Langer Cup 2020: Broncos-contracted centre Damon Somerville ruled out for season

Palm Beach Currumbin have lost their two-time Langer Cup champion centre and 2020 skipper Damon Somerville for the season, opening the door to a fresh talent.

Palm Beach Currumbin have lost inspirational skipper and Brisbane Broncos contracted centre Damon Somerville for the rest of the season after a devastating knee injury last week.

Somerville tore his ACL in the final moments of last week’s thrilling 18-all draw against Wavell State High in Brisbane.

After three seasons in PBC’s top team, Somerville’s schoolboy rugby league journey has been cut short to two matches in his final season.

Somerville featured in both of PBC’s Langer Cup champion sides in 2018 and 2019 and figured to play a key role if the school was to reach their first ever hat-trick of titles in 2020.

Langer Cup launch. Damon Somerville. Thursday June 25, 2020. Picture: Renae Droop

It’s a devastating blow to both school and player but as one door closes, another is set to open.

Somerville’s injury will see rising New Zealand star Deine Mariner, 17, thrust into the starting line-up for the first time against St Mary’s on Wednesday.

The 184cm, 90 kilogram centre was scouted by the Brisbane Broncos after starring on the junior representative scene in south Auckland last year.

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He’s made the move to PBC to hone his skills in the world’s toughest schoolboy rugby league competition before he graduates in 2021.

“Footy in general is way better here,” Mariner said.

“Back home there’s no structure, it’s just who can pull off the biggest hit.

“I was contracted by the Broncos so the move was always going to happen (eventually) but this year I thought I’d move over to play school footy.

Palm Beach Currumbin's Deine Mariner poses for a picture at Pizzey Park Burleigh. Photograph : Jason O'Brien

“It’s more advanced here, you kind of know what you’re doing and you have good mentors teaching you.”

Mariner’s mother and father have also made the move to follow and support their son.

“My parents didn’t want me to come over by myself because some boys kind of get lost when they don’t have their family around them,” Mariner said.

“They made sure they’d come with me and keep me in line, I guess.

“It’s so much better having your parents, it doesn’t make you feel alone because you’ve got some support having family with you.

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“They go to every training, watch me every game and are just really supportive.”

Mariner has recovered from his own injury just in time to step in for his injured captain.

The delayed start to his football career at PBC has suited his father Lapi just fine.

Mariner Snr has only recently emerged from a mandatory two-week quarantine after returning to the Gold Coast from New Zealand.

The match will be livestreamed on GoldCoastBulletin.com.au from 5pm.

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