NRL Nationals Schools Finals: Top performers from all four games at Cbus Super Stadium
There was some cracking footy across the NRL National Schoolboys and Schoolgirls finals, as well as the Karyn Murphy Cup and Queensland Schoolboys Trophy. All the top performers here.
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What a day of footy it was.
As if a try with 90 seconds to go in Palm Beach Currumbin’s thrilling win of Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown, wasn’t enough, Xavier Catholic College followed it up with a monster 48-metre conversion to seal a two-point win of their own.
Discover the top performers of the NRL National Schoolboys final, National Schoolgirls final, Karyn Murphy Cup final, and Queensland Schoolboys Trophy final below.
National Schoolboys Final
Zane Harrison
School: Palm Beach Currumbin SHS
Wow. What a player. He has an elite kicking game, great defensive attributes, and it seems like he’s addicted to the big moment – he thrives in it. Much will be made of Harrison’s man of the match national final performance, but one that may go under the radar was his conversion to hand the Reds a crucial four-point buffer heading into halftime. He appeared to be in pain after he was winded and effectively dropped on his head in one tackle, but rose to take the crucial penalty kick from 45 metres out and nailed it so convincingly it would’ve gone through from well beyond the halfway line. He steered the PBC ship all day and his outstanding kicking game was rewarded in the final minutes where his centimetre-perfect bomb fell into the arms of Beau Hartmann who scored the matchwinning try. Also saved PBC at the back on multiple occasions, sweeping the footy up and not only avoiding conceding a dropout, but working his way past a handful of defenders and gaining 15 metres he had no right to. As PBC coach Tim Maccan said post-game, just give him the keys and let him drive the team.
Beau Hartmann
School: Palm Beach Currumbin SHS
It’s hard to look past Hartmann given his matchwinning try that will be forever etched in Palm Beach Currumbin – and wider schoolboys for that matter – folklore. He leapt higher than his opposing winger, held the footy and surged over the tryline. It was particularly special given minutes earlier he had dropped what many thought was PBC’s golden chance. It was a tough one mind you, and would’ve been equally as magical given he tried to control and plant the descending Steeden horizontal from the turf at full stretch.
Reuben Tamariki
School: Palm Beach Currumbin SHS
Could well have been the man of the match if there wasn’t a bloke named Zane Harrison on the field. The second-rower set the tone early with some great carries and was pivotal in the Reds wrestling the early ascendancy before bursting over for the first points of the game. Followed it up to score PBC’s second try as well with some brilliant hole-running.
Marley Igasan
School: Palm Beach Currumbin SHS
PBC coach Tim Maccan heaped praise on Igasan post-game given he had been left out of the PBC squad for the three weeks leading up to this clash but was superb when called upon. Igasan grinded out close to a full game in the middle of the park and enjoyed one particularly special play where he forced a knock with a desperate lunging effort.
Sam Stephenson
School: Palm Beach Currumbin SHS
The lone Australian schoolboys representative in the Palm Beach line-up played a very impressive game out wide and delivered plenty of promising attacking runs.
Jared Haywood
School: Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown
If you doubted Haywood’s class, just watch the five-minute patch in the second half where Patties found their way through an impenetrable Palm Beach defence twice. It was no coincidence that both four-pointers came courtesy of brilliant Jared Haywood passes. It was Cam Munster-esque the way he held the ball long enough to draw the defence in and disrupt the line then hit his teammate on the chest with a pinpoint cut out.
Jacob Halangahu
School: Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown
You’ve got a good one Dragons fans, this kid can seriously play. He was at the heart of his side’s drive upfield in every set and gained some serious metres with his bruising runs. It was a testament to PBC’s resilient and outstanding defence that he didn’t score coming agonisingly close time and time again.
Tyson Sangalang
School: Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown
Despite one dropped ball, the lock was immense all day for Patties Blacktown. His individual highlight was when he stormed over under the posts for what was a crucial try at the time.
