Sunshine Coast Falcons junior representative round two recap

The Sunshine Coast Falcons’ four junior representative teams kicked off their 2024 campaigns on Saturday. Catch up on the action, what the coaches had to say and which players stood out.

Sunshine Coast Falcons junior representative wrap, Round 2. Pictures: patrick Woods, Nicola Anne Photography, Kyliesfootyphotos.

The Sunshine Coast Falcons began their junior representative campaigns on Saturday at the Kawana Dolphins rugby league club.

All four sides played the Ipswich Jets as the Falcons came away with three wins and a loss in their opening hit-outs of the season.

See what the coaches had to say post-match and which players made their mark as ones to watch in 2024.

HARVEY NORMAN UNDER-17S

It was evident both sides took some time to settle in after the opening half, despite the Falcons holding a commanding 18-0 lead.

The home side continued their strong momentum in the second half, piling on a further two tries before allowing Ipswich to score the final try of the match.

The 26-4 full time victory included try scorers Emily Maher, Alexa Burgess (2), Ella Eillison, Aamira Renouf and Ayslinn Pollock while Sarah McGuire had one conversion.

“The biggest thing for the girls pre-match and at halftime was that they had to earn the right to play footy,” head coach Jo Kerr said.

“We beat Ipswich pretty convincingly in the trial match a few weeks ago but had to make sure they understood it wasn’t going to be like that and that they had to show some patience.

Falcons under-17s women’s players Tilly Cason and Emily Maher. Pictures: Eddie Franklin and Nicola Anne Photography.

“Six times in the first half we threw the ball away in either the first or second tackle so it took some time but once we reigned that back in, went through the middle and then looked wide we were much more positive.

“A win’s a win, we had good ball movement but most of the time it just broke down on the communication side of things so we’ll work on that and take plenty away from this match.”

Five-eight Tilly Cason was a clear standout and arguably one of the Falcons’ best players across all four grades. Cason picked the right pass on a number of occasions, putting her teammates through the right holes or hitting her outside backs with some direct cut-out balls. The former Maroochydore rugby union and Queensland 7’s product has made a seamless transition to rugby league and definitely cemented herself as a player to keep a close eye on.

Hooker Emily Maher was very strong through the middle of the park in the opening 20 minutes. Every time she ran or passed out of the ruck it was the perfect option and she showed good leg drive against some much bigger bodied opponents.

Utility Marley Chan was very impressive off the bench and had a major impact on the flow of the game. Chan filled in at lock and at five-eight but really stood tall and led from the front.

Outside backs that also deserve a pat on the back included Aamira Renouf, Ella Willison and Ayslinn Pollock as well as edge forward Alexa Burgess.

CYRIL CONNELL CUP

It was a slow start which turned out to be ‘one of those games’ for the Falcons under-17s who never really found their footing against the Jets.

A 14-6 halftime scoreline eventually ended 24-6 and included two players sent to the bin in the 38th and 52nd minute mark.

Halfback Toby Irvine was his side’s only try scorer as Tyler Conquest converted.

Head coach Tim Baldwin said it was a tough afternoon.

“We knew we had to ID a few of their strong points, key forwards and probably weren’t ready for them to move the ball around so well,” he said.

Falcons players Kaio Moses, Keagan Zanchetta and Oliver Kleijn. Pictures: Patrick Woods.

“In saying that we didn’t complete when we had to, we defended a lot which took its toll, then there was added scoreboard pressure so the boys dug in but you can only dig for so long.

“We had our chances and moments, the key swings of the game just didn’t fall our way and on reflection it just wasn’t our day.

“We know and the boys know what they’re capable of, I’m sure they’ll be disappointed in their effort but will definitely be ready to put in a big effort next week.”

The impact of the four man bench was massive for the Falcons with each player stepping up and delivering on a much larger role than initially expected.

Jett Ryan, Kaio Moses, Keagan Zanchetta and Nash Tollen all provided consistency in the middle of the park and their efforts were complimented by Tyson Fallon-May at hooker.

