Andrew Voss names his greatest schoolboy team
Andrew Voss got his big breakthrough calling schoolboy rugby league. From Matt Bowen to Benji Marshall and David Fifita, he names his greatest schoolboy team from the players he called for TV.
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I called my first schoolboy cup game for Channel 9 in 1994 and over the next 25 years I’ve called thousands of young players from hundreds of schools. For most their schoolboy TV game probably stands as the biggest moment of their rugby league lives.
Some I have called have gone on to be superstars of the NRL, or at the very least, very good players, but the fact is, the majority do not make it to the top in this ultra-competitive sport.
HOW TO WATCH: Schoolboy rugby league livestreams in NSW
HOW TO WATCH: Schoolboy rugby league livestreams in QLD
EXAMPLE: Watch Keebra Park SHS v Wavell SHS replay here
I watched plenty of players I thought would make first grade – but for one reason or another don’t achieve those goals.
It’s been one of the real pleasures of my working life to be involved in this competition.
Here is my best 17 from the matches I have done over all that time.
1. Matt Bowen (Abergowrie College 1999)
I actually first called Matt playing five-eighth for Abergowrie College and he was as natural a football talent as you could ever hope to see.
2. Nic Cotric (Erindale College 2015)
A beast of a player. I’m normally cautious in tagging a player “certain to play first grade”, but not with Nic.
3. Royston Lightning (Erindale College 1996)
The best schoolboy player I ever called not to make a career out of rugby league. Royston should be proud that he played 14 top-grade games for Canberra, but he had the ability to play 200.
4. Christian Orsini (Terra Sancta College 1999)
You’ll need to search hard to find Orsini in the rugby league record books — he played a couple of games for Italy over the years but no first grade. However as a schoolboy he was a sensation and won the Peter Sterling Medal as player of the year in 1999.
5. Timana Tahu (Cardiff High 1998)
Amazing athlete even as a schoolboy player. In the first TV game I saw him play, Timana delivered a dazzling hat-trick.
6. Craig Gower (McCarthy Catholic Senior High 1995)
To this day I regard Craig as the finest schoolboy player I ever had the privilege of calling.
7. Benji Marshall (Keebra Park 2003)
I had Phil Gould with me in commentary the first time Benji played a TV game. I tipped to Gus that this kid was something special. I think Gus’ first commentary line when he saw Benji’s step was “WOW!”
8. Payne Haas (Keebra Park 2016)
It’s no surprise to me that he has achieved great things already in his NRL career. Almost too hot to handle in schoolboy footy.
9. Adrian Trevilyan (Kirwan State High 2019)
Leader of the young Kirwan side that won last year’s title and the winner of the Peter Sterling Medal. Very smart player and I hope he gets an opportunity at a higher level. Currently contracted to the Raiders.
10. Ryan James (Palm Beach Currumbin 2008)
I have called so many good young front-rowers over the years but James was exceptional. Another Peter Sterling Medal winner as schoolboy player of the year.
11. David Fifita (Keebra Park 2017)
The most talented schoolboy forward I have ever called. Enough said.
12. Ben Te’o (Keebra Park 2005)
Yet another out of the Keebra Park system and a player of the year. As tough as a schoolboy as he proved in the NRL.
13. Lance Thompson (Kingsgrove High 1995)
Was a man playing schoolboy football. Certainly the best red head I ever called!
14. Julian Christian (Kirwan State High 2015)
Yet another Matty Bowen type. A pure footy player and so good to watch.
15. Michael Withers (John Paul II Marayong 1994)
Went on to play only 40 first grade games for Balmain, but almost 200 in the UK. Superb schoolboy talent.
16. Nathan Cayless (Parramatta Marist 1995)
A front-rower who learnt his craft early. Achieved everything at schoolboy level and advanced to a fine senior career.
17. Spencer Leniu (Patrician Brothers Blacktown 2017)
NRL fans are just starting to see this young man’s talents at Penrith. We’ll still be watching him in first grade in 10 year’s time.
Coach — Greg Lenton (Keebra Park)
All schoolboy coaches deserve credit for the role they play and plenty go beyond just teaching football skills. Lenton is one of a number of standouts who have had a huge impact on many of the NRL stars we are watching today.
Originally published as Andrew Voss names his greatest schoolboy team