Darling Downs boom boys Josh Billing (Canberra Raiders) and Jake Simpkin (Wests Tigers) impress in NRL system

It is one of rugby league’s richest resource areas, and now the Darling Downs has another two boom boys working their way through the NRL system.

It is one of rugby league’s richest resource areas, and now the Darling Downs has another two boom boys working their way through the NRL system.

St Mary’s College old boy Jake Simpkin (Wests Tigers) and Goondiwindi product Josh Billing (Canberra Raiders SG Ball) were high achievers last weekend.

Simpkin, a Souths Toowoomba player, made his NRL debut at dummy half in the Tigers thriller against South Sydney.

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Billing is the cousin of respected Brisbane Broncos young gun Patrick Carrigan.

A a tall, raw-boned centre, Billing scored three tries in the Canberra Raiders SG Ball victory last weekend.

Marist College Ashgrove old boy Josh Billing. 5 September, 2020. Picture: Renae Droop

In 2020 he played in the Marist Ashgrove College First XV as a rugby outside centre. He wore the famous No.13 jersey, which multiple elite players like Anthony Herbert, Darren McCarthy, Paul Mills, Bob Honan and co had worn before him.

Billing was both a courageous crash ball runner, while also having a natural sense with the ball.

St Mary’s old boy Jake Simpkin. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

“Josh has a unique sense of getting himself in a position where an opportunity will open up on the football field,’ whether that be rugby or league,’’ said Marist College Ashgrove director of sport Luke Caplick.

“We took him away to the Confraternity Carnival as a year 10 student, thinking it would be a good opportunity to develop him.

Josh Billing with his father at Marist last year.

“However, as it turned out he was close to our best player.’’

Caplick said after a knee injury, the manner in which he worked his way back also displayed “mental fortitude’’.

“That gave me confidence he can go to Canberra and make the most of his opportunity,’’ Caplick said.

“He has a great skill set to rugby league. He is tough and athletic with an appreciation of the hard work needed to make it to the top.’’

Simpkin was a revelation in the Tigers stunning effort to almost topple South Sydney last weekend in the NRL.

That he made his NRL debut comes as no surprise to St Mary’s College Langer Cup coach Matt Jahnke.

Jake Simpkin trains with the Darling Downs Under 18's rugby league team. Wednesday, 23rd May, 2018.

Asked what his great attributes were, Jahnke said: “His attention to detail, willingness to work and absorb as much footie knowledge as possible.’’

Jahnke said “he is also a great young kid, a humble and kind kid.’’

St Mary's College Rugby League players Jake Simpkin and Tristan Powell in 2016. Powell remains a promising young prop.

Simpkin was arguably the outstanding player of the 2018 Confraternity Carnival, which is probably what pricked the Tigers interest in him.

“He is a quiet kid who just goes about his business.’’

Josh Billing with his father. and other Ashgrove old boys alongside their sons who played in the 2020 Firsts

Jahnke said it was great for the St Mary’s community to see Cory Paix (Broncos) and Simpkin progress into the NRL. “It is for the community to see them getting some success with hard work,’’ he said.

St Mary’s is the old school of Johnathan Thurston.