Connell Cup and Harvey Norman Teams of the Finals revealed
Finals fever: Teams of the Finals revealed here after a thrilling semi-final series in the Harvey Norman under 19 girls and Connell Cup. Reports, best players here as well.
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The Brisbane Tigers will play Mackay Cutters in the Harvey Norman under-19 grand final, while the Blackhawks will take on Redcliffe in the under-17 Connell Cup decider after finals footy descended upon Logan Metro Sports Complex this weekend.
DEEP DIVE INTO 38 JUNIOR DOLPHINS ACES
HARVEY 19s TEAMS OF THE SEASON HERE
HARVEY 17s TEAM OF THE SEASON HERE
All you need to know here, including our Teams of the Finals.
Connell Team of the Finals
1. Lincoln Baker (Blackhawks)
2. William Whitlock (Redcliffe)
3. Eneliko Savelio (Blackhawks)
4. Joseph Tupuse (Souths Logan)
5. Dylan Gourley (Blackhawks)
6. Marley Proctor (Blackhawks)
7. Braithen Scott (Clydesdales)
8. Dane Ransom (Blackhawks)
9. Amare Wynyard (Redcliffe)
10. Mace Andrew (Souths Logan)
11. Brian Pouniu (Redcliffe)
12. Taakoi Benioni (Blackhawks)
13. Charlie Dickson (Redcliffe)
14. Cooper Cox (Blackhawks)
15. Riley Zanetti (Clydesdales)
16. Harry Robinson (Clydesdales)
17. Zane Bethel (Blackhawks)
18. Emmanuel Asomua (Souths Logan)
19. Cody Starr (Redcliffe)
20. Sam Martin (Souths Logan)
Harvey 19s Team of the Finals
1. Shanarlii Peckham (Tweed)
2. Name Gesa (Tigers)
3. Jennifer Kimber (Cutters)
4. Relna Hosea (Tigers)
5. Kaylah Moloney (Tigers)
6. Leilani Tuqiri (Tigers)
7. India Seeto (Tigers)
8. Seromelina Tanielu (Tigers)
9. Paityne Johns (Cutters)
10. Ebony Temple (Cutters)
11. Kayleen Takai (Tigers)
12. Patricia Wani (Tigers)
13. Leila Murphy (Cutters)
14. Porche John (Tigers)
15. Eliza Morcom (Clydesdales)
16. Alice Shannon (Tigers)
17. Tiresa Elika (Tigers)
Connell Cup
Redcliffe v Souths Logan
The Match
Redcliffe survived a fright to beat Souths Logan 24-18.
A driving Cody Starr try in the second half snapped a deadlock after Souths Logan were headed toward an upset win.
What a dramatic first half it was after Redcliffe shocked the Magpies with two tries in four minutes.
It was swinging Redcliffe’s way and Souths Logan had to arrest the scoreboard momentum and score next - and they did.
Following Duquan Talaepa’s try for the Dolphins, dropped ball from the resumption enabled the Magpies to swoop.
A nice long pass from five-eight Tom Parker to his winger Alize Clarke got his side on the board - 12-4 - and Tom Parker’s booming conversion in the wet added the extras.
One try became two off the back of straight, hard running, firstly by Mace Andrew, and then from Emmanuel Asomua.
Emmanuel Asomua also had an off load in his game, but it was his bulk and power which proved too much close to the line when he scored next to the posts. With the Tom Parker conversion it was 12-10 and game on.
More power running followed. It was nothing special, just wind up in the wet and drive forward, play the ball quickly, and do it all again.
Souths Magpies centre Joseph Tupuse was great bringing the ball out from dummy half, and with momentum swinging his team’s way, halfback Justus Lowndes chipped ahead for a flying Te ara Tamepo-Habib to score.
After the break Redcliffe captain Brian Pouniu displayed amazing hands in the wet to scoop up his own grubber kick and score next to the posts, dragging his side back to 18-all.
Souths centre Tupuse then almost broke the deadlock with a sensational run, but his support player Benson Tau was hauled in by his opposite William Whitlock who saved a certain try.
But what Asomau and Andrew could do in the forwards for Souths Logan, Cody Starr could do for Redcliffe and his second half performance included a powerful individual try through the ruck of the opposition. That try enabled Redcliffe to hit the lead 24-18.
Earlier strongly built Redcliffe halfback Carter Welfare had scored to give his side the first try of the game.
Best players
Charlie Dickson (Redcliffe)
In the Dickson was a mudlark. He was able to get down the dirty, doing the hard things well while also using his footwork around the ruck.
