Live stream: St Brendan’s face Rockhampton Grammar in Dolphins Cup grand final

A brilliant St Brendan’s has capped off a big year for the school, securing the Dolphins double with two sizzling grand final performances. Watch the REPLAYS.

Inspirational skipper Simon Green produced a Player of the Match performance to lead St Brendan’s to a memorable Dolphins Cup win.

The team hoisted the coveted trophy for the second time in three years after scoring a 26-12 victory over Rockhampton Grammar in Tuesday’s grand final.

WATCH THE DOLPHINS CUP GRAND FINAL REPLAY ABOVE

Green was the conductor of a clinical performance from the boys in gold and green.

As they did in their semi-final, they overcame an early deficit to level things up and then take charge of the game.

Grammar were first on the board when their skilful second rower Tumanako Hatley crossed in just the sixth minute to give them a six-point lead.

But Brendan’s soon found their attacking groove and a double to centre Harvey Mahoney had them heading to the break leading 12-6.

They struck early in the second half through prop Jake Oberhardt to extend their lead but Grammar showed the determination and drive that have been signature traits of their 2024 campaign.

St Brendan's College winger Will Lloyd in action in the Dolphins Cup grand final. Picture: Pam McKay

Their speedy fullback Mason Broadhurst sliced through for his team’s second, reviving their hopes of a comeback.

When winger Tyson Hinds weaved his way down the sideline to run in St Brendan’s fourth try, the game was all but decided.

Green applauded the efforts of his teammates, who were able to rein in the fast start of Grammar.

“It was a pretty hard game in the first half but it was good that we kept going, kept working hard and eventually won in the end,” he said.

St Brendan’s forward pack produced another monumental performance, laying the foundation for the win that now sets them on a collision course with Kirwan in next week’s state schoolboys semi-final.

Green said they were determined to come back bigger and better after a disappointing showing at Confraternity Carnival.

“At Confro, we got a tough loss there in the quarters and we really wanted to come back this term and progress through to the state final which is our goal,” he said.

“We’ve got Kirwan next week and we’ll give them a good run.”

Dolphins Challenge grand final: St Brendan’s v The Cathedral College

Winger Noah Wright capped a brilliant performance with the three first half tries as St Brendan’s claimed the Dolphins Challenge title.

The Dominic Draper-coached outfit proved almost unstoppable in the 30-6 win over The Cathedral College, completing their unbeaten run through the Challenge season.

Replay: St Brendan’s College v The Cathedral College (Challenge)

“The boys did really, really well,” a proud Draper said post-match.

“They’ve all worked hard to get us where we are.

“It was a tough encounter and the score doesn’t really indicate how hard it was.”

St Brendan’s ran in three tries to one to take a 16-6 lead into the break.

They added another three tries in the second half, keeping their opponents scoreless in an impressive defensive effort.

TCC tried to break the defensive wall but were constantly turned away.

Draper said the team’s middles, as they had all season, lead the way.

He praised the efforts of Louis Maxwell, as well as Wright who he said had been “fantastic” all season.

PREVIEW

Self-belief will be at the heart of the last message Rockhampton Grammar coach Nathan Doyle delivers to his players before they take the field in Friday’s Dolphins Cup grand final.

That the school has booked a showdown with heavyweights St Brendan’s completes a dramatic form reversal. They have gone from a winless 2023 season to now being just one win away from the title.

Catch the Cup and Challenge (St Brendan’s face off against The Cathedral College) LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV. Check the full Queensland Schoolboys week-long finals LIVE STREAM schedule below.

Doyle is excited to see his team in the final for the first time and is understandably proud of the performances that got them there, particularly their gritty 10-6 semi-final win over The Cathedral College.

WATCH THE DOLPHINS SCHOOLGIRLS GRAND FINAL ON TUESDAY AT 4.30PM

Game-wise, he is confident Grammar can match it with Brendan’s, but there’s another hurdle that could prove challenging.

“They haven’t beaten Brendan’s since Year 7, so it’s a mental thing for our players,” he said.

“I’ll be telling them to believe in themselves, to believe they belong where they are and that they’ve earned the right to make the grand final through some tough wins.”

Rockhampton Grammar are gunning for their first Dolphins Cup title.

Doyle said the majority of his team was in Year 12 and had benefited from a testing 2023 season.

“The players have taken it upon themselves to drive the culture this year,” he said.

“They’re preparing well and they’re getting better and better with every training session.

“I’m so proud that they just keep digging in for one another and they’ve got each other’s backs, especially when their backs are against the wall.

“They don’t give in.”

That resolve is epitomised by their skipper and barnstorming front rower Henry Kallquist, who has played all but six minutes in this year’s Cup campaign.

St Brendan's are eyeing a second title in three years.

He will be instrumental in the battle of the middles, which could well decide the outcome.

St Brendan’s coach Scott Minto said his team was hungry to hoist the Dolphins Cup trophy again after winning the inaugural season in 2022.

“With not getting Confraternity this year, they’re very keen to put their best foot forward” he said.

“We’ve been preparing really well and there’s a lot of good signs for us.”

Minto said his team would need to start well and not concede early points as they did in their semi-final against Emmaus.

They were trailing by 10 points in as many minutes but stormed home with five straight tries to win 24-10.

Henry Kallquist has been huge for Rocky in their Cup campaign.

Minto said as well as the ability to score points, a major takeaway was his team’s defence, which kept Emmaus scoreless for close to 50 minutes.

“When we had possession, we were pretty strong,” he said.

“For long periods in that game, the boys showed they can turn up and work hard.

“If we hold the ball, we’re going to be hard to stop.”

Key three

St Brendan’s: Braelan Marsh (hooker), Tyler Melrose (halfback), Phillip Yock (fullback)

Rockhampton Grammar: Front rower Henry Kallquist (front row), Leo Fanuatanu (centre), Cooper Broadhurst (back row)

Originally published as Live stream: St Brendan’s face Rockhampton Grammar in Dolphins Cup grand final