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dingos at a billabong. Hannant takes a gulp of water and holds his legs. He doesn’t look so great. He must have cramps.
    From nowhere, the magic words crackle over the walkie-talkie. “Put Deadly D on.”
    I jump up and follow the trainer. I can hear Justicebehind me in the stands.
    â€œGo get ’em bro! You can do it, Deadly!” He’s screaming his head off, jumping up and down, and waving his Broncos flag like a lunatic. It narrowly misses the people sitting behind him. I turn around and give him a wink, pretending to act calm but I’m scared and excited at the same time. Have I tied my pants up? Do my undies show through my shorts? What if I drop the ball? There’s thousands of fans at home watching – including Mum. As Ben Hannant leaves the field, I watch with my mouth hanging open. How can I replace Ben Hannant?
    â€œReplacing Ben Hannant for the Brisbane Broncos is their newest player, Deadly D!” the announcer calls out. No one has heard of me before, but they clap politely. The only person cheering is Justice. He’s still jumping up and down in the stands.
    â€œThat’s my boy, Deadly! Yeah!” he shouts. He does a dance move and spins around like Michael Jackson.
    The trainer grabs my arm. “You’re in the front row today, Deadly. Go for it!” I run on to the field and take my position. On the last tackle the Panthers kick it downfield.Our fullback has the ball again and runs it back to where we are standing.
    â€œDeadly’s ball! Deadly’s ball!” yells Scott Prince. The dummy half passes it to me and I run as hard as I can. There are two players waiting for me. I crash into them and realise something is wrong. I’ve dropped the ball! Their halfback scoops it up and spreads it out wide to their fast men. Their winger scores a soft try in the corner. Shame.
    I feel like hiding. I’ve only been on the field for two minutes and I have given away a converted try. The score is 16 to 6. Panthers in front.
    â€œDon’t worry, Deadly,” says Prince. “Make up for it next time.”

Chapter 28
    Welcome to First Grade
    The game is racing away before my eyes. I might be big and strong, but am I puffed! I can’t believe how fast they’re playing. The Panthers knock on after the kick off. We have the ball.
    â€œMy run, my run!” I call for it, but the dummy half passes to Alex Glenn on the opposite side. He runs ten metres before he’s tackled. The Panthers players don’t get off him. One of them is sitting on his head. “Get off the player!” screams the referee.
    Sam Thaiday looks towards him. “Please ref, he’s sitting on his face!” Thaiday says. The ref blows a whistle andgives us the penalty.
    â€œPenalty to Brisbane, the Panthers player’s bottom was in contact with the ball carrier’s head!” he shouts. The crowd cheers. Alex Glenn looks disgusted. He’s had someone’s butt in his face. Prince kicks for touch and we are twenty metres out from the Broncos line. I signal to Prince.
    â€œMy ball,” I say.
    â€œYou sure?”
    â€œJust give it to me,” I reply, pumped and standing deep, ready to run on to the ball. Prince takes the tap. I take my run up and watch the ball closely. I won’t drop it this time. Prince pops the ball up. I catch it and hold it tight. I’m moving fast. The Panthers players are approaching. I get ready for impact – five, four, three, two, one, SMASH! I run into three defenders. They bounce off me like bowling pins. One of the wingers tries to catch me but I push him away like a rag doll. He ends up eating grass and dirt. The fullback races over and launches his entire body. He bounces off me like a roo hitting the bullbar of a semitrailer. There is no one left to stop me. I run under theposts and score.
    The crowd goes insane! My team mates rush in and jump on top of me in celebration.
    â€œYeah,