Phil Hall Cup livestream: Schoolboy doyen names rugby league’s best in class surprise
On the eve of tomorrow’s Phil Hall Cup state rugby league grand final livestream, we ask doyen schoolboy judge Phil Hall to name his best schoolboy players. And one of his top choices will surprise many.
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On the eve of tomorrow’s Phil Hall Cup state rugby league grand final between Palm beach Currumbin SHS and Kirwan SHS, schoolboy doyen Phil Hall has named his best players. And one of his top choices will surprise many.
Hall has seen them all – Lockyer, Marshall, Smith, Inglis, Thurston.
But Ashley Alberts stands out.
Alberts was a brilliant centre from Mackay who had tongues wagging throughout the NRL world when he was a kid coming through the system.
“In 2001 every club in Australia was trying to sign him. The Cowboys got him, then the Broncos and he finished up with Manly.
“But he is one of those guys that should have gone a lot further.’’
On the tip of Hall’s tongue was another mighty young talent who was even less heralded - Micheal Bird.
“Alberts is one of the best and the other one was Michael Bird from Murgon.
“In the forwards Jason Taumalolo made the Queensland team from grade 11.’’
Then there was of course Darren Lockyer, Greg Inglis, Benji Marshall and Karmichael Hunt who was a “great schoolboy footballer’ while Sid Domic was an elite forward at school level’.
But of course Lockyer was special and Matt Bowen was another good one.
“I remember Rod Patison would put him (Bowen) on 15 minutes before halftime and tell him to ‘play what’s in front of you’.’’
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The selection panel of Rod Patison, Matt O’Hanlon, Hall, Greg Smith and Paul Canning have come up with a Queensland State Secondary Schools Association representative Centenary team that will be announced on Thursday, the day of the grand final between Kirwan SHS and Palm Beach Currumbin SHS.
The grand final will be livestreamed at www.couriermail.com.au
Grant Bell of Kirwan SHS is tipped to be the coach.
TOMORROW WE NAME THE TEAM