Jock Madden may be the latest in a long list of St Mary's Maitland students to earn Australian Schoolboy's jersey but he has put his own stamp on the achievement.
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Madden is the fifth student at the college to earn selection in the past five years following in the steps of Brock Lamb, Jayden Butterfield, Brodie Jones and Jesse Cronin.
Centre Timanu Alexander was incredibly unlucky not to make it six, starring beside Madden in the tournament winning NSW Catholic Combined Colleges team which beat NSW Combined High Schools in the final.
Maitland’s mark as a rich rugby league nursery also included Maitland junior Pasami Saulo, who was a student at Hunter Sports High when he joined Jones in the 2016 team.
But Madden has gone one better than his predecessors, not only completing the double of a championship and earning Australian Schoolboys selection, the young half was also named player of the tournament.
“It’s been an incredible time. There are times when I still think did that all really happen,” Madden said back at school this week as he and his school teammates plot to win their pool in the NRL Schoolboys Cup for the first time when they meet Illawarra Sports High at Maitland Sportsground next Wednesday.
“It’s incredible to think that I will be wearing an Australian jersey touring England.”
Madden grew up in Scone and moved to Maitland with his family two years ago as his commitments with the Newcastle Knights junior programs increased and his sister Gabie started study university.
While his Knights commitments have kept Madden from wearing Pickers colours he does have rich Pickers bloodlines.
His grandfather is Pickers legend Bandy Adams brother and the Clydsdale brothers Adam and Luke are cousins.
Madden said while it was daunting to think he was part of the Australian team he was looking forward to playing and would need to be at his best as he leads the young team around the park.
“As a player one of my strengths is my direction of the team around the ground. My kicking game is another strength and I like to take on the line when opportunities arise,” the 18-year-old, who is equally comfortable in the No.6 or 7 jersey, said.
While he has been a part of the Knights program for five years, he is the latest Coalfields talent to slip through Newcastle’s grasp.
The West Tigers have swooped with a three-year offer on a senior contract with the youngster to train with the senior squad while being groomed through the under-20s.
“It’s an exciting opportunity. I’m training with the senior squad and learning from players like Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah.”
