Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Sporting Warrior Saxon Crofts

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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