Aaron Payne Cup, Cowboys Challenge Teams of the Week 3

The standout performers of week three of the Aaron Payne Cup and Cowboys Challenge competitions have been celebrated. Meet the emerging stars of the Cowboys’ backyard.

The standout performers of week three of the Aaron Payne Cup and Cowboys Challenge competitions have been feted in this week’s edition of the Team of the Week.

Reporters from the Cairns Post and Townsville Bulletin watched every minute of action in both divisions this week and have highlighted a total of 47 players who impressed.

In the battle for the final 17s, Kirwan State High School was again the standout after defeating Trinity Bay by a combined scoreline of 82-4.

Nine Kirwan players were named in the Teams of the Week while three schools tied for the second-best representation.

Pool A rivals Ignatius Park College and St Patrick’s College had five selections each, while Pool B heavyweights St Augustine’s had the same number.

Mackay State High, Holy Spirit and Trinity Bay combined for five selections across the two divisions.

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AARON PAYNE CUP TEAM OF THE WEEK 3

1. Lincoln Baker, Ignatius Park

Was not on this list until the final 15 minutes but he truly made the difference in the second half. His work out the back of shape was fantastic in setting up a try in either half, but it was the chase on the chip kick which defined his performance.

2. Brandon Jorgensen, Mackay

Mackay’s winger had a game he will remember for a very long time, claiming two tries, converting twice and setting up his captain and arguably the games best try if not the best try of the tournament.

3. Cohen Dittmann, Kirwan

Aaron Payne Cup. Ignatius Park College against Kirwan High at Kirwan High. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Sydney Roosters contracted centre showed off deadly pace for two tries against Trinity Bay. His first try was a 70m runaway after breaking the line on a regulation hit-up while his second was the finishing touch to complete a 50-4 thrashing.

4. Corey Anderson, St Augustine’s

After a slow start and a number of fumbles in the first half, centre Anderson came alive in the second half. Anderson showed his X-factor and punctured through Mareeba’s lines, gaining crucial ground and putting the Saints back on the front foot.

5. Bruce Baudu, Ignatius Park

Cracking defence for a winger. Defused several tricky kicks in the corner and was not afraid to come in field looking for the tough carries out of his end, regularly breaking through the first defender. Scored a great try in the first half to level the scores.

6. Kynan Purdy, Ignatius Park

Slippery like an eel, Purdy proved elusive for his opposition on more than one occasion. His violent left step literally broke the ankles of a St Patrick’s defender, but he did even more damage in defence. The five-eighth has a sound technique, hitting up under the ball to dislodge it at least twice.

7. Riley Carbone, Kirwan

Thrust into the starting line-up at late notice for regular halfback Marley Proctor, the former Queensland Under-15 playmaker looked a natural in his first full match at halfback (despite wearing jersey 19) for the Bears. Carbone’s speed saw him dash away for a try while he pushed the final pass for two further tries in a polished debut.

8. Diesel Taylor, Kirwan

Diesel Taylor of Kirwan SHS. Picture: Evan Morgan

The lock forward was imposing with every carry and tackle and was the pick of the Kirwan forward pack who all lifted to the occasion against Trinity Bay. Taylor has just about every string a middle forward can hope for: size, fitness, toughness and all the subtle skills.

9. Jay Whaley, Kirwan

The architect of Kirwan’s 50-4 demolition of Trinity Bay. Whaley stepped up into the No.9 jersey usually worn by Cooper Cox with aplomb. He broke the line on a dummyhalf run to spark Riley Carbone’s try, hit Dittmann for his runaway try and later streaked 40m through the heart of the Trinity Bay defence when Dittmann returned the earlier favour.

10. Eneliko Savelio, Kirwan

Savelio might be the highest impact middle forward in the Aaron Payne Cup. The Kirwan enforcer was at his brutal in every collision against Trinity Bay, producing the tackle of the season.

11. Jack Thorburn, St Patrick’s

Ran the ball hard and tackled even harder. Had his opportunity to get his side in front in the first half but was held up in a brilliant one-on-one tackle. His line running was superb, cutting in behind his opposite number on multiple occasions.

12. Rhys Woolcott, St Augustine’s

Aaron Payne Cup at Jack Manski Oval. Holy Spirit against St Augustine College. Saints' Rhys Woolcott. Picture: Evan Morgan

The best player of the second half and perhaps the match against Mareeba, Woolcott’s cunning charges down the edges and unpredictable movements charged his side back into the game. Another who was quiet in the first half, but rose when the game was on the line.

13. Jackson Clark, Mareeba

Player of the match on a losing side, Clark showed enormous heart in the first half and was a huge reason for his team’s fierce start. The lock put his body on the line for Mareeba and was a strong leader who barely had a lapse for the full match.

14. Jason Hastie, Mareeba

Filling in for his side at halfback, Hastie’s playmaking ability and leadership on the field was pivotal in Mareeba’s shock start to the match. Like the rest of his side, played his role on the defensive line in keeping the Saints scoreless in the first half.

15. Noah Dawson, Ignatius Park

The bench forward had a massive impact in the second half with his ball-running and also his ball-playing. Possesses a mean late step at the line to put himself between defenders and his hulking frame was hard to take down. Played a key link role at first receiver in the Krause match-sealer.

