Meninga Cup grand final: Super Seven players revealed
Meet the Super Seven of Sunday’s under 118 league premiership decider between Souths Logan and Townsville Blackhawks.
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A star was born in Broncos contracted player Blake Mozer as the Karmichael Hunt-coached Souths Logan triumphed in Sunday’s Meninga Cup under 18 rugby league grand final.
Magpies dummy half Mozer accepted the man of the match award as his team withstood a dramatic second half surge by Blackhawks to win 38-26.
The premiership came in Hunt’s first senior coaching appointment and laid a foundation for him to continue to progress up the ranks after he was recommended to Souths Logan by the great Wayne Bennett during his return to the code 18 months ago.
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Hunt’s first ever coaching journey started on November 1 at Marsden SHS’s No. 1 oval and finished in glory on Sunday.
“Being a first time coach, November 1 was stressful because I wasn’t sure how they would respond, if my message would translate the way I wanted to play the game.
“But they just wanted to win, they wanted to listen and I am hoping everyone from this experience, whether they played one game or more, that they have taken something away with them.’’
Hunt said it was too early to predict his next move as a coach and he wanted to “enjoy the moment’’.
“For the most part I have enjoyed this coaching experience, as stressful as it is.’’
Hunt said Mozer, a Brisbane Broncos-signed Gold Coast boy who will celebrate his 18th birthday on Monday, had a huge future.
“He has a future in the game at the highest level,’’ said Hunt, a former Test, Queensland and Broncos fullback.
“Looking at today’s performance Kevvie (Broncos coach Kevin Walters) has added him to his full time squad for a good reason,’’ he added about the Keebra Park SHS graduate.
“He reads the game as good as some of the best minds in the game, is bold and courageous and takes the game on when he needs to.
“I am looking forward to seeing how he goes in the years to come.’’
Mozer set up the first two tries, gave a long dummy half pass for the third and scored a 20m individual try.
All this help elevate Souths Logan to a lead of 32-6 before the Blackhawks, inspired by prop Henry Teutau and dummy half Lachlan Lerch, got their game going. Townsville Blackhawks scored four tries in a flash to get within six points late in the match.
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Coach Roy Baira said his side should be proud of its season.
“In the first half we did not fare too well but I questioned the boys at halftime and in the second half they showed they do have pride in their jersey.
“They found their game and I can’t fault the boys. They are a really good group.’’
THE SUPER SEVEN OF THE GRAND FINAL
Blake Mozer (Souths Logan)
It was a Blake Mozer masterclass – again – as he set up the first two tries, gave the last pass for the third and scored a 20m solo try – all the while sticking hard in defence.
Jye Gray (Souths Logan)
Gray’s pace running onto Mozer’s service on the left side proved a big difference between the teams. The Blackhawks sent some traffic at him early in the defensive line, but he held firm, only to rebound up the other end of the field in attack. You can’t beat pace and Gray, a Burleigh Bears junior, has plenty of it.
Chris Faagutu (Souths Logan)
When the whips were cracking at the start of the match, Faagutu was the best forward on the ground. It was an eight out of 10 effort by the Wests-Tigers signed Magpies No.13 from Marsden SHS.
Tru Fotu (Souths Logan)
The robust centre ran was gusto from dummy half and frustrated the Blackhawks dangerous left side attack with imposing defence. He was richly rewarded with a try after a fine grand final performance.
Lachlan Lerch (Blackhawks)
Lerch helped his team find its mojo in the second half with some electric running and quick passing. Hats off to the little bloke because at 32-6 down, he was up against it but found a way to trigger his side.
Henry Teutau (Blackhawks)
The big fella with a big step ploughed his side forward early and when he returned for an extended second half stint.
Ahmani Leilua (Souths Logan)
The quiet achiever of the Souths Logan side, captain Leilua did a mighty job leading by example and competing against a big, motivated opposition pack.
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