Will Murdoch Perpetual Shield photographs from rugby league competition

It has been 18 months since a beloved country kid was killed when an ATV rolled in North Queensland, and each day doesn’t get any easier for his brave mum.

Will’s mother Kelly Murdoch and younger sister Kenzi (left) present Gilroy captain Shaun Devietti with the Will Murdoch Perpetual Shield. Photographs from the Will Murdoch Perpetual Shield. The annual U14 rugby league competition, in its second year, involved Gilroy Santa Maria College, Ingham State High School and St Teresa's Catholic College Abergowrie. Picture: Cameron Bates

It has been 18 months since the tragic death of beloved country kid and little league legend Will Murdoch and each passing day doesn’t get any easier for brave mum Kelly.

Mrs Murdoch fought back tears as she thanked players, supporters and teachers from the three Hinchinbrook high schools for honouring the precious memory of her son by playing in the Will Murdoch Perpetual Shield in Ingham on Wednesday.

“Will loved his footy and was always up for a competitive mates versus mates game,” she said.

“So to say he would have loved this is an understatement.”

Will’s mother Kelly Murdoch, sporting her son’s own WM Bucking Bulls label, speaks at the conclusion of the Will Murdoch Perpetual Shield rugby league matches at Gilroy Santa Maria College in Ingham on Wednesday. Picture: Cameron Bates

She said her son who passed in a freak farm accident in March last year “left an imprint on this world”.

“I can see that from each and every one of you by just being here today,” she said.

“Thank you all so much for coming and just remember our memories of Will, will remain in our hearts forever.”

60+ photos from Will Murdoch Perpetual Shield

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Pocket-rocket Will had just started at Gilroy Santa Maria College when the Polaris ATV Side by Side he was driving rolled in a cane paddock at Long Pocket about 30km north-west of Ingham.

The death of the adored 12-year-old boy rocked the rural community to its core, resulting in an outpouring of emotion that is yet to subside.

Gilroy teacher Maddyn White with students Grant Martin and Connor Matsen read a touching poem by Jonny Pearce, ‘The Will Murdoch Perpetual Shield’. Picture: Cameron Bates

Rather than retreat from the public spotlight, Kelly and husband Andy have actively sought to keep their son’s memory alive and have raised more than $40,000 for charity in his name.

The perpetual shield features league teams from Gilroy, which is mainly comprised of Will’s former teammates from the Herbert River Crushers U14s, as well as teams from Ingham State High School and St Teresa’s Catholic College Abergowrie.

Will Murdoch and sister Kenzi were close to each other. Picture: Supplied

As expected, the shield was retained by a strong Gilroy team in a day-long round-robin tournament.

NRWL winner with the Newcastle Nights Romy Teitzel speaking at the Will Murdoch Perpetual Shield in Ingham on Wednesday. Teitzel, from Mission Beach, has worked as a North Queensland Cowboy community-engagement officer for 18 months. The 23-year-old lock gave a good-natured no comment when asked if she would sign for the Cows inaugural NWRL season in 2023. Picture: Cameron Bates

League star Romy Teitzel, still buzzing from winning the NWRL title with the Newcastle Knights, said it was fantastic to see all three schools coming together to “celebrate such a great day for Will in his remembrance”.

“There was so much talent out here on display today, for me seeing 14-year-olds who are taller than me is crazy,” the North Queensland Cowboy’s community-engagement officer said.

“And a lot of these young kids probably don’t even play club football either, so it’s a great opportunity to get out and test if they like the sport and put a great display on for will.”

Originally published as Will Murdoch Perpetual Shield photographs from rugby league competition