Harrison Hill first St Brendan’s player to win Confraternity Carnival Player of the Carnival since Bailey Butler in 2015 — inspired by State of Origin idol Reuben Cotter

Much like his idol Reuben Cotter, St Brendan’s Harrison Hill is punching above his weight in rugby league circles, winning one of schoolboys footy’s most prestigious awards. Read what the hard-working forward is aiming for next.

Harrison Hill's rugby league journey from Mackay Magpies under-6s to Confraternity Player of the Carnival.

St Brendan’s Harrison Hill bears an uncanny resemblance to one of his footy idols, State of Origin and North Queensland Cowboys enforcer Reuben Cotter.

But it’s not just physical attributes the hard-working forwards share.

Both are hailed for their courage, never taking a backward step when matched against rivals far more imposing.

Cotter offered the perfect response when asked about taking on the Blues’ hulking prop, Payne Haas, in this year’s Origin series.

“I am not the biggest bloke out there – but I will try my heart out,” he said.

The same goes for Hill who, at 173cm and 84kg, continues to enhance his reputation as fierce and fearless.

St Brendan's Harrison Hill in action for St Brendan’s College. Photo: Academy Photography

His relentless work in the second row for St Brendan’s saw him judged the premier player at this year’s Confraternity Carnival, which featured 52 boys teams from Catholic and independent secondary schools across Queensland.

He is the first player from the Yeppoon school to receive the individual accolade since Bailey Butler in 2015.

The 17-year-old, who was also named in the carnival’s merit team, said he was taken aback by the honour.

“I was surprised… but it was a good shock,” Hill said.

“I didn’t think that of all the players there that I would get it.”

Harrison Hill celebrates St Brendan's Confraternity Shield win in 2023 with his teammates.

Hill came off the bench in St Brendan’s Confro win last year, an achievement he considers the pinnacle of his young rugby league career, surpassing this year’s Player of the Carnival and inclusion in the honorary merit team.

“It would have been great to get the win and Player of the Carnival. I think it would have meant a lot more,” he said.

“I’m proud of what I’ve done but it would have been nice for us to go back-to-back.”

Hill’s football journey started as a six-year-old with the Mackay Magpies.

Harrison Hill scored a try in his first game of rugby league with the Mackay Magpies under-6 team.

His family relocated to Blackwater when he was 10, where he joined the Blackwater Crushers, the junior club of NRL, Origin and Australian legend Ben Hunt.

“When I was little, I grew up around it (footy) and just wanted to have a crack at it,” Hill said, revealing he played in the halves before transitioning to the forwards.

He moved to St Brendan’s in Year 7 as a boarder, where he started to come into his own.

Harrison Hill claimed his first premiership in 2018 with the Blackwater Crushers under-12s. He is pictured with teammate Logan Daly.

His game has accelerated in the past couple of years under First XIII head coach Scott Minto and through his involvement with the CQ Capras, playing for the club for the past two years in the statewide Cyril Connell Cup.

He was crowned the team’s best forward in 2023 and produced another solid performance this year.

He is also making a big impression in club land, producing a Player of the Match performance for Emu Park in the Rockhampton Rugby League under-17 decider last year.

Harrison HIll in action for the CQ Capras.

Minto said Hill’s greatest attribute was his competitiveness.

“He has become a real asset with and without the ball and this showed in his Confraternity campaign where his efforts stayed consistent throughout the tournament,” he said.

“He epitomises what St Brendan’s is all about - he gives everything for the jersey and never lays down.”

Hill is passionate about the game and would love to reach the same heights as Cotter and Yeppoon’s own Harry Grant.

Harrison Hill representing Capricornia at this year's state championships.

But as talented as he is, he is equally realistic about his dream becoming a reality.

“I’d like to go to the top stage, to make the NRL, but it doesn’t always work out like that,” he said.

But that down-to-earth approach is not curbing his desire or drive to earn his shot.

“I just need to keep training hard, working hard,” he said.

Hill plans to study primary school teaching when he graduates, but is determined to score some more success in the green and gold jersey before the year is out.

St Brendan's Harrison Hill was Player of the Carnival at the prestigious Confraternity Carnival in 2024.

St Brendan’s are leading the race for the Dolphins Cup title, with semis to kick off next week.

Hill is primed to play his part.

“We’d like to obviously win the Dolphins Cup and then the crossover with the Aaron Payne Cup (winners) and go to a state final,” he said.

“That’s the goal so we’ll see how we go.”

Originally published as Harrison Hill first St Brendan’s player to win Confraternity Carnival Player of the Carnival since Bailey Butler in 2015 — inspired by State of Origin idol Reuben Cotter