Origin hit man offers defensive advice to schoolboys ace

Origin henchman and Dolphins enforcer offers words of wisdom to Queensland schoolboys’ ace ahead of the ASSRL championships (16-18 years) starting on Sunday.

Caloundra SHS captain Zac Garton. Picture: Liam Kidston

Queensland 16-18 years schoolboy second rower Zac Garton will spearhead the young Maroons at next week’s ASSRL championships with his game sharpened by a State of Origin enforcer.

The Dolphins-signed Garton received advice from the NRL club’s hit man and Origin forward Felise Kaufusi after they met during the last off season.

Garton was all eyes and ears while listening to the feared defensive henchman and as a result has taken his game up a notch this season.

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“He taught there is only so much tackle technique you can do, but the first thing you wanna do is be aggressive, you wanna hit someone first before you try and wrestle them,’’ Garton said.

Felise Kaufusi during a Queensland State of Origin Training. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Garton is one of the Dolphin’s early academy poster boy signings.

He Queensland born and bred, having grown up in Nambour, before moving to

Gympie and linking up with Caloundra State High School, from where he excelled.

To add an extra dimension to his game, Garton has also closely watched North Queensland Cowboys star Jeremiah Nanai.

Nanai is renowned for being good in the air and that skills is something Garton would like to work on.

Caloundra SHS player Zac Garton.

Garton also mentioned Gold Coast’s David Fifita as another second rower he admired, pointing to his aggressive running style and tackle busting ability.

Garton, who can frequently be found on the surf breaks on Dicky Beach, just north of Caloundra, is a part of an in form Queensland schoolboys side which will play at the ASSRL championships starting on Sunday, July 6.

The Queensland schoolgirls (17-18 years) side features these Queensland country players - Zoe Robson (The Cathedral College), Jennifer Kimber (Moranbah SHS), Chloe Pallisier (The Glennie School), Mariah Brown (Highfields, Mabel Park SHS)

- words with News Corp work experience student Thomas Hargreaves

Queensland Schoolboys (16-18 years)

1. Mason Barber (Keebra Park SHS), 2. Sunny Kama (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS), 3. Sam Stephenson (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS),4. Phillip Coates (Marymount College), 5. Junior Saifiti (Ipswich SHS), 6. Zac Herdegen (Wavell SHS), 7. Zane Harrison (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS), 8. Kanaan Magele (Ipswich SHS), 9. Jai Bowden (Mountain Creek SHS), 10. Elijah Keung (Mabel Park SHS),11. Zac Garton (Caloundra SHS), 12. Jared Horne (Wavell SHS), 13. Jac Finigan (PBC PBC SHS), 14. Hayden Watson (Marsden SHS), 15. Xzavier Timoteo (Ipswich SHS), 16. Zac Kumbamong (Keebra Park SHS), 17. Charlie Dickson (Wavell SHS), 18. Maddox Goodwin (Wavell SHS), 19. Elijah McKay (The Cathedral College), 20. Seth Gundry (Miami SHS)

Queensland Schoolgirls (17-18 years)

1. Zoe Robson (The Cathedral College), 2. Nazlyn Waaka-Rhind (Mabel Park SHS), 3. Jennifer Kimber (Moranbah SHS), 4. Deleni Paitai (Marsden SHS), 5. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala (Ipswich SHS), 6. Shalom Sauaso (Ipswich SHS), 7. Chloe Pallisier (The Glennie School), 8. Armarni-Lea Auvae (Mabel Park SHS), 9. Raewyn Olomalii (Marsden SHS), 10. Alice Shannon (Mabel Park SHS), 11. Tiresa Leasuasu (Ipswich SHS), 12. Reegan Hicks (Australian Christian College), 13. Amanii Misa (Mabel Park SHS), 14. Danielle Tutakangahau (Mabel Park SHS), 15. Keira Rangi (Wavell SHS), 16. Orianna Clark (Ipswich SHS), 17. Eta Fusi Sikahele (Keebra Park SHS), 18. Harlem Walker (Mabel Park SHS), 19. Mariah Brown (Mabel Park SHS), 20. Dominika Baleinagasau (Ipswich SHS)

Originally published as Origin hit man offers defensive advice to schoolboys ace