Under 13
Yeppoon started the game very quickly getting out to a large lead by halftime. Tigers fought hard but Yeppoon showed why they were last year’s premiers and will take on Norths next week for a spot in the grand final.
Emu Park booked their place in the grand final with a close win over the Knights. Emu Park got out to a nine-point lead with minutes remaining but a late try to Norths gave them a chance to have a late crack at victory. However, they could not go the length of the field to steal the win. They will need to regroup for Yeppoon next week.
Emu Park 19 (Freddy McKinlay 3, Brodie Gill tries; Brodie Gill goal; Freddy McKinley field goal) def Norths 16 (Jack Tibbs 2, Sath Backo, Jayden Willie tries)
Yeppoon 36 (Sam Strohfedt 2, Jack Maynes 2, Luke Stenhouse, KolbyGreem, Jack Howarth tries; Luke Stenhouse 4 goals) def Tigers 10 (James Fitzgerald, Tristan Barron tries; Harry Harhan goal)
Under 14
Norths started strongly scoring early, but Brothers White hit back late in the half to take the lead at halftime. Unfortunately for Norths they lost a player in the second half and had to play with 12 men. They put on some late points but could not claw back Brothers’ big lead.
Fitzroys 26 (Leighton Milburn 2, Lamech Gillmartin, Aaron Moore, Canie Comskey tries; Leighton Milburn 3 goals) defeated Emu Park 16 (Riley Clarke, Reuben Hansen, Bailey Slover tries; Travis Fields 2 goals)
Fitzroys continued their unbeaten year, though Emu Park did give them a run. This was been the closest any side has got to them all year. They now have to overcome Brothers White who have strung some wins together.
Brothers White 32 (Dylan Wewarh 3, Ben Farr 2, Bailey Morrow tries; Bailey Morrow 4 goals) def Norths 24 (Hayden Widt 2, Beau Rosin, Kazzi Doyle, Tate Beak tries; Liam Brigg 2 goals)
Under 15
Brothers welcomed back newly-selected Queensland Under 15 schoolboys Liam Grant and Tom Farr and both made an immediate impact, scoring tries in their win over Norths. Brothers always had the game in hand and will now take that into next week’s game for a grand final spot.
It was Brothers two new Queensland schoolboys that caused troubles for the coast brothers. Brothers now need to back up against Brothers White and two more schoolboys in Tom Farr and Liam Grant. Momentum is needed at this time of year and coach John Quinn needs to find some at training this week.
Brother Blue 32 (Ethan Buulemor 2, Harry Leeventveld 2, Domonic Green, Issac Bulsey tries; Harry Leeventveld 4 goals) def Cap Coast Brothers 6 (Anthony Alderson try; Cody Port goal)
Brothers White 34 (Liam Grant, Jeremy Waters, Tom Farr, Samuel Kelly, Montell Lawton, Mathew Baker, Michael, McLaughlin tries; Liam Grant 3 goals) def Norths 10 (Corben Ingham, Dylan Bayten tries; Corben Ingham goals)
Under 16
Norths always had this game won but a late charge from Yeppoon put a scare into the camp. Unfortunately Yeppoon’s charge came too late and they have bowed out for the season. Norths will need to lift for next week’s game against last year’s premiers Cap Coast Brothers.
Brothers move through to the Grand Final with a convincing win. They will hope history does not repeat after winning big in the same game last year only to go down to the Coast Brothers in extra time. Coach Damian Chapman will be now looking at who to pick in his starting side with all his Cyril Connell players back and in form. Cap Coast take on Norths next week.
Brothers 38 (Josh Wilkinson 2, James Haliday, Brendan Sutton, Jamie Jackson, Zaine Hammond, Joe Shackleton tries; Sam Murphy 4, Braden Golik goals) def Cap Coast Brothers 10 (Jack Pattie, Lachlan Buchanan tries; Carwyn Moon goal)
Under 18
Back at full strength, Yeppoon were expected to win this one easily but Norths – like they have all year – never gave up and forced the Seagulls to the final bell. Norths are now out but they would be very pleased with their efforts, Yeppoon face Cap Coast Brothers.