Mace Andrew (Souths Logan)
Andrew led the Magpies revival with her mobile, powerful running and leg drive in contact. This kid looks to be going places in 2024.
Emmanuel Asomua (Souths Logan)
The big fella crashed forward, disrupting the Redcliffe defence with his strength, ball handling and quick play the balls.
Cody Starr (Redcliffe)
The tall front rower would have observed Souths Logan’s inspired forward performance leading up to halftime, and he responded in kind with straight running, driving his team up the field. He also scored a powerful individual try.
Brian Pouniu (Redcliffe)
You just can’t keep this fellow out of the game. He displayed amazing hands in the wet to scoop up his own grubber kick and score next to the posts, dragging his side back to 18-all. He was also a threat all game with his agility and foot work.
Joseph Tupuse (Souths Logan)
Tupuse’s crashing dummy half runs thumped the Magpies out of the danger zone and were welcomed in heavy conditions. He also made a big run in the second half which almost led to a try.
Amare Wynyard (Redcliffe)
In heavy conditions his handling and service from dummy half was outstanding, as was his driving defence. He used his body height to great advantage to halt Souths momentum. Sam Martin did a very good job for Souths Logan as well, bringing his forwards onto the ball.
Jairus Halahala (Redcliffe)
For the second week in a row Jairus Halahala have his side plenty of drive off the bench in the middle third.
Blackhawks v Clydesdales
The Match
Dylan Gourley was a three try hero as the Blackhawks were the first team through to the Connell Cup grand final after a 26-18 victory over Western Clydesdales.
Blackhawks five-eight Marley Proctor was a conductor behind his encroaching forwards to pull the strings.
The winners’ powerhouse middle and edge running gave Proctor time, paving the way to victory.
Clydesdales tried hard and refused to go away, finishing the match pounding the Blackhawks’ line.
But the better side won.
Blackhawks’ fullback Lincoln Baker finished the game the way he started, with fast feet and quick hands sending his winger Dylan Gourley away on a sideline run for his third try.
Gourley ran for all he was worth, sprinting 80m for a wonderful try and with six minutes to play, the Townsville boys were safe.
Fittingly the match ended with a super play from Clydesdales’ best player, halfback Braithen Scott, with his glorious face ball to his centre Joseph Litidamu sparking a very late surge by Clydesdales.
A key moment came when Clydesdales trailed just 14-10 when Blackhawks second rower Taakoi Benioni dragged down long striding opponent Alastair MacLachlan who looked certain to score.
Proctor also stopped a rampaging MacLachlan on the tryline late in the match, snuffing out Clydesdales’ chance of a come-from-behind win.
“It was good to see the boys respond to feedback and implement it,’’ said Blackhawks coach Nathan Norford. “It is a big week ahead knowing whoever we play will be a tough, gritty battle.’’
Blackhawks were winning the battle by halftime, 14-6, off the back of superior ball control and momentum generated both in the middle and on the edge of the forwards.
Townsville fullback Lincoln Baker kick return from one end of the field put his team on the front foot to score at the other end of the field, with a left raid seeing in form five-eight Proctor put his winger Gourley over in the corner.
Clydesdales did hit back quickly, however, with Scott engineering a restart following a deft grubber kick, and after the Darling Downs’ forwards battered away, quick ruck ball gave second rower Riley Zanette a chance to crash over from close range.
Clydesdales had initially been put on the attack following a terrific pass in contact by No. 13 Shaun Elara.
But the first half swung on a mistake from the kick off, gift wrapping Blackhawks’ attack ball.
After Townsville hooker Cooper Cox nearly scored, and following a run by centre Cohen Dittman, five-eight Proctor impacted the game again to score against a tattered defensive line.
The Blackhawks’ edge forwards Taakoi Benioni and Eneliko Savelio were proving impossible to drag down out wide, and with momentum also generated by middle men Ofohula and Afu, Proctor and his fellow half Carbone were getting good ball.
It was another left hand raid, which this time featured second rower Benioni passing instead of running, that helped give winger Gourley another chance down the sideline. Gourley had plenty of work to do, but still crossed.
Townsville five-eight Proctor was a puppeteer with the ball, but also a strongman in defence when he hurled a Clydesdales’ ball runner over the sideline. forcing a turnover.
Blackhawks middle forward depth was also evident when interchange props Dane Ransom and Zane Bethel entered the fray and maintained momentum.
Clydesdales had to be the first to score in the second half, and they were when halfback Scott again delivered an attacking kick on a dime.
