‘I left it up to the boys’: How a perfect day of goal-kicking lifted Sharks to elimination final victory

Souths Sharks coach Mark Bowden reveals the story behind how a perfect performance from goal-kicker Mikaere Beattie lifted his side to an elimination final victory

Tyreeq Salleh Meadows of Souths Sharks in possession. Picture: Michaela Harlow

A good or bad day kicking for goal can be all the difference in a game of rugby league, and that was certainly the case in Sunday’s Mackay and District Rugby League elimination final thriller between South Sharks and Moranbah Miners.

Despite scoring three tries to the Miners’ four, Souths was able to pull out the win courtesy of its number six Mikaere Beattie nailing all four of his shots at goal, including three conversions and a penalty goal early in the 20-18 thriller.

“I leave it up to the boys who takes the kicks on the day, we have a few boys who can kick them,” Sharks coach Mark Bowden said.

“It just comes down to who is feeling the most confident on the day, and clearly they chose right (on Sunday).”

Going for a penalty kick within the first five minutes of a game is not a typical play, but Bowden said he had a feeling it would end up being a game where every point mattered.

“I got the boys to take the two points because I figured it would be a tight game, and looking back on it I’m glad I did because two points was the difference,” Bowden said.

Mikaere Beattie’s goal-kicking heroics proved vital to Souths Sharks’ win in their elimination final on the weekend. Picture: Michaela Harlow

The Sharks had to do it the hard way after Moranbah got a brilliant start, with Raiden Fonoti scoring the opening try and Hayden Bell piling on the pain with a hat trick while Souths battled away with 12 on the field and one in the sin bin.

“We just hung in there through the full 80 minutes, and showed a real good attitude even while we were down to 12 men and they scored a pair of tries within those 10 minutes,” he said.

“We had a bit of luck along the way here and there but at the end of the day you have to make your own luck in these games.”

The Sharks will now turn their attention to another sudden-death clash against Mackay Magpies, who went down to Sarina 20-14 in the qualifying final.

“We’re excited for the challenge, obviously the Maggies lost on the weekend but they have been a very strong side this season,” Bowden said.

“We know they’ve got some players on big money over there, so our job is to see that as an opportunity to come up against some elite talent and hopefully come away with the win.”