WATCH THE REPLAYS: Langer Reserves semi final

Marsden defeated Keebra Park while Wavell were too good for Ipswich in the Langer Reserves semi-finals. WATCH THE REPLAYS!

Having played a leading role helping Ipswich State High finish on top of the Langer Reserves competition, Khan Towler will continue doing what he does best chasing a grand final dream.

The team captain will go about his halfback work with the same single-minded focus when Ipswich State High tackles Wavell in Wednesday’s NRL Schoolboys series semi-final at Wynnum.

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That game will be played at 2pm after Marsden take on Keebra Park in the first semi-final at 12.45pm today.

WATCH BOTH GAMES IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE FROM 12.45PM

“It’s good being able to know what’s happening, when it’s happening and being able to do stuff with it,’’ the year 12 student said of his vital role.

Towler, 17, has been in the Ipswich State Rugby League Academy since year 7.

“It’s really good. All the coaches, you can ask,’’ he said.

“Every single one of them helps and they all give you a different input so you can work on all different things in your game.’’

In his first year as captain, Towler also appreciated his teammates listening and be respectful.

“I don’t really mind (the extra responsibility). It’s just another thing,’’ he said.

“You’ve got to keep playing your game.’’

Wednesday’s semi-final is being live streamed on this web site as part of News Corp’s ongoing coverage of NRL Schoolboys rugby league.

REPLAY: Marsden SHS def Keebra Park SHS 28-16

Ipswich born and bred Towler started playing footy at Swifts in under 6’s before moving to West End a few years later.

He switched to Redbank in under-13s and has worked his way into the club’s under-17 side.

“My dad got me into it and I’ve just loved it ever since,’’ he said.

The Cowboys fan wants to see where footy takes him in the future.

He made a Diggers under-14 representative team and the 15s side before it got cancelled due to Covid.

Head coach Jonathan Dore said Towler had thrived on coming through the Ipswich State High program since year 7.

“He’s a hard worker and he’s built his way into our side and done a good job of leading us through the season,’’ Dore said.

Ipswich State High wrapped up top spot in this year’s competition after beating Mabel 38-4 at Slacks Creek last week.

“It was good to be able to go and work on a few things. We had a few weeks off from footy,’’ Dore said.

“That’s the second time in the last three years we’ve finished the regular season in first.

“We’ve just got to go and finish it off now.’’

Ipswich State High Langer Reserves coach Jonathan Dore backs his team’s confidence. Picture: David Lems

Ironically though, Wednesday’s opponent Wavell are the only team to have beaten Ipswich State High this year - 14-12 in a round five thriller.

“We definitely have some things to work on from there,’’ Dore said.

“They are a good football side. They have been a big school for a long time so if we go out and play our good tough, exciting brand of football, we’ll be right.’’

Wednesday’s Langer Reserves semi-final will be played at the same time, on an adjacent field, as Ipswich State High’s Walters Cup (year 10) semi-final.

Ipswich’s fourth placed Walters Cup competition tackle minor premiers Keebra Park in the 2pm encounter, also chasing a spot in the grand final.

While he would have preferred the semi-finals to be played back-to-back, Dore said his team would respond accordingly to the challenge.

“My team is a bit of a no-fuss side anyway so we’ll be just go out there and get the job done hopefully and move on to the grand final,’’ Dore said.

“Not too often in a football career do you get to be part of a final series and play in a grand final. So for us, the goal is get this week done and move into next week if we can. Just enjoy the whole experience of being able to play elite schoolboy football.’’

As a team leader, Towler is eager to see what his team can achieve having only been beaten once this season.

“It’s really good because we’ve worked hard all season for this, especially with the lockdown breaks and stuff and the fitness and everything,’’ he said.

He rated Ipswich State High’s 14-10 win over Marsden in the second round as one of the most enjoyable.

“It was a nice close game and we had to work for it and everyone did their job,’’ Towler said.

Away from footy, Towler likes camping, motorbike riding and spending time on the beach.

Wednesday’s live stream semi-final schedule

Matches at Kitchener Park, Wynnum.

Langer Reserves

12.45pm: Marsden v Keebra Park

2pm: Ipswich State High v Wavell

WATCH NRL Schoolboys grand finals here

WATCH Walters Cup finals games here