“All he has to do is put on a few kilos and get some game time against men. He was meant to play for me last year in the SG Ball, but he kept doing his hamstring.”

Former Queensland Origin representative Clinton Schifcofske manages Gray, and recalled telling him how Alfie Langer changed the game at just 165cm.

“I remember sitting down with Jye and his dad Shayne at a cafe in Southport, and I told him a lot of the feedback from clubs was he was too small, but it was now up to him to prove them wrong,” Schifcofske said.

“I said to him, ‘Do you remember Alfie Langer?’ And Jye said, ‘I’ve heard dad talk about him.’ I said Alfie was one of the best halfbacks and someone who changed the game, and he was only 165cm.

“I told Jye he was already taller than one of the greatest halfbacks to play the game, not to mention at least six times quicker than Alfie ever was.

“He’s small but has footy IQ and is fearless – he just charges the ball back into players – and knows when to get down low so he isn’t rag-dolled by players.”

Schifcofske nominated Gray, Kalyn Ponga, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Sam Walker – his management company is involved with Papenhuyzen and Walker – as the best four kids he had watched at schoolboy level.

When Gray missed out on the Australian Schoolboys team in 2022, Schifcofske posted on Instagram: “Thirty years watching schoolboy footy and I’ve never seen a lad get stiffed as bad in not making the Australian Schoolboys side.”

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Gray was born in Liverpool in Sydney’s south west, moved to the Gold Coast, was a Broncos junior, spent three years at The Southport School, and attracted interest from the Queensland Reds but only cared about league. Souths signed him until the end of next year.

He spent time at fullback against the Dragons, but his preferred position is five-eighth, while his blistering speed will make him a genuine bench utility option. The Rabbitohs’ No.14 jersey is expected to go to Peter Mamouzelos for the season opener against Manly.

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