Belief and will power have propelled the Magpies Under 13 rugby league
team to a stunning premiership triumph in the Mackay and District Junior
League competition.
The Magpies capped a memorable season after turning ‘giant killers’
by toppling the previously undefeated Proserpine Brahmans 28-0 in the
recent Grand Final at the Mackay Junior League Fields.
All conquering Proserpine – who dominated their age division all
season – saved their worst performance until last.
They were rattled from the outset by a determined Magpies side that
tackled like trojans and bustled the minor premiers into error with
swarming defence and an excellent match plan.
Promising Magpies second rower Tyran Attard was the best player on
ground – ripping the Brahmans’ defence to shreds with his powerful
running and clever off loads and nabbing three tries to earn the
official Player of the Match award.
Attard stamped his mark by crashing over for two first half tries in
the 8th and 25th minutes with five eighth Nate Frost converting and
booting a penalty goal to give the Magpies a handy 14-0 lead at the
break.
When back rower Luke Clarke, Attard and fullback Marik Srsen posted
three second half tries in the space of 14 minutes there was no stopping
the marauding Magpies outfit.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the boys”, beamed winning Magpies
coach Michael Muscat post-match.
“The team was busted for much of the season with injuries to key
players but found a way to get the job done.
“Our match plan was to slow down the ruck and apply constant pressure
to their go-to players which they did with tremendous effect.
“The boys have had some great tussles with Proserpine over the years
and really believed they could go all the way and win the competition.”
In a superb team effort the Magpies’ tough-tackling forward pack laid
the foundations for victory with classy halves Frost and half back Isaac
McFarlane and the inspirational Srsen spearheading the attack.
Star utility Darcy Cabassi – deputising for injured hooker and
skipper Mason Muscat – created havoc with his darting runs and snappy
service on the fringes.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Proserpine colts who recorded
three wins over the Magpies (26-14, 12-10 and 30-14 in the major semi
final) before the Grand Final showdown.
The Brahmans finished undefeated minor premiers on 26 points ahead of
the Wanderers (20 points) and Magpies (19 points) and during the season
scored a massive 510 points while conceding only 108.
Turning point for the Magpies was the 12-10 loss to Brahmans in the
final preliminary round at Proserpine Junior Sporting Complex – a
match that could have gone either way.
“It was after that game that the boys started to believe they could
hold their own against the Brahmans and gained plenty of confidence in
the lead into the finals,” said coach Muscat.
The nucleus of the Magpies team has played together since forming back
in Under 7s with Michael at the helm.
During the past seven seasons both the Brahmans and Magpies have
dominated the Mackay and District Junior League age divisions through to
Under 12s and have built a keen rivalry.
“As coach I’ve watched the team develop over the years and there is
a strong bond amongst them which is evident when they play,” said
Michael.
“The Grand Final victory is something they’ll cherish forever.”
Four of the Magpies’ top prospects – Srsen, Frost, McFarlane and
hooker Mason Muscat were selected to participate in the Brisbane Broncos
Junior Academy train-on squad where they have undergone extra fitness
and skills work under an elite coaching panel.
The Magpies’ premiership-winning Under 13 squad was: Marik Srsen
(captain), Charlie Cochrane, Johnny Ziegeler, Austin Armitage, Griffin
Borg, Nate Frost, Isaac McFarlane, Sangwani Chinula, Luke Clarke, Tyran
Attard, Joshua Kunst, Mason Muscat (captain – injured); Darcy Cabassi,
Cooper Elliott; Braithe Williams, Zac Robinson, Hunter Wood, David
Phineasa, Ngatimakea Tuiravakai, Jazon Chammen; Coach: Michael Muscat;
Manager Kylie Muscat; Trainers: Denis Clarke, Russell Ziegeler.
Contributed with thanks to Chris Karas
