By Roy Ward
One moment Jack Howarth was scoring a thundering try for the Melbourne Storm; the next he had his pants pulled down on national television.
For most 21-year-olds, such a change in fortunes would cause head spins. But the Rockhampton-raised centre was so focused on proving himself as an NRL player that he just pulled up his shorts and kept on playing.
The Storm have held the former schoolboy rugby prodigy in high regard for many years, signing him to a five-year deal in 2022 only for injuries to curtail his progression.
But one game last year lit the fuse for Howarth and when he got his chance to establish a starting centre role, he grabbed it with both hands, playing 19 games this season.
His powerful running was on show in the preliminary final win over the Roosters, both with his driving work when tackled and the speed he showed to support flying full-back Ryan Papenhuyzen and score a momentum-swinging try.
“I don’t usually picture myself scoring much as I’m not the fastest centre out there so when I do, it’s an unreal feeling,” Howarth said post game.
Jack Howarth scores a try as Ryan Papenhuyzen celebrates.Credit: Getty Images
“If you look at it, I was at least 10 metres behind him. I was surprised [he passed it] but I got there in the end.
“It’s big moments like that, if you can capitalise on them, that can change the momentum of a game or a final.”
Yet later in the game, Howarth looked to have out-muscled an opponent only to find a desperate Joey Manu grabbing his shorts and pulling them down, exposing his backside to 29,000 fans in the stadium – and millions watching from home.
“It looks like they haven’t had too much sun down here in Melbourne,” Former Storm skipper Cameron Smith quipped in commentary for Nine.
Howarth’s powerful play has forced opponents to do this a few times. Some players need to pull their socks up – Howarth admits he must tie his shorts tighter.
“This isn’t the first time it has happened,” Howarth said with a shake of his head.
“I’m going to have to tie my budgies and my shorts up a bit tighter. I think I’m scarring a few people in the crowd.”
Howarth moved from Rockhampton to boarding school at noted rugby union school Brisbane Boys’ College, where he played with Wallabies star turned Gold Coast Titan Carter Gordon and was good friends with Gordon’s brother Mason.
Howarth had dreams of quickly establishing himself when he signed with the Storm but repeated hamstring and shoulder injuries took their toll.
Jack Howarth runs with multiple Roosters hanging off him.Credit: Getty Images
Howarth worked hard enough to get a debut game last year.
“It gave me that hunger,” Howarth said.
“I realised where I needed to be and where I needed to get to and that little taste of it really made me knuckle down and put my best foot forward during preseason.”
While playing in a grand final still feels surreal to Howarth, he will only have one motivation when he takes the field against Penrith.
“I’ve learned so much and when you get the trust of the boys, you just don’t want to let them down,” Howarth said.
“I reckon it has taken my footy to another level. I look up to them and I want to earn their trust and when I have that motive behind me, that helps my performance.”
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