Mackay High, Mercy College and St Pats to play in Aaron Payne Cup and Cowboys Challenge

The Cowboys Challenge and Aaron Payne Cup will return to Mackay on Tuesday, with four Mackay teams hoping their star players can get their teams across the line.

Aaron Payne Cup match between Mackay SHS and Ignatius Park College at Junior Rugby Grounds, Kirwan. Ignatius Park's Jermaine Hanley. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Aaron Payne Cup and Cowboys Challenge will make their returns on Tuesday when Kirwan and Ignatius Park travel to Mackay.

St Pats and Mercy College will play Iggy Park in a pair of big games, while Mackay High will try to get its first win against perennial contenders Kirwan.

Livestreaming of the four matches will be available on The Daily Mercury.

Here is a list of five players to watch in Tuesday’s clashes.

Ethan Cocco – St Patrick’s College

Aaron Payne Cup clash between Kirwan High Bears and St Patrick's College at Kirwan. Bears Tajshon Santos-Messa and Xavier Chatfield tackle St Patrick's Ethan Cocco. Picture: Evan Morgan

The powerful front rower broke the hearts of Kirwan fans, when Cocco broke through for a late-game try in the Aaron Payne Cup earlier in the season.
St Pats was trailing by four with just minutes left before Cocco broke a 21-year drought of losses inflicted by Kirwan.

Cocco had showed strong personal form in a dominant St Pats side, with the school undefeated in both the Aaron Payne Cup and the Confraternity Shield in 2021.

Will Shears – Mercy College

The Mercy College captain has enjoyed a strong start to the side’s campaign, with a try in each of the side’s Cowboys Challenge matches.

Shears started at fullback for Mercy, and has been instrumental in setting up the play for his side.

He is an extremely physical fullback who consistently breaks lines and provides Mercy College with a vital link in attack.

Jesse Wallace – Mackay State High School

St Pat's defeated Mackay SHS in the opening round of the Aaron Payne Cup. Jesse Walsh. Picture: Matthew Forrest.

Despite the side’s winless start to the cup, captain Jesse Wallace has been a shining light for Mackay High.

The prop has used his size to his advantage in the matches with St Patrick’s College and Ignatius Park, but hasn’t turned the fortune around for his side.

With Mackay High playing the powerhouse team that is Kirwan, Wallace will need to be at his very best for a chance of stealing the win against the perennial contenders.

Hunter Harris – Mercy College

Mercy College v Mackay SHS, round one of the Cowboys Challenge 2021. Hunter Harris. Picture: Matthew Forrest

The winger has been the surprise packet of the Cowboys Challenge so far this season, scoring two tries against Mackay High and caused Kirwan problems in the opening two matches.

Harris started as an interchange in Mercy’s clashes so far this tournament, but strong form will have the winger pushing for the starting line-up in the upcoming matches.

Against Mackay High, Harris burst through defensive tackles consistently and found the try line three times, with one recalled because of a forward pass.

Brady Hazeldine – St Patrick’s College

St Pat’s fullback Brady Hazeldine

The St Patrick’s College fullback has earned approval through the first two Aaron Payne Cup clashes with strong performances against both Mackay High and Kirwan.

Hazeldine used his athleticism to his advantage in the comeback win against Kirwan, scoring a try in the 18-16 victory, as well as scoring in the Confraternity Shield match against Emmaus College.

The St Pats star will need to have a major influence against Ignatius Park for his side to secure another victory.

Originally published as Mackay High, Mercy College and St Pats to play in Aaron Payne Cup and Cowboys Challenge