The club is one week closer to finding out who’s name will be on the Premier League trophy at the end of this year’s season. One thing we do know for certain, is that there will be a new name on the cup this year.

On Thursday morning, Jamie Maher and Andy Peel played in the first prelim final, with Jamie getting off to a great start taking the first five legs.

After a short break, Andy claimed his first leg of the match, but Jamie kept the pressure on with a 71 and a 133 checkout to go 7/1 ahead.

Andy fought hard, winning three of the next four legs, but ultimately the head start proved to be too big for Andy to reel in, and with Jamie checking out so well, the match finished with him winning the contest 10/4.

In the second preliminary final, 3rd placed Joe Wilson had to battle it out with Dom Friend, who finished the league in 4th, for a place in this year’s final.

This match began in similar fashion to the other final with Dom taking command of the match early. With a 7-nil lead, and hitting a 180 as well as a 122-bullseye checkout, Dom was in full control, and the result looked inevitable.

Joe to his credit though came back strong and had Dom worried when he hit his own 117-ton checkout.

With the match nicely poised at 8/5, Dom looked a little uncomfortable, and had to find something extra to get across the finish line, but at 9/5 the writing was on the wall.

Joe had given it his all, but in the end, he left himself with too much to do. The final score was 10/5 to Dom, meaning both Jamie and Dom will contest this year’s Premier League final.

The Premier League is sponsored by Mika Airlie and Whitsunday Tattooing, thank you for your support.

Contributed with thanks to Jamie Maher

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The weekly 9-hole stableford was won this week by Tyson Flavel with 21 points. Terry Kimpton was second with 20 and Rhys Bartholomeus third with 19 points c/b.

Friday was Mark Winter who won with 21 points, Brayden Davies in second with 18 points and Clint Paull with 17 third.

Sunday was the Monthly Medal and Rob Lodders had the win with 53 Nett. Second was David Wallace with 54 and third Elise Hodgson on 55.

Dean Barnard won the Gross score with 57 and Marc Belke took home both ‘Nearest the Pins’.

Contributed with thanks to Kate Cross

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After a few weeks of no comps the Whitsunday Social Golf Club held its September Monthly Medal event on Sunday.

Winner for A Grade Men was George Meharry, with runner up Jason Bourke. Mens B Grade winner was Mark McDougall, runner up was Paul Nicol.

Ladies’ A grade winner was Jackie Wall, with runner up Anna Winterbourn, while Ladies’ B grade winner was Pam Casey and runner up Jo Moynihan.

Pin shots went to Aaron Watts, Pam Casey, Anna Winterbourn, George Meharry, and Ron Jamieson.

Longest Drives were claimed by Geoff Harrison, Paul Nicol, Pauline Redpath, and Pam Casey.

Next weekend will be the Annual Magnetic Island trip with comp resuming on Sunday 9th October.

Contributed with thanks to Joanne Moynihan

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Tuesday results for Wangaratta Bowls Club: Winners for the afternoon were Irene Laird, Linda Smith, and David Madden defeating Sue Shearing, Cath Christopher, and Joe Paynting.

Other winners were Maree Brunker, Pearl Ayken, and Mark Drummond beating out Joe Paynting, Bill Parker, and Margaret Wilson. Lyn Madden, Keith Aykens, and Sugar Brunker  were the final Tuesday winners, defeating D Beel, Terry Robinson, and Penny Warren.

Sunday results: Winners for the afternoon were Judy Christie and Allan Rolfe defeating Deb Retchless and Pearl Aykens.

Other winners were Penny Warren and Sugar Brunker defeating June Paynting and Pat Tracey, while Bill Myers, Linda Scells, and Mark Drummond defeated Laurie Land, Terry Blair, and Joe Paynting.

Sue Shearing, Keith Aykens, and Kennedy Whitton rounded out the winners circle, defeating Deb Beel, Isobel Wheeler, and Barry Beel.

Competition Results: Final of Mixed Triples saw Denise Wallace and Ted Evans defeat Greg Colquhoun, Lyn Danvers, and Geoff Danvers.  

