Queensland is best: Brown buoyed by rivalry
THE State of Origin rugby league series came to an end earlier this month but the state v state rivalry never stops, at least not for Labrador hockey player Luca Brown.
After representing NSW as a junior, this week’s under-21 national championships marked the first time the former Northern Rivers resident had represented Queensland.
In the final match of the tournament, Brown was forced to face off against his former state in the playoff for fifth spot, prompting some onfield banter between teams.
“It was a bit tough,” he joked. “I’ve grown up playing alongside a lot of those guys. One of my roommates was in the team so it was good fun.”
After moving north to pursue work and a higher level of hockey, the 18-year-old has had a year to remember and was recently named in the Queensland Blaze side to compete in the inaugural Hockey One competition.
“It was actually really surprising,” Brown said of his selection. “I was stoked when I got named and can’t wait to train and play alongside some of the best players in the State.”
Brown hopes the Blaze isn’t the only professional team he represents in his career.
“Long term, I’d love to play for the Kookaburras but short term, I’d love to make the junior Burras team and go from there,” he said.
Today, Labrador face the last-placed Northern Suburbs side (4.30pm at the State Hockey Centre) but Brown said the Tigerstix could not afford to be complacent.
“It’s always a tough game,” he said.