Triple hat-tricks: Payne Cup and Schoolgirls Teams of the Week round 3

A hat-trick from a Far North Queensland front rower stole the show in round 3 while both of Kirwan’s teams scored at a rate of more than a point per minute. See who made the teams.

A hat-trick from a Far North Queensland front rower stole the show in round 3 while both of Kirwan’s teams scored at a rate of more than a point per minute.

St Augustine’s prop Cooper Meares was unstoppable in Townsville on Wednesday in a 26-18 triumph over Mackay SHS

The barnstorming front rower crossed for three tries, including a terrific run in the first half which saw him truck straight through a defender at the tryline.

Meares wasn’t the only player to bag three tries this week; St Patrick’s halfback Adam McSherry also made the most of a 52-4 beat down of Trinity Bay SHS with a 28-point individual haul (three tries, eight goals).

McSherry finds himself atop the pointscoring charts after three games, and his four tries put him equal with Kirwan’s Clarvarn Oth.

Kirwan enjoyed an emphatic win in the Schoolgirl Cup, beating Holy Spirit College 56-0 as fullback Tah’Lucy Querro starred with a hat-trick of her own.

Querro was at her brutal best, batting away any defender brave or foolish enough to get in her way, and she sicked five goals to take her place at the top of the competition’s pointscoring ladder.

AARON PAYNE CUP

1. Lachlan Brown (St Patrick’s College)

Aside from a dropped kick in the first half was very solid as both the last line of defence and as a link up player in attack.

Lachlan Brown Mackay Cutters vs Central Queensland Capras Cyril Connell Saturday 8 March 2025 Picture:Michaela Harlow

2. Kanoah Nawakie (Mackay SHS)

Scored two key tries for his side as they tried to reel in the deficit. Was a key option particularly on the right edge.

3. Trent Martin (Kirwan SHS)

Two tries and three try assists from the dynamic right centre, who possesses a great blend of abilities. Martin’s strength and balance were on full display as Kirwan’s right edge connected for six tries in 40 minutes.

The Kirwan Bears are preparing for a European Tour where they will play the Warrington Wolves Academy and 'Les Bleuets', the French under-19s team. Trent Martin, Tiakana Ruaporo, Kaedyn Ketchell and Cooper James. Picture: Shae Beplate.

4. Norman Campbell (St Patrick’s College)

Scored a nice first half try and was a key contributor on both attack and defence out wide.

5. Clarvarn Oth (Kirwan SHS)

A third consecutive appearance in our Team of the Week for Kirwan’s big year 11 winger. Oth is tall, fast and strong, scoring two great tries before he was given an early mark.

6. Ben Walker (St Augustine’s College)

While he didn’t get on the scoresheet himself, Walker was crucial in setting up a number of tries for his side.

Ben Walker breaks through a tackle in the Aaron Payne Cup schoolboy rugby league match between St Augustine's College and Kirwan State High School, held at West Barlow Park, Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

7. Adam McSherry (St Patrick’s College)

The St Pat’s superstar was once again elite in his role in the halves. Picked up three tries and created many more, as well as kicking eight goals for a 28-point individual haul.

Kirwan State High School hosts St Patrick's College, Mackay, in round 1 of the 2025 Aaron Payne Cup. Picture: Evan Morgan

8. Cooper Meares (St Augustine’s College)

Had a hat trick of tries – a rarity for a middle forward – including a barnstorming run in the first half which saw him truck straight through a defender at the tryline.

9. Darcy McFarlane (St Patrick’s College)

Scored a pair of tries inside the first 10 minutes, and was a key link in a number of other attacks for St Pat’s.

10. George Gofton (St Patrick’s College)

The big prop got over the line for his first try of the season, and had an impressive day out in both attack and defence.

11. Daniel Brennan (St Augustine’s College)

Scored the sealing try for his side and was a brilliant option on both ends on the Saints second row.

12. Kristoffer Sagato (Kirwan SHS)

The South Sydney Rabbitohs-contracted backrower was powerful when carrying the ball, making easy metres against the HSC defence. Was unbeatable in defence as the Bears kept their opposition scoreless.

13. Saul Lokotui (Trinity Bay SHS)

Had some creative moments for T-Bay and stood tall in the tackles when required.

14. D’Artanyan Connolly (Trinity Bay SHS)

Scored his side’s lone try of the match. Has definitely justified why he was so highly touted coming into the season.

15. Anthony Vaigafa (Kirwan SHS)

16. Rylan Muaulu (Kirwan SHS)

Vaigafa and Muaulu continued their terrifying form off the interchange, making an immediate impact when they hit the field. The pair both scored a try as the Bears took control

Kirwan’s one-two punch of barnstorming bench middles have been impossible for teams to contain after starting front rowers Eneliko Savelio and Quentin Ofahulu have beat them into submission.

