Caloundra SHS rugby league captains reflect on historic 2023 season
Two Caloundra State High School rugby league captains have reflected on their side’s historic Langer Trophy and Walters Cup seasons and revealed their top players.
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The 2023 Langer Trophy and Walters Cup Queensland rugby league schoolboys competitions are coming to a close with the grand final set to be played on August 23.
Caloundra State High School made school sporting history this season, being the first side from the Sunshine Coast to qualify for the top tier South East Queensland competition.
After scoring their first ever win in round seven against Redcliffe SHS, the Langer Trophy side will now play Marsden SHS in the quarterfinals on August 9.
You can catch all four Langer Trophy knockout games LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV from 11am.
Prior to kick off we caught up with both captains as they reflected on their season and highlighted their standout teammates.
Walters Cup (Grade 10)
Captain and playmaker Ellyjah Birve said although results didn’t go his side’s way it was a major step forward for the school and his teammates.
“It’s been a big year and I think a big learning curve for the school’s rugby league program,” he said.
“We took more and more away from every game and I think we still did better than expected.”
The star halfback, who in 2022 represented the Queensland under 15s team, said there were a number of positives to takeaway from the seven game season.
“We know that every side is a top team and they all gave us plenty of good hit outs throughout the season,” he said.
“No matter how tough it got we always worked as a team and stuck it out and I think we will improve over time with better communication and staying in the contest.
“We obviously want to be back next year and try harder to push on and keep going.”
Birve said the majority of the team would be looking to step up and play in the Langer Trophy competition in 2024.
Led by Keegan Zanchetta, Jett Ryan and Kalan Beattie, Birve said it was a new player who impressed him the most.
“We’ve got some outstanding talent in year 10 so next year should be a good turnout and an opportunity to further our knowledge of the game and the competition,” he said.
“I would say our most improved player was our new debutant Jonathan Leuluai in the forwards,” he said.
“He came to us from Caboolture and I think he’s fit in really well so I’d like to see what he can do in the years to come.”
Langer Trophy (Grade 11 and 12)
In their debut Langer Trophy season, Caloundra captain Tully McLellan has stood tall.
Despite missing a handful of games through injury the gritty halfback has put forward top-string performances, led his side to the quarterfinals and kept his head high during the mourning of friend and teammate, Ben ‘BJ’ Hunter.
“I think it’s been a really good season for us as we’ve learnt a lot about ourselves,” McLellan said.
“We’ve been getting better every game as we learn and reflect on the previous performance and improve next time out.
“To finally put it all together and get the win was really good and it would be great to get the win on Wednesday but in saying that we already know how far we’ve come.”
In 2021, McLellan led his year 10 teammates to the grand final of the De Vere Cup.
The current Sunshine Coast Falcons and Melbourne Storm academy talent said the competition had been a beneficial test.
“It’s a huge step up in skill level and through opposition teams as we haven‘t versed anything like that previously,” he said.
“We’ve enjoyed it a lot and have always been up for the task so it’s cool to see where we sit among the best schools in the state and arguably the country.”
The 17-year-old said he was thankful for the support throughout the year.
“Benny was a teammate and a close mate for a lot of the players in the program so when he passed it really brought us all together.
“It was tough coming back to school and switching back on to footy but a massive thank you to the teachers, the opposition schools and the entire community really.”
McLellan said a number of his teammates had shone through this season.
“Obviously Zac Garton, he’s been really solid every game and has continued his positive performances for club and school,” McLellan said.
“Brad Higgins is a player that I think really shot out this year and he’s been killing it all season.
“I’d say another would be Jaelym Hohaia who is our centre but has shifted between a few positions all year and sometimes plays even three positions per game.
“I think he delivers on whatever is asked or expected of him so he’s had a good year too.”
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