USC Spartans name leading talents for 2023 finals surge
The USC Spartans are eyeing off their first ever Universities Rugby League title as head coach Matt O‘Donnell breaks down his side’s key weapons. See the full list of stars.
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The USC Spartans are hoping to clinch their first piece of silverware this season in the 2023 Universities Rugby League Queensland competition.
The Spartans, who were founded in 2019, have competed in the URLQ competition for the past three seasons.
The side, which is made up of current, former and future UniSC students, have recorded two wins, one draw and one loss to start the season.
Head coach Matt O’Donnell said he was extremely proud of how far the club had come.
“I’ve been involved since the start, I wrote the constitution and built the whole club from scratch as it didn’t exist before we came along,” he said.
“We got going and then Covid-19 hit so we’ve been involved in the main competition for three years now and I’m beyond stoked with it all especially when you look at the growth and the talent.”
The competition has held up to six teams in the past but this season only features two opposition teams the UQ Hounds and the QUT Trouts.
Each side must have 13 current students and are allowed up to six graduate or non-students per game.
“There’s boys that play local league, some that have never played before and others just keen for a run around but as soon as they pull that Spartans jersey on everyone’s all in together,” O’Donnell said.
“I would equate it to some high level local reserve grade or low level a-grade so it’s a healthy mix where it’s not too big of a step up but it’s also not a pushover.”
O’Donnell said he hoped to continue to grow and expand the program in the coming years.
“We’ve got an academy day on September 20 which is an invite to all grade 10, 11 and 12 students which might lead them into thinking that if university is an option for them, they can play a bit of footy on the side as well,” he said.
“It’s all during the week so the boys keep their weekends free to do their own thing whether that’s play for their club, officiate or pick up those weekend part-time work shifts.”
The current Tullawong State High School teacher said there was no reason why his side couldn’t go all the way this season.
See below for the full squad breakdown.
USC Spartans
James ‘Jimmy’ Marriott
“Is a young half who made his A-grade debut for the Caloundra Sharks in round 14 and also represented the Sunshine Coast Falcons Mal Meninga Cup side this year. He’s a highly talented playmaker and really stepped up in the maturity of his game from last season to this one. He played for us last season and was the highest point scorer of the competition, while still completing his year 12 studies at Unity College, Caloundra. Jimmy is the kind of player that you can build a team around and achieve high outcomes off the back of his skillset.”
Ben Fischer
“A great young man from Assumption College, Warwick he has been with us since the Covid-19 year and every season since. He plays with a high level of intensity and has moved from the wing to second row this season. Since the move it has been his best season and he has developed into a defensive workhorse.”
Bodie Torr
“Bodie is a Gympie Devils player who is positioned at hooker and shows great maturity on and off the field. A natural born developing leader which will suit him well in his teaching degree. Defensively solid and starting to make effective offensive options out of hooker. I was told that he was nothing more than a front row runner just for hit ups by others at the start of the season and can proudly say that he has proven that wrong so far this season.”
Jakob Thorn
“Jakob went to St Brendan‘s, Yeppoon which is evident in his style of footy and defensive capabilities. A leader amongst the group and rarely seen without a smile on his face, it’s always a fun time watching him shock the opposition for his acceleration as a middle forward.”
Harry Daniel
“One of the Dalby boys from Our Lady of the Southern Cross (OLSCC) who brings security to the wing under the high ball. Consistently working hard at training and developing his game to the next level. Harry is not afraid to take the hard yards coming out of our own end even at the detriment to his own body.”
Clancy Biggar
“Another one of the dynamic Dalby boys, Clancy takes pride in his defensive efforts and excels at scramble defence in moments when our line breaks down. A huge personality off the field with an impact that matches on it.”
Malebo Jobson
“Without a doubt the best looking of the group while being one of the current poster boys for Jetts gym on social media. He’s got lightning footwork and speed with strong defensive capabilities. He‘s a rugby union junior but has effectively transferred his applicable skills and phased out traits that don’t work well on a league field.”
Hamish Kleijn
“Hamish is a Chancellor State College local and performing at a high level in the referee circuit. He was facing the reality of having to give up playing to pursue refereeing, however with our games on Wednesday night this gave him an opportunity to showcase his effective strike power in the centres in combination with Torr and Marriott.”
Soan Amir
“A French exchange student who started the year having no knowledge about the game of rugby league at all. He took this in his stride and is still developing his game, however he has the intensity and grit that is necessary to be a successful footballer. He has blistering speed and a strong will to learn. I’m excited to see what he will do for UniSC in the National 9’s tournament in September.”
