Emu Park minor premiers in Rockhampton Rugby League A-grade men’s competition
Emu Park have claimed the Rockhampton Rugby League A-grade men’s minor premiership for the first time. Now they are keen to ‘make amends’ after last year’s heartbreaking grand final defeat.
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The Emu Park A-grade men find themselves in uncharted territory heading into this year’s finals series.
Instead of gearing up for a do-or-die clash this weekend, they’ve earned a week off after claiming the minor premiership for the first time since joining the Rockhampton Rugby League in 2015.
Their next opponent will be the winner of the qualification final between Rockhampton Brothers and Norths Chargers, who face off at 6.30pm Saturday at Yeppoon’s Webb Park.
No stranger to finals footy, Emu Park has in previous years always played eliminations.
“This is new to us but the best thing is we get two bites of the cherry this year,” coach Jason Field said.
“I’m super proud of what the boys have achieved and I’m really excited that as a club we’ve been able to develop to get to this point.
“I think this year we’ve got quality players across the park.
“We’ve been consistently able to turn out a good team and good performances every week.”
Emu Park won 11 of their 12 fixtures, dropping just the one game to Rocky Brothers.
Field said while winning the minor premiership was a great achievement, the team was focused on the main prize - the 2024 premiership.
He believes this the strongest RRL competition in the 10 years he has been coaching.
“It’s going to be a cracker of a finals series,” he declared.
“There’s going to be some really good football in all the senior grades.”
Emu Park’s women, who are coached by Field’s daughter Sarah, also won the minor premiership, while the club’s reserve grade men are also into the finals after finishing fifth.
Pivotal players, notable numbers in Emu Park’s campaign
Scintillating spine
The combination of fullback Connor Rothery, halves Tiko Hooper and Travis Field and hooker Harry Barham is one of the best in the business.
Rothery’s arrival at the club this year allowed Field to switch from fullback to halfback, a move he has relished.
Barham has continued in the same vein of form that won him the Ollie Howden Medal in 2022, while Hooper’s pinpoint passing game has been outstanding.
Seasoned campaigner
Experienced second rower Garrett Field is a force to be reckoned with.
“He’s tough and he brings some of that old-style footy,” coach Field said of the 2008 Ollie Howden winner.
“He’s our enforcer and he really backs the boys.
“Having that mix of the old and young really stabilises the team. The younger players bring the flair while the older guys know when to settle it down and play conservative footy for a period.”
Talented twins
Twins Jimmy and Jake Lawton are the youngest members of the team but they’re playing with plenty of maturity.
Making a successful transition from the under-19s, they have cemented their places in the A-grade line-up.
“They’ve really stepped it up,” coach Field said.
“As our utilities, they’ve been playing in different positions and they’ve been outstanding.”
19
Excitement machine Connor Rothery is the competition’s leading try-scorer.
The fleet-footed fullback has crossed 19 times this season, which included a club record six-try haul in the Round 6 thrashing of Tannum Sands.
“He’s been a great addition for us,” coach Field said.
His attacking ability is matched by his willingness in defence.
130
Hooker Harry Barham has accumulated 130 points this season to sit 24 clear of the next highest points scorer for the season.
He has scored seven tries, with the remainder of his tally coming from his radar-like boot.
A master of consistency, he is equally as damaging in defence and his kicking game is first rate.
3
The margin in the team’s agonising loss in last year’s epic extra-time decider, which is driving their quest for glory in 2024.
After winning through the opening two rounds of the finals, they came up against Yeppoon who claimed their fourth straight premiership with a 32-29 victory.
“We’re really hurting after losing that grand final… and the lads are really keen to make amends,” coach Field said.
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