Fine Fale
School: Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown
Played an impressive game and it was great to watch him go head-to-head with his opposing number and Australian schoolboy Sam Stephenson. Fale broke the line on several occasions with his great footwork.
Christian Taupau-Moors
School: Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown
Taupau-Moors was hitting the line very hard and produced strong carries up the middle all day.
National Schoolgirls Final
Shalom Sauaso
School: Ipswich SHS
Sauaso made her mark from the first second of the game when her kick off put Hills under pressure from the get go, then inside the opening three minutes she’d already crossed for a try when she stepped and bullied her way through the helpless Hills defence. Carried the ball superbly all day and converted four of five attempts – including three from the touchline. Was player of the match and player of the tournament and deservedly so. The Broncos NRLW outfit has a good one.
Kaiah Hansell
School: Ipswich SHS
A natural hooker, Hansell was made to play out wide on the wing and produced a hat-trick with some superb finishing. Talk about versatility.
Dominika Baleinagasau
School: Ipswich SHS
The Ipswich hooker was light on her feet and could dance around the Hills defenders effortlessly.
Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa
School: Ipswich SHS
The five-eight was impressive in attack but also punched well above her weight in defence and delivered some bruising shots that flattened her opponents.
Emily Jackwitz
School: Ipswich SHS
The fullback threw a great cut out pass to earn herself a try assist and provided great leadership for her troops and was particularly vocal all day.
Olivia Vaalele
School: Hills Sports High
Caused plenty of headaches for Ipswich with her dangerous kicks and eyes up play. The first Hills try came off her boot as her chip cashed in on the Ipswich fullback being caught in the defensive line.
Danielle Seckold
School: Hills Sports High
Played an impressive game out wide and caught the footy cleany when it mattered to score Hills first try of the day.
Aliahana Fuimaono
School: Hills Sports High
Defended well against the might of Ipswich’s forward pack and delivered some big hits that forced knock-ons.
Shire Thocolich
School: Hills Sports High
Played a great game in the middle and delivered one hit in the second half that was simply massive.
Karyn Murphy Cup
Fleur Ginn
School: Stretton State College
Ginn was rightfully adjudged the player of the match after a great display. The lock made a difference with some strong runs and found her way across the stripe as well.
Cornelia Motuliki-Tu’aefe
School: Stretton State College
Motuliki-Tu’aefe made some great runs including an exceptional 30-metre effort up the middle of the field. She had great pace and leg drive.
Bella Alo
School: Stretton State College
Alo made the right decisions out of dummy half and was potent when she decided to run the ball.
Tekainga Enkera-Raveora
School: Stretton State College
Enkera-Raveora had great pace and an even better fend off, and almost went the length of the field for what would’ve been a great try late in the game.
Leevi Williams
School: Stretton State College
The flashy fullback-turned-playmaker ran roughshod over a valiant Caloundra State High side in the final, pulling apart their edge defence with her sharp footwork and blinding turn of speed.
- Watch replays: Impressive Stretton defend Karyn Murphy Cup title
- Watch replays: Iceman Dwight lands final blow in Trophy thriller
Queensland Schoolboys Trophy
Boedie Dwight
School: Xavier Catholic College
It’s always hard to look past a matchwinner, and Boedie Dwight was just that. He nailed a crucial kick from 48 metres after the siren to seal a magical 20-18 win.
Zac Bennett
School: Xavier Catholic College
The halfback was everywhere for Xavier, scored two of his side’s three tries and had a hand in the other. Had a brilliant step.
Caleb Berthelsen
School: Xavier Catholic College
Had good zip and was fast on his feet which boded well for his line-breaking ability throughout the day.
Jamall Nelson
School: Xavier Catholic College
The hulking second-rower caused plenty of headaches for Columba and his first try was brilliant piece of running as he barged through the line and then forced his way over the stripe with three defenders hanging off him.
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