ST MARY’S FINEST: The best to come through powerhouse school

THE Chronicle looks back at the best players to come through the St Mary’s College system to the top grades.

Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys. Photo: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

RUGBY LEAGUE:While St Mary's College has established itself as a powerhouse over the last three decades, the impact of the school stretches as far back as the golden era of rugby league in Toowoomba.

The Chronicle looks at the 10 best players to come through the St Mary's system:

 

Rugby league player Tom Gorman in 1924. Photo: Supplied

TOM GORMAN

Back when it was known as St Mary's Christian Brothers College in the 1910s, Gorman cemented himself as part of the famous Toowoomba side of the 1920s that downed Great Britain and New Zealand.

Gorman went on to represent Queensland on 34 occasions, donning the green and gold of Australia 10 times.

 

Ian 'Ripper' Doyle holding the Bulimba Cup. Photo: Glenn Barnes.

 

IAN 'RIPPER' DOYLE

Coming through the school in the 1940s, Doyle was another that went on to reach the highest heights of the game, playing for Queensland and Australia seven times apiece.

Such was the impact on the field, Doyle went on to be named in the Toowoomba and South West team of the century, in a career that also saw him coach Queensland.

 

Peter Gill charges the ball up the field in the Legends of League rugby league. Photo: BRENDAN RADKE

 

PETER GILL

Graduating in the 1980s, Gill received a tremendous schoolboy honour in 2000 when chosen in the Confraternity Shield team of the century.

Gill was a part of the 1984 Clydesdales team that beat the touring Great Britain side, going on to enjoy a career of over 200 first grade games in the NSWRL/ARL and Super League.

 

Toowoomba Clydesdale Ned Murphy tackles a Redcliffe Dolphins player. Photo: Contributed

 

Justin Murphy. Photo: Nev Madsen

 

MURPHY BROTHERS

Ned and Justin both tasted Confraternity Shield success with St Mary's, with the former going on to take player of the carnival honours in 1998.

Ned was a stalwart in the Valleys dominance throughout the start of the 21st century, with Justin enjoying a career in the NRL and Super League, including six caps for France.

 

Chris Walker and his brothers, Jets coaches Ben and Shane Walker. Pic: Darren England.

 

WALKER BROTHERS

Chris, Shane and Ben played key roles in the success of St Mary's throughout the 1990s, a period where the school claimed three titles (94, 95 and 98).

Shane was named player of the carnival in 95, with Chris taking out the honour the following year.

All three played throughout the Broncos' 2000 premiership winning season, with Ben on the bench and Shane in the squad in Brisbane's 1997 Super League grand final win.

 

JOHNATHAN THURSTON

Spent just the two years with St Mary's in 1999 and 2000, but it was here that the champion halfback learnt a lot about the game and life.

What can be said about JT that hasn't already?

He's gone on to win two premierships, three Golden Boots, four Dally M's, a World Cup and 11 State of Origin series'.

 

Jaiman and Ben Lowe. Pic: Evan Morgan

 

LOWE BROTHERS

Jaiman and Ben, who graduated in the early 2000s, both represented the Australian U15s schoolboys, as well as claiming numerous junior Queensland jerseys.

Jaiman went on to claim a premiership with Melbourne in 2012, and while not selected in the grand final team, Ben was a part of the successful Rabbitohs squad in 2014.

 

Ethan Lowe of the Rabbitohs. Photo: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

ETHAN LOWE

No relation to Ben and Jaiman, but has forged a memorable path in his own right.

A graduate in 2008, Lowe has since gone on to play in an NRL grand final with the Cowboys (2017), and made a memorable State of Origin debut for Queensland in game three last year after a strong season with the Rabbitohs.

 

Cory Paix of the Western Mustangs. Photo: Nev Madsen

CORY PAIX

Made his NRL debut this season, and has been one of the bright points of a disappointing year for the Brisbane Broncos.

Was a standout for St Mary's as he made his way through the junior ranks, resulting in Queensland representative jerseys and a Mal Meninga Cup title with the Mustangs.

 

St Mary's College Toowoomba's hooker Jake Simpkin. Photo: Trudy Brown

JAKE SIMPKIN

Leading St Mary's to the Confraternity Shield in 2018 and taking player of the tournament honours in the process, Simpkin was a class above competitors during his time in the schoolboy ranks.

Simpkin has since moved south of the border, and is in the first season of a three-year deal with the Wests Tigers.

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