The opening weekend of the 2023 GPS season didn’t disappoint, with Toowoomba Grammar living up to the preseason hype and TSS, BBC and Churchie all recording impressive wins. 

Here are the five players that caught our eye in the opening round: 

George Griffiths – Toowoomba Grammar

The big Toowoomba lock was a cut above the rest in his side’s opening round win against Terrace. Griffiths showed his strength to score two pick and go tries, then showed off his athleticism to scoop up a loose ball, beat two defenders and race away to score what ended up being an important try in the context of the match. 

Amaziah Murgha – Ipswich Grammar

Another to score a hat trick in the opening round, everything Ipswich winger Amaziah Murgha touched against TSS turned to gold. Even a pass he threw that was knocked down ended up popping up into his hands for a five pointer. 

Jye Crothers – Churchie

Churchie almost let an eight point lead slip in the final minutes of their 22-21 win over State High. After State High scored a late try, they attacked again inside Churchie territory and were on the front foot. But with the match on the line, Crothers beat his opponents to the ball and caused a turnover that sealed the result for the home side.  

Sebastian Smith-Power – TSS

Southport’s big, hard working lock had a hand in three of the Gold Coast side’s first four tries against Ipswich. Smith-Power claimed the lineout and set up the maul that led to the first try. He then took the ball into contact, attracted two defenders and offloaded to set up the second try, then ran a lovely line in the midfield off a great pass from No.8 Amare Milford to score TSS’ fourth five pointer. 

Clancy McCosker – Toowoomba Grammar 

Toowoomba winger Clancy McCosker scored the try of the round in the first half against Terrace. After a scrappy sequence of play, the ball was spread to McCosker on the wing. He burned the Terrace defenders with speed, kicked ahead, leaped over a Terrace cover defender and regathered to score a brilliant meat pie.