Balancing Origin and final uni exam

Dolphins’ Max Plath has had to ask for an exam deferment because of NRL duties and a Queensland State of Origin call-up!

The ‘Phins utility is almost over the line on his Bachelor of Business (Marketing) at QUT, but final assessments coincide with the biggest weeks of his football career.

Plath made his Origin debut for the Maroons last month in Sydney and on Monday was named in the Queensland squad for Origin II on June 17 in Melbourne.

Despite Queensland going down 22-20 in game one, the 24-year-old put in an impressive performance, playing 63 minutes at lock and making 44 tackles.

Preparations for Origin II clash with studying for his last exam but luckily for Max - and the Maroons - QUT’s Elite Sport Program arranged a deferment.

“They’ve been great, really good communication and they’ve helped me so much with extensions,” Max said.

“It’s been a dream of mine, playing Origin, so that had to come first. Hopefully I can complete that exam soon.”

QUT Director of Sport Rosa Boyd said the Elite Sport Program helped 300 student-athletes across more than 40 sports, with flexible timetabling and moving assessments.

“The program enables students to grow, lead and succeed, in their current sport and the real-world challenges beyond” Ms Boyd said.

Max’s six-year study journey at QUT has changed with his football career.

He started studying business straight out of high school (Iona College), then switched to sport and exercise science while playing under-21s and seniors with Wynnum Manly.

When his big NRL break came in 2023 at Dolphins, studying an on-campus degree did not suit his new schedule so Max re-enrolled in a business degree, as a part-time online student.

“I did really well at school in business and it was something I gravitated towards,” he said.

“Both my parents are business owners and it was something I was interested in. Six years later here I am nearly finished. It’s been a good ride.”

Provided he completes his final finance exam in time, Max will graduate in August at QUT’s mid-year graduation ceremonies.

“It’s going to be funny not having to submit anything anymore,” he said, “there will be a bit of relief as well.

“It (combining footy and study) is hard – you have to turn down a lot of events and hanging out with friends, it takes a bit of sacrifice. But at the same time it’s rewarding.

“I’m going to have the rest of the year off and focus on footy. Then hopefully come back to QUT for some sort of postgrad study – maybe dive into finance or property.”

Max had almost written off this year’s first Origin clash, after most of the selection day passed without a call from Maroons’ coach Billy Slater.

“I was waiting all day for the phone call and it didn’t come until 8.30pm,” he said. “I was just at home, playing cards with my brother and checking my phone every two minutes.

“This random number came through and there was Billy. He’s just such a role model of mine and he’s been such a legend of the game.”

The day after that call he was in camp at Twin Waters and nine days later walking out on to New South Wales turf in a maroon jersey.

“It was one of those moments where you just can’t believe it’s real,” he said. “I was stoked.

“We stood there for the national anthem. My family and friends were in the section right in front of me. I took a couple of minutes to soak it in, say hi to them and get ready to play.

“It was fast, the crowd was passionate. A lot of blue, I think it was about 80,000 Blues supporters there. It was just a surreal experience – I want to do it again!”

Back at the Dolphins, Max is already putting his business studies to use this year while doing work experience with club sponsor North Harbour at the property developer’s Milton office.