Historic Brothers Leprechauns are the Mackay & District Rugby League Under 20 champions for 2022.
A last-minute field goal by scheming half back Alex Lawton clinched the title for the Leprechauns after they recorded a gripping 25-24 Grand Final victory over the Magpies at the Mackay Junior Rugby League Fields.
Comprising several current and former Mercy College and St Patrick’s College Mackay students and staff, the Brothers contingent showed their champion qualities to bring home the trophy and cap a fruitful season.
For rookie senior coach Shane Mau, it was a maiden premiership to savour.
Brothers – who were formed back in 1920 - are one of the longest established clubs in the Mackay & District Rugby League competition.
The Leprechauns boast a proud 102-year history in the Mackay region along with the famous Magpies club that participated in the inaugural competition back in 1919.
Both clubs turned on a classic contest in the trophy decider with playmaker Lawton’s crucial one-pointer proving the difference.
The capable Lawton was named best on ground by officials and capped a memorable 2022 when presented with the Under 20 Player of the Year award for the best and fairest player in the competition.
Other Brothers players to impress were interchange forward Patrick Hoare, who menaced the Magpies with his bustling runs and deft off-loads; ball playing lock Ethan Roberts and strong running back rower and skipper Tyler Parish in a mighty team effort.
Hoare and Roberts are both staff members at Mercy College and turned in tireless displays in the pressure cooker conditions.
The Magpies opened the scoring after three minutes when half back Blake Kynaston crossed for a try that was converted by hooker Jaxn Sign.
But Brothers quickly established a 12-6 lead when Parish and centre Hudson Camilleri grabbed tries in the space of seven minutes with goalkicker Lawton adding the extras.
Magpies centre Mackenzie Novosel levelled the scores with a converted try after 15 minutes before Brothers winger Andrew Manera scooted over for his team’s third try to give the Leprechauns a 16-12 advantage at the break.
Brothers extended their lead to 22-12 after the interval when forward Elliott McLeod burst over for a vital try but the Magpies clawed their way back into the match with second half tries by forward James Kelleher.
At 22-all, rival kickers Lawton (64th minute) and Sign (69th minute) traded penalty goals before superboot Lawton proved the hero when he potted a memorable field goal just 60 seconds later to seal another Brothers’ premiership.
Other former and current Mercy College and St Patrick’s College students in the triumphant Brothers squad included centres Camilleri and Patrick Vella, Manera, five eighth Corben Becker, back rower Ryan McCowan, Reece Morris, prop Ryan Morris, Alex Attard, utility Ethan Van Kerkwyk and boom hooker Xavier Kerrisk.
Magpies players that attended either Mercy College or St Patrick’s College were playmaker Kynaston, utility Henry Thorpe and winger Coby Arthur.
By Chris Karas
Brothers’ 2022 premiership winning Under 20 squad (pictured) includes Dawson Harch, Ryan Hanson, Hudson Camilleri, Patrick Vella, Andrew Manera, Corben Becker, Alex Lawton, Ethan Roberts, Tyler Parish (captain), Ryan McCowan, Ryan Morris, Mitchell Cargill, Alex Attard; Reece Morris, Patrick Hoare, Pat Hall, Elliott McLeod, Ethan Van Kerkwyk, Xavier Kerrisk and Clay Nolan; Shane Mau (coach)
