Kirwan Bears dominate make-up of Aaron Payne Cup Team of the Week round 1

Kirwan contributed the most players in round 1 following their emphatic 32-6 triumph over St Patrick’s, including this week’s skipper. Find out which players made our Team of the Week.

The Kirwan Bears dominated selection for our Aaron Payne Cup Team of the Week in round 1, contributing seven players to the team including this week’s captain Marley Proctor.

Proctor earnt the ‘C’ through his exceptional performance in a game where responsibility was thrust upon him at the last moment.

With halves partner Riley Carbone ruled out with injury just before the match, Proctor was tasked with leading the Kirwan attack and his match-turning 40/20 kick midway through the second half was possibly the game’s biggest moment.

Bears coach Todd Wilson said his five-eighth was outstanding against St Patrick’s College.

“Marley has continued to improve right throughout the Blackhawks season and he showed that again the other day. Marley had to step up and run the show and he did a great job,” Wilson said.

Kirwan High against Ignatius Park College in the Northern Schoolboys Under-18s trials at Brothers Rugby League Club in Townsville. Marley Proctor. Picture: Evan Morgan

“The turning point in the second half was his 40/20. We defended our line for a while there and I felt that if St Pat’s had scored then, we’d open the door back up and we’d be doing it tough again.

“But that (kick) gave us a bit of confidence and maybe in a way it broke their spirit a little bit and we were able to go on with it after that.”

Proctor was joined in the Team of the Week by fellow Kirwan backs Davidson benioni, Heath Bethel and Bears captain Logan Brookes.

Brookes was great on both sides of the ball and his positioning fielding kicks when his team was defending their line saved a handful of tries and potential repeat sets. An 80m sprint to cut down a runaway Reuben Saron just metres from the tryline after an intercept typified the Kirwan captain’s effort and dedication to his team.

Bethel was huge physically and got two tries for his efforts, but it was his work running out of his own half that impressed the most.

The powerful winger got sets off to a flying start, bending the line every time with his leg drive. Also kicked a handy 4/6 conversions, mostly from tough angles.

Kirwan High against Ignatius Park College in the Northern Schoolboys Under-18s trials at Brothers Rugby League Club in Townsville. Heath Bethel. Picture: Evan Morgan

Benioni’s defence was key shutting down St patrick’s dangerous left edge. He is one of the Bears’ 2024 recruits and should have solidified his place in the starting team after that performance.

Kirwans forwards laid the platform for the victory, in particular middle forwards Eneliko Savelio and Diesel Taylor with hooker Cooper Cox playing a key defensive role.

Townsville Blackhawks under-17s Marley Proctor and Eneliko Savelio at the CQ Capras versus Townsville Blackhawks underage games, Browne Park, Rockhampton, on February 17, 2024.

Savelio was devastating with the ball in hand. He looked fit and put everything he had into every run and tackle, leading the forward pack by example.

Kirwan’s workhorse forward would Taylor probably still be out there making tackles and taking hit-ups if his coach didn’t tell him it was time to go home.

If there was an Aaron Payne Cup SuperCoach, Taylor would be a must buy with his incredible work rate, and he also crossed the chalk for a meat pie in the second half.

Cooper delivered a great understated performance. The Bears rake didn’t overplay his hand but made some great scoots from dummy half while being one of his side’s best defenders.

He scored a late try in the dying stages, using his footwork from dummy half to weave a path to the line.

Originally published as Kirwan Bears dominate make-up of Aaron Payne Cup Team of the Week round 1