Confraternity 2025 Repord Card: Marymount College, Burleigh

Marymount College missed out on silverware on a countback of tries but not even that ending could sour the taste of a wonderful carnival. See how we graded Marymount and named our standout players.

Marymount College's Confraternity 2025 team

Marymount College missed out on silverware on a countback of tries in the Division 1 Bob Lindner Trophy grand final (9th place playoff) but not even that bitter ending could sour the taste of a wonderful carnival for the Burleigh Waters school.

A young team boasting five Year 10 players punched above its weight at every turn, including a two-point defeat to eventual Division I overall champions St Patrick’s College Mackay and had two players plus coach Jason Hamilton selected in the carnival’s merit team.

Hamilton said he was proud of his team for reaching deep within itself to mount a stirring grand final comeback that typified the effort shown all week.

“I was very happy,” Confraternity’s coach of the year said.

“I don’t think there’d be too many teams in Division I that would had five Year 10 boys.

“I was really proud of the kids in the grand final. We were down 20-8 and the boys just didn’t stop. They fought and fought to tie it up 20-all. We missed a couple of goals, they missed a couple of goals, we dropped the ball in a few instances and so did they. So hats off to Rocky Grammar. They’re a disciplined team who player error-free football, where we were maybe a little more flamboyant than they were - and that might have cost us, and that’s okay.”

GRADES

Attack: B+

Marymount scored 29 tries in six games, with the majority coming out wide.

That was testament to the hard work done up the middle to get into position to score.

“I reckon that’s why God made wingers: to score tries,” Hamilton quipped.

Defence: A

A handful of lapses in Marymount’s line defence at critical times was the only reason a perfect A+ could not be awarded.

Marymount held eventual champions St Patrick’s Mackay to 12 points and lost another game by four points (against Shalom Catholic College of Bundaberg).

For a footy culture that prides itself on defence and discipline, Marymount’s 2025 Confro squad did just about as well as possible.

One driving tackle by Year 10 rookie Tyler Steinbeck and top prop Beckham Morse stood out as the highlight of the campaign for Hamilton.

Overall: A-

RESULTS

Bob Lindner Trophy finalists (10th overall, Division 1)

Grand Final: 20-20 draw with Rockhampton Grammar, lost on countback

Semi-Final: 26-14 win over St Mary’s, Toowoomba

Quarter-Final: 36-12 win over Aquinas, Ashmore

Pool 1D Rd 3: 18-22 loss to Shalom, Bundaberg

Pool 1D Rd 2: 36-0 win over St Patrick’s, Shorncliffe

Pool 1D Rd 1: 12-10 loss to St Patrick’s, Mackay

Leading tryscorers: Sterling Wilkinson (9), Ryder Abell (6), Axel Friend (4)

Leading pointscorers: Ryder Abell (50), Sterling Wilkinson (36)

STANDOUT PERFORMERS

Sterling Wilkinson

Wilkinson split fullback duties with vice-captain Ryder Abell and was the tournament’s second highest tryscorer, with nine, earning a wing position in the carnival’s merit team.

Coach Hamilton praised Wilkinson’s discipline, communication and enthusiasm as he brought an energetic edge to the playing group.

This season has been full of ups and downs for the Burleigh Bears under-18 outside back but Wilkinson has fought to overcome every down.

“I’m very proud of him,” his coach said.

Ryder Abell

Marymount’s rugby league vice-captain enjoyed his finest Confraternity campaign yet in his third season with the team.

The Gold Mako was equally dangerous at fullback and five-eighth and that versatility saw him rewarded with a position in the Confraternity merit team’s interchange bench.

Abell’s selflessness is matched by an unceasing work ethic that every single teammate took inspiration from in Gladstone.

Abell was praised by coach Hamilton for his hard work on the field and at his studies, qualities that will take him far in life on the football field and beyond.

Beckham Morse

The Burleigh under-18 front rower took home Marymount’s player of the carnival offers.

The dependable workhorse has never offered a word of complaint and has developed a well-earned reputation as Marymount’s Mr Dependable.

Hayden Riddell

Like Morse, halfback Hayden Riddell’s tireless defence, outstanding communication and penchant for doing the hard yards impressed greatly throughout Confraternity. That’s why the No.7 received the school’s spirit of the carnival award.