The 19-year-old Forbes Magpies product described stepping up into full-time training with the Penrith Panthers as a surreal experience.

The promotion means he's now out on the field every morning alongside the players he's idolised in recent years.

"I'm out there every day with the NRL boys," Staines said.

"We go out on the field in the morning, have lunch, and then we're in the gym."

And it means that from June 30, the young fullback will become eligible to play in the NRL.

At this stage, the young fullback is looking to incumbent Dylan Edwards, who has sustained an ankle injury, for tips and inspiration.

"He's a good player, he puts the hard work in," Staines said.

It's all happened pretty quickly for Staines, who moved to Penrith in 2018.

He debuted in the Jersey Flegg competition in 2019, and was promoted to the Canterbury Cup later in the season.

He won player of the match honours in one game in the more senior grade and was named Jersey Flegg player of the year.

Staines has been working and still thought he was about a year away from looking to full-time training.

He's now in that first six outside the top 30 NRL players.

"I got a call from my manager saying they're putting you on an NRL development contract," Staines said.

"It was very exciting. It's all happened pretty quickly, it's still surreal."