"Just don't mind the tooth".
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Those are Seb Kris' first words as he begins to describe the thrill of realising a dream in a five-minute stretch which has left this Canberra Raiders rookie desperate for more.
He waited on the bench for 75 minutes before Raiders coach Ricky Stuart gave him the nod for what Kris laughs was a nice introduction to first grade - he came off missing half of one of his front teeth.
"I just pulled my mouthguard out and there it was, just sitting there, so I put it back in to make sure I didn't lose it," Kris said. "I did it previously, but it's just comes out again. To be honest I don't know when it was, it was that fast and that tough, I didn't really recognise it until the end of the game."
This was certainly some welcome to the NRL for the 20-year-old centre, who was thrown into the action in the unfamiliar position of lock when the game was on the line against South Sydney.
He belted out three runs and went close to scoring in a short stint already working wonders for Kris' mental state.
"It gives me a lot of confidence actually. I believe in myself a lot more now I know I can come out here and actually do it," Kris said.
"It felt normal. I train with these boys nearly every day, so it was just normal to me. [I am] very keen [to hold my place]. I hope I did what I needed to do, I hope I get another chance and I will make the most of it again."
Kris is the newest face among a wave of Raiders rookies determined to make their mark on the NRL as they set their sights on a top four finish.
The Raiders have blooded eight club debutants this year - although two were already proven Super League players - and Kris wants to be the next to stake his claim as a genuine first-grader.
Those that have gone before him are a key reason why Canberra have managed to stay in the top four despite a crippling injury toll.
They are making believers out of Stuart and co-captain Jarrod Croker as Canberra look to end a two-year finals exile.
"Just from those small glimpses of what he showed, he's got plenty of first grade in front of him," Croker said.
"We've lost some experience there [with John Bateman, Jordan Rapana, Joey Leilua, Joe Tapine and Luke Bateman all injured]. We've lost a little bit of experience but those guys have come in and been great.
"Bailey [Simonsson] has been great, Hudson Young, Corey Horsburgh, Seb got an opportunity. Those guys haven't really missed a beat."