St Brendan’s in 15 of 16 Rockhampton secondary schools rugby league finals

St Brendan’s will contest 15 of 16 Rockhampton District Secondary Schools Rugby League grand finals this week. Scott Minto reveals what’s helping drive the school’s incredible success.

Pam McKay

3 min read

September 3, 2024 - 3:45PM

News Sport Network

St Brendan's young guns Jay Marsh and Lachlan Anderson will have a big say on the Rockhampton District Secondary Schools Rugby League open final.

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NRL legend Scott Minto believes St Brendan’s rugby league program is in the strongest position it’s been since he teamed up with the Yeppoon school in 2019.

It’s a statement few could argue with when reviewing this week’s Rockhampton District Secondary Schools Rugby League grand final schedule.

St Brendan’s features in 15 of the 16 divisions to be decided at Rugby Park from Wednesday through Saturday.

The only one it missed is the Year 10C decider, in which two teams from The Cathedral College face off.

Minto, who is head coach of the First XIII, said the introduction of the NRL Rise Program had further enhanced the school’s reputation as one of the country’s leading league nurseries.

St Brendan's First XIII coach Scott Minto with star forward Carter Ford.

St Brendan’s is one of only two schools in Queensland chosen to run and develop the specialised rugby league program designed to help aspirational juniors reach their full potential.

It is included in the school curriculum for Year 8 and 9 and focuses on four components - technical and tactical skills development, strength and conditioning, life skills and personal development, and mentorship and support.

Minto said current director of rugby league Luke Caplick and his predecessor Dallas Williams were instrumental in it being introduced two years ago, which meant the younger players were learning the basic principles of the game earlier.

“Over the last three or four years, the football program has improved out of sight,” Minto said.

St Brendan's opens rugby league captain Simon Green with the coveted Dolphins Cup.

“There is a focus now on rugby league in the curriculum and the level of coaching is the best I’ve seen.

“The school’s in the strongest place it has been since I came here.”

Minto is confident St Brendan’s will enjoy plenty of success in the RDSSRL finals.

The action kicks off with the Year 7C showdown between St Brendan’s and Heights College at 4pm Wednesday and culminates with St Brendan’s and TCC in the opens at 3pm Saturday.

Minto’s team are the reigning RDSSRL champions and will be looking to add some more silverware to the trophy cabinet after winning the Dolphins Cup last month.

That victory put them into the northern final where they suffered an agonising four-point loss to Kirwan State High.

St Brendan's took out the 2024 Dolphins Cup with a 26-12 win over Rockhampton Grammar.

Minto could not fault his players’ effort in that game, and is confident a similar showing on Saturday will get the job done against TCC.

While big-name players such as skipper Simon Green and Carter Ford would be instrumental, Minto said young guns Lachlan Anderson and Jay Marsh could have a big influence on the result.

“We’ll be at full strength on Saturday,” he said.

“I’m sure TCC will come out firing so the focus for us will be to start strongly.

“Hopefully, if we can put it to them early, they will start to feel the pressure.”