To match the occasion, the games were breathtaking, with several going down to the wire and many players standing tall and making their presence felt.

Here we hear from the coaches and top players from each of the games.

KEEP SCROLLING FOR:

— Unheralded Hornet saves best for last; Under 16s Division 1

— Words from a legend inspire multi-skilled Seahawawks; Under 16s Division 2

— AFL convert thrives on the big stage: Under 15s Division 1

— Comeback kid lifts in deperate clash; Under 15s Division 2

— Passionate forwards battle inspires Eagle’s; Under 15s Division 3

— All the best action shots from the Under 14s and Under 13s Division 1 finals

UNDER 16S DIVISION 1: HELENSVALE 32 DEF BURLEIGH WHITE 22

Player of the Match: Braydan Wong

Heading into the grand final clash, Helensvale coach Mark Schumacker said lock Brayden Wong was the young man who did all the simple things down to a tee, whether or not he received any credit.

He would make 30 tackles, take the tough hit ups, and go about his business quietly while his flashier teammates added their names to the highlights reel.

Come the big dance, that would not be the case. This was Wong’s chance to shine.

The Hornets number 13 was a class above through the middle of the field for his side, busting tackles with relentless ferocity and even making a one-on-one strip to give his unit another opportunity to strike.

Wong even took the liberty of slotting conversions from the sideline, while making linebreaks and setting up tries in a comprehensive display on and off the ball.

Schumacker said it was high time Wong received recognition for his efforts, having been one of the heart and soul’s of the green and black jersey all season.

However he was quick to praise the efforts of the rest of the team, with the likes of winger Cody Wallace even taking the field with a broken thumb.

“He (Wong) was awesome, he’s a great player and he deserves his recognition. In a game like this, to play that good and for everyone just to notice he deserves everything he gets,” Schumacker said.

“He’s a hard worker and to play on a big stage like this is awesome for him. There were a few more gaps out there because both teams were gassed, but we just kept pushing a little bit. “The other boys stretched them so there was more through the middle for him to play with, it wasn’t as tight, it wasn’t shoulder to shoulder so our halves and fullback were awesome.

“We were 1-17 relentless, I know they had injuries but in saying that we had a kid play with a broken hand, one with a busted back and one with a busted shoulder.

“We hid ours and they got through it. I know Brayden stood out, but if you got back and watch the video there were 17 tough boys out there.”

Burleigh threatened to steal the show early in the contest, with halfback Nayte Saaga particularly impressive in snuffing out an intercept to score a crucial try.

However from that moment the Hornets turned up the attacking flare, with Schumacker’s desire for his boys to trust their instincts taking over with some enigmatic play.

At one point, they scored two tries in the space of a tackle, with the likes of Xavier Tauaifaiga and Wallace crossing in entertaining fashion.

UNDER 16S DIVISION 2: TUGUN 36 DEF BURLEIGH MAROON 14

Player of the Match: Callum Simpson

In a season that could have ended in disaster for the Tugun boys, it instead ended with pure elation.

Having begun the year in the division one competition, in what was the Seahawks return to the Gold Coast having played in northern New South Wales, the decision was made to drop down a tier in a bid to further develop the young group.

While it meant starting their new campaign on the backfoot, Tugun were able to rally together, with some words passed down by the great Wayne Bennett on grand final-eve inspiring a dominate display against Burleigh.

The star of the 36-14 triumph, centre Callum Simpson, said the advice passed down by the NRL legend was ringing in he and his teammates ears throughout the 60 minutes.

“It was really surreal, everyone was just super engaged in what he was saying and those words of wisdom,” Simpson said.

“The main thing was just about your attitude and how you conduct yourself on the field, and then defence mainly — just doing it for your mate and when you make mistakes you fix it yourself, it’s no one else’s fault.

“It was a rough start at the start of the season having to drop and start on no points. But we worked our way back to the top and it showed we really are one of the best teams in the comp.”

Coach David Sewell was full of praise for the resilience his young group showed, particularly given five of them played much of a rugby union semi-final earlier in the afternoon for the Palm Beach Currumbin Alleygators.

He said while Simpson did not officially wear the captaincy tag, the towering outside back’s approach to each game ensure his teammates followed his lead.

“He just has an intensity, there’s some size about him but his foot speed is great, his footwork at the line is great,” Sewell said.

“Cal is a real leader, he hasn’t got the captaincy next to his name but he’s a real leader and he’s grown this year.

“This year coming into the Queensland comp was a real challenge for us. We started in Div 1, the boys really struggled with the week in and week out relentlessness and intensity.

“We made the decision to take them down into div 2 and that’s where they needed to be this year. They’ve really developed well and I’m super proud of them.

“I was really grateful to the Rugby League Gold Coast to allow us to come down, we probably would have lost five or six players had we stayed in Div 1 and would have folded. In the end we come down and win a comp.”

UNDER 15S DIVISION 1: CURRUMBIN 24 DEF BEAUDESERT 20

Player of the Match: Dylan Patterson

There may well come a time when Dylan Patterson needs to choose one sport to pursue, but for now the talented youngster is simply relishing the thrill of the contest.

The Currumbin fullback was instrumental in the Eagles 24-20 triumph over Beaudesert — a game which proved the highlight of the day.

In what is Patterson’s first year in rugby league, the AFL convert — who still picks up the Sherrin at Palm Beach Currumbin State High School — dominated in the number one jumper with his probing runs and ease under the high ball.

The Grade 9 student admits his AFL experience has assisted in his transition into the 13-man code, particularly at the back where his elusive running game has been on show.

