Meeting the unsung heroes of the Langer Trophy
Who were the unsung heroes of the Langer Trophy? We reveal nine underrated players here as we approach round three of the elite schoolboy league competition.
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Every team needs them, players who might miss out on the headlines or 3-2-1 votes, but who in the eyes of their teammates were winners every weekend.
They are the unsung heroes, who will be in action again on Wednesday in round 3 of the Brisbane Broncos-sponsored Allan Langer Trophy elite schoolboy competition.
RELATED LINKS
LANGER TROPHY PLAYERS TO WATCH
LANGER TROPHY SURPRISE PLAYERS
The round 3 games, and all Langer fixtures, were exclusively live streamed by The Courier-Mail, along with News Corp affiliates, on the KommunityTV platform.
When Redcliffe SHS and Keebra Park SHS clash, memories of the late Liam Hampson will be cherished by the respective school communities - Hampson, a promising Redcliffe Dolphins Queensland Cup player who tragically died late last year, was a Keebra Park old boy and Redcliffe SHS teacher aide while studying his teaching degree.
Hampson’s family have set up a charity, Hampo’s Youth foundation, which provides scholarships for children to go to school and play rugby league.
Action between Redcliffe and Keebra begins at 4:30pm with the Walters Cup before the Langer Trophy game at 5:30pm.
So who are these unsung heroes? We asked each coach for their best underrated players, while also asking them to reflect on a magic moment or two they have enjoyed during their time at their schools.
Joshua Bretherton (Ipswich SHS)
Unsung: Jack Laing.
He played a critical role for us last year. The type of footballer he is, he does the little things. Dominique Sandow is someone around school who keeps to himself and is quiet. A shy kid who comes out of his shell on the field. He has an excellent football IQ, calmly puts things in place for us.
Magic memories:
The national championships, the state championship and the Langer Trophy. All three of those were big moments for us, obviously the first time we have done it. Lots of satisfaction, ticking off goals. The first time you go and beat Palm Beach is another big moment. We worked through goals over a number of years and that was one we hadn’t achieved, so that was very satisfying. Particularly in the Langer Final, it was the first major trophy game we've played in, and in front of a huge number of Queensland boys. Seeing everyone was like a family reunion.
LANGER TROPHY COACHES CHOOSE OPPOSITION DANGERMEN
LANGER TROPHY WILDCARD PLAYERS
MABEL PK V WAVELL SHS ROUND 2 REPLAYS
Tim Maccan (Palm Beach Currumbin)
Unsung:
He is new to the school, it is Year 11 Marley Igasan. He is a Broncos contracted player who has come into the system, learned well and is trying to be better every day.
Tore it up for Burleigh in the Connell Challenge competition
Magic memories: As a coach, it would be winning the state championship in 2021. That was the highlight. Last year I thought was really good, with the side we had I thought we over achieved. I didn’t think we would get as far as we did so I was really pleased and happy with how we went.
Another highlight was last year’s 50 year anniversary, a massive sports night with all the athletes from the school from as far back as 30 years ago. It was a real privilege seeing all the athletes under the same roof. We’ve had 54 NRL players but there was Ironwoman, soccer players, AFL players, netballers. It was great to see.
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HERE’S THE SUPER 8 OF THE LANGER SEASON
WAVELL HOMECOMING SPECIAL: 30 PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Peter Norman (Keebra Park SHS)
Unsung: Even though Wailer is our captain, I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves. Within our squad we highly value him, but outside of it, I don’t think he gets the praise he deserves.
Magic memories: There has been heaps, but since I have taken over, seeing Arama Hau get an Australian schoolboys jersey last year. It was a nice moment because I know how hard he worked for that.
LANGER RESERVES PLAYERS TO WATCH
STATE OF ORIGIN RIVALRY BETWEEN MABEL PK TEAMMATES
Jay Wilkinson (Redcliffe SHS)
Unsung: Regan O’Connell. He is a hard worker who gets the sets going forward and gets involved.
Magic memories: Most satisfying is the Dolphins joining the NRL. It’s excitement plus. The support coming from the community and from the club – everyone wants to talk about the Dolphins and our school now.
Toby Poole (Caloundra SHS)
Unsung: Jack Philp (halfback) and Brad Higgins in the middle. They go about their work well and they are the first ones to show up and are always doing extras.
Magic memories: Qualifying to get both Langer and Walters teams in the competition this year.
Matthew Hartigan (Marsden SHS)
Unsung: I am excited for Javon Andrews. Our five eight has been out for 18 months with injury but is back. He played two games of Mal Meninga and made the Met East team.
Magic memories: The premiership have been goods, but we want to win the national final. So the most satisfying moment is yet to come.
Ben Weston (Mabel Park SHS)
Unsung: Lachlan Buchbach.
He has flown under the radar. He has been outstanding playing in the halves for us.
Magic memories: It is qualifying for the Langer Trophy. And then last year we had our first wins in the competition, beating Redcliffe, Coombabah and Keebra SHS which was huge.
Paul Stanley (Wavell SHS)
Unsung: A guy like Jayden Butt who played Redcliffe Mal Meninga. He does everything asked for him, works hard, and does what people on the sideline might not see. A lot of clean up work, inside push, a lot of defensive work that goes unnoticed.
He’s the guy leading the hit ups setting up tries for the backs.
Magic memories: What I've loved during my 14 year tenure (not as the Langer Trophy coach) at Wavell is seeing the young men and women go on and be successful, some in footy some in other avenues, just being a part of that. Recently, which has been a big story at the school, has been watching Karl Oloapu (Canterbury) debut game after graduating last year. Everyone’s thrilled.
ROUND 3
June 14
4.30pm Wavell v Ipswich (Wavell SHS)
5.30pm Keebra Pk v Redcliffe (Southport Tigers)
4pm Mabel Pk v PBC (Langlands Pk)
4pm Caloundra v Marsden (Caloundra)
Break for school holidays and the national championship, with the competition resuming on July 13.
Originally published as Meeting the unsung heroes of the Langer Trophy
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