Bill Turner Cup Queensland finals: Coaches name every team’s stars of the finals

The dust from the Queensland Bill Turner Cup is still settling as coaches from every team reveal their standout performers of the finals. Full list, match replays here.

The dust is yet to settle from the Bill Turner Cup and Trophy Queensland Finals but there were plenty of stars who emerged during a thrilling day of finals football.

Anglican Church Grammar School were crowned champions in the boys division while Cairns State High School took out the girls competition.

Both teams will now progress to the National Finals on September 6-7 in Newcastle.

WATCH THE REPLAYS OF THE QUEENSLAND FINALS

MEET THE CAPTAINS OF THE BILL TURNER CUP AND TROPHY

See below for a recap on each team’s performance and who the coaches named as their standout players.

Bill Turner Cup (Boys)

Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie)

Head coach Scott MacNicol said it was a well-earnt result for his side after they claimed a grand final victory.

“The boys were excellent today after a number of tough matches leading into the final,” he said.

“We knew it was going to be hard one in the final and we went 2-0 up and thought we were in a good position but Marsden fought back and had us under pressure so it was great spirit from the boys to get that winning goal.

“It was a great collective effort to get this far over the journey as I think we’ve used 21 players to get here so the boys have done brilliantly.”

MacNicol said he hoped his team could further improve at the national carnival.

“It’s the first time we’ve been this far as a school and it’s a good group of players here so it will be good for them to test themselves,” he said.

“There’s a few boys with the Brisbane Roar, a few in the state team and some high level club footballers so it’ll be great for them to test themselves at the highest school level,” he said.

He said a number of his players could be classed as standout performers.

“The centre back pairing of Lucas Herrington and Ollie Reed were excellent for us in each match and gave us a great foil when coming out of our own half,” MacNicol said.

“Luke O’Sullivan in the midfield was immense and he plays first eleven football at the school so we were relying on him.

“Quinn MacNicol in the midfield was quality and showed that with the two goals he set up in the grand final.

“Levi Collins, our striker finished brilliantly all tournament, Arden Hogan at the back post was great too as well as Josh Tanner our goalkeeper, so it’s very hard to just name a couple as the whole team put the shift in.”

 Marsden State High School

Marsden State High School finished as runners up in the Bill Turner Cup.

Head coach Richard Greer said it was a tough end following his team’s 3-2 loss in the grand final but he was extremely proud of his players.

“I said to our boys that it was the first time as a school we had ever got this far so for them as a school they’ve created history and I couldn’t be prouder of them,” he said.

“We obviously come here to win but all credit to Churchie because they took their chances and they won.

“The result hurts but the boys can definitely hold their heads high as the showed plenty of fight and it’s about development as well which they will learn and get better from.”

Caleb Butler

“Caleb was our captain and he has been really good all tournament,” Greer said.

Ali Sina

“Ali was a threat from midfield and showed his class against quality opposition,” he said.

Mitch Wendell

“A massive shout out to Mitch who was our left back,” he said.

“He really forced himself into the side and was probably our most consistent player.”

Cairns State High School

Head coach Josh Taylor said it was an important tournament for his players.

“Yeah I’m very happy with a third-place finish, it’s been eight years since we were last in the final four,” he said.

“The boys were definitely a bit disappointed yesterday after going down to Churchie in extra time but I think they showed a lot of class in the third place playoff and will look to go again next year.”

Jimmy Breeze

“Jimmy was our holding midfield and is really a no-nonsense type of operator,” he said.

“Passes or tackles, no one ever gets past him and he always wants to get on the ball, be the pivot and get the ball moving again.”

Henri Mackenzie

“Henri was our left winger who was direct, fast and has an eye for goal every time he’s within range,” he said.

Lachlan Norris

“Lachie was our goalkeeper and is one of the younger players but he was very confident, strong and loud for us throughout the tournament,” Taylor said.

Aspley State High School

Head coach Tom Fanning said the competition was a learning curve for his team.

“I’m very proud of the boys’ performances from start to finish,” Fanning said.

“It’s a massive tournament and this is a first for Aspley to get to this stage of the competition so I’m very happy with them as a unit.”

Aspley State High School captain Kobi Pastourel (left) and goalkeeper Henri Gaskin in action at the 2022 Bill Turner Cup. Picture: Lloyd Turner.

