The Gold Coast’s Palm Beach Currumbin State High School have broken a six year hoodoo and claimed the Senior Schools of Excellence Cup for 2013, defeating Helensvale State High by 19 points.
When the final siren sounded at the Gabba Wednesday, memories of past disappointments were gone as the ‘Reds’ celebrated in front of their supporters in the grandstand.
Five grand final appearances in the last six years have heralded some fantastic footy, however cross-coast rivals Helensvale have always proved too strong on the day.
With head coach Neil Mackay away on long service leave, Chad Owens stepped up into the senior coaching role for the majority of the 2013 season, assisted by Peter Hill and Jason Jeffrey, finishing the season undefeated.
PBC had a convincing win over Benowa State High in the semi-finals, while Helensvale had to fight hard to eventually overcome a strong finishing Sandgate in their semi-final the week prior.
The pre-match hype certainly lived up to expectations with the high level of skill and quick pace a trademark of the match.
At quarter time PBC led Helensvale 3.2.20 to 1.3.9.
The second quarter saw momentum swing Helensvale’s way taking a solitary point lead into the half time break 5.4.34 to PBC 5.3.33.
The second half saw PBC kick five goals straight while Helensvale struggled with accuracy, their eventual downfall.
PBC’s eventual best-on-ground medallist Troy Sutherland kicked four of his six goals prior to half time, with Shamus Tippett joining in with two.
Helensvale shared the scoring with Kieran Lejeune, Jesse Walton and Jason Kish all making valuable contributions.
A large group of the senior Brisbane Lions squad presented the medallions at the presentation; with ruckman Matthew Leuenberger handing over the premiership trophy to the PBC co-captains, bearing Helensvale’s name for the last five years.
Held in conjunction with the Brisbane Lions Cup state school finals, it capped off a great day of school footy at the Gabba with the best primary and secondary school teams on display vying for their individual premierships.
FINAL RESULTS:
PBC: 3.2 5.3 8.3 10.3 (63)
Helensvale: 1.3 5.4 5.6 6.10 (46)
GOALS:
PBC: J Sutherland 6; S Tippett 2; R Burns, J Smith
Helensvale: K Walsh, J Kish, K Lejeune, D Maccombie, J Fava, J Walton
