While he might be going through one of the toughest times in his young life, Hunter McMurtrie got to live out his dream of meeting Manly Sea Eagles superstar Steve Matai.

The Kiwi international visited Hunter bedside in Westmead Children’s Hospital, along with James Hasson, Jayden Hodges after undergoing an operation, which it is hoped, will give him a new lease on life. 

Surrounded by Sea Eagles colours and memorabilia, Hunter was looked down upon by the three NRL stars who took a genuine interest in the 12-year-olds plight. 

“They were so down-to-earth. It wasn’t like they were famous or acted like it, they were just normal everyday guys,” Hunter’s mother Leah said. 

“They came in and chatted him but they want to see him again because he was pretty well medicated when they came in to see him the day after the operation.

“They (Manly) were ringing the night of the operation to check on him and they have been in contact since then just to see how he is handling things. 

“They signed his jersey and brought him in some presents and Steve signed the jersey in front of Hunter which was really special for him.

“Steve was the very last signature to go on the jersey but he wanted to until he was with Hunter to do it.”

NRL players are often all tarred with the same brush that has been soaking in a tin of bad choices, however, the Manly players showed their visit was not one done for pure publicity. 

Entering the ward with no fanfare and no camera crew following their every step, the players spent more than 30 minutes with their biggest fan. 

However, the coming months will be tough on Hunter, who turned 12 on Wednesday, as the bolts on his brace are turned in order to lengthen his leg to compensate for the lack of growth plates. 

“In the long run it will be better for him. He won’t have a limp or anything and with any luck he won’t have to do it again, we’ll just have to wait and see,” Leah said.  

The star treatment for Hunter is not over with the McMurtrie family set to be the guests of honour at an upcoming Manly home fixture. 

During the game Hunter will sit with the reserves on the bench and then be introduced personally to the entire side in the change-rooms after the game. 

In spite of the constant pain and hours of physiotherapy ahead of him, it will be hard to top Hunter’s early birthday present this year.