Rockhampton and District Junior Rugby League Grand Final Preview
AFTER some very entertaining semi-finals, the Rockhampton and District Junior Rugby League grand final teams have been decided.
This is the greatest time of the year for these players and to be part of the team experience of a grand final will be never forgotten.
Under 14 Capricorn Coast Brothers coach John Quinn must be wondering what he has to do to get this side a victory during regular time as for the second consecutive week they were involved in an extra time game.
When Troy Richardson converted Alex Gilbert’s try with three minutes to go they knew they were still in the contest.
But it was former Australian and Queensland State of Origin star Alan McIndoe’s son Harrison who got them into the Grand Final, with his try in extra time’s first period enough to get Capricorn Coast into the Under 14 decider.
Grand Final Qualifiers
Under 13
Fitzroy 16 (Aaron Moore 2, Lleyton Milburn tries; Declan Sandilands 2 goals) defeated Brothers Blue 8 (Hayden Widt, Tyreel Tatow tries).
Under 14
Capricorn Coast Brothers 16 (Oskar Moore, Alex Gilbert, Harrison McIndoe tries; Troy Richardson 2 goals) defeated Brothers Blue 12 (Harry Leerentvelv, Ben Beatty tries; Ben Beatty 2 goals) in extra time (12 -12 at full time).
Under 15
Capricorn Coast Brothers 36 (Jacob Vanzanden 3, Ben Shambrook, Baye Simpson, Nathan Mitchell, Lachlan Buchanan tries; Carwyn Moon 4 goals) defeated Emu Park 20 (Jason Mi Mi, Jakai Asse, Jordon Young, Max Peterson tries; Blake McMahon 2 goals).
Under 16
Capricorn Coast Brothers 22 (Samuki Gaiden, Jack Glossop, Jack White, Sam Cookson tries; Jack White 1, Tom Skinner 1, Michael Bacon 1 goals) defeated Brothers Blue 18 (Ty Vallance, Caleb Tull Jake Standon tries; Caleb Tull 2, Connor Tansy 1 goals).
Under 18
Brothers 36 (Jayden Wheatley 2, Noel White, Kadison Armstrong, Brady Mayne, Jayden Conaghan, Lachlan Norris tries; Brady Mayne 2, Kadison Armstrong, Jayden Wheatley goals) defeated Capricorn Coast Brothers 16 (Jack White 2, Trai Fuller tries; Trai Fuller 2 goals).
Grand Finals
Under 13
Emu Park v Fitzroy
These sides met two weeks ago with Emu Park making light work of their last round encounter 42 -10. The Emus have been strong all year and well led by Dustin Munns, Cooper Corcoran and full back Carl Murray. Fitzroy’s Aaron Moore, Leighton Milburn and Declan Sandilands need to step up to stop the Emus who are on a big roll and with the week off are fresh for a possible first-ever RDJRL trophy.
Your QRL.com.au correspondent’s tip: Emu Park by 10
Under 14
Brothers White v Capricorn Coast Brothers
The Brothers White coaching staff is on high alert for a Capricorn Coast Brothers side who prevailed yet again in extra time. Rockhampton Brothers coach Scott Munns will be looking to his experienced players to get his side through another grand final. Thomas Farr holds the key but this big running player will need support from the likes of Liam Grant, Jack Wilson and Lachlan Crow. Capricorn Coast has their own game breakers with Oskar Moore, Alex Gilbert and Harrison McIndoe, but will two weeks of extra time football take its toll?
Your QRL.com.au correspondent’s tip: Rockhampton Brothers by 12
Under 15
Brothers v Capricorn Coast Brothers
Brothers will take the field at full strength with coach Matt Mackie having to make some hard decisions on his starting line-up. Led by twins Kobe and Zac Hetherington with enforcers Prynce Tungaele and Noel Rogers they will look to repeat their semi-final win by getting off to a blistering start. However this Capricorn Coast side will not be overawed and will launch their own attack through cheeky hooker Jacob Vanzanden, forwards Baye Simpson and Jack Pattie and fullback Carwyn Moon.
Your QRL.com.au correspondent’s tip: Brothers by 8
Under 16
Yeppoon v Capricorn Coast Brothers
The big question is can Yeppoon complete an undefeated season? Coach Matt Pacey has turned this talented side into one shining with confidence. They are up against the Brad Nevan-coached Capricorn Coast Brothers who have numerous Cyril Connell Cup players returning and are looking to utilise these boys. Yeppoon have been lead strongly by forwards Clay Langford and AJ Hauff which has allowed Corey Rees, Jed Myles and Tycer O’Dell throw the ball to their speedy outside backs. Capricorn Coast will need Jack White and Jack Glossop to lead their team around the field and give players like Sam Cookson and Samuki Gaiden time to punch holes in the Yeppoon defence. Even though Yeppoon have dominated Capricorn Coast this year this Grand Final could go either way.
Your QRL.com.au correspondent’s tip: Yeppoon by 4
Under 18
Yeppoon v Brothers
This shapes as the day’s closest game, with these sides giving nothing away when Yeppoon got home late in the first semi-final with these sides after they traded try for try. The Gulls will look to seasoned players Kalem Pacey, Jamie Stenhouse and Connor Dennis to lead the way. However they will miss forward Jace O’Neill who had an unfortunate school accident, and everyone at RDJRL wish young Jace the best in his recovery. Brothers’ big guns Lachlan Hall, Elliott Thompson, Lachlan Norris and twins Ethan and Troy Wheeler will no doubt try to assert their will into this final. For some of these players this will be their last game in RDJRL as they start their senior careers.
Your QRL.com.au correspondent’s tip: Brothers by 2
***On behalf of the RDJRL we appreciate those who have been involved in the junior competition especially those that have been with us since Under 6’s, it has been a privilege to have you involved in our competition and we wish everyone the best of success in rugby league, studies and work in future years.
