Warriors' Matulino a youth league success story

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LONG HAUL: Ben Matulino has signed with the Warriors until the end of 2015.

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Warriors prop Ben Matulino created an even more significant slice of history than initially thought when he appeared in his 100th NRL game in Saturday night's loss to Cronulla.

Matulino became the first graduate from the NRL's National Youth Cup league to achieve 100 games for his club since the NYC came into existence five years ago.

A foundation Junior Warrior in 2008, Matulino also made his first-grade debut as a 19-year-old the same season.

Having played every match in 2010 and 2011 - 53 in all - the Wellington-born and raised forward started the 2012 season with 86 appearances, two more than Parramatta halfback Chris Sandow, a South Sydney NYC player in 2008.

Saturday night marked his 67th consecutive appearance for the Warriors as he became the 20th player to reach the 100-game mark for the club since their debut in 1995.

Matulino's front row partner Russell Packer is in line to become the third NYC product to amass 100 NRL appearances.

Packer, like Matulino, also made his NRL debut in 2008 and currently sits on 91 NRL games, five behind Sandow.

- © Fairfax NZ News