Rugby League Gold Coast 2024: Top preliminary final performers
Contenders were separated from pretenders in the Rugby League Gold Coast preliminary finals. Discover who stood tall from the under-18s through to A-grade.
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Four grand finals tickets were punched at UAA Park in Burleigh on Sunday in the penultimate week of the Rugby League Gold Coast season.
In A-grade, Currumbin pulled off a might upset to eliminate minor premiers Burleigh by two points in a dramatic encounter, despite scoring one less try. Eagles kicker Elliott Speed stepped up at every opportunity that came his way and proved decisive.
In the DLC competition, it wasn’t as sweet a tale for the Eagles, who were eliminated by Runaway Bay in a gritty 12-8 win.
Runaway Bay also clinched a grand final berth in the under-20s as they ran riot against a persistent Southport side that wouldn’t roll over in a 38-24 victory.
While Helensvale reigned supreme in their under-18 division 1 clash with Currumbin to win 32-16.
Discover all the top performers from the day below.
Under-18 Div 1
Quinn Timperon and Disharne Tonihi
Team: Helensvale Hornets
The Hornets centre pairing of Timperon and Tonihi was pivotal. Both boys ran when they needed to and provided great defensive cover.
Baylen White and Seamus Boakes
Team: Helensvale Hornets
As Helensvale’s chief playmakers, the halves pairing of White and Boakes controlled the game particularly well and played their roles well. Honourable mention to the Hornets forward pack too, who also played well and stood up in the face of adversity with two first half injuries.
Under-20s
Travis Love
Team: Runaway Bay Seagulls
The explosive Love played an exceptional game in the centres for Runaway Bay despite carrying a back injury. Scored an early try where he barrelled the opposing defender over close to the line, and nailed five out of seven conversions. His performance added to what has been a great season in general.
Jesse Kora
Team: Runaway Bay Seagulls
The Seagulls captain and hooker put in a solid shift. His defence was exceptional, and he had some good touches around the ruck.
Malakai Rhind
Team: Runaway Bay Seagulls
The imposing front-rower laid the platform for his side. He drove his team forward through the middle time and time again and his leadership was exceptional.
Jhett Pilcher
Team: Runaway Bay Seagulls
The playmaker didn’t only create but scored himself, producing a crucial hat-trick that propelled Bay to a decisive lead they would never lose. All three tries came consecutively too.
Brody Hawkins Malcolm
Team: Southport Tigers
The centre had good pace and a good step and could also produce an offload and was one of Southport’s best.
DLC
Zach Peachey
Team: Runaway Bay Seagulls
The big front-rower was outstanding and his go forward with the ball was a highlight. He’s a big, aggressive and strong player.
Dion Samuela
Team: Runaway Bay Seagulls
The Bay five-eighth stood out given he was his side’s only tryscorer with a double in a low-scoring affair. Was great on his feet and very hard to handle, which makes sense given he’s also a gun OzTag player.
Wil Phillips
Team: Currumbin Eagles
The Currumbin five-eighth was simply quality. He pulled the strings and put in a good performance. Has featured heavily in the A-grade competition throughout the season.
Scott Bunt
Team: Currumbin Eagles
Special mention must be made of the Eagle’s captain, who is the top pointscorer in Currumbin’s history and heavily admired across the club. He’s won plenty of premierships in the DLC competition but may have played his last game. Lead his side exceptionally.
Josh Walker
Team: Currumbin Eagles
In his first outing of the day given he backed up and played A-grade, Walker shone and crossed the stripe for a double – and Currumbin’s only two tries. The Eagles could’ve gotten their right centre involved more but he was potent when he was and struck when others couldn’t.
A-Grade
Takitau Mapapalangi
Team: Burleigh Bears
Continued his stellar first season on the Gold Coast with a busting game through the middle. Broke the Bears 45-minute scoring drought with a crucial try late that almost lifted them to victory.
Kalin Ropata
Team: Currumbin Eagles
Ropata continued his great run of form in the second-row and was really damaging on the right edge.
Elliott Speed
Team: Currumbin Eagles
Eagles coach Matt Geyer believed it was the best game Speed had played in a month, and he was certainly pivotal in Currumbin clinching its A-grade finals spot. Speed was targeted heavily by Burleigh in attack but held his own and rode the hard times well. He also nailed all three conversions and a penalty goal, which effectively lifted Currumbin to its two-point victory given they scored one less try in the three-point win.
Jack Hudson
Team: Currumbin Eagles
Hudson was one of the younger players on the field but the Eagles hooker played a tremendously tough game. He took a heap of hits and contact in the middle, and at one point even played on despite copping a knock where no man wants to.
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