Langer Trophy schoolboy league: Final eight locked and loaded after qualifying matches
Langer Trophy schoolboy stunner: Outsiders Stretton SC win historic entry into the elite rugby league competition, while a Dolphins’ academy forward played the house down for Redcliffe SHS. More here on the frantic qualifiers.
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The 2025 Langer Trophy top eight is now locked and loaded following a stunning Stretton State College last minute upset win and an expected victory by Redcliffe SHS in the last of the qualifying matches at Stafford on Tuesday.
Stretton SC and Redcliffe SHS join premiers Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Marsden SHS, Ipswich SHS, Mabel Park SHS, Wavell SHS and Keebra Park SHS as combatants in the elite Brisbane Broncos-sponsored schoolboy competition.
The competition is regarded as the No.1 breeding ground for the next generation of NRL players.
THE MATCHES
Stretton State College v Caloundra SHS
Stretton’s hopes of progressing into the Langer Trophy for the first time seemed all but shattered until one minute from full time when right wing Connor Smith intervened to score the match winning try.
In a stunning climax to the game, a pinpoint cross field kick from hooker Bailey Vang was contested and battered back infield by towering right centre Kayzon Key, enabling Smith to scurry over the line.
Even then desperate Caloundra defence swarmed in an attempt to pull off an incredible trysaver.
Less than 10 minutes earlier Caloundra Seahawks halfback hero Ellyjah Birve rose to deliver what looked to be the game-winner when he regathered his own chip kick and sprung clear from an ankle tap to score a dazzling 50m special.
Birve’s moment of brilliance made it 18-16 in favour of Caloundra but the door was still open for something sensational to happen.
Stretton, with fullback Hill, powerful prop Monte Betham, Key and lock Lewis Gardner all influential across the match, mounted one final ambush and it came off with time almost up.
Stretton SC director of sport Jayden Best said his side had made a dramatic shift since last year when the side won the Gee Shield - before being “pumped” by eventual national champions Palm Beach Currumbin in the first round of the Langer Trophy playoffs.
“Since then (losing to PBC), it’s been a big shift with this group. It was a good eye opener for them to know where they need to be and the changes they needed to make to get here today and get the result,” Best said.
“We’ve been working on this for years… It has always been a big goal for this school (to play in the Langer Trophy),” said Stretton captain Lewis Gardner.
“It’s a really big relief that we’ve finally got here.”
It was a result few would have seen coming when Caloundra led 12-6 at half time and had all the momentum.
Two quick tries out of the gates, one of which directly resulted from a timely intercept by Key who charged 70m downfield before being brought down by Birve, saw Stretton snare a 16-12 lead entering the final 15 minutes.
Caloundra came alive when Birve made it 18-16 but his individual moment of magic was just one of many big plays by the Coast team which ensured they were in it until the very end.
Earlier in the match, Caloundra’s courageous defensive spirit was eclipsed when Birve and his buddy Haamiora Wharerau (winger) made try saving tackles on Hill and hooker Bailey Vang respectively.
Shortly after, impressive Caloundra rake Will Joyner ripped the ball from Vang’s grasp as he attacked the tryline. Caloundra prop Kaia Moses scored in a flash after Joyner’s one-on-one strip was followed by a line break involving Emjay McElligott and left wing Angus Lanagan
A penalty goal from Birve on the stroke of half time then made it 12-6, leaving the second stanza to decide each school’s fate.
Stretton fullback Hill was outstanding to close the match with an all-important tackle on a much bigger opponent preventing a certain try when his side trailed by six.
“It’s something, as a program, that we pride ourselves on. We are not always the biggest or the strongest,” said Best.
“We have to find a way to win a game of footy by being the most skilful.”
Hill was both skilful and stoic. He took two carries in a set late in the second half to get Stretton on the move.
“He also, off a seven tackle set, was there at the 20m line to put a good shot on,” Best said.
“It was a turning point, to see your fullback doing that, for the forwards to realise they can do it too.”
Redcliffe SHS v St Mary’s College
Dolphins’ Academy ace Jairus Halahala played a magnificent comeback match as Redcliffe State High flexed its muscles to defeat St Mary’s College 48-nil.
No.13 Halahala, journeyman Azariah Toki-Mautairi and halfback Grady Payne were outstanding as Redcliffe overwhelmed their rivals who did not deserve the scoreline inflicted upon them.
Halahala was best of all, breaking the game wide open when he surged off the bench midway through the first half.
Unavailable for most of this season’s club season due to personal reasons, Halahala made up for lost time with his driving runs, post-contact metres and late footwork at the line.
Before he entered the fray starting No.13 Toki-Mautairi made his presence felt with clever passing around the ruck and strong forays.
Rushed into the 2022 Queensland schoolboy white side after arriving from New Zealand, Toki-Mautairi originally played at Wavell SHS, then spent last year playing First XV GPS rugby for Toowoomba Grammar.
But he has returned to sea level and will add a dimension to an extremely competitive Redcliffe side this season.
Steering the ship for Redcliffe SHS was halfback Payne who continues to blossom after breaking into the big league last year.
He grew in confidence as 2024 progressed, and looks even more assured this season — particularly after playing a full season of Meninga Cup with the Tigers. His kicking game was spot on.
Another relatively unsung player, Taufa Tualani, was a handful yet again, while hooker Cohen Cochrane did a terrific job while 2024 captain Amare Wynyard. Redcliffe SHS have lots of forward depth this season.
Poor St Mary’s were more competitive than the scoreboard indicated. They never stopped trying, but the forward power of the Redcliffe pack was too much to handle.
St Mary’s forwards Kailan Roberts, Lachie Lyons, Al Maclachlan and Max Murphy all tried hard, with Murphy still putting last-play pressure on Redcliffe kicker Payne deep into the match.
Originally published as Langer Trophy schoolboy league: Final eight locked and loaded after qualifying matches
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