Titans Schools League final’s livestream bonanza: Family affair helps Mabel Park SHS’s Malaela Su’a
Titans Schools League final’s livestream bonanza will feature six grand finals on Wednesday, one of which will highlight the skills of exciting Mabel Park SHs talent Malaela Su’a.
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Mabel Park SHS’s schoolgirl young gun Malaela Su’a will stride into tomorrow’s Titans Schools League grand final team hardened by a past which saw her playing junior football against the boys.
Su’a, 15, is a member of the Chace Carey-coached Mabel Park year 9-10 side which will play Keebra Park SHS in one of six grand finals to be livestreamed by www.couriermail.com.au, the Gold Coast Bulletin and News’ affiliates.
A No.13 or backrower, Su’a grew up playing with her cousins, who included schoolboy sensation PJ Su’a, and as a primary school aged student was the only girl in both the Harris Fields State School league side and local Saints rugby union team.
Now she is showing the benefits of playing rough and tumble with the boys during her formative years which she says “I miss’’.
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Su’a has no doubt her background against the boys has helped with her success.
“It helped me a lot playing with the boys. It gave me confidence to play against the girls so when I got there (in senior football), it would not hurt me,’’ she said.
She said growing up it was particularly special as a girl to be playing with her cousins. “It was so much fun. I miss that.’’
Su’a is such a talent, last month she was named the outstanding player for the state schoolgirls carnival in the 16-18 years age group.
It followed her receiving the same award in 2019 at the 14-15 years age carnival.group.
Su’a said winning those two MVP awards at state carnivals had also given her additional confidence.
“Every time I take the field I used to be scared of the girls. But ever since I got MVP, I have become more confident.’’
She said she was also enjoying the environment at Mabel Park SHS. “I am loving it. I loving playing with my teammates. We have each other’s backs.’’
In a recent clash against Marsden SHS, Su’a starred in her year 9-10 team’s win, then backed-up to play in the year 11-12 side – scoring the last two tries of the game.
“I was so puffed out. But at halftime I caught my breathe and wanted to pick up my game because I knew I could play better.’’
One of the Mabel SHS coaches Tamati Elers has been helping her game since she was a primary school student at Harris Fields SHS, the same primary school as Origin great Josh Papalii.
He said she was also an elite rugby 7s exponent.
“Even though Malaela plays rugby league for school and club, she’s also a passionate rugby 7s player as well,’’ Elers revealed.
“I have no doubt that she will wear a gold jumper in the future. To me, that not an if but a when.’’
LIVESTREAM SCHEDULE
Year 9/10 Div 2 boys
12:15pm: Pimpama SHS v Marsden SHS
Year 9/10 Div 1 boys
1.30pm: Marsden SHS v Keebra Park SHS
Year 9/10 Div 1 girls
2.45pm: Keebra Park SHS v Mabel Park SHS
Year 11/12 Div 2 boys
4pm: Keebra Park Blue v Forest Lake SHS
Year 11/12 Div 1 boys
5:15pm: Keebra Park v Marymount
Year 11-12 Div 1 girls
6:30pm: Marsden SHS v Keebra Park SHS
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