Kai Ryder
“A fine young man from Mountain Creek State High School, Kai is an outside back who’s an outstanding finisher in the corner and always willing to put his body on the line in attack and defence. He has the potential to be a tactful devastating force which will come with time and self-confidence.”
Will Goodman
“A Caloundra Sharks player who I would compare to John Bateman in his playing style. Brings strong post contact metres and that x-factor that strangely seems to continuously pull off. I have a preferred way that I would play second row but Will does very little of it, although his tackle breaking capabilities and unorthodox skill set prove why he should play the way he does.”
Elias Broome
“A no-nonsense, tough, resilient and unforgiving player. He’s another Caloundra Sharks player and he has had a huge impact for the team this year. Often carrying multiple opposition in his runs and making breaks majority of the time he gets a one-on-one attacking opportunity. I prefer to call him “Boomy” as whenever he is involved it’s explosive and typically ends up with him winning the battle.”
Maxime Frances
“Another French exchange-student, Frances is similar to Soan with having zero experience beforehand in rugby league. His body positioning in defence is far above the level I would expect him to be at and he’s an extremely strong ball runner when given the opportunity. He’s somebody I would love to watch play the game three years from now as he has the athletic potential to be a quality middle forward.”
Michael MacDonald
“Michael is another one of the Dalby boys and even though he is small in stature he makes a big impact on the field. He’s safe as houses under the highball and with some great finishing ability he is a welcome addition to our outside backs.”
Aneurin ‘Nye’ Florence-Aneurin
“Nye is a player who has shown interest at USCRL for a number of years. Joining in for our academy session in 2021 and playing for us this year he has been a welcome addition to the squad. A Coolum Colts player and Coolum State High School student, Nye has the physicality to compete at the University level. Nye is currently transferring his skills that he learnt at a junior level, to effectively adapting them against adults.”
Tyler Harvey
“Another Unity College alumni, Tyler has speed to burn and footwork that would put Reece Walsh on notice. Outside of playing Confraternity Shield for Unity, the last league he played was four years ago. This gap in playing time is not evident as his try scoring ability and defensive scramble on the edges is at an extremely impressive level.”
Jacob Scott
“Is the definition of don’t judge a book by its cover. Jacob plays in the middle due to his large stature, however his skill level and speed is what you’d expect of an outside back. I pray for whoever decides to run at Jacob as his strong contact often elicits a response of awe from spectators. He has been an important part of our culture and performance building this year through his capabilities and capacity.”
Joe Meikle
“Meikle is a Maroochydore player who was in the Sunshine Coast Falcons Mal Meninga Cup Squad and recently trained with the Falcons Colts. Joe is a strong edge player who brings tough carries and skill that you’d expect out of a representative player of this level. Joe starts off our sets with power and intent and does a lot of the hard work that often goes unappreciated. Joe has a great mindset and I’m excited to see what he produces in the coming years.”
Jack Drury
“Drury is the definition of passion, which he was forced to develop being a Parramatta Eels supporter. He’s another of our maiden season players who plays for the Maroochydore Swans A-grade side. He’s a workhorse in the middle and has developed his game through commitment and dedication. This is evident by his strong post contact metres, dominant tackles and line running compared to the 2021 season.”
Kea Stevenson
“Another Maroochydore player and Kawana Junior, Kea is surprisingly agile for his build and brings another level of unorthodox playing style that puts the other team on the back foot. He is a welcome addition to our forward pack with a bright future in rugby league if he wants to achieve it.”
Zac Hanson
“Another academy player from Mountain Creek SHS and Kawana Dolphins, Zac is a Mal Meninga Cup player who plays with maturity beyond his years. He is somebody I would expect to make it far in rugby league with his extremely high work ethic and dominance in the middle of the park. He doesn’t look out of place when standing next to experienced players like Jack Drury and Jacob Scott.”
Ned Pitkin
“Ned is from the Northern Territory and hit the ground running as soon as he arrived at a Spartans training session. He is a great utility player being able to fill multiple positions with his speed and ball playing skill set. He has great scramble defence and ability to use his footwork to work the defence for effective runs.”
Andrew Bundgaard
“Andrew has returned to rugby league after having a knee injury that has taken him out in the past. He returned this year performing defensively sound and moved with speed and acceleration that does not show any signs of needing rehab. He has had a number of surgeries throughout the year due to previous injuries but I am extremely excited to see what he produces at the tail end of the USCRL season and at the Uni sport National 9’s.”
Honourable mentions to squad members who are eligible to play but are either injured or clash with other work commitments or living arrangements.
Blake Scholten, Joseph Chapman, Joseph Clarke, Bradley Beckett and Isaac ‘Wally’ Jones.
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