Ladies Two Bowl Triples winners were Deb Beel, Marcia Arthur, and Lyn Danvers, defeating Robyn Stitt, Margaret Wiilson, and Fely Duncan.

Good luck to the Wangaratta men playing in the Burdekin Pennants this Saturday.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

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Sunday Scroungers Winners: Steve Roome, Jane Gilbert, Tracey Roach, and Gavin Charles.

Presentation Night is October 22 at the Central Hotel.

Wednesday Social: One card only for Wednesday. There was a drawn game between Paula Welsted, Bev Smith, Tiarna Rogers versus David Moodie Joan Edwards/ Eddie Neylon, Peter Thomson.

Sunday Scroungers Winners: Wayne Crowhurst, Steve Roome, Paula Welsted,Lee Welsted.

Scroungers is still on Sundays.

Contributed with thanks to Joan Edwards

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Tuesday afternoon social bowls: Skipper John Trembath was at his absolute best alongside Mario De Martini at lead. Combining with visiting bowler Robyn Roberts, the side beat all comers.

Wednesday afternoon social bowls: 24 bowlers competed for first prize, which saw Helen Ward at skipper, with Keith Bates at lead and Tony Kelly playing out of his skin, completely overwhelm the opposition.

Saturday Scroungers Spring Competition: Tony Kelly, Warren Mills, Rick Galea, Tony Whitehorn, John Askew, and Merve Stewart were first round winners.

Andy McDougall won the B grade points total, and second-round winners were Ladda Purdie, Betty Nicole, Nik Fernbach, and Steve Lawrie. Tony Whitehorn won Group B.

Sunday afternoon social bowls: skipper Tony Whitehorn maintained his form with sister-in-law Helen Ward at second, and the much improved Paul Tobias at lead. The side proved gallant winners of the prize.

In Rockhampton, the Bowls Premier League semi-finals was being held and Airlie Beach Bowls Club was represented by two teams: John Matterson’s team of Mark Mawson at lead with Alan Pershouse at second, and Manny Isgro’s team of Luke Kinnear and Warren Mills at second who topped the competition and will be off to the national finals in November.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson

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The “Road To Glory” began for the Whitsundays’ favourite football team back in early January, as the eventual champions kicked off their preseason. A new coach, the returning Nick Hodgen, whose last spell as manager with the club was in 2014, combined with new players, spelling for a strong outing in the competition – but did they expect the result?

There was undoubted belief in the dressing room from day one, even though their first fixtures indicated otherwise.

A string of new players had found their way to the men’s side, and the reinforcements certainly proved the difference.

Ex-professional footballers and high level Australian National Premier League Players (or slightly below that upper echelon of football) like the Scotts: the agile playmaker Scott Ferries – eventual winner of the league Best and Fairest award – and the lightning quick Scott Boldy. As well as players like Connor Mcavoy – a bulldog on the pitch who often “did Scott Ferries’ dirty work” – each of whom bolstered the already strong squad who were a hangover from those frantic final series of games in 2021.

Nick Hodgen’s arrival ushered in a spate of fresh ideas to turn the once quick, counter-attacking side into a metronomic, possession-based machine, and also brought with him his son, Harry Hodgen, a lightning paced winger with a penchant for dribbling, and who would end the regular season with 29 goals (the competitions Golden Boot winner).

Thomas Torzsok, Sam Blake, and captain James McEvoy-Bowe remained from the previous season as a class above the rest in terms of both technical ability and physical attributes. The team was already looking like a strong side.

In their first three fixtures of the season, Whitsunday United were collecting every form of result: winning one, drawing one, and losing one – but it was time for the team to turn a corner.

On April 2 in Round Four, the team were to face against Mackay City Brothers – a team who’d so often been their “bogey” side. But who they’d also beaten in spectacular fashion the season before. So, it was time to set the tone.

