Grammar the boat to beat in ‘Olympics for schoolboys’

Brisbane Grammar 1st VIII goes into Saturday’s Head of the River as overwhelming favourite - but anything can happen out on the water, writes Mike Colman

Pouring rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of supporters or crews at last year’s Head of the River. Picture: Josh Woning/AAP

At first glance Saturday’s GPS Head of the River would appear to be a one boat race but Matt Marden is having none of it.

The Brisbane Grammar director of rowing knows only too well how many red hot favourites have come unstuck in the 97-year history of the so-called “Olympics for schoolboys” and despite his 1st Vlll winning all nine lead-up races this season he is taking nothing for granted.

Having won nine from nine lead-up races Brisbane Grammar 1st VIII are favoured to take out Saturday’s Head of the River. Picture: Supplied

So what measures has he taken to ensure the boys keep their feet firmly on the ground this week?

“Nothing special,” he says. “This is a very talented group with a great work ethic. They are very driven, very calm.

“One of our big focuses this year has been to work hard and be humble in victory or defeat and it has been very enjoyable to see how the boys have bought into it.”

And if any of them should need reminding of what they are striving to achieve, they only have to ask the four crew members who are backing up from last year.

Cox Jono Cooke, Hugh Weightman (seven seat), Sam Atherton (six) and Tom Clifton (three) were part of the Grammar crew that finished sixth in the race won by Nudgee in pouring rain.

They know from personal experience how rarely opportunities like Saturday’s present themselves, and how perfectly they must be executed.

Brisbane Grammar 1st VIII preparing for 2020 GPS Head of the River (left to right): Drew Weightman, Sam Atherton, Hugh Weightman, Dan Horsley. Picture supplied.

It is a message that has been emphasised by Grammar’s head coach Sean Carolan who joined the school this year after Head of the River success with St Hilda’s in 2017 and Southport in 2018.

“Sean brought with him certain expectations and the crew has responded,” said Mark Marden. “They have been very consistent and mature. I’d rate them one of the best crews I’ve ever had anything to do with. It has been a great journey.”

But there is still one more race to be won – and six other crews doing their best to cross the line first.

Based on the results of the preliminary regattas the strongest challenges will come from Southport, which recorded five second placings in the nine races, and BBC, which finished with two seconds and four thirds.

The Southport School 1st VIII are expected to give Grammar a run for their money in Saturday’s Head of the River, From left - Cameron Vele, Zach Nixon, Mackenzie Branch, Lachie Wright, Harry Ward, Baxter Stewart, Grant Callaghan, Kai Dittmar, Dylan Kennedy. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

The regatta will be held at the Queensland State Rowing Centre on the Boonah-Beaudesert Rd at Lake Wyaralong commencing at 8.10am. The 1st Vlll Head of the River will begin at 11am.

GPS 2020 Head of the River crews:

BBC: Harry Ayres, Blake Sheppard, Noah Crivello, Benjamin Ward, Mitch Salisbury, Darcy Watter, Samuel Kenny, Angus Hedberg, Cox: Lachlan Maclean

Brisbane Grammar: Harry Sirett, Riley Lockyer, Tom Clifton, Henry Doe, Drew Weightman, Samuel Atherton, Hugh Weightman, Dan Horsley, Cox: Jono Cooke

Brisbane State High: Matthew Brosnan, Ben Lindstrom, Zachary Bos, Moss Murphy, Liam Humphrey, Joshua Donchak, Sean Fairweather, Max Hepperlin, Cox: Flynn Devoy

Churchie: Sam Johnston, Elijah Croxford, Liam Ardrey, Maxwell Taylor, Tom Skerl, Jock MacPherson, Finn MacPherson, James Hanham, Cox: Jonathan Wearne

Gregory Terrace: Mitchell McGeever, Angus Munn, Benjamin Spicer, Will Robinson, Finbar Carroll, James Farquhar, Fergus Cummins, Jeremiah Woodward, Cox: Charles Betts

Nudgee: Edward Miles, Jonah Nelson, Daniel Kuskie, Harry McKeown, Adam Wilkie, Noah Nelson, Angus Rhodes, Ben McMillan, Cox: Darcy Carmody

Southport: Dylan Kennedy, Kai Dittmar, Harry Ward, Baxter Stewart, Grant Callaghan, Lachie Wright, Mackenzie Branch, Zachary Nixon, Cox: Lockie Mactaggart