Mackay rugby league twins Henry Thorpe and Harry Thorpe have always achieved success in pairs.
Since pulling on their first football boots at the age of five, the talented siblings have chalked up a long list of accomplishments together and dream of one day playing alongside each other in the National Rugby League competition.
Fresh from their heroic deeds with St Patrick's College in the Capricornia schoolboy ranks, the brothers Thorpe are keen to impress NRL talent scouts and earn a crack at the big league.
They'll both step up a class this season when they pit their skills for the Mackay Cutters Under 18s in the Mal Meninga Cup series and for the Mackay Magpies Under 20s team in the Mackay & District Junior League.
The Magpies junior products played pivotal roles during St Patrick's unwavering success in the Confraternity Shield and Aaron Payne Cup schoolboy competitions in recent seasons with standout performances at lock and five eighth.
Inspirational Henry proved a revelation in the forwards - skippering the first-grade team to Grand Final appearances in both competitions last season where they finished runners up to arch rivals Ignatius Park College Townsville.
The tough tackling lock showed his wares in Queensland's most prestigious schoolboy rugby league showpiece tournament and was rewarded for consistent displays with selection in the 2022 Confraternity Shield Merit Team.
Having overcome niggling injuries, the twins have now set their sights on making an impression in the Mackay senior ranks and hopefully securing their futures with an NRL club down the track.
Both Henry and Harry are entering their 14th season with the Mackay Magpies club where they have given yeoman service since being introduced to the code in the Under 6 Junior League division.
Under the coaching of their father Scott Thorpe – a legendary hooker from the Darling Downs in his heyday - the twins were part of a crack Magpies outfit that captured the Laurie Spina Shield (Under 11s); Jason Hetherington Cup (Under 12s) in Gladstone plus the Nate Myles Cup (Under 13s) trophies as well as lifting the Mackay & District Junior League Under 13s premiership during a golden three-year period.
A highlight for the twins was also gaining selection in the Queensland Under 12 Schoolboys representative team as second row forwards back in 2017 following strong performances for Capricornia in the State trials.
Both Henry and Harry left their mark as the young Maroons defeated a powerful NSW combination to clinch the National Primary Schools Rugby League championship title in Melbourne.
The twins spent their early high school days at Mackay State High School and were recognised for their developing skills by the Brisbane Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys and Canberra Raiders.
Henry showed promise as a five eighth and Harry at lock in the Broncos Rugby League Academy at ages 13 and 14 before switching positions in the Cowboys Academy as 15- and 16-year-olds.
2022 proved a breakout year for the versatile siblings who featured in St Patrick's rugby league success with tireless performances across all competitions.
They were also part of the Mackay Cutters' Under 18 Mal Meninga Cup side that finished runners up to the Townsville Blackhawks and will spearhead the 2023 squad alongside school colleagues Xavier Kerrisk, Jaxon Purdue, Liam Doherty, Kai Simon and Matthew Watts.
The twins will saddle up again with their beloved Mackay Magpies in the Under 20 Junior League series and juggle work commitments with a view to forcing their way into the senior ranks.
A determined Henry has commenced studies for a Sports/Science degree at CQUniversity and is a valuable employee at the Integrated Bodies Athlete Development Centre while 18-year-old Harry is studying to become a school teacher and has acquired work as a Teacher Assistant at the St Patrick's College Mercy campus.
By Chris Karas
Images
1: Harry Thorpe
2: Henry Thorpe
