Langer Trophy grand final: Meeting the King Makers
Langer Trophy grand final countdown: Meet the 21 kingmakers capable of breaking open Wednesday’s triple treat of Langer and Walters Cup schoolboy finals, which will all be livestreamed here.
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They are the King Makers, the players capable of cracking open tomorrow’s three schoolboy grand finals – the Langer Trophy, Walters Cup and Langer Reserves.
The www.couriermail.com.au, the Gold Coast Bulletin and News Corp affiliates will live stream each of the premiership deciders from Kougari Oval.
GRAND FINALS
12.30pm: Langer Reserves: Marsden SHS v PBC SHS
1.45pm: Walters Cup: Marsden SHS v Keebra Park SHS
3pm: Langer Trophy: Ipswich SHS v PBC SHS
WATCH THE SEMI-FINAL REPLAYS HERE
MEET 35 BIG BOPPERS OF THE LANGER, WALTERS CUP SEASON
MEET THE 15 UNSUNG HEROES AHEAD OF THE THREE GRAND FINALS
There are three obvious King Makers – PBC SHS fullback Keano Kini, Ipswich SHS interchange dummy half Gabriel Satrick and PBC SHS centre Michael Roberts.
We feature that trio below, but there are others. Who are some of the other lesser known King Makers who could easily impact the results? We feature 21 of them here.
Joshua Lynn and Tanu Nona (PBC SHS)
Both Lynn and Nona have emerged from the shadows of champion 2020-21 half and hooker, Oskar Bryant and Tom Weaver, to install their own chapter in the history of PBC SHS rugby league history.
“We had big shoes to fill, but as older boys in the team we had to lead from the front,’’ Lynn said.
Nona added: “They (Weaver and Bryant) were really good at bringing the year 11 along, the younger boys into the team, and showing them how and what needs to be done.’’
Lynn has florished, making the Queensland schoolboys and is an authoritative figure on the left side with his kicking game and service, whether it is delivering quick backs ball, or confidently running first before passing. “He is really taking control of the left edge,’’ said coach Maccan.
Nona is the PBC SHS captain who is dynamic as an individual, but who can bring his forwards onto the ball.
“He has done a really good job of leading this team and he is getting better with his hooking as well, jumping out of dummy half.
“He is knowing when to run and he is getting us to certain parts of the field,’’ said PBC SHS coach Tim Maccan. “He has really taken ownership.’’
Tommy Luhrman and Gabriel Satrick (Ipswich SHS)
If it isn’t broken, why fix it? Ipswich SHS’s unbeaten season started with No. 9 Luhrman running on first and Satrick entering the fray off the bench, and nothing has changed despite Satrick being named player of the grand final at the schools national schoolboy championships when he starred for Queensland.
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“At the start of the year we knew we had two very good hookers and we spoke to the boys on how there was going to have to be a sharing of time and roles,’’ explained Ipswich SHS coach Joshua Bretherton.
“The plan was to interchange the mix thing up – Tommy would start in a couple, Gab would start in a couple to give them their fair shot at starting and giving kids an opportunity to show what they could do. “
But when Satrick made the Queensland and Australian schoolboys side, it could easily have meant he returned to Ipswich SHS as it starting dummy half.
“They went and had a conversation and they came back and said they just want to keep it going as is. Because they are all about what we can do for the group,’’ Bretherton said.
Bretherton said Satrick’s foot speed also gave him the option to retain Luhrman in the ruck, and use Satrick as a running middle.
Kini Keano (PBC SHS)
The best in the business, on either side. Kini is a fullback young gun whose explosive running features on either edge, or right down the middle of the field from outside, inside plays. He is a super talent and if you have not seen him play yet, make sure you catch out live stream or the replay.
Michael Roberts (PBC SHS)
The bigger the match, the better Roberts plays, so what a comfort it must be for his teammates to see him back on the field after a six week lay-off.
This time last year Roberts scored the matchwinning 80 individual try and last week he scored a remarkable chip and chase try which was desperately needed at the time against Keebra Park.
