BENJI Marshall believes Josh Dugan’s return to fullback in 2015 has opened the door for a new sensation to emerge at the Dragons.

Euan Aitken hails from the tiny south coast town of Pambula and last year the gun centre was still playing SG Ball for the Steelers.

But after a stunning year in NYC that culminated in him taking out the club’s under 20s player of the year and winning Junior Kangaroos selection, Aitken was this summer called into the Dragons’ top squad.

MERRIN CONSIDERING RICH OFFER FROM WARRIORS

media_camera Benji Marshall during Dragons training.

Marshall has worked with some brilliant talent over the years but that didn’t stop him labelling this kid “one the biggest up and coming stars that I have ever worked with” after being blown away by Aitken’s attitude, ability and fitness.

“I think Euan is going to be the next big thing,” Marshall said.

“He is the most professional young player I think I have ever seen and probably one of the biggest up and coming stars that I have ever worked with.”

And with coach Paul McGregor admitting Dugan will now move from centre to fullback following Brett Morris’ shift to the Bulldogs, Marshall isconvinced Aitken is ready to claim Dugan’s spot on the right edge.

media_camera Josh Dugan during Dragons training.

“He is just professional,” Marshall added.

“If he is not playing round one I will be very surprised.

“He is the fittest in the team. He has won all the fitness drills. He trains like he has been training for 10 years, it is ridiculous. The kid is 19.

“It is just everything about him. You can just see, his strength, he’s ripped, he’s fit. He ticks all the boxes. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone his age like that.”

While quietly spoken, Aitken doesn’t lack belief in his ability — and he said he would use the rise of other talented teenagers like Newcastle’s Sione Mata’utia and Jake Mamo as motivation to break into the NRL.

media_camera Euan Aitken of the Dragons is tackled.

“I played with those guys and I think I am on par with those blokes, maybe a bit below,” Aitken said.

“But I believe I can push forward like they did and give first grade a good shake.

“When Mary spoke to me about training with the top squad, he just sat me down and said; ‘you are as good as the other blokes and so as long as you train well and play well I will have no choice but to put you in the starting side’.

“He said he wasn’t worried about reputation or anything. There is definitely a possibility of slotting right in there but there is some decent competition there which is good.

“It has been a good experience to get to train with the top squad and I am just doing everything I can to try and get a starting spot.”