They wasted no time in their demolition of the City Brother’s Squad, although they had gone behind 0-1 at the beginning of the game to a nervy penalty. Harry Hodgen opened his account, and it stayed open: he scored four goals. Six other players added to the tally, ending the game 10-2 and giving what had been a rowdy home crowd plenty to cheer about.

The next week, they demolished Mackay Wanderers 7-3, and it seemed the ball was more than just rolling.

But, the perennial enemy of their season reared their heads for the first time.

Slaying The Lion

Whitsunday United played Mackay Lions Soccer Club six times in their season. Twice in the finals and four times in the league. Each proving a pivotal match.

In Round Six of the FQPL Whitsunday Coast Men’s competition, Whitsunday United travelled to Mackay Lions home ground to face off against a team who had historically had the better of the beach side for years.

On their long, wide pitch, the Lions side were a constant threat: they had the pace to hurt you with a simple ball over the top.

That ball over the top was the order of the day.

United lost 3-2 in their first match-up against their eventual Championship Rivals – but they knew they were better than the Sugar City side. And when they met up again at Whitsunday Sports Park in a Round Two replay (the previous fixture postponed due to rain), they certainly played the better football.

Lion’s counter-attacking prowess saw them win that game 0-2, with Whitsundays struggling to put the ball in the back of the net. And it was the same story for Round 14, when United travelled to Mackay once more to face their challengers. Only a few points separated the sides due to Lion’s dropped points in other fixtures, but Lions were up again – winning in a contentious 2-1 result that saw the Whitsundays’ hopes potentially dashed.

It was now do or die: United needed to win every single fixture until the end of the season and hope for results to go their way in other games or to win on goal difference.

Lions would draw the very next game in Round 15. And Whitsundays had a sniff of a chance.

They met again in Round 18.

In a hard and physical game played at breakneck speed, the Whitsunday Men were the better side all over the park. The yellow cards were flying with neither side taking a backward step, but the speed and class proved the difference in the end.

Led by displays of individual brilliance by midfielder Scott Ferries, as well as Hayden Filby, the side rallied for an emphatic 3-1 victory against the (at the time) league leaders.

United went on to win their four remaining fixtures, seeing them crowned as Minor Premiers after winning against Mackay Magpie Crusaders 3-0 at home.

In the two finals games, they faced off against Lions in two games featuring some world-class footballing performances from players like Tommy Torszok, Ben Seago, captain James Mcevoy-Bowe, and Martyn Goodey. They had beaten the Mackay side’s spirit down, and both ended goalless for Lions at a neutral ground in Mackay.

Whitsunday 4, Lions 0 in the Major Semi. Whitsunday 3, Lions 0 in the Grand Final.

Champions Of The Whitsundays with 49 points from 20 games.

Designer Instruction: Headshots of Players go next to each name. They are listed from 1 to 15 and correspond with each player

Whitsunday United Player Ratings:

Luke Nightingale: Imperious between the sticks. 9.7

Ben Smith: Tireless commander and creator. 8.6

Harry Hodgen: A purebred goal scorer. 10.0

Scott Ferries: The difference maker. 10.0

Ben Seago: Commanding wherever he played. 8.4

Connor McAvoy: An absolute workhorse. 8.6

Declan Durrant: A defensive stalwart. 8.4

James McEvoy-Bowe: The best centre-half in the league. 9.9

Martyn Goodey: An inspiring presence. 10.0

Kurt Ashley: Defensive excellence. 8.4

Jose Puentes: The sides most skilful player. 8.4

Tommy Torzsok: A midfield maestro. 9.7

Hayden Filby: A dynamic forward with an eye for goal. 8.0

Luke Swift:  The voice of the team. 8.1

Scott Boldy: A flying fullback with exceptional ability. 8.3

Honourable Mentions:

Nick Hansen: 8.0

Josh Healey: 8.0

Ben Farrell: 8.0

Mike McCann: 8.0

Stefan Tarne: 8.0

Sam Blake: 8.0

The 15 players were determined through number of appearances and minutes played throughout the season.

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It was written in the stars.

