SUPERPOACH
Broncos guru says thanks a million to our footy nursery
GOLD Coast’s NRL finals hopes may be shot, but the region’s schools have won the tick of approval from the master mentor who has made a habit of pilfering their talent.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has praised the role that Gold Coast nurseries are playing in helping develop the region’s best rugby league talent.
Ironically Bennett’s pat on the back came after his Broncos side – featuring some young and old Coast talents – on Sunday dished out a 34-0 drubbing of the Titans.
Among the Broncos’ stars was 18-year-old David Fifita, who made 94m and 22 tackles in just his second NRL game.
Fifita is one of several former Keebra Park students who have linked with the Broncos ahead of their NRL debuts, including Payne Haas, who made his debut earlier this year, and Jai Arrow, who started his career with the Broncos before returning to the Titans this year.
“The high schools do a great job,” Bennett said, noting the work of another famed Gold Coast nursery in Palm Beach Currumbin as he sat next to former student Darius Boyd in the press conference.
“There’s a Palm Beach Currumbin player here (Boyd), so they do a great job.
“But we’ve been there with those guys from an early age as well. Between the club and the school it’s a credit to them.
“But more importantly, it’s a credit to the young men they are … They’re 18-year-olds and 19-yearolds but they’re very balanced.
“It’s just a pity Payne’s not playing for us as well because he’d be there.”
A former Peter Sterling medallist, Fifita has been rated the best schoolboy player in the past 20 years by commentator Andrew Voss.
But Bennett doesn’t want the teen to play a star role.
“I like what David brings because, at the moment, he’s not trying to be the star of the show,” he said.
“He knows he’s got an important role to play and that’s making sure he’s making his tackles and getting his carries and he’s not trying to do any more than that.”
“I’m pleased with that because I don’t want him to get in front of himself,” Bennett said.
“He’s got a lot more to show us yet but that’s going to be a year or two (away).”
While the Broncos have benefited most from the Gold Coast nursery in recent years, the tide may be turning.
Among the Titans’ best on Sunday was 18-year-old frontrower Moeaki Fotuaika, another former Keebra player.
With Arrow and Jarrod Wallace on Origin duty, Fotuaika stood up against the Broncos, making 105m and 37 tackles in an effort Gold Coast captain Ryan James rated as the only bright note of the day.