AIC First XV rugby: Players to Watch ahead of the powerhouse schoolboy competition on Saturday
AIC First XV rugby: Players to Watch ahead of the start of the powerhouse schoolboy rugby union competition on Saturday.
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The powerhouse AIC First XV schoolboy rugby union competition will start on Saturday featuring four local derbies.
Traditional rivals St Laurence’s College clash with Marist College Ashgrove (Runcorn), Padua confronts St Patrick’s in a northside derby (Elliott Rd), Villanova College hosts Iona College in an eastern suburbs shootout (Andrew Slack Oval) while the two Saints, St Edmund’s and St Peters, come together in Ipswich.
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It is a competition which has produced six Wallabies captains, including Andrew Slack (Villanova), Bill McLean (St Laurence’s College), John Eales and Des Connor (both Marist College Ashgrove), along with Wallabies like Anthony and Daniel Herbert, Brendan Moon (all Ashgrove), Drew Mitchell (St Pat’s), Mark Connors, Dan Crowley (St Laurence’s) and Jeff McLean, to name but a few.
So who are the Players to Watch in season 2021?
NOTE: Andrew Dawson will be reporting on the competition each Saturday evening at www.couriermail.com.au
PADUA COLLEGE
Will McCulloch, fullback: McCulloch is a classy runner with a strong left footed boot who will be a second season Firsts player.
Max Johnson, lock: A Queensland Academy forward, the strong running, lineout leaping Johnson will be eager to make up for lost time after missing last season through injury.
Leighton Whippy, prop: A third year First XV player, Whippy is a turnover specialist who has excellent scrummaging skills.
Dan Healy, hooker: The Healy name is famous in the Kedron and Stafford district and the 2020 Best & Fairest recipient will look for another big season after playing in the Firsts in 2020.
Mitchell Rogers, halfback: The cousin of 2020 1st XV captain Tait Rogers, Mitchell is a good defender whose toughness, competitive nature and good communication and organisational skills has seen NRL club Canterbury swoop for his signature.
Thomas Studley, open side flanker: Studley is a second season First XV flanker who is a fast, high energy and mobile loose forward.
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VILLANOVA COLLEGE
Gus Godwin, centre. The multi-talented Godwin will be in his third season of First XV rugby. Godwin played inside centre in 2020, but was likely to revert to his preferred outside centre position in 2021. He is a noted strong ball carrier and reliable defender and has represented Queensland in 7s rugby in 2021.
Tom Twaddell, lock: The hulking lock will be arguably the tallest player in the competition, standing 2m in height. Not only a reliable ball winner in lineout, he is also a hard worker around the field.
Cameron Bukowski, fly-half: A first XI cricketer, Bukowski will enter the AIC rugby season battle hardened after playing for the Easts Tigers in the under 16 Cyril Connell Cup competition.
ST EDMUND’S COLLEGE
Jed Lacey, centre: Lacey is a second year First XV player who recently represented Queensland in rugby 7’s. He is tough with ball in hand and will always put his hand up to run a courageous line.
Zane Kaatz, fly-half: Kaatz will make his First XV debut after representing Met West. He has great handling skills and a bullet pass.
Logan Costello, lock: Costello is an uncompromising forwards leader, hard on the ball and tough in defence. It will be his first season in the Firsts.
Larry Siala, No.8: Another in his debut season, the hard running backrower will provide defensive starch.
Sam Callaghan, fullback: A First XI cricketer, the reliable fullback will be playing his second season of First XV rugby. He has a natural sense of where to position himself on the field and is renowned for not taking a backward step.
IONA COLLEGE
Key players in the Iona College team will be front rower Saxon Warwick, lock Beau Brown and gifted fly-half Nick Carrie, all of whom are second year First XV players. “The team will have a blend of second year First XV players and promising young players in their initial year of top level school footy,’’ said Iona College director of Sport Keith Harron.
MARIST COLLEGE ASHGROVE
Jack Condon, flanker: The inspiring nature of Condon’s play in leading his team to the break down has seen this second season First XV player named captain of Ashgrove, a huge honour considering those who have gone before him.
Dwayne Ludwick, fullback: The AIC’s best back in Floyd Aubrey has now left school, but in his place at No.15 will be his mate Dwayne Ludwick, a Queensland under 18 seven-a-side representative who is no less talented. It will be his third season of First XV.
Ky Rasleigh, centre: Rasleigh is from the Granite Belt town of Stanthorpe, a country region with rich links to Marist College Ashgrove. In his second season of the First XV, don’t expect too many to pass by his defence at inside centre.
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Haydon Lammon, utility back: The skilful fly-half/centre has been noted by the Brisbane Broncos who have swooped to sign him to a scholarship.
ST LAURENCE’S COLLEGE
Harry Holt, No.8. Holt will be following the tradition of 2020 captain and No.8 John Bryant, who was the AIC’s best forward last season. Like Bryant, Holt will captain Laurie’s from the back of the scrum. He is noted for his high skills and reliability.
Thomas Parker-Ryan, No.9: A smart rugby half who will be marshalling his forwards around the park. St Laurence’s has tremendous tradition at No.9, with decorated players such as Laurie Lawrence, Brad Free, Dennis Owens and John Hoyland all old boys, along with Cooper Cronk.
Joe Nadenic, flanker: Nadenic is one of the exciting young talents on the block, a year 11 open side flanker who carries the ball strongly.
ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE
The College famous for its production of football talent across all codes, the Josh Neilsen-coached St Patrick’s First XV will be spearheaded by props Jack Booker and Malakai Davis-Raeli, half Jackson Dows and centre/fullback Tim Ryan.
ST PETERS LUTHERAN COLLEGE
Kadin Pritchard. centre/fullback: Pritchard is an exciting young athlete with lots of power and pace. He is also a well-rounded player with the triple threat of being a great ball player, possessing a strong kicking game and being an elusive runner with ball in hand. “What sets him apart is his mentality and approach to the game, self-driven to continually improve himself and his teammates around him,’’ said St Peters coach Russell Todd. “Naturally this led to him assuming the captain’s armband for 2021, despite being a grade 11 student.’’
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Wayne Meredith; Centre/Wing: Meredith is a strong, powerful ball running centre who will keep the defence honest when he has the ball in hand. “Differently to other players of his stature, he also possesses great footwork and raw acceleration that will see him be a constant threat in attack,’’ said St Peters coach Russell Todd. “He has been working hard on developing other areas of his game throughout the pre-season, that will help him to get the best out of his teammates around him.’’
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