The Proserpine Whitsunday Brahmans U14 team are celebrating this week having beaten the Mackay Magpies in the Grand Final, coming home 2023 champions.
Coach Justin Follett has been coaching the team for the past nine years and although they undefeated last season, the team sadly lost the final.
This year, with a point to prove, the youngsters came back fighting, but it wasn’t looking good when they were beaten four times.
Despite this, they held themselves together as a team and triumphed.
“The boys deserved the win, they played ‘all out all game’ for each other,” said Justin.
“These young men bought into our game plan and executed it with precision. Everyone knew their job, and all put their shoulder to the wheel to achieve this great result.”
Lewis McDermid came up with a superb first try with his straight, hard line running and at half time it was 4 all. Captain Koby Johnson-Follett crossed the line twice in the second half and converted both tries to put us in front 16-10.
“I told the boys at half time that defence wins premierships,” said Justin.
“This sunk in, as the last 10 minutes of the game was a gruelling battle with the Magpies on our try line for 5 sets in a row.
“Our young Brahmans held them out till the full-time siren and secured the win.”
“I would like to thank all the boys for their outstanding effort, it was a thrilling game.
“The Brahmans culture is about loyalty, mateship, commitment, tenacity and unity – we are built on effort!
“These boys showed all of these attributes and more on Saturday to bring the Cup back to the Whitsundays.
“A special thank you to the support team of Russell Mau, Ros Leo, Kim Bates, Don McDermid, Mel Harsley, Matthew Court and Wes Carlson.
“We wanted to end the season with memories of a Premiership, not dreams, and we achieved that goal playing the, ‘Greatest Game of All’.
The Under 14 Proserpine Whitsunday Brahmans wins the grand final. Photo credit: Blanchè Hunt
