Toby Couchman is Wollongong through and through, and the back-rower-turned prop is quickly making headway through the grades at the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Rugby League has been a staple for the Thirroul Butchers graduate since he was five years old. He has played more than 150 games for the same South Coast nursery which produced True Blues Trent Waterhouse (2004, 2009-10) and Matt Prior (2018).
While the 2021 season was cut short before it began due to a shoulder injury – which would have been his first in the UNE SG Ball Cup for the Illawarra Steelers - Couchman didn’t let it stop him from putting his best foot forward when he returned this year.
In 2022 he got off to a flying start, playing six matches in the Under 19s competition while averaging 130 run metres and 31 tackles – enough to work his way into the forward rotation for the Dragons in the Jersey Flegg Cup.
During that 13-game stretch for the Red V, Couchman caught the eye of True Blue Andrew Ryan and his coaching staff to earn selection in the NSW Under 19s State of Origin team, securing the Shield with a 28-point win.
Couchman’s work-rate was at its consistent best when he pulled on the NSW jersey, running for 114 metres with 44 post-contact in his 40 minute stint, and making 30 tackles.
From there his season saw a few more accomplishments as Couchman made his Knock-On Effect NSW Cup debut in Round 17, before the Dragons’ Jersey Flegg Cup side reached the Minor Semi-final against eventual Premiers Penrith.
At St George Illawarra the forwards contingent has some promise on the horizon, and Toby Couchman is just getting started.
