LIVESTREAM: Phil Hall Cup grand final preview
Palm Beach Currumbin SHS was on high alert for the North Queensland flair and a reincarnation of speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow as the team prepared to confront Kirwan SHS in today’s Phil Hall Cup schoolboy grand final in Townsville.
Local sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Palm Beach Currumbin SHS was on high alert for the North Queensland flair and a reincarnation of speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow as the team prepared to confront Kirwan SHS in today’s Phil Hall Cup schoolboy grand final in Townsville.
Like last season when Cowboys teen sensation Tabuai-Fidow lit up the state schoolboy grand final while playing Kirwan SHS, Kirwan again possessed a side with great pace around flyers like fullback Ragsy Wavik and wingers Jesse Yallop and Ethan Andrews.
PBC coach Brad Davis said his team was aware they would be confronting a style of play not seen in the Langer Cup this season.
The grand final will be livestreamed at www.couriermail.com.au
RELATED LINKS
WATCH PBC’S LANGER CUP GRAND FINAL WIN
WATCH MARSDEN’S GRAND FINALS CLEAN SWEEP
PHIL HALL’S TOP TALENT SURPRISE
“They are good attacking teams, highly skilful and have dangerous individuals,’’ he said.
“There is a little bit of North Queensland flavour which will be a bit different to us.’’
Langer Cup coaching veteran Glen Campbell said while there had been more talented Palm Beach Currumbin SHS teams in the past, few, if any, had been more disciplined in playing no mistake football than the 2020 version.
Campbell watched PBC unravel his Keebra Park SHS team in last week’s Langer Cup decider and said the team’s no mistake football and an ability to play to their potential stood out.
“I have seen better PBC teams not get this far,’’ Campbell said.
“There is no doubt about that. But they are getting the job done and did a number on us as well and that is why they can take the title.’’
Campbell also had the highest of praise for halves Tim Weaver and Ryan Rivett who were “smart the way they play the game.’’
“They have very good halves and kick smart to the corners.
“They play no mistake football, play to what their potential is,’’ Campbell said.
Campbell said PBC reminded him of Keebra’s 2005 team which made the national grand final despite having only one player of note, Ben Te’o.
“And that is what I am seeing from Palm Beach Currumbin,’’ Campbell said.
Davis said it was important his team be more “ruthless’’ if his side was on top at any stage.
“We are also expecting not to have as much possession so defending well for longer periods will be important.
Kirwan SHS will be chasing back-to-back titles.
RELATED LINKS
BRONCOS CHALLENGE SCHOOLBOY GRAND FINAL REPLAYS
QUEENSLAND SCHOOLS CENTENARY TEAM, BUT WHERE’S JT?
MARDEN SHS: THE NRL’S BEST NURSERY?
PBC DUMMY HALVES UNSUNG HEROES
THE TEAMS
Kirwan SHS
1. Ragsy Wavik
2. Jesse Yallop
3. Dudley Dotoi
4. Max Hayley
5. Ethan Andrews
6. Harley Taylor
7. Clay George (c)
8. Abai Chatfield
9. Ty-Ty Baira-Gela
10. Cruz Smith
11. Mia Pua’avase
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Jacob Taia
14. Ethan Roberts
15. William Latu
16. Manihi Maurangi
17. Tyrone Strickland
18. Sione Tuitupou
PBC
1. Jaylan De Groot
2. Michael Roberts
3. Reef Sommerville
4. Deine Mariner
5. Troy Duckett
6. Ryan Rivett
7. Tom Weaver
8. Jack Cullen
9. Taine Ujdur-Berghan
10. Xavier Willison ©
11. Brock Priestley
12. Daniel Butturini
13. Jotham Russell
14. Oskar Bryant
15. Bailey Martin
16. Ryan Foran
17. Parker Bryant
18. Kaden Somerville