Langer Trophy live stream: Marsden No.7 Coby Black headlines magic men of the halves

A Broncos signed young gun, who was first scouted by the club when he was 12, is hoping to lead Marsden to title success. See each team’s key playmaker ahead of next week’s first round.

The Langer Trophy’s magic men of the halves includes a Marsden SHS No.7 who enters the season with advice of NSW ace Nathan Cleary and Dolphins’ general Sean O’Sullivan ringing in his ears.

Coby Black, who was first scouted by the Brisbane Broncos aged 12 at Helensvale Hornets, now has a vault of knowledge behind him after meeting Cleary and O’Sullivan during the off-season.

LANGER TROPHY PLAYERS TO WATCH

The Courier-Mail, along with News Corp affiliates, will stream every match from the opens division this season on the KommunityTV platform. Round 1 is Tuesday.

Black, who already has Marsden SHS staff members Issac Luke (New Zealand great) and Darren Nicholls (ex-NRL, Q-Cup half) as advisers, met Cleary at a coaching camp and O’Sullivan at a 3PTAG touch football tournament over summer.

“Matt Hartigan (Marsden SHS coach) had a coaching camp in Sydney and Nathan was involved with it,’’ Black said. “I coached alongside him and he’d talk to me during the breaks. He taught me those spiral torpedos and the floated ones as well.

Coby Black at Marsden SH. Picture, John Gass

“Talking to Sean O’Sullivan was more about the basics. He said if you can get the basics right, you are going to be a really good footy player.’’

He said having both Luke and Nicholls as part of the Marsden coaching team was also invaluable.

“I have been taught to be a good person off the field and it will help massively on the field,’’ Black said.

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HERE’S THE SUPER 8 OF THE LANGER SEASON

As an incumbent Queensland schoolboys representative, Black is the leader of the schoolboy halves pack this season.

But all schools will feature excellent halves with their own strengths.

Redcliffe Dolphins player Jahrel ISELIN-JANSEN Picture, John Gass

They include:

Jahrel Iselin-Jansen and Zac Herdegen (Wavell SHS)

“Both will be keys for us,’’ said coach Paul Stanley. “Jahrel has worked hard this year and is now a Meninga Cup winning half. He’s great on his feet and has a great passing game.

“Zac has a great kicking game and controls the team really well.’’

Tully McLellan from Caloundra State High School- Picture: Richard Walker

Tully McLellan (Caloundra SHS)

McLellan, who is signed by the Melbourne Storm, is a Gympie junior who has benefited from spending some time at fullback during the recent Meninga Cup club competition. “Changing fullback every now and again opens your eyes to see things a bit differently as a halfback,’’ McLellan said.

Ryder Williams (Keebra Park SHS)

Williams will be playing his first season of senior football after stepping up in class playing with Burleigh Bears in the Meninga Cup. He is a dynamic rookie, a little like Broncos Ezra Mam in that he is prepared to try things. “He is not afraid to play eyes up footy,’’ said his coach Peter Norman.

Jayden Evans (Redcliffe SHS)

Evans came across from Perth during the summer to trial with the Redcliffe Mal Meninga squad and hopefully break into Langer Trophy football -and his hard work has paid off.

Jayden Evans and Hayden Potts of Redcliffe SHS.

“He is a strong defender and is lightning quick. He would have to be the quickest halve in the comp,’’ said Redcliffe coach Jay Wilkinson. He came from halfback

Jackson Howe (Mabel Park SHS)

Howe’s kicking game will be one of the best in the business when he leads Mabel Park SHS around the field during the Langer. “His game management is also impressive,’’ said coach Ben Weston.

Zane Harrison from Palm Beach Currumbin - Picture: Richard Walker

Zane Harrison (PBC SHS)

Harrison has come through PBC watching Toby Sexton (Titans), Tom Weaver (Titans) and Joshua Lynn (Parramatta) - all state schoolboy players - steer PBC’s Firsts around and now it is his turn. “I would like to carry the culture on and hopefully win a premiership with PBC SHS. It is a privilege to be captain of this team.’’

Brandon Tikinau (Ipswich SHS)

Tikinau was a good man for a crisis, a player with a calm head who works hard and kicks well in general play. “He played excellently for our reserve grade last year and gets his chance to step up this year,’’ said Ipswich coach Joshua Bretherton. “He also played halfback for the Ipswich Jets Meninga side and obviously will be half back for the Met West side.’’

Brandon Tikinau as a child playing Under 13s (AAP Image/Richard Walker)