They didn’t come away with the top prize but St Patrick’s College Mackay rugby league mainstays Xavier Kerrisk, Henry Thorpe, Kai Simon and Jaxon Purdue were officially recognised for their sterling efforts at the recent CQUniversity Confraternity Rugby League Shield Carnival.
Having tasted defeat at the hands of Townsville’s mighty Ignatius Park College in the trophy decider, the talented quartet gained solace by earning selection in the 2022 Confraternity Rugby League Merit Team.
It was a deserved honour for the emerging St Patrick’s colts after standout performances for the proud Mackay school throughout the five-day event.
Michael Comerford’s courageous warriors may have stumbled at the final hurdle but the tremendous efforts of boom hooker Kerrisk, lock forward Thorpe, goalkicking centre Simon and clever half Purdue and their high achieving teammates will forever be etched in the memories of local sporting pundits.
All four played key roles in St Patrick’s charge to the Grand Final – proving instrumental in victories over St Peter Claver College Ipswich (34-10); Rockhampton Grammar (20-6); Iona College Wynnum (10-6); St Augustine’s College Cairns (28-0) in a quarter final and The Cathedral College Rockhampton (16-6) in a semifinal before locking horns with the powerful Ignatius Park side.
Mercy College Head of HPE Matthew Paul was named Honorary Coach of the 2022 Confraternity Merit Team in recognition of his 20 years of distinguished service to Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Rugby League.
It was a fine achievement by the tireless Paul, who is highly regarded in the Mackay sporting community.
He is a Brothers junior product and former back rower who represented St Patrick’s College in the Confraternity Shield in 1995-96 before linking with the Western Reds Colts and Norths Devils clubs in the ARL and Brisbane Rugby League competitions.
Since returning to Mackay, Paul has given St Patrick’s and Mercy College yeoman service as a coach, manager, trainer and administrator.
Rising hooker Kerrisk, dynamic centre Simon and playmaker Purdue are contracted to the North Queensland Cowboys while inspirational skipper Henry Thorpe is on an NRL scholarship scheme with the Canberra Raiders.
After an arduous QISSRL Confraternity Shield campaign, the St Patrick’s rugby league team will now pour its energies into the Aaron Payne Cup schoolboys competition.
By Chris Karas
St Patrick's College Mackay rugby league stars Henry Thorpe, Jaxon Purdue, Kai Simon and Xavier Kerrisk were named in the 2022 Confraternity Rugby League Merit team
Mercy College Mackay Head of HPE Matthew Paul (standing far right) was named Honorary Coach of the 2022 Confraternity Rugby League Merit Team. Also pictured are St Patrick's College centre Kai Simon, hooker Xavier Kerrisk, half back Jaxon Purdue and lock forward Henry Thorpe
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