Chip off the old block
THE Broncos-contracted son of former Kangaroos prop Tom Learoyd-lahrs has won famous Kirwan State High School’s ultimate rugby league honour at the age of 16.
Officials at Townsville’s elite rugby league nursery believe strapping year 11 lock Kaiden Lahrs is the youngest ever to take home the Sam Thaiday Medal as the school’s top senior player.
The North Queensland school has launched the NRL careers of Jason Taumalolo, Brandon Smith and most recently Jeremiah Nanai but no player in its history has dominated this stage at an earlier age than Brisbane-bound Lahrs.
Coach Nathan Norford said the lock’s professionalism made him an automatic selection for the honour, despite his youth.
“I’ve watched him come through our junior teams and you could straight away tell he could handle himself,” Norford said.
“He is a professional with everything he does, and I think he’s learned that from his dad – his (Learoyd-lahrs’) experience has definitely rubbed off on his son.
“He’s a professional athlete already … obviously he’s e’s only in grade 11 so we’re looking forward rward to seeing eing what he can n do with h a n o t h e r y e a r under his belt.”
Norford d said speed testing ing had revealed Lahrs to be the q u i c k e s t player in his age group in Townsville, T ill which hi h transt lated into powerful performances with and without the ball.
Lahrs stepped up most in Aaron Payne Cup action when taking on Cowboyscontracted Ignatius Park College rivals Jamal Shibasaki and Henry Teutau.
Learoyd-lahrs told the Bulletin the Broncos were on to a good one in his boy.
“He’s different to me. I think he’s got a lot better work ethic than I ever had at his age,” the former NSW Origin representative said.
“He loves being busy, he’s one of those footballers who goes out and competes.
“He’s just a bit of a sponge, he’s just got a real thirst for knowledge and learning. I know they (the Broncos) will be happy with the way he applies himself while he’s down there.”
Cowboys-contracted and former New Zealand under-18s prop Jerry Matautia was crowned Kirwan’s forward of the year while centre Harley Walker was named best back.
Lock Terrell Anderson took home the John Livingston 110% award.
Future Cowboys NRLW prop Theophelia Theopheli MosbyNona won Kirwan’s Kirwan representative player of the th year after leading the Queensland Schoolgirls Schoo to an Origin Orig win and the Gold Stars to a BHP senior io Premiership sh title.
D i e s e l Taylor T and L o g a n Brookes won u n d e r - 1 6 honours h in the th Cowboys C h a l l e n g e team. tea