Langer Trophy round 4 leanings, link to replays
The Langer Trophy went up a gear last night. See what six things we learned, plus links to replays.
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The Langer Trophy went up a gear last night as the two Gold Coast teams, Palm Beach Currumbin SHS and Keebra Park SHS, clicked into action.
But in defeat Marsden SHS showed they were up to the challenge, while Wavell SHS showed they were going nowhere against pesky Mabel Park SHS.
And Ipswich broke through for a win.
Here’s what we learned.
PBC SHS WILL TAKE SOME BEATING
I think we already knew it anyway, but last night’s 28-22 win by Palm Beach Currumbin SHS over Marsden SHS highlighted they are the competition front rowers - again.
With Oskar Bryant (returning from injury) and Tom Weaver back together again at No.9 and halfback, PBC SHS skipped out to 18-4 after an impressive defensive display curtailed Marsden SHS in the opening half.
With those big, raw-boned backrowers Ryan Foran and Jayden Wright pumping their legs on the edges, the increasingly impressive Ryan Jack Cullen leading the way in the middle, and Bryant and Weaver pulling the trigger, this is as good as any PBC SHS side.
Also the run of wingers Hunter Ploegsma and Michael Roberts coming out of their own end not only gives PBC momentum, but it also threatens tired middle forwards.
RELATED LINKS
WATCH ALL ROUND 2 REPLAYS HERE
MARSDEN SHS HAVE CHAMPIONSHIP QUALITIES
Marsden SHS may have lost last night, but PBC SHS would have left the ground with renewed respect for the Makos.
Marsden SHS will be wiser having experienced the intensity of the PBC in all aspects in the opening half after falling behind 18-4.
But Marsden displayed players of back bone, plenty of fortitude and they are in the race for the title up to their eyebrows.
Marsden also showed improved discipline under pressure and plenty of attacking grunt through the middle.
The match also continued to show what a good player captain Chris Faagutu is, and how valuable Sione Fotuakia can be coming off the bench.
And don’t forget Marsden were without the unsung halfback Cassis Cowley who gets his jobs done. They are a good side.
DEBUT BOY RYLAN FLEMING IS QUICK
The Marsden SHS v PBC SHS match also showed Marsden SHS winger Rylan Fleming is quick.
When Michael Roberts glided through a tired middle to turn defensive yardage into attack, he looked like he might go all the way after getting around Teapo Stoltman.
But Fleming pinned his ears back and got to Roberts first, allowing Stoltman to catch-up and complete the tackle.
It was a nice moment for the kid, one of two boys on debut for Marsden SHS - Dom Sandow also came off the bench.
RELATED LINKS
ROUND 4 REPLAY, WAVELL V MABEL PARK SHS
ROUND 4 REPLAY, IPSWICH V COOMBABAH SHS
IPSWICH SHOW RESOLVE - AND THAT CAMPS WORK
Ipswich State High muscled up in defence to secure a breakthrough 22-16 victory over Coombabah SHS at the North Ipswich Reserve
But most impressive was the final 10 minute effort when Tommy Luhrman was sin-binned.
“With the game on the line, and our boys somewhat nervous, I was super impressed with how they held it together,’’ said coach Joshua Bretherton.
Ipswich SHS were coming off a three day camp which was aimed to regroup the squad after a 0-3 win-loss start to the season.
“The thing which impressed most was the defensive energy and resolve,’’ he said.
“In the first few rounds we have not defended anywhere near the standard we had set ourselves in the last few years.’’
Bretherton said the group knew that unless they defended with a completely different attitude, there was little chance of displaying their ability with the ball.
“We were super, super proud of how the boys defended, the energy, and effort which allowed them to play better in attack because we had more football.’’
Last night Ipswich welcomed back centre Damien Burrows and lock Jarvis Yeatman.
RELATED LINKS
MABEL PARK SHS SHOWING GREAT PRIDE - AND MUSTAFA IS FINE
Four rounds in and new chums Mabel Park SHS are doing its community proud - which was the No.1 aim in 2021.
After a rattling big loss to Coombabah SHS in round 1, Mabel Park were unlucky not to defeat St Mary’s, challenged Keebra Park SHS and last night took it to Wavell SHS before losing 14-6.
“We are just going so well and I am so proud,’’ coach Lee Addison said.
“We want to make our community proud and that is exactly what we are doing.
“Every time we are playing we are winning, even if we are not winning on the scoreboard.
“We are just going so well.’’
And for those concerned about injured player Mustafa Kaya after watching our livestream - he is fine and merely sustained an
ankle injury.
KEEBRA PARK - NOTORISOULY SLOW STARTERS WARM THEIR ENGINES
They are notoriously slow starters, but as the season hots up Keebra Park SHS’s Langer Trophy engines have gone from idling to warming nicely.
Keebra Park beat St Mary’s 48-6, displaying point scoring “across the park’’ according to coach Glen Campbell.
Of course it helps that an array of injured players - which at one stage numbered up to seven - were starting to return.
But importantly they were not just names coming back - they were footballers living up to their names and reputations.
“St Mary’s said it us ‘boy, you were on fire tonight’,’’ said coach Campbell.
Nella Lotaki displayed thrust in the centres while Blake Mozer and Herman Tofaeono did what they do.
And when you put 48 points on, your halves go well and so it was the case with Cooper Maytom and Connor Te Kani shining.
“We are starting to come together as a team. There is belief in the kids that things are coming to fruition,’’ Campbell said.
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