Aaron Payne Cup, Cowboys Challenge: Mackay team of the year revealed
It was a season of varied success for Mackay’s four teams, but there are players from across the board that deserve recognition for their efforts. Find out the full team here.
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Mackay’s four schoolboy rugby league teams enjoyed varied success across the Aaron Payne Cup and Cowboys Challenge in 2021.
While Mercy College tasted the ultimate success in a Cowboys Challenge premiership, Mackay High was unable to secure a win in the Aaron Payne Cup.
St Patrick’s College and Mackay High’s junior team were unable to make the semi finals, but still had productive years thanks to strong seasons from key players.
Based on recommendation from coaches, as well as reviewing livestreamed matches, this is Mackay’s team of the tournaments for 2021.
Fullback – Will Shears – Mercy College
The Mercy College captain’s performances throughout the Cowboys Challenge cannot be understated.
Not only did he lead his team to a premiership, he did it as consistently one of the side’s best players.
From the first game against Mackay High to the grand final battle with St Brendan’s, Shears was a mainstay at fullback.
At his size, Shears could easily line up in the forwards and be as dominant there, but his direction, voice and intelligence makes him such a good fullback.
Consistently able to break lines with both neat footwork and brute force, Shears was arguably the player of the tournament.
The NRL beckons for the young prodigy.
Winger – Hunter Harris – Mercy College
Harris started the season wearing an interchange jersey, and finished it as an influential piece in a premiership-winning side.
The growth of the winger was exponential throughout the season.
Harris consistently found the try line through the tournament, with his efforts culminating in a try in the grand final.
Forming a dangerous pairing with Bailey Anderson on the other wing, Harris provided Mercy with plenty of drive on the edges of the pitch.
Centre – William Veitch – Mackay High
The powerful centre played a major part in Mackay High’s improved form during its second-half run that almost secured them a semi final spot.
Mackay did not win a game before the school-holiday break, but went on a tear after the prolonged rest with wins against Kirwan and Shalom.
Veitch was instrumental in the win against Kirwan, with the centre physically undersized against the Townsville opponents.
He would not be denied, proving to be one of Mackay’s best on the day in the side’s first-ever win against Kirwan in the Cowboys Challenge.
Centre – Kai Simon – St Patrick’s College
While Simon was never truly outstanding during St Pat’s Aaron Payne Cup run, his consistency was unparalleled.
A strong presence in the centre of the field, his imposing figure and quick pace provided his side with a weapon down the middle of the field.
Often Simon would break lines, pushing through would-be tacklers to gain extra metres, and found himself drawing extra attention when he had ball in hand.
His presence opened the game up for his wingers out wide, giving St Pat’s open space on the pitch.
Winger – Bailey Anderson – Mercy College
Anderson, paired with Hunter Harris, made a damaging wing tandem for Mercy College.
He was locked in the role all season, providing the side with quick dash along the sidelines and a strong frame to push through tackles as he neared the try zone.
Anderson’s try in the grand final was reward for his efforts all season, with an excellent body of work throughout the Cowboys Challenge.
Five-Eighth – Jaxon Purdue – Mercy College
Purdue’s impressive tournament was capped off by best-afield honours in Mercy’s grand final triumph.
The five-eighth was everything the side needed him to be, helping Shears lead the side from the backs and controlled the pace of the game.
Purdue scored the first try of the grand final and set up the second on the way to a famous victory for the side, but it was his efforts throughout the tournament that was most impressive.
His three tries against Rockhampton was also a major highlight for the tournament.
His ability to set his teammates in the right positions for success was apparent in each of Mercy’s games, with long lateral passes quickly becoming a trademark.
Halfback – Bailey Venz – Mackay High
Venz was one of Mackay’s most influential players, and a key component in the side’s run home.
The halfback was one half of a great pairing with five-eighth Ryan White, with the two backs controlling possession well.
Venz’s directive talk and leadership on field was a major reason for a strong second half of the Cowboys Challenge, with Mackay High narrowly missing out on a semi-final berth.
