Elekanan Suavai, Zack Lamont, Matua Brown: Cowboys trio named in Queensland Emerging Origin squad

Former Cowboys Young Guns coach Ben Jeffries said the local trio had earned their chances to take on New South Wales later this season.

QLD's Elekana Suavai. Picture: Zak Simmonds

FOUR North Queensland juniors have been selected in the 2023 Queensland Under 19 emerging Origin squad to prepare for the annual showdown with New South Wales.

Fullback Matua Brown, halfback Zac Lamont and centre/backrower Elekana Suavai are all contracted with the Cowboys while prop Damon Marshall, a Western Lions junior and Ignatius Park College old boy, signed a contract with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs this week.

The quartet will be mentored by former Cowboys prop Antonio Kaufusi, who will serve on the coaching staff of ex-Queensland hooker Matt Ballin.

Former Cowboys Young Guns coach Ben Jeffries said the local trio had earned their accolades.

“When Zac (Lamont) got elevated from Mal Meninga Cup into Hastings Deering Cup U21s he went to another level so I totally understand why he was selected,” Jeffries praised.

“Elekana played really well in the centres for the Young Guns in our game against the Titans which was one of the highlights of the year, and Matua is a really good young man - that’s highly valued at our club - with genuine speed.”

Originally published as Elekanan Suavai, Zack Lamont, Matua Brown: Cowboys trio named in Queensland Emerging Origin squad