NRL Schoolboys (Langer) Cup finals: Six things we learned as Marsden SHS and PBC SHS progress to final
NRL Schoolboys (Langer) Cup finals: Six things we learned after Marsden SHS and Palm Beach Currumbin SHS progressed to the grand final.
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The NRL Schoolboys (Langer) Cup semi-finals have been run and won, with Marsden SHS and Palm Beach Currumbin SHS progressing to next week’s grand final.
Marsden SHS prop Xavier Stowers scored three seconds from full-time to break a deadlock, with his team beating Ipswich 16-10.
PBC SHS then progressed after beating Keebra Park SHS 20-10 - after the scores were locked 10-all into the second half.
Next week’s grand final will be livestreamed by www.couriermail.com.au, the Gold Coast Bulletin and News Corp affiliates.
SIX THINGS WE LEARNED FROM THE SEMI-FINALS
Palm Beach Currumbin’s SHS defence can win it
The blueprint for PBC SHS winning back-to-back southern conference grand finals was seen during a first half defensive blackout of Keebra Park SHS.
PBC SHS applied pressure at both ends of the field to blunt Keebra Park SHS, including an eager kick-chase defensive effort when Tom Weaver and occasionally Oskar Bryant put boot to ball.
Asked what he was most pleased with following the 20-10 win over Keebra Park, PBC coach Tim Maccan said: “Our defence was outstanding to hold their first half to nil.’’
But he was also happy with his team’s ball movement and the way his men tired the opposition.
However, it came down to defence and the effort the boys put in on the training paddock to help off-set not playing for three weeks.
Marsden SHS can tackle as well
Defending in the modern game with a 12 man defensive line has never been harder in rugby league, but Marsden SHS can take heart from their tackling effort between the 49th and 59th minutes while five-eight Jardyn Stilinovich was in the sin bin.
Ipswich SHS were coming to get Marsden, and although Marsden did concede points, ultimately they finished that period of 10 minutes at the other end of the field pushing for victory.
Marsden were not at their best. But their desire was evident in this period.
“The most pleasing thing for us is to play so poorly but still show a little bit of reserves at the end there,’’ said coach Matt Hartigan.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do before next week.''
Hartigan praised his side's commitment when it counted.
“But we really had to dig deep into the tool belt in that last two minutes because they had all the momentum,'' he said.
“Schoolboy footy is massive on momentum.
“They (Ipswich) went bang, bang and suddenly we had to dig deep.’’
RELATED LINKS
WATCH WALTERS CUP LIVE TODAY, MARSDEN SHS V FOREST LAKE
Ipswich SHS had what it took - almost
In finals’ football the margin between almost doing enough and doing enough is a gulf.
And so it was the case when Ipswich SHS ambushed Marsden SHS to almost steal a grand final berth.
Ipswich SHS were good enough and should be mighty proud - again - of its campaign.
But twice in the second half Ipswich SHS mounted raids down the right side on attack, but passes did not go to hand.
It is a fine line.
Coach Joshua Bretherton said upon reflection that the discovery of forward Rene Bagon and the leadership of Kulikefu Finefeuiaki were highlights, as was watching year 11 semi-final debutant Gabriel Satrick in action.
But his biggest praise was reserved for Ipswich State High workhorse Josiah Pahulu, the go-to man when the pressure is on.
“I can’t speak highly enough of what he did today,’’ Bretherton said after the semi-final.
Pahulu stepped up when the team needed him most “and had to play way more minutes than he normally would and he did an outstanding job of it.’’
Other positives from the Ipswich State High camp included the momentum the team gained at the right stage of the season after some disappointing early performances.
“The boys didn’t let our rough start derail them,’’ Bretherton said.
“They worked really hard to get themselves back on track and that was awesome.’’
RELATED LINKS
SEMI-FINAL TEAMS, KEY MATCH-UPS
NRL CLUBS - WHO THEY HAVE SIGNED FROM THE LANGER TROPHY
Keebra Park SHS reflects on its discipline
Keebra Park SHS coach Glen Campbell said his team worked hard to get back into the match after trailing 10-nil, but he said his discipline needed addressing.
The future is bright for Keebra Park SHS with nine boys returning in 2022, but discipline still needed addressing.
“Little football discipline things let us down.
Palm Beach got a try from an intercept and a kick - good luck to them but they put themselves in a position to do that. And we didn’t.
“The boys are extremely disappointed and that comes from what we are trying to develop as young men rather than footballers, discipline off the field.’’
He said it was important they remember the hurt of losing the semi-finals. “I said to them you don’t like this feeling. And unless you are here you don’t know how it feels.’’
Stowers power - you can’t beat it
Marsden prop Xavier Stowers was hustled and bustled all day by the Ipswich SHS defence - except when he handled the ball three seconds from time leading to the matchwinning try.
As a result of Ipswich’s pressure on Stowers, the big fella did not have one of his best games.
But it may be a blessing in disguise for him because he can now mentally prepare himself for what is sure to be another defensive blanket thrown at him next week in the final by the PBC forwards.
But when you are motivated and with a 116kg, 194cm tall body aiding you, raw power is hard to hold.
And so it was the case when, with one last surge, one last effort, he pushed forward and then extended his long arm to secure the match winning try for his side.
He has now scored four or five close to the line tries this season from seemingly impossible positions. And he will be one of the first names on the PBC SHS tip sheet for next week’s final.
Kini and Perese are really good players
PBC SHS fullback Keano Kini arrived at the school from New Zealand this year as a schoolboy prodigy - and everyone can see why.
He has the skills of a five-eight and footwork and pace of a freewheeling fullback.
But do you know what really impressed in the sem-final? His defence.
There were two special last line efforts - one when he knocked Elijah Lui out of play and another, late, when Blake Mozer burst through.
The individual brilliance of Keebra Park SHS five-eight De’ontae Perese was also a highlight in a match which featured defence.
His pass to put Lui over, and his dazzling footwork for an individual try highlighted his worth to the side.
And hats off to front rowers Jack Cullen (PBC) and Herman Tofaeono (Keebra Park) for massive tight efforts.
LIVESTREAM SCHEDULE
September 1: (Wynnum)
Southern QLD Schoolboy Cup final, Marsden SHS v PBC SHS
September 8: COVID Contingency Week
September 15: Phil Hall Cup (Redcliffe)
Northern Conference Final, Southern QLD winner v Northern QLD winner
Originally published as NRL Schoolboys (Langer) Cup finals: Six things we learned as Marsden SHS and PBC SHS progress to final
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