Before he made his debut last week, he worked part-time in a warehouse, and now, he is seen as the future of the Titans hooker department for the next few years.
In a big deal for such a young player, Matt Srama has been given a $400k incentive based pay-packet, that is a bumper three-year deal.
With some thinking that that is perhaps too much for such a young kid, he showed that in the long-term, the investment may be worth it, given his stellar debut against the Bulldogs.
Playing the full 80 minutes, Srama had one of the best debuts of any modern player, making 36 tackles, 120 metres, and setting up a try for Titans halfback Scott Prince.
Despite the large pay-packet, Srama is not cocky, overconfident, or arrogant, but rather he is keen and determined to play out a successful and long career in the NRL.
“Ever since I was 17 and left school, my No.1 goal was to play NRL,” said Srama.
“Carty (Titans coach John Cartwright) has showed a lot of faith in me.
“I’m just hoping from this performance he can select me for the next few rounds.
“I’m not one to get nervous, I was more excited. I’m from Brisbane so it was a dream to debut at Suncorp Stadium. Walking on to the field my heart was pumping but I love that feeling.
“I’ll be ecstatic if I get selected again. I know I can do the job if I get picked for the rest of the year.”
Titans coach John Cartwright has no qualms in playing Srama again against the Panthers, and that is exactly what he plans to do.
“I’ve been very confident in him all along,” he said.
“Everyone who has watched him knows he is made for first-grade footy.
“He was a shining light for sure (against the Bulldogs).”
For Srama, it is Nathan Friend and Jonathon Thurston that he looks up to.
“Nathan’s just fearless and his workrate incredible. He’s someone I’d love to model my game on,” he said.
“I like Johnathan Thurston’s enthusiasm for the game and his passion for his jersey.”