Schoolboys rugby league team to watch shooting for glory

Ipswich SHS go up against Mabel Park SHS in the Langer Trophy Reserves competition from 2pm. WATCH THE REPLAY

BEING one of Ipswich’s leading football fitness advisers, Jonathan Dore laughs when asked if his finals-bound school team has an endurance edge.

He is more focused on the talent and commitment in his Ipswich side.

“As a coach, it’s been very easy,’’ Dore said.

“I give them the plan and they make up the rest and do it for me.’’

Dore is the strength and conditioning coach for Ipswich State High and the Ipswich Jets.

In his sixth year at Ipswich State High, he has coached the Reserves for four campaigns, as well as helping out in other aspects of the school’s Academy.

Preparing for Thursday’s final round match of the Langer Reserves competition, Dore’s Ipswich side has already qualified for the semi-finals after just one loss to Wavell 14-12.

Ipswich set up a shot at finals glory after earlier victories over Keebra Park 6-4, Marsden 14-10 and Palm Beach Currumbin 20-8.

“It’s been a year where it’s been all over the place with the boys so it has been really good to be able to stick to our team goals and still put in good performances on the park,’’ Dore said.

“I thought we were a bit unlucky against Wavell so it’s good to give the boys that hunger back again. Maybe it’s a reality check.’’

Ipswich State High has a chance to lock up a top three spot by beating Mabel Park at Slacks Creek in Thursday’s 2pm match being live streamed on this News Corp site.

“I’m most happy with the way all my boys have been able to stay in games and be competitive,’’ Dore said.

“One thing that we know with this team is they can be up and down.

“We had a lot of close victories and that just shows their dedication.

“We’ve got a really good mix of talent and great players and hard workers and it’s really been held together by both my halves - Noah Lewis and captain Khan Towler.’’

Dore also praised his go-forward players like Titan Tianaga and Xavier Sofeni.

“It’s good having those senior boys and good to see some of the younger boys coming through as well,’’ he said.
The consistent efforts being made in the Langer Reserves competition also help head coach Josh Bretherton’s NRL Schoolboys Cups team.

“That’s the way the development system is set up,’’ Dore said.

“The purpose of my role is to develop people for Bretho’s side.

“People go up and come down but it’s just being able to stay committed and focus on the same kind of goal and I think we’ve done that well so far this year.’’

The Mabel Park team is coached by former Ipswich State High mentor Lee Addison, who was highly regarded during his previous work in the area.

“Any team that’s been in Lee Addison’s system, we know they will be physical and they are going to come at you,’’ Dore said.

“They run hard, they come home and expand the game the whole time.’’

Ipswich State High Reserves team for Thursday’s match: 1. Saifu Savage, 2. Eli Teariki, 3. Junior Moliga, 4. Tupou Fea’ao, 5. Jamal Laurie, 6. Noah Lewis, 7. Khan Towler, 8. Jaedon Foua, 9. Mitchell Williamson, 10. Liuanna Vaitai, 11. Titan Tianaga, 12. Xavier Sofeni, 13. Nicholas Torrens, 14. Harry Wedd, 15. Faalaa Kolio, 16. Tony Lemusu, 17. Jack Laing, 18. Parnell Aue.

Live stream schedule for Reserves match

Thursday (2pm): Ipswich v Mabel Park at Slacks Creek

Originally published as Schoolboys rugby league team to watch shooting for glory