GPS Rugby 2018: Broncos snap up Ipswich Grammar’s Tom Casey

THERE are glimpses of Matt Bowen in the nimble footwork of Ipswich Grammar fullback Tom Casey, who wants to turn his break with the Broncos academy into an NRL career.

THERE are glimpses of Matt Bowen in the nimble footwork of Ipswich Grammar fullback Tom Casey, who wants to turn his break with the senior Brisbane Broncos academy into an NRL career.

First XV Ipswich Grammar fullback Tom Casey in action against Terrace. Photo: Liam Kidston

Steve Nance is not prone to over-the-top praise so you listen to the craggy-faced fitness guru who was in charge of physical preparation at the Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys and the World Cup-winning Wallabies in the 1990s.

He casually dropped the Bowen comparison when discussing Casey’s best moments during this GPS schools rugby season when his agility, sidestep and ever-present support play have opened up the best defences.

“He’s got that Matty Bowen thing … he’s not that big but he just knows how to beat a man,” said Nance as Ipswich Grammar coach.

Bowen was the 1.75m marvel who played 270 games for the Cowboys but more significantly became a folk hero for the way he scored many of his 130 tries in the NRL.

North Queensland Cowboys star Matt Bowen in 2013. Photo: Sam Ruttyn

Casey, 17, is part of the elite finishing school in the Broncos pathway with skills sessions at the club’s Red Hill base plus a “contract” that essentially means the club gets first crack if they spy a bigger future in his talent.

The indigenous youngster from Mt Isa has been playing at IGS since Grade Eight and will play his final game of GPS rugby against improvers Brisbane State High in Saturday’s closing round.

The Ipswich Grammar boys have just the one win for the season but no team has experienced the emotions they have when losing to sideline conversions on the bell against both Toowoomba Grammar’s Jake Sargood and Gregory Terrace’s Reilly See.

The clear signs of Casey’s rugby league background are evident in the way he sniffs around his big ball-runners for little chances to turn into line breaks.

It’s no surprise he is an Anthony Milford fan because halfback fits his make-up perfectly.

Anthony Milford of the Broncos. Photo: AAP

Casey’s zeal for turning his GPS rugby experience into a full-time footy future is mirrored elsewhere because Brisbane Boys’ College flyhalf Carter Gordon (Reds) and The Southport School’s Campbell Parata (Crusaders) already have the next steps in their development worked out.