BRISBANE Broncos coach Anthony Seibold might look to the Redlands to remedy his side's up and down form after local junior Jake Turpin put the region back on the rugby league map this season.
Redlands Rugby League Club are not known as a powerhouse junior football nursery despite their standing as one of the biggest clubs in south-east Queensland, but the success stories of 22-year-old Turpin and Australian Schoolboy representative Jayden Clarkson could see that change.
The club's partnership with the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls is also paying dividends, with several Redlands players going on to represent their bayside neighbours in under 18 and under 20 state level competitions this season.
Former Redlands players Reece Hoffman and Brock Richardson joined current player Will Parslow in the Wynnum-Manly side for the under 20 colts grand final, which was played as a curtain raiser to the Queensland Cup grand final at Redcliffe's Dolphin Stadium on Sunday.
Wynnum-Manly lost the game 28-34 to the Sunshine Coast Falcons but gave Redlands' reputation as a rugby league breeding ground a major boost.
Young gun Jayden Clarkson was also at his rampaging best during the international schoolboys game, which saw Australia defeat New Zealand 36-20.
Parslow and Hoffman will join on to NRL clubs from next season as they look to earn a first grade birth.
Redlands Rugby League Club development manager Troy Clarkson, who also works in recruitment for the Parramatta Eels, said the success of local products showed there was a pathway to the top level in the Redlands for up and coming players.
"To see the club go from having 28 teams to 43 teams and competing in a lot of the highest grades has been great to be involved in," he said.
"In the Mal Meninga Cup, which is an under 18 competition, we had a high representation of about eight players.
"To see them not only participating but having success is fantastic."
Clarkson said the club would continue to give young players exposure to the top level going forward.
"We have done trips to Sydney to play against the Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs in the past," he said.
"Last year we played the Bulldogs and beat them.
"I work for Parramatta so I bring back what we do there and also bring in former NRL players.
"They come and run certain sessions which gives the kids better skills."
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