The Clydesdales outside backs chased hard, and superb volleyball skills by Zanette enabled winger Jackson Winnett to get back tapped ball and score, giving the Darling Downs crew tremendous encouragement.
But more dynamic, bordering on brutal forward running by Blackhawks’ pair Ransom and Bethel again thumped their side forward, and off the back of that ace hooker Cox crossed and all of a sudden it was 20-12 with 20 minutes remaining.
Big play
The Clydesdales were surging in the last quarter when Blackhawks second rower Taakoi Benioni halted rampaging Clydesdales interchange forward Alastair MacLachlan. At the time the Darling Downs boys were down, but certainly not out.
BEST PLAYERS
Marley Proctor (Blackhawks)
Proctor pulled the trigger for his team’s left side raids, taking advantage of the work from his middle and edge forward muscle men Quentin Ofahulu, Sitiveni Afu, Eneliko Savelio, Taakoi Benioni, Dane Ransom and Zane Bethel.
Braithen Scott (Clydesdales)
The Brisbane Broncos have a good one here. St Mary’s No. 7 Scott did not deserve to be on a losing team, with his short kicking game elite.
Dane Ransom and Zane Bethel (Blackhawks)
It all started in the middle for Blackhawks and this awesome foursome – Quentin Ofahulu, Sitiveni Afu, Zane Bethel and Dane Ransom – took plenty of halting. But it was Ransom who emerged from the shadows of the starting props to really impact the match, with his mate Bethel not far behind.
Eneliko Savelio, Taakoi Benioni (Blackhawks)
Both boys were like Force Two cyclones with their power running game on either edge, while Benioni also had deft passing and once saved a try on his line. “Both back rowers were their usual, damaging selves,’’ said Blackhawks coach Nathan Norford.
Dylan Gourley (Blackhawks)
Left winger Gourley feasted down the left touchline, but two of his tries took extra effort – one from a close to the line barge and the other which tested his hamstrings on a long range sprint to the line. “He finished the opportunities that were presented to him today,’’ praised his coach Norford.
Riley Zanette (Clydesdales)
He was physically smaller but big in heart on the left edge for the Clydesdales, scoring a crash ball try and creating another with razor sharp reflexes and agility.
Lachlan McGrath (Blackhawks)
McGrath showed class, speed and great positional play to impact the match when needed.
Harry Robinson and Alastair MacLachlan (Clydesdales)
Robinson ripped in against very big opponents and put himself where angels would fear to tread. Also, late in the match, interchange forward MacLachlan surged late to almost alter the complexion of the match, with his long striding running proving hard to handle.
Diesel Taylor, Immanuel Kawane and Cooper Cox (Blackhawks)
Taylor was the defensive glue while Cox was tireless in defence and dangerous in attack. Kawane’s defence impressed, both in the front line and when chasing Riley Carbone’s down field kicks.
Harvey Norman under-19 girls
Clydesdales v Cutters
THE MATCH
Mackay centre trump card Jennifer Kimber scored six minutes from full-time to give the Cutters enough wriggle room to win 18-10
In a defence orientated match, a game that will not be remembered for its ball control, the classy Kimber twice impacted the game late, scoring once.
The game had hung in the balance when Toowoomba’s own centre ace, Lucy Davis, closed the game with 10 minutes remaining, setting the scene for a thrilling finish.
The Clydesdales were down to 12 players after the sin binning of Chelsea Middleton late which did not help.
“On a very wet field, both teams ball handling was pretty poor which made it hard for the game to open up,’’ reflected Cutters coach Matt Sanders.
“I thought after a poor opening 15 minutes, the girls did well to keep their cool and earn their way back into the game.’’
At halftime both coaches would have wanted to have got their girls together, hammering home the importance of ball control.
While the girls’ defended their errors well, there was too much dropped ball.
Mackay’s stunning finish to the first half – when a chain passing movement ended in the hands of Jaccoa Keyssecker – was a tremendous display of catch and pass skills.
On the other side of the field, respective centres Jessica Fitzgibbons (Clydesdales) and Jennifer Kimber (Cutters) went at each other in defence all first half. It was a great confrontation between the girls.
Earlier, Ebony Temple was Johnny on the spot when she scored after the ball had rebounded around the tryline off a Mersades Lawson kick, while to start the game Clydesdales prop Eliza Morcom produced an awesome performance to cross.
Having finished the first half well, Mackay got their act together early in the second period as well, with scoring and Paige Mooney converting to make it 14-6.
