Langer Cup Player of the Year Corey Thomas debuts for NRL club

The 2020 Langer Cup schoolboys rugby league player of the year Corey Thomas made his debut for a Sydney-based NRL club in the SG Ball competition over the weekend.

The 2020 Langer Cup schoolboys rugby league player of the year Corey Thomas made his debut for Wests Tigers affiliate Balmain in Sydney’s SG Ball competition over the weekend.

The Wavell State High School alumni played five-eight in the under 18 competition.

Thomas was voted the Langer Cup’s best player while playing fullback after helping Wavell go undefeated through the home and away season.

But Thomas is versatile, having also shone at lock for the Norths Devils and played five-eight on the weekend.

“No matter what number jersey you give him, he would be willing to have a go because he loves footy,’’ said 2020 Wavell coach Jim Francis.

“It would not matter whether it was jersey No.1, 13 or 6 – as long he was playing footy.’’

RELATED LINKS

THOMAS NAMED IN TOP 30 LEAGUE/UNION SCHOOLBOYS OF 2020

BEST YET TO COME FOR SPEED MERCHANT THOMAS

Thomas was a strangler when it came to signing with an NRL club, and despite a few clubs circling him, he did not pen a deal with the Tigers until toward the end of 2020.

Wavell’s Corey Thomas takes the line on.

Part of the reason may have been that he finished the season playing on one leg and was not at his best for half the season.

“He was basically playing on one leg but still wanted to play and he had a lot of heart,’’ Francis said.

“For a smaller bloke, it is a really good thing.’’

Aspley Devils and Norths Devils junior Corey Thomas ahead of the Allan Langer Cup. Pic Peter Wallis

While Thomas is not a physical specimen, he is naturally strong and has fantastic timing in defence.

Last season he saved tries both with side-on covering tackles and also with front on defence near the tryline.

His courage and defence is one thing, but Thomas’ asset is his speed.

“He is blessed with speed and an ability to create something out of nothing,’’ Francis said.

“He did that in our campaign. He is a fast and has an ability to create an opportunity when there is nothing go on.’’

Corey Thomas pulls Palm Beach Currumbin player Smith over the sideline last year. (Image/Josh Woning)

Francis said importantly Thomas was also eager to improve his game. “He was always asking for feedback and is willing to improve his game.’’

Off the field he described Thomas as a “character around the group’’ who was enjoying Sydney life.

Thomas joins a small army of players from the six Langer Cup sides having signed with NRL teams including Ryan Rivett (PBC to Cronulla), Xavier Savage (PBC to Raiders), Will Semu (Marsden SHS to Gold Coast), Xavier Va’a (St Mary’s to Broncos), Tom Weaver (PBC to Gold Coast), Evander Tere-Tongotaua (Ipswich SHS to Roosters), Jahream Bula (Keebra Park SHS to Gold Coast), Prinston Esera (Wavell SHS to Raiders), Blake Cesari (St Mary’s to Broncos) and Klese Haas (Keebra Park SHS to Gold Coast).