Inside Gold Coast’s historic Chair’s Challenge double triumph as top performers named

‘It was one of the better wins I’ve seen in a long-time.’ Find out why as we run the rule over all the Vikings’ top performers.

The Gold Coast Vikings men celebrate their 2024 Chair's Challenge win. Picture: Rugby League Gold Coast Facebook.

Gold Coast claimed a historic men’s and women’s double in Chair’s Challenge rugby league, becoming this first association to do so in the inaugural year with a women’s instalment.

The men’s 14-10 win over Brisbane Red to clinch the title was particularly special and will be long etched into the memory of those who watched on.

Among the spectators was Brisbane White coach Ian Turner.

“It was one of the better wins I’ve seen in a long-time,” Turner said of the Vikings’ triumph.

“It was tenacious, they were down players, the way they gritted out the defence on the line after repeat sets, it was phenomenal really, they just dug deep and were smart.”

Having navigated through 10 or so absences pre-tournament, coach Stuart Wilkins’ side was hit hard by injury and suspension during the tournament before their magical second-half effort against Brisbane Red.

Erris Kane and Sam Shannon were hospitalised after a nasty head clash left both bloodied and cut open.

“They just came together after trying to bash a bloke coming out of the red zone and they were significant, it was a real sickening head clash,” Wilkins recalled.

“They came out of hospital and got stitched up but they were dead set decent cuts, it was a significant head clash.”

The Vikings had also lost Runaway Bay’s Andrew Hunter to suspension after he was cited for a hip-drop and dangerous tackle in the first clash.

‘It was a little bit unexpected because of the adversity that we were going through, we got pushed from pillar to host and our boys got f****** punished,” Wilkins said following the triumph.

“In that last half we had one reserve and we had blokes carrying injuries … things just didn’t go to plan.”

Wilkin estimated that his side defended seven sets on their line in the last 10 minutes alone.

“They showed really great resilience through adversity it was one of the best games I’ve ever coached to be honest,” he said.

“My brother said it was the best game of footy he’d ever seen.

“We went up there with no expectations and we achieved significantly so I was really proud of them.

“The players who weren’t picked first were exceptional, they just didn’t want to let their teammates down.

The Gold Coast Vikings women celebrate their 2024 Chair's Challenge win. Picture: Rugby League Gold Coast Facebook.

For the Gold Coast women’s side, a comprehensive 36-28 win over Brisbane first up was enough to set up for success despite the 26-22 loss to Ipswich that followed.

“Little bit mixed feelings with losing the second game but a win’s a win nonetheless, that’s just me being super competitive,” women’s coach Jordan Dwyer said.

“The girls didn’t know how to respond to it initially, but it was awesome to be part of the history of being the first winners of it, it’s cool.

“That’s the biggest thing taken away, no one can take that away from that group of girls, they created something that will stick with them and hopefully it bonds them over time, the best thing about footy is those moments.

“We had some really good performers and some girls that stepped up that probably surprised me.

“The boys getting the win as well was pretty special for the Coast, it was a great result.”

Gold Coast men’s top performers

Coach Stuart Wilkins heaped the praise on plenty of his star talents.

Dan Shannon was the first Viking to stamp his credentials on the tournament, setting the standard in the first 10 minutes of their opening clash.

Brothers turned co-captainsJordy and Blake Scott also led the team exceptionally well and were pivotal in the defensive grind that would close out the carnival.

Mid-season Burleigh recruit Takitau Mapapalangi turned heads to be named player of the carnival, and has already caught the attention of several Brisbane clubs.

Gold Coast's Takitau Mapapalangi was crowned player of the tournament at the 2024 Chair's Challenge. Picture: Rugby League Gold Coast Facebook.

In the halves, Campbell Pirihi and young sensation Ryder Williams, who is already tied up with the Titans, both impressed.

“He was quieter in the first game but came into his own in the second game especially when it came down to the crunch, it was really good for him,” Wilkins said of Williams’ efforts.

Aston Bai was another young talent that came into his own in the second clash following a quiet start, and Michael Walit on the wing and Sam Shannon in the back-row were two others that impressed across the carnival.

Gold Coast women’s top performers

Jordan Dwyer believed back-rower Jaime Phillips stood tallest out of a number of high-end talents for his side across the weekend.

In her first senior women’s representative outing, Burleigh’s Nadia Windleborn impressed.

“She played pretty tough and cause a fair bit of trouble coming out of dummy half against those bigger packs,” Dwyer said of his no. 9.

“Shanarlii Peckham was another one, she’s only 18 and ended up being the top tryscorer for the tournament, she’s got a lot of ability, some things still need to develop in her game but she’s going to be an absolute star.

“ She’s super fast, super elusive, and she’s a good defender too when she applies herself.

“I was impressed with her intelligence in the game, a lot of things in the game come quite natural for her, but she was good around the effort areas.

“I was impressed with our young girls especially.”

Baylee Davies, Crystal Tamarua, Jonel Lavender and Chazmin Holloway were the others to shine.

Originally published as Inside Gold Coast’s historic Chair’s Challenge double triumph as top performers named