16. Caleb Brady, Holy Spirit

Despite making a few mistakes early in the first half, Brady never dropped his head and continued to fight on, making almost perfect passes and decisions which included two tries for him in the second half to give some hope back to Holy Spirit.

17. Waterman Noipo, St Augustine’s

Started on the interchange but became a crucial part of his side’s second half comeback with two tries. Was a constant force to be reckoned with.

Honourable mentions:

Noah Dowdle, prop (St Augustine’s), Darcy Daley, prop (St Patrick’s), Cohen Jackson, prop (St Patrick’s College), Kayden Payne, utility forward (Mareeba SHS), Dane Ransom, prop (Kirwan), Mason Ryan-Ellul, winger (Mackay), Ben Walker, hooker (St Augustine’s hooker), Adam McSherry, fullback (St Patrick’s), Seth Stein, prop (Mareeba), Sebastian Mareko, prop (Mackay SHS)

COWBOYS CHALLENGE TEAM OF THE WEEK 3

1. Xavier Lallemand, St Augustine’s

A livewire for the Saints and a danger to Mareeba’s defensive line. Fullback Lallemand’s slick footwork and silky manoeuvres was on show for the entire match.

2. Josh Snell, Mareeba

One of the players of the match, fullback Josh Snell was an offensive force, constantly finding new angles to gain crucial ground and exposing holes in the St Augustine’s defence.

3. Clarvan Oth, Kirwan

The tall, powerful right centre was practically unstoppable from close range. Oth scored a double and could have easily had more if the ball went right more often against Trinity Bay. Few defenders at this level are able to keep Oth in front of them.

4. Nehemiah Tagaloa, Kirwan

It was a try you’d see most weekends in the under-6s but never in the Cowboys Challenge. After finding touch deep in attacking territory from a penalty kick, Tagaloa restarted play with a tap and snaked through a passive defensive line, racing around the fullback to score between the sticks. leaving a confused defensive line wondering how they had gotten it so wrong on tackle one.

5. Tamiana Fatiaki, Ignatius Park

Tamiana Fatiaki of Ignatius Park. Picture: Evan Morgan

Ignatius Park’s electric fullback was so good against St Patrick’s College that he commanded a place in the Team of the Week backline, and wing is as suitable a place as any. Fatiaki’s acceleration is electric and his two tries on the weekend are the proof. Fatiaki was superb on kick return and steady when challenged by kickers.

6. Lachlan Brown, St Patrick’s

Big, fast and powerful. Brown made his greatest impact in the stunning victory over Iggy Park in defence with multiple clinical tackles. Brown has the body shape of a backrower and thrives when he is able to challenge opponents physically, defensively and with his playmaking at the line.

7. Manu Dau, Kirwan

Dau wore the No.6 for Kirwan but was busy enough on the ball that the No.7 would fit just as well. Dau’s deception from the halves is the key to allowing outside runners like Tagaloa and Oth their space to thrive. His speed is special and any defender that takes the bait of a dummy pass is promptly punished. Scored a fine try in support against Trinity Bay.

8. Cayden Brown, prop Mareeba

Pivotal in his side’s first half ferocity. Despite being underdogs heading into the contest, Brown played like it was their match to lose and was sensational throughout.

9. Thomas Bassett, Mackay

Arguably the game’s best player between Mackay and Holy Spirit on Tuesday. Bassett’s ball use, game smarts and ability to break the line was on full display as he dominated the field.

10. Eti Samasoni-Selu, Kirwan

A juggernaut front rower that clearly relishes contact. Samasoni-Selu was the pick of Kirwan’s forward with his consistent linebending runs that more often than not left a defender sprawled on the ground in front of him.

11. Sanwani Chinula, St Patrick’s

The headgeared Cowboys-contracted backrower is a physical specimen who recorded a try and a try assist against Ignatius Park. Well-balanced physically and skilfully.

12. Jay Mataio, Mareeba

A deadly mix of strength and speed, Mataio was a force particularly in the first half. He found a balance of being aggressive when necessary, while showing a calm temperament to make the right play.

13. Eli Cookson, St Patrick’s

A perfect 10-out-of-10 performance from the rampaging front rower against Ignatius Park. Cookson assisted on three out of four St Pat’s tries, twice with offloads to create opportunities from nothing, while the third was an audacious crossfield grubber kick for the matchwinner in final play. Cookson and his teammates will be reminiscing on this performance for the rest of his life.

14. Ash Summer, St Augustine’s

Halfback Summer showed knowledge of the game beyond his years and was one of the Saints best on the day.

15. Bernard Sabadi, Trinity Bay

Trinity Bay’s lock was his side’s finest player in the defeat to Kirwan. Sabadi was a well-balanced lock forward with strong carries, thumping tackles and capable passing. A forward pack with five Sabadi clones would be close to unstoppable in the Cowboys Challenge.

16. Zach Carroll, Mackay

The defensive pressure of Carroll early sent shockwaves through the camp of HSC as he laid heavy tackles and then reminded them late in the second half as well. Scoring the opening try of the match as well.

17. Dougie Webb, St Patrick’s

Looks every part a future star of the Aaron Payne Cup. Longstriding Webb scored two tries with wicked speed and swerve.

Honourable mentions

Zac Campbell, fullback (Mackay), Nelson Soki, backrower (Kirwan)

Originally published as Aaron Payne Cup, Cowboys Challenge Teams of the Week 3