Broncos Challenge schoolboy rugby league grand final day

With elite schoolboy rugby league grand finals continuing this week, we highlight the key players to watch, including a relative of Johnathan Thurston. DON’T MISS THE LIVESTREAM

Elite schoolboy rugby league grand finals continue this week, with News Corp to livestream Tuesday’s three Broncos Challenges deciders, and another two grand finals on Wednesday.

Easts Carina will be the venue for three grand finals this week - the Broncos Old Boys Cup (year 7), Renouf Shield (year 8) - both on Tuesday - and Wednesday’s Langer Reserves (opens).

Attention then swings to Pizzy Park on the Gold Coast on Wednesday with two local derbys featuring PBC SHS v Keebra Park SHS in both the Walters (year 10) and Hancock Cup (year 9) grand finals.

All will be livestreamed by www.couriermail.com.au, the Gold Coast Bulletin and affiliates ahead of the September 15 Phil Hall Cup state grand final between Palm Beach Currumbin SHS and St Brendan’s College Yeppoon, who beat Kirwan SHS in last week’s Payne Cup grand final.

WATCH THE GRAND FINAL REPLAYS HERE

DAVID LEMS PREVIEW OF IPSWICH SHS’s YEAR 7 SIDE

So who will be the Players to Watch in this week’s five grand finals as the next generation of Langer Trophy stars step into the spotlight?

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OLD BOYS CUP (Year 7)

Marsden SHS v Ipswich SHS

Guess what Zoram-Jahe Watene (Marsden SHS) and his family talk about around the breakfast table of a morning? Rugby league. Zoram-Jahe is the little brother of Marsden SHS Langer Trophy five-eight Jarydn. He is a good organising halfback.

Talking about keeping it in the family. Marsden SHS has another year 7 rookie with connections to the big league - hooker Tipessa Lee is the little brother of 2020 Queensland State of Origin series winning centre Brenko who is a Marsden SHS past student.

Marsden State High School’s Storm Enoka Picture: Richard Walker

Jeremiah Toko (Marsden SHS) is the Queensland under 12s fullback, an elusive runner and great mover.

It could be the clash of the fullbacks with Ipswich SHS also fielding an elite Queensland representative player - MacGuinness Tianaga.

He is a dangerous runner. but has also shown to be capable of stopping tries with his defence.

Marsden SHS left edge backrower Storm Enoka has shown himself to be a damaging runner and consistent scorer. He features a good right hand palm.

Brenko Lee’s little brother is the Marsden SHS year 7 hooker. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

RENOUF SHIELD (Year 9)

MARSDEN SHS v PBC SHS

Marsden SHS’s Mace Andrews is a ball playing backrower who plays a little like Josh Schuster from Manly. The Andrews family has a great history on grand final day - his brother Rixson delivered Marsden SHS’s seniors victory over a shell shocked PBC SHS in 2019.

Marsden SHS left centre Tawa Simpkins enters the grand final in form and full of confidence after scoring two tries in his team’s semi-final win over Keebra Park SHS last week.

Wavell’s Kallum Weatherall-Stacey has Langer Cup experience.

Palm Beach Currumbin SHS have a little match-winner in halfback Marley McLaren who is a great runner of the ball and excellent tactical kicker/

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HANCOCK CUP (Year 9)

PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN SHS v KEEBRA PARK SHS

PBC SHS Sam Stephenson have a tall, explosive runner of the ball who has been signed by the Gold Coast Titans

Sunny Kama, a PBC SHS, centre has had a golden year after making the Queensland 15s.

Winning starts up front and Keebra SHS has a beauty in its year 9 side by the name of Isopo Taunuu, a damaging forward who will be a handful with every run he takes.

Keebra Park Walters Cup players Jett Bryce (left) and Wailer Whaiapu . Photo: Supplied

WALTERS CUP (Year 10)

The whispers were out about Keebra Park SHS backrower Jett Bryce and the Brisbane Broncos wasted no time in signing him. He is an aggressive defender who will be easy to pick out on grand final day.

Wailer Whaiapu was plucked out of a Walters Cup match to sit on the bench for Keebra Park SHS in a Langer Trophy match earlier in the season. Say no more.

Will lightning strike twice? Twelve months ago Ray Puru lit up grand final day playing for PBC SHS in the year 9 Hancock Cup. Now the young fullback, who is contracted by the Gold Coast Titans, will be a leading player in the year 10 decider.

Wavell SHS’s Kallum Weatherall-Stacey will be the fastest player on the field in the Langer Reserves.

LANGER RESERVES (open)

MARSDEN SHS v WAVELL SHS

Cody Hamilton ability to control the game will be a key factor in Marsden SHS’s quest for the title. Like his old brother Guy, Hamilton is an excellent halve.

Wavell SHS five-eight Naytan Iselin-Jansen was in sparkling form in his team’s semi-final win over Ipswich SHS - including mutli try assists and five goals from all angles. But should we be surprised given he is a relation of the great Johnathan Thurston.

Keep your eyes peeled for Wavell SHS fullback Kallum Weatherall-Stacey who will be the fastest player on the field in the Langer Reserves. A national sprinter, he is also a fine rugby league fullback or winger with Langer Trophy experience.

Tuesday

Broncos Challenge grand finals (Carina Easts Leagues)

2pm: Broncos Old Boys (Year 7)

Marsden SHS v Ipswich SHS

3pm: Renouf Cup (Year 8)

Marsden SHS v PBC SHS

Wednesday

2pm: Hancock Cup (Year 9, Pizzy Park)

Keebra Park SHS v PBC SHS

3pm: Walters Cup (Year 10, Pizzy Park)

PBC SHS v Keebra Park SHS

4pm:Langer Reserves (opens, Carina Leagues)

Wavell SHS v Marsden SHS

September 15: Phil Hall Cup state grand final (Redcliffe)

St Brendan’s v Palm Beach Currumbin SHS