Port Macquarie Sharks junior Blake Steep chasing NRL dream with Sydney Roosters

Port Macquarie Sharks teenage back-rower Blake Steep knows that. He has had to travel 1800 kilometres every week for the last three years.

That equates to three return trips from Port Macquarie to Sydney a week.

He's had to juggle high school and a social life all while dreaming of one day playing for his favourite footy team.

"It was hard to cover so many kays especially after training during the pre-season; there were many long hours sitting in the car and it was hard for mum and dad as well," he said.

Sacrifices. That's what you have to do when your sights are set on progressing to the top level.

Fortunately, the hard work has been worth it with the teenager set to move to Sydney this week where he will continue on his path to the top.

Steep signed a two-year contract last year with the Sydney Roosters which will keep him at Bondi Junction until the end of 2021.

While he still can't afford to take a backward step in the next 12 months, the process will be easier.

There will be no lunchtime pick-ups from school followed by a late-night return trip only to do it again 24 hours later.

"I realise how tough the road is going to be, but you've got to start somewhere because there are a lot of boys fighting for that one spot," Steep said.

"To get an opportunity like this is pretty special."

The 15-year-old admits he has had to learn how to be independent - he had no choice.

"I've had to learn how to overcome things if they weren't going the way I wanted them to; I've had to keep working to be better," he said.

"It's not a walk in the park. It's a tough gig, but if a club is prepared to put some time into you and you return the serve it can be all worth it."

Steep has been a lifelong supporter of the tricolours so it was a dream come true when he put the jersey on for the first time during a trial match against Manly at the start of last year.

"Putting that Roosters jersey on was a highlight," he said.

What 13 or 14-year-old kid wouldn't want to have a crack at a club who is interested in you that you follow?

"It was good to get an offer from the club because it made me get in, work harder and realise I can make something of it, it's like you've gotten your foot in the door," he said.

The former Shark will play in the Roosters Harold Matthews (under-17) team for the 2021 season, but he will sacrifice 12 months worth of development on most of the squad.

He will be a year younger than most of his teammates.

"The hardest part has been playing the level of footy that it is down there; it's so much different to here especially being a year young in an older age group," he said.

"But I want to make it all the way."

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