Teen ‘mauler’ set to rise
Stingrays junior taking giant strides in new game
GOLD Coast Stingrays junior Matt Ioane is blessed with the size needed to start for an NFL team tomorrow, which must terrify the 14-, 15- and 16-yearold players who stand between him and Queensland’s equivalent to the Superbowl.
The 193cm, 140kg Upper Coomera State High student first strapped on a helmet 10 weeks ago when an aunt pointed him towards the gridiron after his Ormeau Shearers rugby league season ended.
The teenager possesses overwhelming physical gifts but not yet mastery of the techniques required to use them, so Stingrays officials have allowed him to learn his craft among kids his own age.
With Ioane anchoring their offensive line, the Stingrays juniors have ridden an 11-game winning streak to book their place in their Sunbowl grand final next weekend against the Sunshine Coast.
The gigantic teen says he is already sick of being compared to Big Mike – former Baltimore Ravens star Michael Oher – whose life story inspired the movie The Blind Side.
Those comparisons are unlikely to stop anytime soon because Ioane is even bigger than Big Mike was when US colleges were tripping over themselves to recruit him.
Stingrays juniors coach Lance Tongakilo said Ioane’s NFL calibre frame and athleticism could carry him to a Division One college too.
“He’s a good, hardworking kid who wants to learn,” Mr Tongakilo said.
“He’s a gentle giant but on the field he’s learned to use his full strength.
“He’s bigger, faster and stronger than anyone else on the field so as soon as he gets his hands on you it’s all over.
“He’s a mauler right now, driving defenders back and driving them into the ground.
“He’s improving so fast that the sky is the limit for Matt.
“He can make it to whatever level he wants to because he’s got all the tools to make a career in this.”