Queensland’s Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School has won their third consecutive AFL Northern States Cup title.
Playing against the best school teams at under 14 level from New South Wales/ACT, the Northern Territory and Queensland, the PBC ‘Reds’ were undefeated throughout qualifying on Friday and their grand final Sunday.
Player of the Series, Bradley Scheer, was just one of the stand outs from the Reds’ line up, and was dynamic across both the back line and forward line. Jackson Collins and Curtis Marsden were consistent performers for PBC with Riley Mayne leading their goal kicking with seven for the carnival.
In an intense grand final between the Gold Coast’s Palm Beach-Currumbin SHS and Albury’s Xavier High School, both teams ran flat out with plenty of run and carry in a hot and dry 30 degree heat.
But it was the second quarter that told the story – PBC kicked four goals to one and took a handy 6.3.39 to 2.1.13 lead into the main break.
Due to the extreme heat, teams were offered an extended half time which they used to retreat to the cooler change room areas.
The Reds dominated again in the second half despite the efforts of Xavier Captain Lachie Gould, who was a superb leader and dominant player during the entire carnival. Fletcher Carroll, Brandon Thomas, Brayden McGregor and Jack Kirley were all good performers for the Albury team.
The final grand final score was 11.6.72 to 5.2.32 with the Reds just too strong in the heat for the southerners.
Joining PBC in celebrations was Brisbane’s Villanova College, winning the Consolation Final on Sunday against Darwin’s Dripstone Middle School.
Villa was new to the Northern States Cup competition in 2012. After an undefeated season in the Associated Independent Colleges competition in July, and wins in the qualifying stages of the Northern States Cup, they went on to represent Queensland over the weekend in style, with key playmakers Jack Rolls, Damon Mulcahy and Villa’s best and fairest for the carnival, Jack Mammone leading the way.
They were too strong in the end for Darwin’s Dripstone Middle School in the play off for third and fourth, after Dripstone got off to a flying start and lead by two goals at half time.
Jake Cole-Jackson was busy in front of goals, kicking three for the match for the boys from the Territory. Jimmy McMurtie chipped in with two, while Gavin Greenoff and Denny Musgrove saw a fair amount of the ball throughout the game.
But it was all Villa in the second half, kicking seven goals to one and taking an unassailable lead winning 10.11.71 to 6.8.44.
There was also an education aspect to the carnival for teams, with the Hyundai Brisbane Lions Academy hosting players and officials for an education session on Saturday morning at the famous Gabba.
Teams rotated around sessions on leadership, yoga for recovery, and talent with a tour of the Brisbane Lions facility.
Teams spent the afternoon at Brisbane’s South Bank enjoying aquatic recovery at Street’s Beach and some down time to explore the parklands, museums and Brisbane Festival attractions on hand.
A big thank you must go to all teachers, coaches, parents and staff who organised their teams for the carnival, plus the Brisbane Lions and the AFL for making it possible. This competition provides a participation pathway for boys at the Under 14 level to excel and take their school football to the next level.
These teams participated in school AFL throughout the year and won their way through to the championships in a knock-out style format. Each year, one team from each of the ‘Northern States’ gets the chance to represent their state with the host state fielding two teams.
FINAL PLACINGS:
1 – Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School (Gold Coast, QLD)
2 – Xavier High School (Albury, NSW)
3 – Villanova College (Brisbane, QLD)
4 – Dripstone Middle School (Darwin, NT)
TEAM MVP’s:
PBC – Bradley Scheer
Xavier – Lachie Gould
Villanova – Jack Mammone
Dripstone – Gavin Greenoff
LEADING GOAL KICKERS:
Riley Mayne (PBC) – 7
Nick Rice (PBC) – 4
Lachie Gould (Xavier ) – 4
Harry Nunn (Xavier) – 4