Big plays: Clydesdales prop Eliza Morcom produced an inspiring early charge to twist and turn, wrestle and wriggle her way over. It was a great second and third effort performance in a final.
Jennifer Kimber’s break six minutes from full-time gave her side field position – and although she was tackled on that play, she crossed a minute later.
Best players
Leila Murphy (Cutters)
In a game when neither side generated significant momentum, Mackay No. 13 Leila Murphy gave her side plenty of energy on both sides of the ball.
Ebony Temple (Cutters)
It was a day for hard yards and Temple certainly finished ahead on the ledger. She came off the bench and slogged it out with the best of them.
Eliza Morcom (Clydesdales)
Aside from her try, Eliza Morcom was fabulous for her side. We loved the way she threw herself on a loose ball, risking injury to do so. In a match featuring some of the best tight forwards around, Morcom shone. Well done to her.
Jennifer Kimber
Even Kimber was not immune to dropping the ball, but her class bubbled to the surface long enough to impact the match.
Mia Byrnes (Clydesdales)
Byrnes got down and dirty on an oval sodden by recent rain.
Paityne Johns (Cutters)
Johns was largely well contained, with a lot of dropped ball reducing her effective dummy half running, but she was still a constant threat.
Harvey Norman under 19-girls
Tigers v Seagulls
Queensland rugby league legend Artie Beetson would have beamed a smile the length of the horizon had he observed the Tigers-Seagulls clash, won 40-12 by Tigers.
Beetson, the league immortal and Maroons State of Origin godfather, was a scrummaging expert and how he would have enjoyed the Tigers forwards binding and pushing in the scrum.
It was one such shove midway through the first half which led to a turnover that resulted in Tigers’ Patricia Wani scoring her team’s second try.
The set piece was like a trip down memory lane and the Tigers used the scrum as an attacking weapon.
It was also from a controlled, square scrum that the Tigers scored its first try.
A glorious short ball by Leilani Tuqiri to Wani gift wrapped the Tigers first try, with Tuqiri taking advantage of space created by a centre field scrum. It was text book play by Tuqiri.
The Tigers forward drive was also responsible for the try on the cusp of halftime, scored by Kayleen Takai.
One after the other, the Tigers forwards rolled down field, giving their side greater momentum with every ruck. The resulting try was a 12-nil lead at halftime and a down payment on victory.
Then came the best team try of the finals just after the halftime when Tiresa Eilka unloaded under pressure in a tackle.
That pass freed up Orianna Clark who linked with centre Kaylah Moloney who put winger Namoe Gesa over.
The flame flickered for Tweed when fullback Shanarlii Peckham crossed 21 minutes from full-time after Tigers had turned over possession. That made it 18-6.
Tweed nearly scored again shortly after which could have swung the match, but the Tigers regrouped, with their forwards getting them down the field.
Tigers interchange prop John, so impressive running the ball, delivered a soft pass to put her centre Hosea over. Tuqiri’s sweetly timed conversion from wide out made it 24-6 and the game was safe again.
The return of starting props Tanielu and Shannon then paved the way for Takai’s second try for Tigers.
“It was a real team effort today,’’ praised Tigers coach Damien Pratt.
“All our forwards were impressive setting our platform and our backs and edges as well once we were patient.
“We got to play our style that we want to play.’’
Tweed, rich with talent and one of the most entertaining sides of the entire junior representative season, didn’t deserve to see the match slide away from them as quickly as it did.
The competition is better off the contribution this season of Tweed players like Shanarlii
Peckham, Gabrielle To’o, Phoenix-Raine Hippi, Ava Swain, Natalia Hickling and Mercedez Taulelei-Siala.
“They were too big and strong for us, but we had a great season and some great friendships were made,’’ said Tweed coach Anthony Swain.
Big plays
The six player shove by Tigers which put such pressure on Tweed, the ball was turned over resulting in Wani’s second try. A centre field scrum was also held perfectly square which gave the backs quality try leading to Wani’s first try.
The golden try scored by winger Namoe Gesa after No. 13 Tiresa Eilka, back rower Orianna Clark and centre Kaylah Moloney linked up over 35 sparkling metres.
Best players
Seromelina Tanielu and Alice Shannon
The Tigers’ bookends owned the middle third with dynamic hard running, and behind them under-17 young gun Porche John maintained momentum with her rucks.
Leilani Tuqiri, Patrick Wani (Tigers)
This was a nice right edge combination between five-eight (Tuqiri) and runner (Wani).
