Zac Garton reflects on standout 2024 season after Queensland origin and Australian schoolboys honours
Sunshine Coast schoolboy rugby league talent Zac Garton has continued to impress national selectors as he eyes off the elite NRL level. Read what he had to say.
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Sunshine Coast rising rugby league talent Zac Garton has continued his stellar 2024 season as he reflects on his Queensland under-19 origin performance as well as being named in the Australian under-18 schoolboys side.
Garton, who is signed to the NRL Dolphins, played his junior footy for the Redcliffe Dolphins, Gympie Devils, Noosa Pirates and Kawana Dolphins.
The now 18-year-old plays for Redcliffe’s Mal Meninga Cup team and is the current captain of his Caloundra SHS Langer Trophy side.
In June he was a part of the Under-19s Origin match where his side tasted a 14-10 defeat to New South Wales.
“It was awesome, even though we lost it was one of my favourite games I’ve ever played,” he said.
“The adrenaline, the crowd, the week leading into it was all really special.
“The physicality and speed of the game was insane too, I’ve never played in an environment like that before but took plenty away from it.”
The talented second row forward followed up that performance by representing the Queensland under-18 schoolboys side earlier this month alongside Mountain Creek SHS student Jai Bowden.
Garton was named man of the match in game one, finished as his side’s leading try scorer, picked up Queensland’s MVP award and was named in the Australian Schoolboys side.
“Playing four games in a week is pretty tough but it was also really enjoyable,” he said.
“Getting MVP was really cool because there were so many talented players in our side that it could have gone to anyone.
“That calmed my nerves a little bit so then to top it off and make the Australian side was just awesome.”
Garton joins a host of current NRL stars that have been selected as former Schoolboy representatives with players since 2019 including Reece Walsh, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Sam Walker, Deine Mariner, Isaiya Katoa and Lachlan Galvin.
“I was shaking walking up there because I was so nervous but so happy,” he said.
“I’m very proud, mum and dad were too so it’s really special to reflect a little bit especially when you look at guys that have been picked in that team when they were my age.
“I was freaking out a bit when they were naming the team because since I played for Queensland at number 11 I thought if I was a chance for the Australian side that’s where I’d be named.
“It got to number 11 and they didn’t call my name so I started panicking and looking around but I then got named at number 12 which was a huge relief.”
The rising rugby league star, who will undergo an NRL pre-season camp with the Dolphins at the end of the season, credited his individual growth and positive support systems for his recent form.
“My Queensland coach Geoff Eggert said to me after the carnival it’s amazing what can happen in 12 months which I thought is just so true,” Garton said.
“I think I took so much away from the Queensland Cup pre-season I did with the Redcliffe Dolphins at the start of the year.
“Being placed in that uncomfortable environment was hard for me as a shy kid but it made me step up in terms of my leadership and maturity.
“I’ve since tried to implement all those key things I learnt, both on and off the field, into my game but also pass on to my teammates as well.”
2024 U18 Australian Schoolboys Team
1. Jack Attard (Penrith Panthers)
2. Luke Tuialii (Monaro Colts)
3. Nikora Williams (Cronulla Sharks)
4. Sam Stephenson (Gold Coast Titans)
5. Mason Barber (North Queensland Cowboys)
6. Mitchell Woods (Canterbury Bulldogs)
7. Toby Rodwell (Sydney Roosters)
8. Alex Challenor (Cronulla Sharks)
9. Lachlan Coinakis (Parramatta Eels)
10. Cody Hopwood (Newcastle Knights)
11. Jacob Halangahu (St George Illawarra Dragons)
12. Zac Garton (The Dolphins)
13. Thomas Dellow (Cronulla Sharks)
Interchange
14. Jared Haywood (Wests Tigers)
15. Simione Laiafi (Manly Sea Eagles)
16. Ryda Talagi (Parramatta Eels)
17. Tyson Sangalang (Parramatta Eels)
18. Lincoln Fletcher (Parramatta Eels)
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