted to owe it to my family so now that I get to do it this week is a massive honour,” Matterson said.
The Eels are in a race to the lock in a top four finish before the NRL finals.
They face the Broncos this week at Bankwest Stadium before taking on the Tigers in the final Round of the normal season.
