AT St John Oval, they are calling Zac Hosking the lucky charm.
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Three first-grade matches for the 18-year-old second-rower have resulted in as many victories for Central Newcastle, all over top-three opponents.
A Newcastle Rugby League semi-final berth is now possible for a Butcher Boys side who began the season with four straight losses and won just two of their first nine games.
"Four weeks ago there weren't many getting to training, and now the confidence is back and the spirit is a lot higher than before, when the spark wasn't there," Hosking said.
Hosking began the season in the under 19s and his aspirations centred on the lower grades.
Hosking's stocks suddenly rose after his selection for the NSW Country under 18s.
"It was a massive confidence boost," he said.
"At that stage I didn't have a set position and I played lock there and it cemented for me which position I wanted to play and my role in the side.
"It was heaps professional, and you get used to that."
Central captain-coach Rowan Kelly has been so impressed by the Dudley junior's performances off the bench he handed him a starting opportunity in Sunday's 38-14 win over Lakes United over established second-rower Brett Jarrett.
Hosking scored two tries, the second in the centres.
"He certainly deserved his selection," Kelly said.
"It came when we had injuries, but he's held his spot.
"He's done quite well in his games in the top grade and he's been rewarded with a starting position, too."
The rangy frame and the blond, flowing locks are a far cry from the figure his father, David, cut during his 78 first-grade games at South Sydney and Manly.
Known as "Mule", Hosking senior was an old-school, ball-playing prop.
He served as Ian Bourke's assistant coach when Lakes won the 2006 and 2007 premierships and he has become a mentor to Kelly at Central.
Zac Hosking said his father had always been a strong influence.
"He's always giving me tips and tricks, and he never misses a game," Hosking said.
"He watches me closely and my brother Jacob and we feed off his excitement in showing us different things at home.
"He doesn't mind watching the highlights and showing us things we could have done here and there. I can't really hear the crowd when I'm playing. The only voices I hear are his and the coach's."