Whitsunday United Football Club were crowned Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) Whitsunday Coast inaugural champions in September of 2022, finishing the season with a tally of 49 points, pipping persistent rivals Mackay Lions in the final game of the regular season. They would face off against Lions twice in the Finals series of the competition, beating them twice to confirm “the double” – winning two trophies: the FQPL Title and the Grand Final Trophy.

It seems a long time since the junior clubs of Proserpine, Bowen, and Airlie Beach’s football associations sat down and amalgamated to create a senior pathway for football in the region in 2019: Whitsunday United Football Club. And it seems an even longer time since the club was known and playing as Whitsunday Football Club; even longer since they were the Cannonvale Cyclones. A long journey for a region whose primary exports and sporting successes are more often reserved for football of a different kind.

It seems an age since the foundations of a team that would make history – claiming Whitsunday United’s first ever Men’s Premiership – were lain.

The story of their championship winning side – the side that broke the duck, ending the drought – began the season prior, with a spectacular series of final games that instilled belief in a team which, in previous years and even that season itself, struggled with players and results.

There is one game in particular, played in Proserpine in the latter stages of the 2021 season, which highlights the team’s fighting spirit: The Battle Of Proserpine

Of the players who would comprise the starting lineup for 2022’s championship winning team, five played in the game that saw Whitsunday United claw back from defeat, scoring five goals to beat Mackay Brothers Football Club in a 5-4 win.

That side went on to be undefeated in their last regular season fixtures, making a late finals charge. They beat or drew against every single team in the dying embers of the 2021 season, all the way until the finals themselves, which saw them eventually lose out to Mackay Lions in the semis.

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

There was a promise made on that last matchday for the team: We will be back next year, and we will be stronger.

Those who played would form the spine of the side that went on to win the league, and a strong series of recruits in pre-season saw Whitsunday United go from off-again-on-again world-beaters to consistent champions-elect.

These are your Whitsunday United Football Club Football Queensland Premier League Champions and Grand Final winners:

Scott Ferries, Harry Hodgen, Hayden Filby, Ben Seago, Luke Swift, Declan Durrant, Tommy Torzsok, James McEvoy-Bowe, Connor Mcavoy, Martyn Goodey, Jose Puentes, Kurt Ashley, Sam Blake, Scott Boldy, Ben Farrell, Nick Hansen, and Luke Nightingale.

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Performing aerial manoeuvres on the water has become second nature for Mackay’s new wakeboarding sensation Sienna Mayer.

The 15-year-old Mercy College Mackay student, who resides in Eimeo, is only new to the popular water sport but has already left her mark as a rider with a string of spectacular performances.

Since being introduced to wakeboarding back in 2020, the talented schoolgirl has quickly emerged as one of the State’s brightest prospects.

Based at The Wake House Australia cable park at Andergrove, super fit Sienna is preparing for major wakeboarding competition both at home and interstate in the coming weeks and is confident of picking up some extra silverware.

She will compete at the Rumble on the Reef event in the Under 18s and Pro Women categories to be staged in Mackay from Wednesday September 28 to Saturday October 1.

Rising star Sienna has fond memories of the Rumble on the Reef as it was last year that she won her first ever race in the event’s Under 17 category at the Mackay venue.

At the Cairns Rumble on the Reef event earlier this year, Sienna finished second in the Under 18s and third in the Pro Women finals.

The Mackay Rumble on the Reef is an ideal tune up for Sienna before she represents Queensland at the National Wakeboarding Championships in Penrith, NSW, from October 10 to October 15.

Sienna is sponsored by Double Up, Kinxton Caw and Wing and will compete in the Under 18s section, hoping to turn in top performances to push her claims for selection in the Australian team to participate at the World Wakeboarding Championships in Thailand at the end of October.

Contributed with thanks to Chris Karas.

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After being selected in the Northern Mendi Rays U18 squad, local netballer Lilli Pryor travelled to Brisbane last weekend to compete in the Nissan State Titles.

Lilli was selected from approximately 30 players trialling in Townsville, participating in drills and gameplay, and was able to travel to Brisbane to participate thanks to sponsorship from Force Equipment and Inspire Accounting.

