With an abundance of natural sporting skill in its ranks, long
established St Patrick’s College remains a rugby league stronghold in
the Mackay region.
Having chalked up two Grand Final appearances in both the prestigious
Confraternity Shield Rugby League and Aaron Payne Cup secondary schools
competitions this season, the depth of talent has never been stronger.
This was evident when the Wanderers club squared off with Northern
Suburbs Devils in the recent Mackay and District Junior League Under 17
Grand Final in Mackay.
No less than 18 members of the St Patrick’s College first grade Class
of 2022 featured in the title decider with Wanderers claiming the
premiership honours after a stirring 24-18 victory.
Talented Wanderers’ five eighth Ethan Van Kerkwyk was judged best
player on the ground after a superb display in the number six jumper –
igniting the attack with his sharp running and creating opportunities
with clever passes and a sound kicking game.
Van Kerkwyk was one of 15 St Patrick’s top grade players in a powerful Wanderers line-up that also included boom hooker Xavier Kerrisk, fullback Kai Simon, half back Will Shears, back rowers Hudson Galletly and Jack Clark and lock forward Reece Morris.
Other St Patrick’s students that helped the Wanderers lift the Under
17 trophy were centre Leo Gupwell, props Patrick Shanks and Oscar
Tweddle, centre William Veitch, Lachlan Cocco, forwards Campbell
Grisan-Hodges and Hunter Harris and 16-year-old Jeff Peady.
St Patrick’s young gun Jaxon Purdue spearheaded the Devils’ title
charge along with school colleagues in lock forward Levi Love and second
rower Tyler Shandiman.
Playmaker Purdue gave Norths an early 12-0 lead when he collected a try
double and booted the extras inside the opening 16 minutes.
Soon after the Wanderers put points on the board with a Simon penalty
goal before strong running centre Veitch (24th minute) and back rower
Clark (31st minute) burst through for tries to set up a 14-12 advantage.
When the dynamic Shears scooted over for his side’s third try after
48 minutes that was converted by Simon and the Wanderers had surged ahead
20-12.
Nippy hooker Braedyn Roberts kept the Devils in the hunt when he
burrowed over for a second half try in the 55th minute with Purdue
potting the extras.
Grisan-Hodges responded minutes later when he crashed over for a
deserved try to seal the premiership for Phillip Davies’ well-drilled
charges.
Wanderers had trump cards in Van Kerkwyk, Simon, Shears and Kerrisk –
all part of a formidable St Patrick’s College spine – while the gifted Purdue was at his classy best for Norths until sustaining an injury late in the first half.
Impact forwards Levi Love and Tyler Shandiman turned in wholehearted displays for the Devils, who suffered only two losses during the preliminary rounds to finish minor premiers on 22 points and with the best defensive record in the competition.
Contributed with thanks to Chris Karas.
