He’s been named in the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) team to play in the Australian championships on the Gold Coast next month. A hooker, he was selected from trials held at Penrith. Mitch is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana.

Mitch played with the Northern Country team at the State trials. The team performed moderately and Mitch wasn’t sure if he’d done enough to earn a place in the State side.

“We only won one game,’’ the 17-year-old explained.

“The others were close. I thought I played pretty well, but I could have done more.

“I wasn't sure if I’d done enough to get selected.’’

NSW CCC are usually one of the powerhouses at the national titles and an Australian side will be named at the conclusion of the event.

However, Mitch isn’t sure how much game time he’ll get on the Gold Coast.

“I think I’ve been named on the bench,’’ he said.

That doesn’t faze him too much. He’s in year 11 so will get the opportunity to try out again next year.

Mitch has already had a taste of State football. He was a member of the NSW CCC under 15s side two years ago for the championships played at Port Macquarie. His team finished third.

It was here that Mitch started playing hooker.

“Dad always thought I would make a hooker so I put that down as my preferred position for the try-outs,’’ he said.

“I’d played five-eighth until then.’’

The NSW selectors agreed with his dad’s judgement as they named in the State 15s. Mitch has been in the nine jumper ever since.

Last year he successfully tried out for the premiership-winning Newcastle Knights Harold Matthews (under 16) team. This year he moved into the SG Ball (under 18s) and began training last November. This meant a trip to Newcastle on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for training along with matches on Saturday. Newcastle bowed out in the elimination semi-final,with Mitch playing the majority of the season off the bench. However, as a member of the Knights elite pathways squad, Mitch still journeys to Newcastle on Wednesdays for training. He will again be eligible for SG Ball in 2019.

He had hoped to return to play with the Taree City Bulls under 18s in the Group Three competition once his commitments with the SG Ball side had finished, although he has yet to be cleared by the Knights. He played with the Bulls and Taree Panthers under 16s last year after finishing with the Knights. Mitch started his football with the Panthers under eights.

He’s hoping to one day get a start in the NRL–hopefully with Newcastle Knights.