“It was a really validating experience,” Lilli said.

“Getting to represent north Queensland, getting to show off Mackay, that we do have stuff to offer down south.”

Coached by Kim Patterson and Bec Bulley, the team were only able to train twice before the tournament.

“They taught me so much,” said Lilli.

“They had a lot of knowledge to offer.

The Rays finish eighth and Lilli says the team remained extremely competitive throughout the tournament.

“It was hard for us to go down and compete with teams that had played together every week, but it was really cool that we could come together and still be a big competitor with teams that have so much experience with each other,” she said.

Earlier this year, Lilli joined Galaxy Netball Club in Mackay, playing under the guidance of local legend Jayden Taylor.

“It was an incredible experience, I’ve learnt so much this year,” she said.

“The whole season, my team’s been like a family and we’ve learnt so much from each other.”

Lilli hopes to pursue netball and plans to move down south to join the Ruby series next year.

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With the Australian women's rugby sevens team recently winning the World Cup to complete a triple crown, more and more girls are being inspired to play rugby including Mackay year 11 student Cierra Lewer.

Cierra was one of four Mackay girls to travel to the Gold Coast earlier in September to represent Central Queensland in the Queensland Rugby Union Girls State Championships.

Cierra and fellow Mackay player Anna Crossan played alongside players from Rockhampton, Whitsundays and Emerald in the U17 Central Queensland squad while Montana Hodgkinson and Ella Duncan played in the U15 squad.

“The first day that we were there, it was raining and windy and muddy and disgusting,” said Cierra.

“The second day was much nicer, it was dry and sunny, perfect rugby weather.

“I could see, just over the day, how we improved.”

Central Queensland played against teams from Brisbane, Gold Coast, far north Queensland and Townsville and Cierra said the competition was a good learning experience.

“Going down, we knew there was going to be a difference in the game,” she said.

“Up here, we have a bit more of a social element.

“We haven’t really dived into the technical side of rugby.

“It was definitely a learning curve.”

Cierra said she has come out of the weekend inspired to develop her rugby, especially after meeting idols Maddison and Tegan Levi.

“They came into the locker room, Maddison and Teagan did, and they spoke to us, and we asked them questions and that definitely sparked my interest in going further in the game,” she said.

“I just want to see how far I can get.”

Cierra first got into rugby four years ago through come-and-try sessions.

“It wasn’t really a big thing four years ago,” she said.

“I think there was probably four or five of us … but it’s expanded massively.”

Four years later, Cierra plays U17s rugby as well as playing in the open women’s team that took out the inaugural title a couple of weekends ago.

She also assists in coaching the come-and-try sessions that first got her into the sport.

“When I first started rugby, you didn’t really have that encouragement from everyone but now everyone wants you to get in there and give it a go,” she said.

Cierra coached the sessions alongside Mackay Christian College Sports Coordinator Sheril Buchanan for girls aged 10 to 13 for the last four weeks of the school term.

“It’s good for the young girls to see a young person who’s come through the same program just a couple years down the track,” said Sheril.

“That’s what you want in sport, you want girls to grow in confidence, you want girls to be encouraged and you want girls to enjoy life and the social and fitness aspect.”

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Monday mixed pairs resulted in a win for Chrissy Hall and Maurie Pearson, with Fred King and Rob Evans in second place.

Lucky draw vouchers went to Maurie Pearson and Wolfgang.

Wednesday ladies’ day winners were Gloria Sam, Pam Louis and Joyce Camilleri.

Runners up was the pairing of Hilary Jones-Rowan and Jean Zamparutti.

Thursday mixed pairs was taken out by Maryann Bartolo and Eric Galletly with Ian Rowan and Hilary Jones-Rowan in second place.

Greens vouchers were won by Wayne Trannore and Lance Edwards.

Friday mixed pairs winners were Doug Giddings and the popular Valley club member, Bob Kinnane.

