NRL 2020: Emerging Origin squad for Queensland Maroons, part five
From Charters Towers to the Gold Coast, Yeppoon to Brisbane – and even the tiny town of Theodore – our emerging Origin teens come from far and wide. Check out part five of our series here.
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Brisbane is often seen as the epicentre of Queensland’s footy factory, but any passing Maroons fan knows that most of our talent comes from outside the capital’s boundaries.
Scouts travel far and wide to identify talent, as highlighted by today’s look at the teenagers trying out for a spot in the U18 emerging Origin squad.
Check out part five of the series here, with links to the first four parts at the bottom of the story.
Isaiah Vailalo – Centrals ASA Junior Rugby League
THE big prop forward was key to Townsville’s Ignatius Park’s charge through last year’s Confraternity Shield and has been praised for his effort on the field.
The Charters Towers product is set to link with the Parramatta Eels in 2021 after representing Queensland in the under-16s and under-18s.
His school coach Steve Lansley credited the youngster for his strong mentality during games.
“For a front rower, generally they take a few knocks and it is hard to keep going, but he just finds an extra level. He just has that willpower which is a special trait in a player,” Lansley told The Townsville Bulletin last year.
Samuel Shannon – Burleigh Bears
A YOUNG Gold Coast product, Shannon starred for the under-16s Queensland side in last year’s curtain-raiser for the Broncos vs Warriors clash at Suncorp Stadium. He has been likened to Penrith Panthers prop James Fisher-Harris with his post-contact metres and hard-running style. He is contracted with the Gold Coast Titans and was a standout for their under-18s elite development squad match last year against their peers at the Newcastle Knights.
Jake Baigrie – Yeppoon Junior Rugby League
AT 194cm and 90kg, Baigrie has the potential to be an incredible talent. He has been a Melbourne Storm and North Queensland Cowboys Academy Player in the past and is now vying for a spot in this year’s under-18s Queensland squad. The youngster was also a batonbearer during the 2018 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay in Blackall.
John Radel – Wests Brisbane
RADEL hails from the tiny Queensland town of Theodore, 560km northwest of Brisbane, with a population of 452.
After years of travelling hundreds of kilometres to train and play footy, Radel moved to Brisbane and began playing for Wests Bardon in the under-12s competition.
The tall front rower got the chance to represent Queensland in the under-16 City v Country game last year. His coaching staff have praised him for his effort areas and work rate.
Byron Parnell – South Sydney Juniors
PARNELL was part of the South Sydney Rabbitohs SG Ball competition in 2019 and is a handy outside back.
His freakish talent has allowed him to learn his trade at the prestigious Waverley College in Sydney and sign with one of the most successful rugby league club in the country – the Rabbitohs.
MORE EMERGING ORIGIN PROFILES
PART ONE: Howarth, Mam, Cobbo, Vandenberg, Wright-Dunrobin
PART TWO: Walsh, Wavik, Savage, Clarkson, Nanai
PART THREE: Hagai, Hunt, Walker, Jenkins, Piakura
PART FOUR: Esera, Uhrle, Va’a, Hall, Chatfield-Mooka
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