We name the top performer from every Gold Coast District Rugby Union junior grand final
The best of junior Gold Coast rugby union was on show as 10 teams went head-to-head across the day for premiership glory. Discover which players stood tall with their season on the line.
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A cracking day of junior Gold Coast District Rugby Union deciders played out at the Bond Pirates Rugby Unions Club on Saturday.
In the under-12s, Helensvale Hogs Blue kicked off the day with a hard fought win against their club counterparts Helensvale Hogs White.
In the under-13s, Nerang Bulls gritty and brilliant defence drove it to a captivating 19-12 triumph over Surfers Dolphins. Surfers had strong field position and hounded the Nerang tryline for much of the day but the Bulls stood tall.
The Coomera Crushers were dominant in the under-14s decider and surged to a 19-point win over the Helensvale Hogs.
In the under-16s, Helensvale clinched its second premiership of the day courtesy of the Hogs Blue side who held off Bond Pirates 17-12.
Gold Coast Eagles rounded out the day with a thrilling 13-11 over Noosa in the under-18 Southern Stampede. It was a defensive affair and points were hard to come by but the Eagles held their nerve for a triumphant win.
Discover all the top performers from across the day below.
Under-18 Southern Stampede
Ta’ziayah Milner
Team: Gold Coast Eagles
Provided great coverage at the back, kicked well and was zippy on his feet. Took the right option when he passed the ball too. Put Kaupua into the hole for Gold Coast’s first try.
Noah Kaupua
Team: Gold Coast Eagles
Ran good lines and was rewarded when he hit a gaping hole which led to him crossing for the first try off the back of a great running effort.
Jack O’Connor
Team: Gold Coast Eagles
Used his combination of electric speed and unassuming strength to fan some serious field position with impressive runs.
Tyrone Okesene
Team: Gold Coast Eagles
Was composed under many high balls and produced some good runs under pressure.
Liam Condely
Team: Gold Coast Eagles
Worked hard in the middle and delivered some big hits.
Louie Griffen
Team: Noosa
Griffen forced a good turnover in the ruck and put in some impressive runs, particularly from deep in his own half when his side was under pressure.
Bailey Coughlan
Team: Noosa
In a low-scoring game every point mattered and Coughlan held his nerve and slotted two penalty goals.
Under-16s
Liam Finn
Team: Bond Pirates
Finn showed good desperation on defence, particularly when he reeled in a streaking runner with a lunging effort. He also made some good offensive runs stepping his way through the line.
Tane Leef
Team: Helensvale Hogs Blue
Leef was super strong all day and could drive forward with handful of defenders hanging off him. In general, the Bond defence had a tough task stopping him.
Kobi Nouanrasy
Team: Helensvale Hogs Blue
Lead his side from the front, had a good step on him and put it to good use.
Junior Sianuua
Team: Helensvale Hogs Blue
Sianuua was lightning quick and made some impressive attacking runs.
Under-14s
Elias Setema
Team: Coomera Crushers
Had a superb tackle technique and stopped plenty of opposing runners in their tracks. Also had a good step and fend.
Tyler Lama
Team: Coomera Crushers
Lama was brilliant and a clear standout. He had a fantastic patch late in the game where he gained crucial territory with a monster run and stepped past several defenders on the very next play to set up a decisive try. Took a good catch off a short kick off to regain possession late too then burst through the line for an emphatic try of his own where he swan dived over the line in style. Seemed to be involved in everything that went right for Coomera.
Brody Lanini
Team: Coomera Crushers
Sealed the result for the Crushers with a clinical finish late in the piece to cap off an impressive performance.
Coby Hill
Team: Helensvale Hogs
Hill put in a good kick late and was strong when being tackled.
Elias Magaia
Team: Helensvale Hogs
Mataia was solid for Helensvale and provided some crucial sweeping defensive coverage out wide.
Under-13s
Ryan Gale
Team: Surfers Dolphins
Used his towering size and power to great effect and mowed through defenders. The opposition simply couldn’t stop him for much of the game.
Jacob Nancarrow
Team: Surfers Dolphins
Nancarrow hit the hole to score the opening try of the game early, and continued his form with some solid runs throughout. Also lay some big tackles.
Te Anahera Walton
Team: Surfers Dolphins
Walton was the only girl on the field and played an exceptional game. She had great pace and used it well on numerous occasions and also laid some decisive tackles.
Bronson Bell
Team: Nerang Bulls
Bell was a pocket rocket for Nerang who could zip through line and had unassuming strength.
Jasiah Iaone
Team: Nerang Bulls
Gained some valuable yardage for his side with bruising runs up the middle and had defenders bouncing off him at times.
Darius Mallie
Team: Nerang Bulls
Produced one of the moments of the game where he chased down a kick by picking his opponents pockets and went on to score to produce a pivotal try against the run of play and hand his side a matchwinning lead.
Under-12s
Roman Sietine
Team: Helensvale Hogs Blue
Sietine repeatedly opened the game up with some brilliant long range passes that often put his teammates into acres of space.
Hudson Wenzel
Team: Helensvale Hogs Blue
Wenzel used his pace and footwork well and stood tall with the game on the line. He was the key architect of the final two tries his side scored – which proved crucial. He scored himself with some great pace and footwork before putting Duke Deacon over in the corner with a perfectly timed pass that drew the defender in and created space. Terrorised the right edge of Helensvale White all day, weaving his way through the defensive line.
Canaan Bartley
Team: Helensvale Hogs Blue
Bartley was an impressive performer and set himself apart with his strong carries.
Evanda Kamikamica
Team: Helensvale Hogs White
Kamikamica used his athleticism well, he had a strong fend off which allowed him to render opposition defenders helpless, and had pace to burn and good leg strength.
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