Thirds to firsts to seven

THREE weeks ago Blake Griffin was getting credits in the bank in third grade. On Saturday, he became a seven-try superstar.

The Griffith University Colleges winger bagged an incredible individual haul of seven tries to underpin one of the biggest Gold Coast District Rugby Union thrashings in recent memory.

The Knights annihilated Bond Pirates 117-15 after racing to a 70-3 halftime lead.

Griffin’s effort easily eclipsed his own previous best – the four tries he scored in a 2016 elimination final against

Palm Beach Currumbin.

“Seven tries, that’s a bit of a first,” Griffin (pictured) said.

“Me and the fullback (Jason Beeton) were like, we’ll try to get three tries each. I had one and he had two and then he got another one and I was like, I’ve got to try to catch up.

“So I started following the forwards a bit more and then they just kept passing the ball and I kept on scoring tries.”

The 23-year-old only returned to the club after the Commonwealth Games break, following a short-lived codehopping attempt with rugby league club Southport Tigers.

He played third grade on return before being recalled to the Knights’ top side a fortnight ago.

“I went to try out in league for a bit and I didn’t like it so I called Herls (coach Graham Herlihy) and Matty Blair the captain and we had a meeting,” he said.

“Taffy (Paul Longman) the assistant coach was there and a few other members. They were happy to have me back so I started in third grade and worked my way up.

“I think it made me a better person and a better player.”

Colleges are unbeaten after seven rounds, putting them in a welcome position.

“It’s good being on top and not second place to Surfers all the time,” Griffin laughed.