Father's Day was significant for Rugby League Fraser Coast and the Bundaberg Junior Rugby League with players involved in their annual grand final held at one of rugby league's historical grounds.
Eskdale Park, Maryborough played host to this year's deciders with more than 1500 people rolling through the turnstiles to support their local team in pleasant conditions.
This was the first time since the commencement of the joint competition that Fraser Coast hosted this important end of year event.
As stated in their competition rules, the association with the most teams in the grand finals have hosting rights for the big day – that being Rugby League Fraser Coast.
The Hervey Bay Seagulls Under 13 team had their supporters all excited when they got off to a flying start with a 42-10 defeat of the Bundaberg Brothers.
The Brethren tried to stay in the fight, but were outclassed by a superior team on the day who had some standout performers, most notably their five-eighth Jai Ward who orchestrated the flow of the game and directed play well to be awarded player of the match.
The Seagulls were not as successful in the Under 14 grand final with local combatants Wallaroos winning 20-12 after both teams played extremely well.
Either side could have been successful with the halftime score 10-6, but the Roos' domination through the middle was the key factor.
After a great spectacle of rugby league that was appreciated by the crowd of supporters, the young Roos were victorious with young up-and-coming lock forward Kyle Knight the player of the match.
The Hervey Bay Under 15 side were clinical in their match against Western Suburbs and although frustration crept into the game from both teams, the Seagulls were far superior and victorious; winning 34-4 in a game where the Panthers seemed to always be on the back foot.
Often their attack would look promising, only to be stymied by a loss of possession. The Gulls took full advantage of these opportunities to deliver a runaway victory and take home the trophy.
With many players performing well for the Bay, it must have been a difficult decision to select the player of the match, but their number six Jed Bennett proved to be a popular decision and was applauded accordingly.
In the Under 16 main game of the day between Western Suburbs and Wallaroos, the Panthers were too classy for their opponents who never gave up and provided stiff opposition at times to the competition favourites.
Both teams played vigorously from the first blow of the whistle, but it wasn't long before Wests posted points on the board.
As expected, the red-and-black players were structured to attack from any side of the playing arena and their classy five-eighth often found support on the edges which resulted in points.
To their credit, the Roos lads never gave up and will no doubt improve on these efforts in future games should these players face off in coming years.
After much deliberation regarding player of the match award, the Panthers' hooker Joel Baldwin was a great choice amongst several candidates, bagging two tries and playing an active role in his side's victory.
Congratulations to the Executive Committee for the organisation of a great day of rugby league.
FRASER COAST / BUNDABERG JUNIOR GRAND FINAL RESULTS
UNDER 13
HERVEY BAY 42 (Ayden Butler 3, Eden Wheeler 2, Robert Borsboom, Harry Armstrong, Jai Ward tries; Jonty Brien 5 goals) defeated BROTHERS 10 (Cayleb Johnson, Ky Brooks tries; Bailey Knapp goal)
UNDER 14
WALLAROOS 20 (Bronson Andrews 2, Kyle Knight, Cooper Burke tries; Liam Doolan 2 goals) defeated HERVEY BAY 12 (Mani Bowers 2 tries; Ruben Broome 2 goals)
UNDER 15
HERVEY BAY 34 (Malachi Lawton, Jed Bennett, Dylan Crockford, Tallis Murray, Joziah Mason, William Thorogood tries; Heath Peel 5 goals) defeated WESTS 4 (Samuel Thomson)
UNDER 16
WESTS 40 (Zac Laybutt 2, Joel Baldwin 2, Jensen Deamer, Max Shorter, Brent Hass tries; Zac Laybutt 6 goals) defeated WALLAROOS 12 (Tyrone Stacey, Keian Grogan tries; Thomas Colvin 2 goals)
*This story was written by Bundaberg QRL Operations Manager Dave Pearce