Prop forward Oliver Kleijn showed positive attacking traits early and captain Jackson Koina was up for the fight all game long.

HARVEY NORMAN UNDER-19S

Despite a try in the opening two minutes from the home side, the Falcons knew they had a game on their hands as the Jets hit back and went into the break at 4-4.

A somewhat new look side took to the field in the second half as the Falcons put away two quick tries in the first 10 minutes.

The Jets hit back but the Falcons were too strong to stop with the ball in hand as the match finished 28-8.

Former rugby union product Mia Vines crossed three times as she was joined by captain Takoda Thompson and prop Jasmine Murray.

Despite the windy conditions and tries out wide, fullback Sky Antoniolli was a star with the boot, converting four from five conversions.

“We knew we had to stay straight, go through the middle and then earn the right to go wide,” head coach Josh Shuttlewood said.

“We did that really well in the first five minutes, scored a try and then slacked off and went away from it until halftime.

“The coaching staff made some changes at halftime which ended up proving the difference because we piled on some quick tries and ran away with it.”

Sunshine Coast Falcons under-19s women’s players Takoda Thompson and Sky Antoniolli. Pictures: Kyliesfootyphotos and Patrick Woods.

Shuttlewood, who served as the team’s assistant coach last season, said there were pros and cons from Saturday’s result.

“First regular season game so there’s always going to be things to work on but if we can hold our shape for the full 60 minutes, even under fatigue we’ll be a lot better off.

“Our line speed is another thing that we can improve, we allowed them too many easy metres and other teams in this competition will make us pay for that.”

It was a masterstroke from Shuttlewood at halftime as he changed Keeley Davies from five-eight into hooker which broke the game wide open. Davies’ control in the middle of the park allowed her forwards to get a solid roll-on before shifting it wide and letting her outside backs do the rest.

Captain Takoda Thompson covered every inch of the field and was really strong with the ball in hand.

Fullback Sky Antoniolli was also a standout in general play as well as converting four from five conversions.

MAL MENINGA CUP

The Falcons escaped a second-half surge by the Jets to snag a 16-14 victory in muggy and wet conditions.

“The chat and the pre-match message was to be simple yet effective,” head coach Cam Boaza said.

“The conditions didn’t lend themselves to the style of footy we wanted to play and it actually played into Ipswich’s ’s hands I think but we got the win so we’ll put that in the bank.”

Tries to Brock Sankey, Clive McCormack and Tyrell Hopkins all came in the first half while Finn Lawson was two from three with the boot.

The match also had its fair share of drama with the referee placing two Falcons players in the sin bin while the Jets also had a player sent for 10 and another sent off in the 27th minute mark.

Falcons Mal Meninga Cup players Tait Coghlan, Tyrell Hopkins and Jaelym Hohaia. Pictures: Kyliesfootyphotos and Nicola Anne Photography.

Boaza said he would like his side not to give the football away when under pressure.

“The boys and the coaching staff all started to feel it turn when we applied continuous pressure and maintained solid possession rather than just going through the motions.

“We went away from that in the second half which meant we missed some one-on-ones and a few key assignments so that hurt us when we did get the ball back in our hands.

“It’s a new halves pairing so they’ll build on this and our spine knows they have to manage the game a bit more effectively.

“It was a tough game, the heart rate was definitely high but our boys showed their commitment and toughness on the line on a number of occasions.”

New look hooker Tait Coghlan was extremely impressive for the Falcons on debut. Coghlan has made the move down from Northern Pride and got the nod as the starting hooker while Jai Bowden remained on the sidelines with a broken wrist. Coghlan controlled the ruck really well and held down his end in defence.

Prop Cooper Clarke was another major standout for the home side. Clarke played the full game, which wasn’t the intention pre-match, but let his big work ethic do the talking as he stood strong in attack and defence.

The Caloundra link up of Tyrell Hopkins and Jaelym Hohaia also showed some promising signs of what’s to come this season.