Queensland coaching legend Wayne Treleaven praises inaugural AIC league competition

Wests Panthers icon and 218-game coach Wayne Treleaven knows the 13-man code better than most - and he’s tipping it to thrive in Brisbane’s elite academic institutions.

• Have your say on Brisbane’s second NRL team
• Proof Brisbane is big enough for two NRL teams

Queensland rugby league icon Wayne Treleaven knows the code like a farmer knows a border collie or a ringer a decent horse.

And he has given the inaugural AIC rugby league competition a big tick.

The 218-game Queensland Cup coach and Queensland Residents selector has enjoyed front-row seats to schoolboy league’s stunning rise through his role as director of coaching at Marist College Ashgrove and says private schools and the 13-man code are a winning combination.

“It is a big plus for the AIC schools,’’ Treleaven said.

Stream the 2019 NRL Telstra Premiership on KAYO SPORTS. Every game of every round Live & On-Demand on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Get your 14 day free trial >

Wayne Treleaven is director of coaching at Marist College Ashgrove.

“The day is run perfectly with regards to top refereeing, the kids’ discipline is great from what I have seen. It is a positive all around.”

Although most AIC affiliated schools boast rich league links, Kedron’s Padua College in particular, the inaugural league tournament was met with resistance from staunch union types who thought the code did not belong in the private schools.

But Treleaven, a BRL premiership winner with Wests in 1992, remains confident league can coexist with other codes in the AIC’s traditional union heartland.

“It is about giving the kids an opportunity to play rugby league. That is all it is about,’’ Treleaven said.

“When my bloke was there (at Marist Ashgrove) he played Aussie rules in term three and loved it. And I loved him playing it, so there is enough room for all of us.’’

Treleaven (centre, pictured with Wests Panthers in 2003) is a legend of the game in Brisbane and Queensland circles. Picture: Derek Moore

Treleaven has been supportive of schools hosting rounds in a carnival-style format but will be hoping his Ashgrove side can overcome their Round 6 hosts on Saturday.

Unbeaten Ashgrove face pre-season fancies Padua College in the match of the round and Padua can keep their premiership hopes alive with an upset win at their Banyo fortress.

In other fixtures, St Edmund’s will be out to end Iona’s winning streak while St Patrick’s and Villanova look to bounce back from losses. St Laurence’s have the bye.

Treleaven has vast experience in the code.

The Courier-Mail and Quest Community Newspapers will continue live streaming of round six on Saturday.