Queensland under-19 Origin stars Zac Garton, Jai Bowden reveal key 2025 aims

Future NRL stars Zac Garton and Jai Bowden have uncovered their aims for the 2025 season after playing huge roles in Queensland’s under-19 State of Origin victory.

Sunshine Coast duo Zac Garton and Jai Bowden in action for the Queensland under-19s. Pictures: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

It was a game for the history books on Thursday night with Queensland claiming a one point victory over New South Wales in the under-19s State of Origin match at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Among the heroes were two homegrown talents in Zac Garton at second row and Jai Bowden at hooker.

Garton, a Dolphins signed talent that attended Caloundra SHS, played his junior footy for the Gympie Devils and Kawana Dolphins.

Less than 20 minutes down the road was his Kawana clubmate Bowden who graduated from Mountain Creek SHS before relocating to Melbourne this year playing for Storm’s SG Ball and Jersey Flegg teams.

SECOND TIME’S A CHARM

Thursday’s thriller was Garton’s second taste of under-19s SOO arena after he was selected in Ben Teo’s Queensland side in 2024.

“I know it’s tricky because it was 90 per cent of a new side but we looked at the stats from last year and where we needed to improve so we went in with full confidence,” he said.

Zac Garton of the Maroons takes on the defence. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

“We knew heading in that if we were going to win it would be off a lot of hard work through the middle and I think we did that in the first half, went away from it in the second until the final few minutes.

Garton started on the edge for Queensland, scoring their second try of the night before shifting to lock to end the first half.

The damaging ball runner wasn’t even expected to play in the match when the squad of 30 was trimmed down last month.

Garton suffered a torn hamstring just 10 weeks prior and said he was first told he would miss the match with a 12 to 14 week recovery plan.

“The physios at Dolphins earmarked the game as a possibility so we got to work and I was so stoked to be able to play,” he said.

Queensland schoolboys star Zac Garton. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“To run out in front of family and friends at home is such a special feeling.

“I was proud of what I was able to do out there, I was a little bit worried about the lungs but they held up all right so I was happy with how I went.”

Garton also matched up against his cousin Cooper Clarke who represented the NSW Blues side.

Clarke attended Caloundra SHS for his final year of schooling in 2024 but is now back down south as he’s signed to Melbourne.

Garton, a rising edge forward and 2024 Australian schoolboys representative, said he hoped to continue his good form with the possibility of earning a Queensland Cup debut with the Redcliffe Dolphins later in the year.

“I just want to keep playing for the Dolphins under-20s, keep working hard and hopefully play a few Queensland Cup games at the end of the year before another huge pre-season,” he said.

BOW DOWN

Queensland’s crafty number nine was immense on Thursday night as he left the field with cuts and blood all over his body.

Bowden has always been a standout junior for the Sunshine Coast Falcons but his rapid progression in the past 18 months has been special to witness.

“This game is what I was thinking about all year,” he said after the win.

Jai Bowden of the Maroons in action. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

“I really wanted this jersey, especially to come here and play in my home town and at the Stadium is exactly what I was after and I couldn’t think of anything better.”

After finishing up with the Falcons in 2024 and sharing the field with Garton for the Queensland schoolboys side, Bowden made the move to Melbourne where he has caught plenty of eyeballs for his efforts in the SG Ball (under-19) and Jersey Flegg (under-21) competitions.

Jai Bowden representing Mountain Creek state school in 2024. Picture, John Gass

“It’s definitely been a big change in my life going down to Melbourne but it’s also been the best thing for me,” he said.

“I’m learning so much every day from their systems and from the coaching staff.

“It’s helped me improve my game and the boys around me so much already as I’m so focused on what I can do better each week.”

LOCAL GIRLS STAND THEIR GROUND

The region was proudly represented in the women’s match as well with Reegan Hicks, Takoda Thompson and Lila Parr all impressing in their side’s 26-10 defeat.

Hicks, the Queensland co-captain, scored the opening try for her side while Falcons duo Thompson and Parr made the most of their time on the field.