The Albury High student, 15, was first spotted by a talent scout two years ago but was too young to be approached.

But after a series of trials at Penrith, Cronulla and the Rabbitohs in recent weeks Meehan will now don the red and green for the reigning NRL premiers in the Harold Matthews Cup early next year.

It will mean an extended stay in Sydney next month and training sessions throughout the 10-week competition that starts in February.

The cup is seen as an academy-like introduction into the formal representative channels for NRL clubs.

Father Roger Meehan said all his son wanted to do was play NRL.

“He started with soccer but by the time he was seven he wanted to switch over to league, which didn’t make his mum too happy,” he said.

“Then up until two years ago he was mixing rugby in the winter and swimming in the summer — his goals were to get to the national titles and play NRL.

“Bronson ended up going to a nationals for swimming and then called it quits, saying he just wanted to focus on his football.”

Mr Meehan said the past eight weeks had been a series of flights to and from Sydney for trials and training.

“They had their last trial on Friday night and started training on Monday,” he said.

“They have given us some latitude because of the travel but Bronson needs to be in Sydney from early January for a two-week training block and then we will see where we head from there.

“He’s only 68 kilograms and the average in the competition is 76 so they want him to do some work in the gym.

“Bronson trialled at fullback mostly and played on the wing as well so we’re not sure where he will play.”

The cup season ends in April, allowing Meehan to return to Greenfield Park and play in the under-16 Group 9 competition for the Thunder.