Player standouts in Wide Bay Bulls showdown with Falcons

Wide Bay Bulls’ coaches have singled out the players whose talent, courage and determination made for a dazzling display of rugby league in the three clashes against the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

Wide Bay Bulls in action on the Sunshine Coast, March 2023.

THE Wide Bay Bulls travelled down to the Sunshine Coast on Sunday.

The three teams all came way with losses but all the coaches were proud of their players and all took plenty of positives from the games.

Here’s what the coaches had to say about their teams’ performances.

Cyril Connell Challenge

Sunshine Coast Falcons 34-26

Tries from Harrison Braithwaite Bentley Rizzo and Jimmy Gear put the Bulls youngsters up 16-0 with the wind at their backs in the first half but the Coast side fought back with five tries of their own before Ryan Charteris’ try and a four-pointer from Lukas Blair gave the Bulls a real chance. But a final try from the home side ended the comeback.

Coach Andrew Filo was proud of his team’s showing.

“We started well and we hit all our structures we wanted to,” he said.

05/03/2023 - Wide Bay Bulls Cyril Connell Challenge coach Andrew Filo. Picture: Phil Dillon

Filo picked out a few players who stood out on the day.

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One was fullback Harrison Braithwaite, who has a contract with new NRL side the Dolphins, who are affiliated to the Wide Bay Bulls.

“Harrison has played really well for us,” Filo said.

“He puts in some really good talk at the back. He’s really fitted in to our fullback position. He’s normally a halfback, so he’s transitioned to a fullback really well.”

Filo also picked out forward Riley Maule.

05/03/2023 - Ryan Charteris scored a try for the Wide Bay Bulls’ Cyril Connell Challenge side. Picture: Phil Dillon

“He was outstanding in the middle,” the coach said.

“He makes a lot of tackles for us, and he’s defensively strong, so he was really good.”

Winger Owen Hess, cousin of Cowboys star Coen, was another who stood out for the coach.

“He had a blinder out wide,” Filo said.

“He is normally a centre but moved out on the wing. Owen works hard in our backline for us and gets us on the front foot.”

Preston Walsh, at halfback also put in a good performance,” Filo said.

“He’s come a long way with us and he puts in some good directional play in the halves,” he added.

Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup

Falcons 58 Bulls 20

Coach Shaun Hobson’s side conceded six tries in the first half but scored two of their own through Ryan Bugeja and Thomas Morcom.

Adam Khan and Morcom again added touchdowns in the second half but the Coast side ran in four more for a convincing win.

But coach Hobson was delighted with his team’s resilience and said they never gave up.

“It was a tough day at the office but we showed some good signs,” Hobson said.

“I thought Tom Morcom really put his hand up and did what we asked him to do.”

05/03/2023 - Wide Bay Bulls players team up for a tackle on a Sunshine Coast Falcons opponent in the Mal Meninga Cup. Picture: Josh Woning QRL

Hobson also picked out Mitchell Sly, who replaced halfback Ezekiel Monckton, who was forced off the field with a HIA in the first set before returning later in the game.

“Luke Adamson on the right wing was strong and solid and also had a good game,” Hobson added.

“I am proud of all the boys. The scoreline doesn’t really matter. We have some areas we have to address and hopefully put that right before the trip to Ipswich next week.

“We are building something at Wide Bay. Will there be challenges? Absolutely. But will we give in? No we won’t. We have to just keep working at it and try to improve.”

Harvey Norman Under-19s Women’s

Falcons 64 Bulls 6

The Bulls were on the receiving end of 13 tries from the home team but despite being down to 14 fit players with two of the side forced off with head injuries, the team refused to wilt under constant pressure.

In fact, the Bulls arguably scored the try of the game, when five-eighth Sadie Langton broke though the strong Falcons defence following a couple of slick dummies before sliding over under the posts.

Coach Geteno George bemoaned his bad luck with the HIAs and the fact he was missing some key players but offered up no excuses.

He said he was proud of his team as they refused to give up despite the Falcons’ constant pressure.

“They did it tough,” he said.

05/03/2023 - Sadie Langton scored a great try for the Harvey Norman Under 19s side. Picture: Josh Woning QRL

“We came down here short on numbers and then we had a couple of HIAs early.

“But I could not have been prouder of them.

“All we asked for is effort when we come top against teams like that and I can’t argue with the effort my players put in.

“Sadie stood out for us today and scored a brilliant try, Sam Cobb was good before her head injury, while Narmi Page and Lluana George never stopped trying.

05/03/2023 - Maddison Clarke runs the ball against the Sunshine Coast Falcons. Picture: Josh Woning, QRL

“The biggest thing we ask for each week is effort. They are all mates, so they are not going to let each other down and that was the case in this game.

“If we can build a community as well as teams on the field, then we are doing the right thing.”

The Bulls travel to Ipswich own Saturday, March 11 to play the Jets.

The Harvey Norman Under-19s women’s side starts proceedings off at 12noon, while the Mal Meninga Cup team kicks off at 2.20pm with the Cyril Connell Challenge side finishing the day at 3.15pm.