Winners of the draw were Lois Deguara and Isla Comelli with Wayne and Vern Mietzel next.

Saturday men’s day game resulted in a win for John Kennell and Bundaberg visitor, Terry McCrystal, with Ken Martin and Alan Dillon in second place.

Make a note on your calendar for Presentation dinner: Monday, October 24.

Contributed by Tony Allsop.

Captions:  1: Bev Svenson and Elaine Buckton enjoying bowls last Monday.

                   2: Ladies Secretary, Helen Fleming with Sheryl Cuttriss at Monday Bowls.

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Awards galore were presented at Mackay Contract Bridge Club Annual General Meeting.

The Founder’s Teams Championship - The Holewa Team: Max and Diane Holewa, Eric Leivesley and Terrance Sheedy.

Club Teams Championship - Open: Monica Darley, Kath Poole, Del Ryan and Janet Hansen

Understate: Patterson Team: Sandy Patterson, Geoff Cowan, Debbie and John Ludkin and Thomas Block

Club Pairs Championship - Open: Diane Holewa and Max Holewa

Under State: Sandra Morris and Noel Saunders

President’s Trophy (Playing with three different players) - Del Ryan

Remembrance Pairs - Open: Joy Robinson

Under State: Anne Whitmore

Club Novice Pairs Championship - Anne Lutz and Diane Stokes

Mary Barfield Award (for most promising student player) - Cheryl Machen

Most Promising Player–Supervised Play (Sponsor - Monica Darley) - Vicki Howard

Weekly Results

Monday 19 September 22 - NWP

1st Anne Lutz / Barbara Tait 1st Lorna Shuttlewood / Janet Hansen

2nd Janelle Conroy / Terrence Sheedy 2nd Frances Brown / Alan Brown

Tuesday – 20 September – 4 Table One Winner Green Points

1st Janine Rodgers / Nancy Wix

2nd Antonia Tarradas / Graham Smith

3rd Janet Hansen / Diane Morgan

Wednesday 21 September  – 7 Table Green Points

N/S EW

1st Joy Robinson / Robert Carless 1st Monica Darley / Kath Poole

2nd Mary Cruickshank / Ian Cruickshank 2nd Josie Crowley / Barbara Tait

3rd Carol Gaskell / Ian Gaskell 3rd Diane Stokes / Victor Mason

Thursday 22 September  – 4 Table One Winner Green Points

1st Terrance Sheedy / Noel Bugeia

2nd Janelle Conroy / Jan Harris

3rd Patricia Garner / Mick King

Friday 23 September – 8 Table Mitchell Green Points

N/S E/W

1st Monica Darley / Del Ryan 1st Alan Brown / Frances Brown

2nd Helen Van Den Broek / Don Poole 2nd Nancy Martin / Kath Poole

3rd Anne Lutz / Toni Large 3rd Victor Mason / Josie Crowley

4th Joy Robinson / Geoff Taylor

Saturday 24 September – 10 Table Mitchell

N/S E/W

1st Carol Gaskell / Ian Gaskell 1st Terrence Sheedy / Eric Leivesley

2nd Lorna Shuttlewood / Doone Mitchell 2nd Anne Whitmore / Sandra Morris

3rd Joy Robinson / Ken Seaniger 3rd Christine Nice / Faye Wright

4th Jan Harris / Mick King 4th Helen Van Den Broek / Joy Brunette

5th Susan Wright / Patricia Garner

Sunday 25 September – Novice 4 Table One Winner

1st Mary Rose Ramsden / Carmel Brown

2nd Ian Cruickshank / Anne Lutz

3rd Ann Whitmore / Sandy Patterson

4th Faith Hutchinson / Diane Stokes

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Pound for pound they don’t come any tougher or more resilient than Mercy College Mackay sporting warrior Saxon Crofts.

Whether its ripping into the opposition with a bustling run or copybook tackle for the Mercy rugby league colts or fooling the defence with a tricky step or sharp burst, in an All Schools Touch Football fixture you will find young Saxon leading from the front.