Kobi Pastourel, Johnnie Nosovich and Henri Gaskin.

“Kobi was our captain who was outstanding all tournament,” Fanning said.

“I thought Johnnie was another one of our better players and Henri in goal was also very influential for us.”

Bill Turner Trophy (Girls)

Murrumba State Secondary College

Head coach Kim Abbott said it was an enjoyable tournament for her side.

“I’m proud of the girls, we had the title of best team in Brisbane for this tournament so we’ll take that and it was a great effort from each player,” she said.

Shantayah Hurford

“Shantayah was really good for us, I thought she really gave us a good defensive presence in the midfield,” Abbott said.

Tiana Simon

“Tiana has been fantastic throughout the whole tournament,” she said.

“She wasn’t on the ball as much as she typically is in our final game but she was a big reason for us getting to this stage.”

Freya Crooks

“Freya was our captain and was outstanding across all areas of the pitch,” she said.

“Her work on and off the ball was great for us and her leaderships skills were amazing.”

Daniella Casey-Polla and Hannah Davis

“Dani has been an absolute force at the back for us and Hannah’s pace has been a huge asset as they’ve made a great pairing all carnival,” she said.

Cairns State High School

Head coach Josh Purton said he was happy with what his team had achieved following their 3-0 grand final win.

“Very happy of course, it’s been a year’s worth of work and our goal was to come down and win the state titles to then be competitive at the national titles and we’ve been able to do that,” he said.

“It’s been a lot of hard work and the girls have played very well all tournament.”

Cairns State High School, winners of the 2022 Bill Turner Trophy. Picture: Lloyd Turner.

He said it was a credit to the younger players for proving their worth.

“We’ve got quite a big spread of ages as there’s some highly talented individuals from 12, 13, 14 and a few 15-year-olds so I guess it all bodes well for the future and it’s a testament to those younger players that have been able to step up,” he said.

Cairns State High School player of the final Alana Hill (left) and captain Hayley Campbell in action in the 2022 Bill Turner Trophy. Picture: Lloyd Turner

Purton said he was proud of the performances from a number of his players.

“It’s very hard because collectively they are so good and winning 5-0 on Tuesday and 3-0 on Wednesday the defenders and midfielders showed their class,” he said.

“I thought Valentina Oberdan, Payten Rose, Louise Christie and Alana Hill were quite exceptional and really shone in their own right for us so that as a team we could come together and play an exciting brand of football.

“Then at the back our captain Hayley Campbell and Leitu Wallwork were working hard so I could really list anybody because they all impressed me and their teammates.”

Kelvin Grove Secondary College

Head coach Jess Condon was proud of her team’s efforts following their 3-2 win in the third place playoff.

“Definitely happy, it was a little disappointing not to be in the grand final but both teams are well-deserved finalists.

“Third place in Queensland is great and something the girls should be very proud of.”

Stella Campbell

“Stella was our goalkeeper and was absolutely fantastic the whole tournament,” she said.

“She only just recently has come to us and she has really grown into herself and come into the team really well.

“She really showed her dominance for us and I think she saved five one-on-ones on Tuesday and kept us in the match on a number of occasions.”

Lillian Reynolds

“Lillian was a bit unwell on our final day but she has been outstanding the whole time,” Condon said.

“She’s a solid presence in the midfield and always allows us to drive forward through good attacking opportunities.”

Sophia Colen

“Sophia is just an absolute workhorse and a player that is always on the ball or involved no matter what’s going on around her,” she said.

“She gives absolutely everything for the team.”

Cleveland District State High

Head coach James Piercey said the tournament was a great experience for his team.

“I’m super proud of the girls as coming into this we knew we would be up against the best schools in Queensland so just to provide an opportunity for our girls to play in a finals series like this one has been amazing,” he said.

“If those girls want to push on to a higher level then hopefully they can come back to these matches and learn from them but I’m super proud of them which is the main thing.”

Mia Austen, Sadie Green and Ashlee Hyman

“I’m again super proud of all of our younger players but probably the main three from the seniors would be Mia, Sadie and Ash,” he said.

“They all stood up in their own right and showed their class on a number of occasions.”

Originally published as Bill Turner Cup Queensland finals: Coaches name every team’s stars of the finals