Langer Trophy captains choose opponents they most respect

The secret is out. Revealed here was the opposition player the Langer Trophy captains most respect ahead of round 2 action starting on Tuesday.

Javon Andrews, the Marsden SHS Langer Trophy five-eight who is the 2024 captain. Picture, John Gass

The Langer Trophy captains have peered over the back fence to reveal which opposition player they most respect entering round two this week.

And the winner is Javon Andrews, the Marsden SHS captain regarded as one of the unlucky omissions from the Queensland schoolboys side named recently.

LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE

LANGER TROPHY and WALTERS CUP

Tuesday

Wavell SHS v Marsden SHS

Thursday

Ipswich SHS v Mabel Park SHS

Redcliffe SHS v PBC SHS

Caloundra SHS v Keebra Park SHS (Stretton play Walters)

Andrews had earned admiration from his peers for the manner in which he had successfully comeback from a serious neck injury, and also for the humble manner in which he conducts himself off the field along with his ability, of course.

Four of the eight captains nominated Andrews, but another four skippers went in another direction. All is revealed here.

WATCH ROUND 1 REPLAYS HERE

KEEBRA v WAVELL

REDCLIFFE v MARSDEN

MABEL PARK v CALOUNDRA

PBC SHS v IPSWICH SHS

Zac Garton (Caloundra SHS) says Zac Herdegen

Garton has enormous regard for Wavell SHS halfback Zac Herdegen who was his Redcliffe Meninga Cup teammate this season.

Zac Herdegen of Wavell SHS is respected by Zac Garton. Picture, John Gass

“We came through the system together. We played Cyril Connell together at 14, made Queensland 15s, and we went all the way through together,’’ said Garton, who was delighted to see Herdegen named alongside of himself in this year’s Queensland schoolboys side.

Anton Whaiapu (Keebra SHS) says Ray Puru

The Keebra Park SHS second rower has grown up on the Gold Coast observing PBC SHS fullback Ray Puru from close quarters. And he likes what he sees from Puru, both on and off the field. “He has always been a good player and he is a nice guy.’’

Mace Andrew playing for Souths Logan in the Connell Cup under-17s.

Sam Martin (Ipswich SHS) says Mace Andrew

Ipswich SHS hooker has seen plenty of Mace Andrew (Marsden SHS) and rates him the player he most respects for his work ethic and performance. Contracted to South Sydney, Andrew is a powerful middle forward with a big motor.

Captain Zane Harrison Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Langer Trophy rugby league launch, Red Hill. Picture: Liam Kidston

Zane Harrison (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS) says Javon Andrews

Harrison is the Langer Trophy premiership winning captain who has the respect of so many players, but who does he respect most? That coveted title goes to Javon Andrews (Marsden SHS), a gun five-eight unlucky not to make the Queensland schoolboys side. “I have played with and against him and he is a freak,’’ Harrison said.

Captain Javon Andrews Marsden SHS, Langer Trophy rugby league launch, Red Hill. Picture: Liam Kidston

Javon Andrews (Marsden SHS) says Zane Harrison

It is interesting that Zane Harrison (mentioned above) and Javon Andrews had such mutual respect for each other. After Harrison ranked Andrews the opponent he most respected, Andrews returned serve. “There are a lot of opponents I respect, but certainly Zane Harrison (PBC SHS) is one of them. He has been playing very good lately, especially in the Meninga Cup.’’

Hayden Watson is the player Amare Wynyard most admires from the opposition.

Amare Wynyard (Redcliffe) says Hayden Watson

Wynyard said opposing hooker Hayden Watson of Marsden SHS got his vote. “He is a good player who keeps you on his toes. I trained with him at the Storm and he drove me at training. It was good competition.’’

Maddox Goodwin (Wavell SHS) says Javon Andrews

Goodwin said he was a long time admirer of Andrews who is the captain and five-eight of Marsden SHS.

DJ Talaepa (Mabel Park SHS) says Javon Andrews

Talaepa said he’d known Marsden SHS five-eight Javon Andrews “for ages’’ and had enormous respect for him as a player and person. “We used to play at Logan Brothers together. He is a good ballplayer, he has good footwork. “It’s crazy when he came back from injury, just the footy he has played ever since he came back. It shows how good he is.’’

This season all eight rounds and finals from the Langer Trophy and the Year 10 Walters Cup will be LIVE STREAMED on KommunityTV in a deal with the NRL and Queensland Secondary Schools Rugby League. The Brisbane Broncos-sponsored competitions were named after Broncos’ greats Allan Langer and Kevin Walters respectively.