Prop – Ethan Cocco – St Patrick’s College
Ethan Cocco is a future NRL star, and that was clear on the Aaron Payne Cup stage.
The prop uses his mature body to his advantage, bursting through tackles and gaining metres almost effortlessly.
Already a member of Mackay’s Hastings Deering Colts side, Cocco is destined for a bright rugby league future.
His performances against Mackay High in the first round, as well as against Rockhampton in the last, were highlights of Cocco’s season.
Hooker – Xavier Kerrisk – Mercy College
Xavier Kerrisk was unlucky to not be awarded best-afield honours in the Cowboys Challenge grand final.
The hooker capped off a great season with a dominant display on the biggest stage, providing his side with a focal point in offence.
His ability to pinpoint teammates and accurately deliver passes gave Mercy plenty of scoring opportunities throughout the season.
Kerrisk was very impressive against Rockhampton, scoring one try and assisting in two others as Mercy ran away with a strong win.
Prop – Jesse Wallace – Mackay High
The heart and soul of Mackay High’s Aaron Payne Cup side, Wallace was the side’s most consistent performer in an otherwise disappointing tournament.
The captain led from the front, providing his side with damaging runs and brute force down the middle of the field.
His two-try performance against Shalom was a highlight for the prop, despite Mackay High losing 36-14.
Wallace’s ability to break tackles while also sticking hard tackles gave Mackay High a fighting chance when the side was on the field.
Second Row – Harry Thorpe – St Patrick’s College
The Thorpe twins were a dangerous combination during the Aaron Payne Cup, and the pair is only going to get better.
Harry, who only just recovered from a shoulder injury in time for the start of the season, spent part of the tournament at five-eighth, but was a dominant presence in the second row.
The strong frame, mixed with a great intelligence and match awareness, made for a lethal footballer who could easily slot into a high-volume possession game.
His ability to physically intimidate smaller defenders while also being too agile for bigger forwards meant he became a match-up nightmare as the season progressed.
Second Row – Tyler Shandiman – Mercy College
A physically imposing footballer, Shandiman was an integral part in Mercy’s premiership run.
Often lining up alongside Darcy Clark and Kayne Smith, Shandiman was able to battle through defensive pressure, especially late in tackle counts.
His ability to draw multiple tacklers allowed for less coverage wide on the pitch, meaning wingers Hunter Harris and Bailey Anderson became more dangerous.
Lock Forward – Henry Thorpe – St Patrick’s College
One half of the powerhouse twins from St Pat’s, Henry Thorpe barely saw the bench this season.
A little undersized in the position, Thorpe still enjoyed a strong year of Aaron Payne Cup football despite lining up against bigger opponents.
St Pat’s became more reliant on his grit as a forward as the injuries mounted, but Thorpe showed his class time and again on the field.
Now signed to the Canberra Raiders as an academy product, Thorpe has a bright footballing future on the horizon.
Bench
Brady Hazledine was unlucky to miss out on the starting fullback role.
The Canberra Raiders academy player had a strong season for St Pat’s, with a strong presence and a great intelligence.
Darcy Clark was an important member of Mercy’s premiership glory, with the prop forming a strong bond with Kody Perry.
His wide frame acted as a battering ram at times, while he was still quick on his feet and possessed a lateral step rarely seen in bigger forwards.
Ryan White was arguably Mackay High’s best player in its Cowboys Challenge line-up, but he falls victim to positional depth.
Jaxon Purdue was arguably the best player in the tournament, but White’s ability to control the flow of his team’s offensive sets gave Mackay a strong chance of completing a miracle comeback and make the competition’s semi finals.
He was a key component in Mackay’s drought-breaking win against Kirwan.
Mason Patterson was another player unlucky not to make the starting 13, with the prop enjoying a successful season for Mackay High.
Another powerful prop, his presence on the field was often unappreciated, but his ability to break the lines and draw attention with ball in hand was useful for Mackay’s offensive sets.
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