Glamour club Manly, glitter strip’s Gold Coast Titans sign Forest Lake SHS rugby league schoolboys
Glamour NRL club Manly and the glitter strip’s Gold Coast Titans have signed Forest Lake SHS rugby league students as NRL clubs continue their sweep of Queensland schoolboy talent
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Glamour NRL club Manly and the glitter strip’s Gold Coast Titans have signed Forest Lake SHS rugby league students as NRL clubs continue a sweep of Queensland schoolboy talent.
Front rower Rene Bagon, ironically a Manly supporter, has been snared by the Sea Eagles while Brandon Tikinau is off to the Titans.
It is a milestone moment for Forest Lake SHS who has a fledgling rugby league program which is just five years old.
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The pair’s signing also continued a recruitment drive around Queensland school by the NRL organisations.
Bagon, who cited Jake Trbojevic as his favourite player “because of his work rate’’, said he was surprised a Sydney club contacted his family.
He said his teachers at Forest Lake SHS had played a role in him playing good football.
“The teachers at Forest Lake ensure I remain focused on my studies and do not get sidetracked by the opportunities I’ve been given,’’ said Bagon, who is a Souths junior.
Forest Lake SHS is a newcomer to the rugby league academy space, with this year’s Year 12 students the first intake five years ago.
Although Brisbane Broncos young gun Tesi Niu is a Forest Lake native, the only Forest Lake SHS past student with an NRL profile is former Gold Coast player Matt Strama.
Forest Lake SHS rugby league program co-ordinator Billy Vine said by both Bagon and Tikinau being recognised by NRL talent scouts, it would encourage other students in the school program.
“The fact that these kids are getting noticed at the school is a positive. Hopefully the ball starts rolling for our kids,’’ Vine said.
Forest Lake SHS play in the second tier open and year 10 competitions called Gee Cup and DeVere Cup respectively and this season both Forest Lake teams were semi-finalists.
Both grand finals in those competitions will be livestreamed at www.couriermail.com.au on Wednesday, September 9, from Langlands Park as part of Langer Cup grand final day.
LIVESTREAM SCHEDULE
SEPTEMBER 9
1.30pm: DeVere Cup
2.45pm: Gee Cup
4.00pm: Walters Cup
5.15pm: Langer Trophy