St Brendan’s alumni Owen Pattie set for NRL debut with Canberra Raiders

A rugby league sensation with St Brendan’s College, Owen Pattie is continuing his meteoric rise through the footy ranks. Former coach Scott Minto reveals what’s behind his success.

Former St Brendan's star Owen Pattie will make his NRL debut with the Canberra Raiders this weekend.

Owen Pattie is a shining example of the age-old adage that hard work pays off.

It’s a trait that has underpinned every step of a football journey which started in the North Burnett town of Monto and has led to an NRL debut in Las Vegas this weekend.

The 21-year-old has been named on the bench for the Canberra Raiders in their season opener against the New Zealand Warriors at Allegiant Stadium.

The game will kick off at 10am Sunday (Queensland time) and among Pattie’s cheer squad will be his former schoolboys coach Scott Minto.

Together, the pair helped write an exciting chapter in the celebrated rugby league history of St Brendan’s College.

Owen Pattie captained St Brendan’s First XIII to victory in the Aaron Payne Cup.

Minto was head coach and Pattie the captain of the school’s First XIII, which scored a memorable victory in the coveted Aaron Payne Cup in 2021.

Minto said one of the things that stood out about Pattie was the hard work he would put in behind the scenes, preparing himself for any eventuality on the footy field.

That paid off in the Cup final when the talented hooker would savour one of his greatest moments.

St Brendan’s were locked 18-all with Kirwan State High when, in the dying seconds, the ball found its way into the safe hands of Pattie who guided a field goal through the uprights from 35m out to seal the win.

Minto said Pattie ticked every box – he was the ultimate competitor and leader, skilful and athletic, with great footy smarts.

“Owen was the type of player every coach dreams about having in their side,” he said.

St Brendan's celebrate their Aaron Payne Cup win.

“He was an all-round footballer but he also had the nous to understand when something was needed and that was probably highlighted when he kicked the field goal.

“He was in the right place at the right time to take the shot and get the win.

“The best thing was he had been practising all week for that very scenario.

“He was preparing himself for something that might happen – and it did.”

Minto said after his grand finals heroics, Pattie was signed by the Raiders.

Owen Pattie on the attack for the Canberra Raiders during the NRL pre-season match against the Penrith Panthers on February 8. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

He headed to the national capital, where he quickly climbed the ranks, shining in the SG Ball before being named the Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Season in 2024.

He produced an eye-catching display in Canberra’s first pre-season challenge match against the Panthers in early February and a fortnight later, he inked a new deal that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2028 season.

Minto is confident Pattie will bring his A-game on Sunday.

“His ruck awareness is sensational; he can expose tired middles with the ball in hand,” he said.

“Canberra will bring him on the field when the Warriors’ forwards are fatigued and that’s when he does his best work.

“He’ll be really crafty around the ruck and he’ll obviously make it hard for them.

Owen Pattie at a training session with the Canberra Raiders in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

“It’s really exciting and it’s going to be great to watch.”

Minto said Pattie was the 28th St Brendan’s graduate to reach the NRL ranks, which was an incredible statistic.

“Owen’s NRL debut is yet another example of regional Queensland talent making an impact on the professional stage,” he said.

“He is the epitome of what St Brendan’s College rugby league is all about – good person first, good footballer second.

“We are all extremely proud of what he has achieved in such a short space of time.”

Originally published as St Brendan’s alumni Owen Pattie set for NRL debut with Canberra Raiders