Coaching grand final specialist plots Schoolboy Cup mission

NRL Schoolboy Cup grand final countdown: Meet the PBC SHS master coach and his three wise men behind the Reds remarkable finals’ success.

Chris Patison, Will Johnstone, Tim Maccan and Anthony Don with the Langer Trophy - the brains trust behind PBC SHS's success.

He is the master coach of schoolboy rugby league, but Palm Beach Currumbin SHS mentor Tim Maccan also has three wise men standing by his side.

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Maccan, his assistants Anthony Don and Chris Patison and conditioner Will Johnstone form the brains trust who have master minded PBC SHS path into Wednesday’s NRL Schoolboy Cup decider at CBUS Stadium, Gold Coast.

Palm Beach Currumbin celebrate winning the NRL Schoolboy Cup grand final against Kirwan SHS at Bokarina. Picture Lachie Millard

It will be the seventh successive season Maccan has been either head or assistant coach of a PBC SHS senior side which has won or reached a final.

Tim Maccan’s coaching record

2018: NRL Schoolboy Cup National Champions (Maccan assistant coach to head coach Aaron Zimmerle)

2019: State Semi Finalist (Maccan assistant coach to head coach Aaron Zimmerle

2020: Phil Hall Cup state finalist for PBC SHS against Kirwan (Maccan assistant coach to head coach Brad Davis)

2021: Mal Meninga Cup State Champions Tweed Seagulls against Townsville Blackhawks (Maccan head coach)

2021: Phil Hall Cup State Champions against St Brendan’s Yeppoon (Maccan head coach)

2022: Langer Trophy grand finalists against Ipswich SHS (Maccan head coach)

2023: Langer Trophy premiers against Ipswich SHS, Phil Hall Cup State Champions against St Patrick’s Mackay, National Finalists vs Westfields (Maccan head coach)

2024: Langer Trophy premiers against Marsden SHS, Phil Hall Cup State Champions against Kirwan SHS (Maccan head coach), National Finalists against Patrician Brothers (September 11, CBUS Stadium, Gold Coast).

Palm Beach Currumbin players celebrate a try in their win over Kirwan SHS in the NRL Schoolboy Cup grand final at Bokarina. Picture Lachie Millard

Patison and Johnstone have been with Maccan at school and club teams since 2019, while former Titans crowd favourite Don came on board as Maccan’s co-assistant in 2022.

“So we are a team of four coaches,’’ Maccan said.

“I am lucky to have such experienced coaches who are so knowledgeable,’’ Maccan said.

“Anthony Don played 150 NRL games so he has been really good on our edge defence from our second rower to our winger.

Palm Beach Currumbin players and coaches - Don and Johnstone, left, Maccan and Zimmerle, right, celebrate winning the NRL Schoolboy Cup grand final. Picture Lachie Millard

“And Chris Patison has been fantastic and he looks at the middle forwards (defence).

“He also came up with a bit of a plan against Marsden in the Langer final of moving the forwards around.

“So we have plenty of knowledge there.

Palm Beach Currumbin SHS skipper Isaac Harrison in action during the NRL Schoolboy Cup grand final against Kirwan SHS at Bokarina. Picture Lachie Millard

Will Johnstone, a current Gold Coast first grade player at Tugun, trains the side while coaching the Walters Cup outfit. His father is Billy Johnstone, a Souths Brisbane and Canterbury champion who is a former Queensland State of Origin conditioner.

And there is Maccan who played 150 Q Cup games and 50 junior and lower grade matches at Penrith as a halfback and hooker.

Player Jac Finigan shake hands after the NRL Schoolboy Cup grand final between Palm Beach Currumbin SHS vs Kirwan SHS at Bokarina. Picture Lachie Millard

“Between us we have a really good plan. They have as much input and the kids respect them as much as they do me.

Footnote: Maccan also coached Tweed Seagulls Mal Meninga Cup side to the national final victory against Illawarra Steelers.

Ray Puru of Palm Beach Currumbin SHS vs Kirwan SHS at Bokarina. Picture Lachie Millard

Originally published as Coaching grand final specialist plots Schoolboy Cup mission