The 15-year-old utility forward was a genuine trojan for the College rugby league team in 2022 – inspiring team mates to another Grand Final appearance in the Cowboys Challenge Shield schoolboys competition.

In a cruel blow, the Mercy boys were less than 60 seconds away from back-to-back titles only to surrender possession and concede a try after the bell to Townsville rivals Kirwan State High School.

A super-fit Saxon turned in tireless displays during a hectic rugby league schedule this season at both schoolboy and Junior League level.

He proved a mainstay for both Mercy College and his club team Souths Sharks where he constantly topped the tackle count and metres gained with the ball.

Saxon demonstrated his versatility by wearing the number seven half back jumper and steering the Sharks to the Mackay and District Junior League Under 15 finals series.

The Sharks bowed out after a 20-10 loss to the Magpies in an elimination final with the courageous Crofts producing yet another wholehearted performance but to no avail.

A steely-eyed Saxon will now turn his attention to his other sporting love - touch football.

He is one of several Mercy/St Patrick’s College students that will compete at the 40th annual Gold Coast Titans Queensland All Schools Touch Football Championships to be staged from Wednesday October 5 to Sunday October 9 at the world class Gold Coast Performance Centre at Runaway Bay.

Saxon is part of a strong Under 15s Boys team that will test their skills and stamina at the prestigious carnival, billed as the world’s largest touch football tournament.

Mercy/St Patrick’s College have also entered an Under 13s Boys, Under 15s Girls and an Under 18 Mixed team in the coveted event.

The major tournament is run by Queensland Touch Football and attracts over 450 teams, representing various schools both nationally and internationally, on the big sporting stage.  

It is a seeded round robin-based competition where teams are placed in Pools of 6-8 teams depending on the size of the division, which provides school teams with a minimum of seven games.

Across the five-day tournament, more than 6,000 students will take to the field playing over 1,700 games across 23 fields, attracting between 6,000 and 10,000 spectators.

Contributed with thanks to Chris Karas.

Pic caption: Mercy College sporting ace Saxon Crofts in action during this year’s Cowboys Challenge rugby league campaign.

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Outstanding Mackay Cutters rugby league colts Xavier Kerrisk, Jaxon Purdue and Kai Simon have capped a memorable 2022 campaign by earning Queensland Country Under 17 representative jumpers.

The talented trio produced strong performances last weekend to help Country topple Queensland City 38-20 in the annual Under 17s challenge at Redcliffe’s Moreton Daily Stadium.

It was an impressive achievement by the St Patrick’s College Mackay students and North Queensland Cowboys scholarship recipients who have captured the imagination of senior rugby league officials with their skill and durability.

The Queensland City v Country Under 17s clash was played as a curtain raiser to the Hostplus Cup Grand Final with Norths Devils chalking up back-to-back premiership titles after a 16-10 triumph over Redcliffe Dolphins.

Country Under 17s sealed the victory with a dominant second half display to claim bragging rights.

Power running prop Delasalle Va’a - who is contracted to the Sydney Roosters – and elusive Souths Townsville winger Rayzarlin Pearson grabbed try doubles for Country with Central Queensland Capras fullback Mutua Brown and wily hooker Kerrisk completing the six try rout.

Promising centre Simon bagged a personal tally of 14 points after potting seven goals.

Country jumped to an early 12-0 lead before City hit back with tries by prop Michael Waqa and half back Stanley Huen that were converted by five eighth Keahn Skipps.

A penalty goal by Simon gave Country a narrow 14-12 advantage at the half time break.

City struck after the interval with centre Devonte Vaivela crossing for a converted try and Skipps adding a penalty goal to give his side a 20-14 lead.

But when a rampaging Va’a burst over for a second try the Country colts clicked into top gear and stamped their supremacy through their slick backline and rugged forward pack.

The representative honours capped a big fortnight for the dynamic Simon and Kerrisk, who had earlier captained the Wanderers club to an Under 17s premiership win over Purdue’s Norths Devils in the Mackay and District Junior League competition.

Contributed with thanks to Chris Karas.

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