Relna Hosea (Tigers)
The defensive work by centre Hosea held the fort out wide against a dangerous Tweed three quarter line.
Tiresa Elika (Tigers)
Elika was her usual self with strong running and mopping up defence, but her pass in a tackle which helped set the wheel in motion for the Tigers first try of the second half was an encore performance which deserved a standing ovation.
Kayleen Takai (Tigers)
Her running game complemented the work down around the ruck by her go forward middles and gave her side another option away from the impressive Wani.
MENINGA CUP
In Meninga Cup matches today, prop Elijah Keung spearheaded a resurgent Brisbane Tigers continued its improvement under coach Ben Weston, with the players enjoying a 34-4 win over the Clydesdales.
“I liked the resilience we showed with our defence and our completion/discipline in the first 20 minutes,’’ said Tigers coach Ben Weston.
Prop Keung was absolutely outstanding and his reward was not only a win by his team, but a personal haul of three tries.
Clydesdales were best served by Matt Schulz and Bailey Rathmell.
At Kougari Oval, the Seagulls came from a 22-12 halftime deficit to a 46-22 win.
Beni Allen started like a Mac Truck coming down hill, indirectly helping gift Ford a try.
Norths actually led 12-6 when the Devils best player, Emmerson Jackson, scored a sensational individual try, but a clever grubber kick try by Wynnum half Preston Cassidy restarted his team’s engines.
Jackson, the Maroochydore flying wing product signed by the Cowboys, then lit up Kougari Oval before Wynnum got rolling in the second half.
Kylem Vunipola scored a try and kicked seven goals for Wynnum Manly while centre Tariq Tanner was a handful at left centre and halfback Preston Cassidy busy.
On the Tweed Coast, Tweed Seagulls wound up and let fly, winning 76-10 over the Bulls, with Tyson Ploegsma scoring three tries.
“I was happy to see the depth of our squad, with the boys coming in doing a great job,’’ said Tweed coach Sam Meskell.
Chaz Bond, Waylon Caldwell, Callum Bowles and Ethan Schultz all played their first matches this season and went really well.
On the Sunshine Coast, visitors Northern Pride enjoyed a six try performance on the way to beating Falcons 32-6.
“The Pride were too good in the second half,’’ said Falcons coach Cam Boaza.
“We pushed the footy and gave ball away too many times and they made us play.’’
A bright spark was the return of dummy half Jai Bowden who was absolutely outstanding and someone who will make our Team of the Week named on Tuesday.
Northern Pride coach Bevan Walker said his team’s defence was a highlight. “When we had 12 men and the game was in the balance, we were able to put points on which was pleasing,’’ he said.
Pride No.13 Marley Helion, hooker Braith Dowson and fullback Liam O’Brien were impressive, as were wingers Jirra Twist and Ratu Kikau.
And in an entertaining game in Townsville, Souths Logan’s improvement continued with a 36-20 win over Blackhawks.
“The boys stuck to the plan, were disciplined and completed their sets which makes a big difference,’’ said Magpies coach Ben Trim.
Edge player Brayden Tueila was strong for Souths Logan, while a turning point was hooker Jacob Tinsley’s 40-20 kick in the first half. “That really turned the game in our favour,’’ Trim explained.
It was a nice moment for Tinsley, a thorough professional who is honest around the ruck as the day is long.
He does the simple things well, is a good team man and that deft kick deservedly placed him in the spotlight which so often shines elsewhere.
Trim said defence also improved, emphasised by a period when the Blackhawks enjoyed five sets without success.
“I am proud of the growth in the last few weeks,’’ Trim said.
Blackhawks were best served by prop and captain Ashden Lafferty while edge forward Izaya Leedie impressed.
In Sunday’s game Burleigh Bears 32 defeated Capras 12 while Redcliffe had a big win over Ipswich, 44-12.
Redcliffe flexed its muscle with the versatile LJ Nonu, hard working half Lachlan Buchbach, NRL prospect Zac Garton and and the increasingly impressive front row ace Elijah Rasmussen leading the way.
“Redcliffe are a very goopd side and have a team full of NRL contracted kids. They flexed their muscles against our local boys today,’’ said Jets coach Tye Ingebrigtsen.
Best for Ipswich was Mafiou Cheriff.
Bears coach Ben Linde said once his side adapted to the wet conditions against Capras, the side played smartly with halfback Coby Black and five-eight Bailey McConnell playing well tactically, while in the forwards Brady Turner and edge forward Amare Milford were “awesome”.
Originally published as Connell Cup and Harvey Norman Teams of the Finals revealed
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