Gracemere have been the most consistent team this year after recruiting well during the off season. Cap Coast Brothers will need to bounce back against a very good Yeppoon side to make the following week’s decider. However, they’d rate their chances with Yeppoon not convincing in their win against North's.
Yeppoon 22 (Josh Neilsen, Will Toloi, Brandan Mays, Andrew Hauff tries; Nick Botchin 3 goals) def Norths 18 (Brenton Pickering 2, Martin Crough, Samual Munns tries; Jarrad Dash goal)
Gracemere 20 (Jamahal Williams 2, Kyle Ebert-Arnold, Noel White tries; Morris Pickering 2 goals) def Cap Coast Brothers 6 (Jack Glossop try; Jack White goal)
Semi Final previews:
Next week’s semi-finals will determine the final sides in the May 30 grand finals. Due to the St Brendan's/Saint Ursula's Formal on Saturday, the Under 18 game will be played at Webb Oval on Friday night. Both sides thank the RDJRL for allowing this change.
Friday Night Webb Oval
Under 18
Cap Coast Brothers v Yeppoon
Cap Coast Brothers have a host of representative players in their side and will need all of them to produce the goods on Friday night. Yeppoon have strung together some gutsy wins over the past three weeks including a close call against Norths on Saturday. Both sides were part of the Under 16 grand final last year which Yeppoon won in the last minute and with the added experience of the older players this will be a tough encounter. It is unfortunate that this is a standalone game at the Beach, as it would be a fitting conclusion to a great day of semi-final football. I am not prepared to make a call on the result, as it is way too close and I will not be surprised if this game goes to extra time.
Saturday Browne Park
10.30am Under 16
Cap Coast Brothers v Norths
To accommodate the work commitments of the 16 year olds this game has been made the first of the day. Norths were good on Saturday without being outstanding and did enough to defeat Yeppoon. Cap Coast Brothers were off their game against Rocky Brothers and they will need to lift to make it back-to-back Grand Finals. They have a good selection of Cyril Connell players in their ranks but perhaps the season has taken its toll and this could be Norths opportunity to take advantage. This will be a close contest if Norths bring their ‘A Game’. We think Cap Coast just have too many options and should make it back-to-back grand finals.
11.50am Under 13
Norths v Yeppoon
Yeppoon were back to their best on Saturday and never gave Tigers a chance. They are the defending Under 12 champions but this year they have been a little below their normal high standards. Norths have been very disciplined this year but just gave Emu Park too big of a lead on Saturday and missed by a few points. If Norths can get off to a better start and stop Yeppoon’s big forwards they may get over the Seagulls. This is another tough contest and we think that Seagulls may just get away with it. We hope the RDJRL have allowed plenty of time for extra time games as this could be the start of them.
1.15pm Under 14
Emu Park v Brothers White
Brothers White got away with their game in the second half after Norths gave them a scare and applied plenty of pressure. Emu Park gave Fitzroy's an early scare and had their chances but just couldn't convert. Emu Park are last year’s Grand Final winners and have some very good attacking options while Brothers White are a team of determine players. If Emu Park get their way in a quick game they should win. However, if Brothers get into the grind they can produce an upset. Emu Park should win but don't be surprised to see an upset.
2.30pm Under 15
Cap Coast Brothers v Brothers White
Brothers White might feel they should have been playing for a Grand Final spot on the weekend, but fell short the week before. But they made up for it with a convincing win against Norths. Cap Coast Brothers have had plenty of success this year and they will need to find that formula to get over Rocky Brothers. I think the representative experience in Rocky Brothers may be just enough to get them into the decider against their club mates. This is a fitting final game of semi-finals.