Kirwan State High School hosts St Patrick's College, Mackay, in round 1 of the 2025 Aaron Payne Cup. Picture: Evan Morgan

17. Riley Carbone (Kirwan SHS)

Carbone barely put a foot wrong as his side of the field carved up Holy Spirit’s left-edge defence. His elite vision and great service gave Trent Martin plenty of time and space to star.

SCHOOLGIRL CUPS

1. Tah’Lucy Querro (Kirwan SHS)

Tah’Lucy Querro. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Querro was at her brutal best, batting away any defender brave or foolish enough to get in her way. The versatile fullback has a wide range of skills, not least of which is her accurate goalkicking from the tee, and she finished with three tries and five goals.

2. Keeley Logan (St Patrick’s College)

Created some important opportunities for St Pat’s to gain field position with receiving kicks.

3. Jurney Mila (Kirwan SHS)

Mila scored a sensational try to open her Schoolgirls Cup account with a powerful effort from close to the line. Crossed for her second four-pointer after halftime as Kirwan put Holy Spirit to the sword. Came close to hat-trick but unselfishly offloaded to halfback Ava Wagner to score.

4. Millie Fulford (Kirwan SHS)

Fulford bagged a first-half double to bring her 2025 tally to five tries in two games. The quick little centre came off at halftime but the damage had been done

Millie Fulford. Kirwan State High School hosts St Patrick's College, Mackay, in round 1 of the 2025 Aaron Payne Cup. Senior Girls. Picture: Evan Morgan

5. Mia Pashley (Kirwan SHS)

Pashley didn’t get much good attacking ball but she was strong running out of her own half and getting her team’s sets off to a good start. Was tasked with a handful of difficult conversion attempts from out wide, nailing one of them.

6. Aydah Ross-Kelly (Kirwan SHS)

Some slick ballplaying from Kirwan’s five-eighth, including a beautiful cut-out pass to centre Fulford in the first half.

7. Kaitlyn Thiedeke (St Patrick’s College)

Showcased both her elite footwork and strong passing abilities in the halves for St Pat’s.

Kaitlyn Thiedeke Mackay Cutters vs Townsville Blackhawks Harvey Norman U17's Saturday 22 February 2025 Picture:Michaela Harlow

8. Nylani Namai (Kirwan SHS)

You don’t see it often, but Kirwan’s athletic middle forward scored two tries – both from deep inside her own half – using her long strides to gallop to the tryline. Even if you take away her two moments of individual brilliance, the workhorse prop set the tone for her pack with her strong carries to begin sets, often by breaking tackles.

9. Tessa Kanai (Trinity Bay SHS)

Had some ingenious kicking efforts to create field position and force errors out of St Pat’s. Was strong in the tackles defensively and kept her side’s sets rolling as dummy half.

10. Tahlia Bulsey (Kirwan SHS)

Strong defence in the middle for Kirwan in an overall very solid performance from the interchange forward. Came off injured late in the match.

11. Jakaia-Lee Collett (Kirwan SHS)

Wreaked havoc on Holy Spirit’s right-edge defence with her strong runs and brutal right-arm fend. The big backrower made some massive tackles in defence, typically winning the contest and putting the ballcarrier on their back. Capped it off with a try with 10 minutes to go.

12. Ciarn MacBride (Trinity Bay SHS)

Had a couple of fantastic line breaks which got her side into strong attacking positions.

Ciarn MacBride (Queensland) during the 17/U 2025 National Netball Championships. Picture: May Bailey

13. Ebony Temple (St Patrick’s College)

Scored the only try of the game to secure victory for her side.

14. Abby Callander (Holy Spirit)

Holy Spirit’s fullback probably had to make more tackles than any other backline player as her school’s defensive line was torn to shreds. Saved a handful of tries and plenty of respect for her team with her fearless efforts.

15.Nelly Robertson (Trinity Bay SHS)

The Trinity Bay skipper was great, but couldn’t will her team to a win as they narrowly fell to St Pat’s 4-0.

16. Ava Wagner (Kirwan SHS)

Great performance form the Grizzlies halfback, showing off her great ballplaying skills. Played hard until the end of the match, earning a try with a great run to support Jurney Mila after a linebreak.

17. Serenity Mila (Kirwan SHS)

The powerful lock made some great metres with her strong leg-drive. As reliable as it gets in defence, making effort after effort to keep HSC to zero points.

Originally published as Triple hat-tricks: Payne Cup and Schoolgirls Teams of the Week round 3