NRL Schoolboys Cup grand final between Marsden SHS and PBC SHS.
So who will be some of the key Players to Watch in Wednesday’s three schoolboy rugby league grand finals. including the NRL Schoolboys Cup blockbuster between Marsden SHS and PBC SHS.
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So who will be some of the key Players to Watch in Wednesday’s three schoolboy rugby league grand finals - including the NRL Schoolboys Cup blockbuster?
The big dance has arrived, with grand final day in the NRL Schoolboys Cup (Langer), Gee Cup and De Vere Cup at Kougari Oval.
The three matches will feature:
— Caloundra SHS v Mabel Park (De Vere Cup, 12.30),
— Redcliffe SHS v Clairvaux MacKillop College (open Gee Cup, 1.45pm)
— NRL Schoolboys Cup decided between Langer Trophy champions Marsden SHS and last year’s NRL Cup winners Palm Beach Currumbin (3pm) will all be livestreamed by News Corp.
VIEW THE GAMES AT WWW.COURIERMAIL.COM.AU. THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN AND NEWS’ AFFILIATES, WHILE UNLOCKING ACCESS TO THE BEST NEWS SITE ACROSS AUSTRALIA.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN SHS
KEANO KINI
Pace scores you tries and it saves you tries and PBC SHS fullback Keano Kini has it in spades.
The Gold Coast TItans’ signed No.1 has excellent positional play and anticipation at the back in defence, and is a strike weapon with the ball as well.
He had a grand semi-final, including a try-saving tackle and another which snuffed out a long run by Keebra Park captain Blake Mozer.
DEINE MARINER
The Brisbane Broncos contracted centre is the best in his position in the competition.
But he has also worked hard at those one per cent plays which will make him a complete player. He is certainly a key Player to Watch.
JACK CULLEN and KADE SOMMERVILLE
The Queensland schoolboys merit team front rower, Cullen will lead his team both with carries and in the defensive line as the PBC SHS pack tries to unsettle and frustrate their opponents with rushing gang tackles. And like most good front rowers, Kade Sommerville is a front row quiet achiever who gets the dirty work done without fuss.
TOM WEAVER and OSKAR BRYANT, TANU NONA
It goes without saying Weaver and Bryant, a halfback and hooker combination, will be crucial to PBC SHS’s chances. The Gold Coast Titans-signed pair have a special bond, but throw into the mix Nona as well when he comes on to give Bryant a spell.
RELATED LINKS
SEMI-FINAL TEAMS, KEY MATCH-UPS
NRL CLUBS - WHO THEY HAVE SIGNED FROM THE LANGER TROPHY
SIX THINGS WE LEARNED FROM THE SEMI-FINALS
MARSDEN SHS
XAVIER STOWERS
He we go again with another glowing mention of Stowers.
The big front rower, another astute Gold Coast Titans signing, will be one of the first players in the PBC SHS tip sheet.
Ipswich SHS showed how to unsettle and up-end him and force him into error, but even then the big fella was able to have the last laugh with a match winning try. Stowers will be wiser having experienced the pressure Ipswich SHS placed on him in last Wednesday’s semi-final.
CASSIUS COWLEY
The halfback will have the responsibility of choosing the right options when, inevitably, his team is playing off the back foot.
He has been a great, steady link who has straightened his team, organised team mates well and kicked to space.
Cowley is a bit unsung but he seems calm under duress which will be a godsend.
LEON TE HAU
The Queensland schoolboys merit team fullback, Te Hau missed a large chunk of the season through injury, and then was forced onto the sideline by the COVID-19 shutdown of sport.
But he will be better for last week’s run, while his chat and organisation of his team’s defence will be crucial.
TEAPO STOLTMAN
Stoltman, signed by the Canberra Raiders, has given his team polish as a fast finishing outside back - whether at centre or on the wing.
He learned the hard way when Marsden SHS struggled in last season’s competition, but as a senior this year he has raised the bar and is a bloke who can find the tryline.
RELATED LINKS
DE VERE CUP
CALOUNDRA SHS
TULLY McLELLAN
A big halfback who steers the team around well, McLellan has a strong running game and demands attention from the defence. He was the Cyril Connell Challenge (under 16) player for Sunshine Coast Falcons.
