You don’t often score five tries in one rugby league game, let alone twice in two rounds.
But that exactly what Ipswich Jets winger Michael Purcell has been able to achieve.
The speedster crossed five times against Carina in Round 8 and backed it up with another quintuplet in his side’s 46-6 win over Logan Brothers on Saturday.
Purcell, who has run the New York marathon, joined the Jets in the off season after stints with Charleville, Mitchell and Wattles in Toowoomba.
He’s put his running to good effect in recent times.
Jets coach Mark Bishop says Purcell’s natural flair makes him a perfect fit for their unorthodox style.
“He’s quick and he tends to be in the right place at the right time,” he said.
“We don’t place too many restrictions on our wingers, as long as they’re in the right spot when they have to be, particularly in defence.
“Other than that we let them go where they want to.
“I’m not sure whether he’s done it (five tries back-to-back) before, maybe in bush footy but I haven’t seen it at this level.”
Purcell now has ten tries for the season, second on the BRL try scorers list behind Redcliffe fullback Kyle van Klaveran, who crossed four times in his side’s 72-12 win over Carina including this effort off a short kick off.
The Dolphins, who were fielding several Colts players, opened up a 50-0 lead at halftime.
West Brisbane, Wynnum Manly Redland City and Easts were all convincing Round 9 winners, with Melbourne Storm AFL recruit Shem Tatupu crossing for a double for the Tigers, taking his season tally to five.
ROUND NINE RESULTS
Saturday 11 June
EASTS TIGERS 37 (Shem Tatupu 2, Jack Schaffer, Mackenzie Reid, Brandon George, Leone Cama tries; Adam Crear 6 goals; Adam Crear field goal) def VALLEYS DIEHARDS 6 (Chris Aiton try; Danny Kerr goal) at Emerson Park, Grange.
WEST BRISBANE PANTHERS 38 (Maeli Seve 2, Sam Carson 2, Kennedy Pettybourne, Josh Afoa, Jarrod Blanke tries; Hayden Potts 5 goals) def NORMANBY HOUNDS 12 (Matthew Currie, Samuel Caslick tries; Matt Trnka 2 goals) at Purtell Park, Bardon.
WYNNUM MANLY REDLAND CITY SEAGULLS 48 (Dan Wallace 2, Alehana Mara, Junior Pita, Joe Burchell, Tyson Brookes, Mitchell McMillan, Brad Mana tries; Tyson Brookes 8 goals) def GATERS 16 (Izaak Gordon 2, Marlon Doak tries; Troyden Watene 2 goals) at Kitchener Park, Wynnum.
IPSWICH JETS 46 (Michael Purcell 5, Ono So’Oialo, Ben Sullivan, Tu’u Maori, Matthew Brown tries; Ono So’Oialo 5 goals) def LOGAN BROTHERS 6 (Niu Mauigoa try; Nick Doyle goal) at Civic Park, Logan Central.
Saturday 11 June
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 72 (Kyle van Klaveren 4, Mitchell Wilson 2, Tyrone Hussey 2, Joel Mayne, Jaz Nahu-Main, Tyson Gamble, Ashley Harawira, Johnnie Fox tries; Kyle van Klaveren 10 goals) def CARINA 12 (Ash Bull 2 tries; David Browne 2 goals) at Dolphin Oval.
LADDER
Win - 3 points, Draw - 2 pts, Loss - 1 pt
|
Played |
Won |
Draw |
Lost |
Bye |
For |
Agnst |
Pts |
Ipswich Jets* |
8 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
320 |
118 |
24 |
WM Redland City |
9 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
320 |
170 |
24 |
Redcliffe Dolphins |
9 |
7 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
376 |
160 |
23 |
West Bris. Panthers* |
8 |
5 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
227 |
184 |
18 |
Gaters |
9 |
4 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
208 |
248 |
17 |
Easts Tigers |
9 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
238 |
205 |
16 |
Normanby Hounds |
9 |
3 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
192 |
288 |
15 |
Valleys Diehards |
9 |
2 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
168 |
298 |
13 |
Carina |
9 |
2 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
188 |
346 |
13 |
Logan Brothers |
9 |
2 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
168 |
388 |
13 |
* West Brisbane Panthers v Ipswich Jets (Round 5) now to be played at Kev McKell Oval, Arana Hills on Saturday 16 July at 3:30pm
ROUND TEN
Saturday, June 18
Normanby Hounds v Redcliffe Dolphins at Purtell Park, 3pm
Valleys Diehards v Gaters at Emerson Park, 3pm
Carina v Ipswich Jets at Leo Williams, 3pm
West Brisbane Panthers v Easts Tigers at Kev McKell Oval, 5pm
Logan Brothers v Wynnum Manly Redland City at Civic Park, 5.30pm