This against the backdrop of barely having run after sustaining a knee injury at the national schoolboys carnival. “He has a very high pain threshold and an ability to cross that white line and play footy,’’ said his coach Tim Maccan.
Josiah Pahulu (Ipswich SHS)
Pahulu is Ipswich SHS’s forward leader is all power, an explosive, dynamic prop with the ball or defending. The Springfield Panthers junior, now an Australian schoolboy, has waited a long time for this moment and he won’t let it slip by him without a fight.
Tre Fotu (Ipswich SHS)
Fotu is a big match player who has a proven track record. He was one of the top five players on the field when Souths Logan won the Meninga Cup (under 18s) this year, and rose to the occasion playing for the Queensland Schoolboys at the national carnival. He has been there and done it.
Zane Harrison (PBC SHS)
We are all mesmerised with PBC SHS’s left side when Queensland schoolboys halve Joshua Lynn teams with Keano Kini, but watch the right side as well because Kini plays both sides of the field and on the right side is the rookie halve Zane Harrison. “Zane has been massive for us,’’ said PBC SHS coach Tim Maccan. “He is 16-years-old and takes care of the right hand side for us. He will be a player to watch. He is in Year 11 and is absorbing it all this year, taking control of one side.’’
Caleb Jackson (Ipswich SHS)
A slightly understated utility outside back who will play centre in the grand final. He remembers the heartache of last season’s semi-final loss to Marsden SHS and no one will be more motivated to put his best foot forward.
Tyler Peckham-Harris (Ipswich SHS)
He is not a big man, but he must feel 8ft tall and bulletproof after his two try effort against Marsden SHS. The confidence it must give Peckham to take the line on running the ball from anywhere must now be profound. And once he has breached the first line, he can sustain his pace.
Jett Forbes – and Blake Forder (PBC SHS)
The PBC SHS flanks are wing-twins. Both tall and lean, one looks like the other from a distance and to be honest they are playing as well as each other. Aside from their finishing, they work hard coming out of their own end and are a great asset to the side.
WALTERS CUP
Ryder Williams (Keebra Park SHS)
Classy halfback who is signed to the Gold Coast Titans. He has impressed so much he was also named in the extended 20 man squad for the Langer Trophy semi-final on Wednesday. Williams has lots of time with the ball and a great kicking game.
Mason Barber (Keebra Park SHS)
A true utility, Mason is an outside back who has also spent time roaming through the middle for the Walters Cup side this year. Barber is fast, strong and mobile, with the ability to play anywhere from No. 1-13. He is a constant threat everywhere on the park.
Micah Eteru (Keebra Park)
Micah is a big, physical prop forward who loves the contact. His hard work through the middle has been instrumental to the success of our Walters Cup side so far this season.
Lui Lee – and Alize Clarke (Marsden SHS)
Lee is the outstanding centre of his age group whose combination with Marsden SHS left winger Clarke will send alarm bell ringing whether Marsden run the ball in that direction or kick for the wing.
Mace Andrew (Marsden SHS)
Of all the big men playing on grand final day, Andrew would be in the top three for potential. A No. 13, he has the power, leg drive and agility to impact the middle or the edge.
LANGER RESERVES
Taelon Te Whiu Hopa (Marsden SHS)
The most skilled big man in the competition, Te Whiu Hopa is being used as an edge forward where, one-on-one, his running game threatens along with his arsenal of ball skills.
Creedance Donovan (Marsden SHS)
Just watch or his dancing feet to turn up on the left wing, the right wing and anywhere in between. Donovan seems to have a roving commission and with is light feet, foot work and speed, he could catch a tiring forward off guard with a surprise appearance where it is least expected.
LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE, Wednesday
12.30pm: Langer Reserves: Marsden SHS v PBC SHS
1.45pm: Walters Cup: Marsden SHS v Keebra Park SHS
3pm: Langer Trophy: Ipswich SHS v PBC SHS
FOOTNOTE: The www.couriermail will cover today’s Brisbane Broncos Old Boys Trophy (Year 7, 2pm) grand final between Wavell SHS and Keebra Park SHS, and the Steve Renouf Shield (Year 8, 3.15pm) between Ipswich SHS and Keebra Park SHS.
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