BROOKLENN MUNDRABY-GROGAN
Brooklenn Mundraby-Grogan is a lightning quick fullback who is very smart behind the ball as well. He will pop up everywhere in attack and defence. If he gets a sniff of open space, he can capitalise. Mundraby-Grogan is a teammate of McLellan (see above), Chase Patterson and Boedy White (see below) in the Cyril Connell for Sunshine Coast Falcons
CHASE PATTERSON
A powerful running prop with good ball playing skills and who can also cover an edge, Patterson will be a handful on both sides of the ball.
BOEDY WHITE
A big bodied centre who is quick on his feet and has speed. White makes very smart choices and no matter the situation, he always seems to have time.
COACH ANDREW GERCKEN SAYS: “We have all been working towards the same goal – with a team first mentality being a big focus in 2021. Everyone in the squad has a role to play and we have a lot of trust among the squad to know everyone will do their job and keep going. The group has bought in to a “whatever it takes’’ mindset to get the job done.
MABEL PARK SHS
Mabel Park SHS’s grand final effort will be spearheaded by five-eight Jordan Kake, front rower Ocean Tavita, second rower Elijah Tagiilima and outside back Dion Sandow-Walsh
RUGBY LEAGUE SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE COACH DARREN JOHNSTON SAYS:
“Caloundra has defeated Mabel Park SHS twice already this year, and convincingly, so we will be underdogs’’
But Johnston said the Mabel Park SHS coach Joey Meyer has the winning touch, having helped Alexandra Hills SHS to a grand final win in last year’s De Vere Cup. “So he is looking to make it two in a row at different schools.’’
GEE CUP
REDCLIFFE SHS
MATTHEW BENNETT
The Redcliffe captain, Bennett is powerful runner of the ball and excellent defender.
A Mal Meninga Cup player for Redcliffe Dolphins, he leads by example and enjoys the physical nature of the game.
BRAITH MAJOR
The robust, tough Major is an explosive edge back rower, strong and powerful. He is a teammate of Bennett at the Dolphins and has considerable potential.
JACK CAMERSON
Cameron is a skilful hooker who has really developed this season after injury affected 2020. He is a noted one-on-one defender and is very good at bringing his forwards onto the ball in attack. He is a smart young player.
COACH SCOTT MURRAY SAYS: “We have had a very good season and have lost only one game, against Mabel Park in Langer Trophy qualifier. While it was a very disappointing loss, the boys have been able to put that behind them and reassess their goals and winning the Gee Shield was number one on the list of things that we could control. Our forwards continue to excel and will once again be important in this game.”
CLAIRVAUX MACKILLOP COLLEGE
DYLAN GIBB
Gibb, a back rower and captain, is a strong, rangy back rower who leads by example and who is very smart with the ball in hand. An East Tigers Mal Meninga Cup player, he is a good one-on-one defender who loves getting physical.
DANIEL O’SHAUGHNESSY
A five-eight, O’Shaughnessy is a big, strong runner of the ball who is an extremely good front on defender. He is also exciting with the ball and links well with his outside players.
WHAT THE COACHES MITCHELL McCLELLAND and JASON MOON SAY:
“We have had a strong season, having not lost a game in both SECA Sport (South East Colleges Association of Sport) and Broncos Cup competitions. The boys have been training hard and have set the goal of an undefeated season. We are looking to cap that off by winning the Gee Shield and the boy’s determination to not give up on a play coupled with strong defence and dynamic attack has put us in this current position. The boys are focused and excited for the challenge.”
LIVESTREAM SCHEDULE
Wednesday
De Vere Cup (Year 10)
12.30pm: Caloundra SHS v Mabel Park SHS
Gee Cup (opens)
1.45pm: Redcliffe SHS v Clairvaux MacKillop College
NRL Schoolboys Cup southern conference
3pm: Palm Beach Currumbin SHS v Marsden SHS
September 7:
Broncos Challenge grand finals (Carina Easts Leagues)
2pm: Broncos Old Boys (Year 7)
3pm: Renouf Cup (Year 8)
4pm: Hancock Cup (Year 9)
September 8: COVID Contingency Week, including Walters Cup and Langer Reserves grand finals
September 15: Phil Hall Cup (Redcliffe)
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