Langer Trophy livestream: Sunshine Coast high schools in grudge match

Powerhouse rugby league nurseries Mountain Creek and Caloundra state high schools have locked horns in very one-sided Langer Cup a grudge match, with one side scoring five unanswered tries. SEE THE REPLAY

Caloundra remains in the hunt for the coveted Langer Trophy with a five tries to nil shut-out of Sunshine Coast rivals Mountain Creek.

In a clash of the two state school powerhouses, the home side were too hot to handle in a one-sided second half display.

A double to strike centre Kallum Murphy and a solo try to star fullback Brooklenn Mundraby-Grogan proved the difference in the 22-0 win.

Toby Poole’s side now take on Redcliffe State High on March 23.

Caloundra led 6-0 at the break and laid on points despite losing five-eighth Jack Philp for 10 minutes for a professional foul.

Philp would later return to the field for a match sealing play.

Langer Trophy: Caloundra vs Mountain Creek

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Poole said he was satisfied with the win but said there was plenty of work required for the side to advance over Redcliffe.

“It was tough early on, a real arm wrestle, but the pleasing thing was our defence which kept turning up,” Poole said.

“Our competitions need to be better though, so we have work to do against Redcliffe who are always strong.”

Back rower Jayden Smith was hard to handle while prop forward Chase Paterson had a running battle with Mountain Creek’s big man Mason Kira.

In his comeback game from an ACL injury, Murphy bagged a double while star fullback Brooklenn Mundraby-Grogan laid on one try with slick hands and produced a solo try for the highlights reel.

“He’s like a Ferrari in the shed who comes out to play, he’s electric,” Poole said of the fullback.

“But our hooker Jake Sommerville, he was my man of the match. They threw everything at him and he didn’t miss.”

Mountain Creek coach Sam Mawhinney said the team had growth in them and would enter the Gee Shield aiming to win it.

“We have a strong side and showed glimpses of it today but they were the better side,” Mawhinney said.

For Mountain Creek, halfback Finn Lawson made a strong showing, captain Brock Thomas led from the front while backrowers Kira and Spencer Abbott bent the line back.

Sunshine Coast Falcons CEO Chris Flannery said both Mountain Creek and Caloundra state high schools played a vital role in the development of the region’s players. Picture: Patrick Woods

BACKGROUND: SUNSHINE COAST HIGH SCHOOLS IN GRUDGE MATCH

One man who knows these schools better than most is Sunshine Coast Falcons chief executive Chris Flannery.

“They certainly are the powerhouse schools of the Sunshine Coast with high-quality rugby league programs and it’s always a big match,” Flannery said.

Both high schools are stacked with Falcons’ under-18s and under-16s emerging stars and each have a coaching staff of highly credentialed rugby league minds.

Mountain Creek boast ex-Falcons coach Sam Mawhinney, Cameron Boaza and Brendan Newcombe while their arch rivals have Toby Poole and Craig Monaghan.

Melbourne Storm contracted young gun Tully McLellan is one to watch for Caloundra. Picture: Patrick Woods

Current and past Falcons Sam Burns, Alex Copelin, Nicho Hynes and Chris Lewis have all taught at each of the schools in recent years, while Tyson Smoothy and Trent Loiero have both graduated out of the Mountain Creek system to run out with the Melbourne Storm.

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“From a Falcons level it’s really great to have such qualified eyes on the players in both schools. They are teaching the kids on our systems, our vocab and structure. It’s really important,” Flannery said.

“They also get to learn strength and conditioning in school hours which takes pressure off us.

“It’s just another fantastic pathway that the region has.”

Mason Kira has been revealed as one to watch this season. Picture: Patrick Woods

Some of the stars on show for Caloundra include Jayden Smith and Tully McLellan while Mountain Creek boasts the likes of Sifa Kava and Mason Kira.

“It’s a pretty fierce rivalry and a fair bit of banter is thrown around at training, between the coaches and staff too,” Flannery said.

“So it’s a big game, a grudge match. Both sets of players are keen on the bragging rights.”