As for where his future lay, however, he said for now he was just determined to enjoy the ride for as long as he could with both codes.

“It feels good, I wasn’t expecting it because everyone was playing well and did their bit” Patterson said.

“When we needed it our big boys picked up, so I’m just glad to be a part of the team to be honest. I loved every moment of it, it was so fun playing for everyone, so fun.

“I guarantee as soon as our boys pick up they all pick up and there’s no stopping us. Our boys are unreal, it’s crazy. When our team is playing well no one can stop us, that’s just it, that’s the end of it.”

While Currumbin appeared on the front foot for much of the contest, Beaudesert never went away.

Spearheaded by halfback Levi Bannan — who scored a try and set up another with an audacious but brilliant flick pass — the Kingfishers managed to level the scores at 20-20 late in the decisive clash.

However when the country town boys were dragged into touch 40m out from their own line, the Eagles were able to mount one last assault for Dylan Watkins to cross in the corner.

Currumbin co-coach Nick Daley said Patterson’s efforts were indicative of a teenager who was so effective simply because he was out on the field to have fun and embrace the occasion.

But with close friend and former Gold Coast Titan Kevin Proctor running the water, Daley said his young group had plenty of extra motivation in the tank to push through the frantic finish.

“Me and him are best mates, he’s a Currumbin boy too and when we click our fingers he comes and does whatever we want he said of Proctor.

“He always gives back to the juniors, and being a 13 year old boy have someone like that run water for you is a big boost.

“He’s been at training all year, it wasn’t something he just brought out for the grand final, and he’s worked with the boys at Currumbin every couple of weeks.

“He just told them grand finals don’t come around all the time, he won grand finals at Currumbin and Melbourne Storm and World Cups, he just said you never know when the next one is going to come so his big point was to make the most of it.”

UNDER 15S DIVISION 2: RUNAWAY BAY 12 DEF ORMEAU 6

Player of the Match: Harrison Benbow

In a game where goal line defence was clinical and desperate from both teams, it was always going to take an extra burst of energy to break the deadlock.

Enter Runaway Bay forward Harrison Benbow.

The energetic middle man had been sideline for six months due to a knee and hip injury, not lining up for his Seagulls outfit until the final four weeks of the regular season.

However when his team needed him the most, the humble youngster set about charging the line at full tilt, dragging several would be defenders in his wake.

It was a simple but effective playing style, and one that was seriously needed given how both the Seagulls and Shearers bravely defended their line.

In each half, both teams appeared destined to score time and time again, only for a late hit to force the ball loose and save the day.

It made Benbow’s impact all the sweeter, as he made a mountain of metres through the middle to put Runaway Bay in a position to win it late.

“He came off the bench for that bit of extra impact and he just lifts the side with his energy and runs through the middle,” Runaway Bay coach Scott Edwards said.

“He did his ACL and then did something else with his hip, so he had that carry over injury. “He was still coming to training all year so he’s been part of the team for most of the year anyway. He’s pretty quiet kid, he just gets in and does his job and that’s all we can ask of him.

“They’re a good bunch of lads, I’ve had most of them for almost 10 years now … lucky I’m bald because they stress me out a bit but they’re a good bunch of lads and it showed out there.”

UNDER 15S DIVISION 3: CURRUMBIN 24 DEF RUNAWAY BAY 12

Player of the Match: Joc Burge

This was a battle of the forward packs, and one Joc Burge took on personally.

With each hit up he seemed all too eager to get one over his opposite number. At one point, when Runaway Bay’s edge forward took a penalty tap, the pair set about colliding with one another only for the referee to hold fire and restart the play.

In that moment, the rivals winked and pointed at each other, adamant they would go head to head once the whistle blew again.

Each time Burge had the ball in his hands the crowd were brought to their feet.

With his light blonde hair and fearless approach to each carry, the teenager has all the makings of cult hero status.

Even the way he spoke after being recognised as the best player in Currumbin’s 24-12 triumph was that of a young man who fed off the energy and adrenaline that came with such an occasion.

“It feels great, like with all my family and friends behind me it was just amazing. Words can’t describe how amazing it was,” Burge said.

“We started off just all of us getting put into one team not really knowing who we were, and now just becoming a whole family in div three it’s just great.

“I love getting them one-on-one, hitting them that hard and the adrenaline was just through the roof. Just the aroma got me, I was so excited.”

Eagles coach Wade King described witnessing his young group lift the trophy as “one of the best feelings of my life” and was full of praise for Burge’s future.

He said the coaching staff challenged the prop to set the standard and take the game on, a test he rose to with aplomb.

“In the finals he’s gone to another level and for the grand final he was clearly man of the match for sure. I’m really happy for him,” King said.

“We fired him up before the game and he said he wouldn’t let us down. He took is as a personal mission to win that ruck and he did, he was the best player on the field by far and led the way.

“We lit a fire under him and got him in that right frame of mind, but he’s trained really well the last few weeks. He’s one of the leaders in our team and when he plays good the team plays off the back of him.

“He might not be the official captain but he’s in our leadership group and a really key player for us. I think he can take his game to a very high level and I look forward to hopefully working with him in the years ahead.”

UNDER 14S DIVISION 1: SOUTHPORT 18 DEF BURLEIGH 14

Player of the Match: Calais Hallett-Wharewake

UNDER 13S DIVISION 1: COOMERA 18 DEF BURLEIGH MAROON 16

Player of the Match: Alexander Ruiz

nick.wright@news.com.au