Brothers Bulldogs reign supreme in the Mackay Junior League after being crowned 2023 Junior Club Champions and lifting three premiership trophies and a Plate title.
The famous club also collected the Ivan Bradford Award for most teams in a Grand Final – highlighting the outstanding development work implemented by officials.
On an action-packed program at BB Print Stadium, the Bulldogs underlined their depth of emerging talent by registering Grand Final victories in the Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 Boys age divisions and a Plate trophy in the Under 14 Boys category.
The famous Brothers club have enjoyed a bumper season in the Junior League with the Under 14 Girls finishing runners up to the Magpies in their competition and both Under 16 Boys teams reaching the semi-finals.
Now the Bulldogs are poised to add more silverware to their trophy cabinet when the Under 20s side tackles the Magpies in this Saturday’s Grand Final at BB Print Stadium at 11am after thumping Wests Tigers 42-16 in a preliminary final.
Brothers and Magpies will also feature in the A Grade decider this Friday at 5pm after the Bulldogs tipped out Sarina Crocodiles 24-16.
A proud Bulldogs President Andrew Battaia said club officials were ecstatic with the meritorious achievements of their junior and senior teams this season.
“We have enjoyed lots of success which is a testimony of the hard work put in by players and the coaching staff,” revealed Andrew, who is one of the most respected mentors in the Mackay Cutters junior representative system.
Battaia and coach Peter Bowman masterminded the Under 13 Brothers Blue team’s 22-14 victory over the Magpies.
Promising forwards Will Bowman, Brock Peberdy, Tayt Rowe, Blake Battaia, Jordan Ramos and Alex Webster paved the way for the Bulldogs with strong running and jarring defence and were supported by classy five eighth Harper Shields, centre Benji Calicetto and fullback Noah Allen.
Rowe and Bowman collected try doubles as the Bulldogs dominated after the break. The Magpies were best served by lock Flynn Taylor, half back Cooper Venz and prop Ashton Schultz.
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Brothers Under 15s preserved a proud Grand Final-winning record by toppling Moranbah Miners 34-26.
Fresh from engineering St Patrick’s College to a State Regional Championship mid week, gun five eighth Adam McSherry and impact forward Eli Cookson again stamped their mark.
McSherry scored two of the Bulldogs six tries and booted five goals in a top display while Cookson turned in a powerhouse effort with support from fullback Calvin Ramos and half back Grange Womal.
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Cowboys signing Kayne Smith spearheaded Brothers’ 22-12 triumph over Souths Sharks in the Under 17 trophy decider.
The St Patrick’s College lock produced a non-stop effort along with five eighth Niko Djukic, centre Rylan Misztela and fullback Giovanni Kumani.
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Proserpine Brahmans Under 14s avenged last year’s Grand Final loss to the Magpies with a hard fought 16-10 victory in a gripping encounter.
The Magpies led 10-4 following tries by bench centre David Phineasa and crafty hooker Mason Muscat before dynamic Brahmans half back and former Broncos Academy colt Koby Johnson-Follett turned the match with two crucial solo four pointers.
In a dramatic finish, talented Magpies fullback Marik Srsen had a try disallowed for an incorrect play the ball by winger Braithe Williams in the lead up.
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Wests Tigers captured the Under 16s premiership trophy after a resounding 32-8 victory over Souths Sharks.
Led by emerging back rower Mark Morrow and forwards Kereama Gartner, Lachlan Starr, Jack Townsend and half Joshua Toby the Tigers powered to a six tries to two triumph.
Centre Jt Brice and fullback Mason Ryan-Ellul also impressed for the Wests side.
Queensland Schoolboys lock Cohen Jackson, prop Anthony Sorbello, five eighth Kaden Muscat, centre Billy Cruden and fullback Reuben Saron tried hard for the Sharks.
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Brothers Blue lifted the Under 14s Plate with an 8-4 victory over Moranbah Miners.
Brothers Bulldogs teams celebrate three premiership titles and a plate in the Junior Rugby League Mackay competition
Wests U16: Wests Tigers took out the U16 premiership title
