‘She used to be my greatest supporter’: How Lawson’s tragic loss helped encourage the Olympian’s NRL debut

Nathan Lawson reckoned he had 80 members of the family and pals filled into the grandstand at Jubilee Oval because the two-time Olympian made his NRL debut.

But there used to be one individual lacking on Friday because the rugby sevens convert were given his first style of first grade motion at the left wing in St George Illawarra’s 20-6 win over Newcastle.

Late closing 12 months, simply prior to he used to be about to embark on certainly one of his ultimate sevens excursion occasions – and weeks out from switching codes and touchdown on the Dragons – Lawson won the inside track that his mom, Karen, had died.

“In December, we lost mum, that was hard, it was a week before I was meant to come down to Dragons,” Lawson mentioned.

“So it meant a lot to me that all the boys and everyone at the club, who I didn’t even know, went out of their way to support me.

“For that to happen and for them to be so welcoming to me meant a lot.

“She was my biggest supporter and would do anything to come watch me play.

“She would travel across the world to watch me play so to be able to get a good win and make my debut, I’m sure she’s up there very happy.”

To give a sign of Lawson’s status within the shortened layout of rugby union, he used to be named Australia’s sevens participant of 2024 and used to be picked within the World Rugby group of the 12 months.

While he has performed for Australia at Olympics in Tokyo and Paris – and in every single place in between at the whistle-stop sevens circuit – he used to be a bag of nerves as he drove to Kogarah.

“It was a long day for me thinking about every possibility of what could happen,” Lawson mentioned.

“I was very happy to get out there and get my first carry under the belt.

“The biggest thing for me is that I had all my friends and family there, I’ve played so many games across the world, and you don’t get your family there.”

Lawson didn’t even play league as a junior and has spent the primary part of 2025 in NSW Cup.

But he acquitted himself admirably when he stepped up into the NRL, making one crowd pleasing linebreak that had the Dragons enthusiasts out in their seats.

He is prone to drop out of the Dragons’ aspect for subsequent week’s conflict with the Dolphins as winger Christian Tuipulotu nears a go back to health from a hamstring damage.

“I understand how competitive this sport is and we’ve got some unbelievable players at this club,” Lawson added.

“If that means I play (NSW) Cup for the rest of the year, I’m more than happy to do it.”

Meanwhile, the Dragons showed on Monday that back-rower Jaydn Su’A will omit this weekend’s conflict with the Dolphins with a low-grade ankle sprain.

© AAP