Mighty Magpies Outclass Brahmans to capture U/13s league premiership

Belief and will power have propelled the Magpies Under 13 rugby league

team to a stunning premiership triumph in the Mackay and District Junior

League competition.

The Magpies capped a memorable season after turning ‘giant killers’

by toppling the previously undefeated Proserpine Brahmans 28-0 in the

recent Grand Final at the Mackay Junior League Fields.

All conquering Proserpine – who dominated their age division all

season – saved their worst performance until last.

They were rattled from the outset by a determined Magpies side that

tackled like trojans and bustled the minor premiers into error with

swarming defence and an excellent match plan.

Promising Magpies second rower Tyran Attard was the best player on

ground – ripping the Brahmans’ defence to shreds with his powerful

running and clever off loads and nabbing three tries to earn the

official Player of the Match award.

Attard stamped his mark by crashing over for two first half tries in

the 8th and 25th minutes with five eighth Nate Frost converting and

booting a penalty goal to give the Magpies a handy 14-0 lead at the

break.

When back rower Luke Clarke, Attard and fullback Marik Srsen posted

three second half tries in the space of 14 minutes there was no stopping

the marauding Magpies outfit.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the boys”, beamed winning Magpies

coach Michael Muscat post-match.

“The team was busted for much of the season with injuries to key

players but found a way to get the job done.

“Our match plan was to slow down the ruck and apply constant pressure

to their go-to players which they did with tremendous effect.

“The boys have had some great tussles with Proserpine over the years

and really believed they could go all the way and win the competition.”

In a superb team effort the Magpies’ tough-tackling forward pack laid

the foundations for victory with classy halves Frost and half back Isaac

McFarlane and the inspirational Srsen spearheading the attack.

Star utility Darcy Cabassi – deputising for injured hooker and

skipper Mason Muscat – created havoc with his darting runs and snappy

service on the fringes.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Proserpine colts who recorded

three wins over the Magpies (26-14, 12-10 and 30-14 in the major semi

final) before the Grand Final showdown.

The Brahmans finished undefeated minor premiers on 26 points ahead of

the Wanderers (20 points) and Magpies (19 points) and during the season

scored a massive 510 points while conceding only 108.

Turning point for the Magpies was the 12-10 loss to Brahmans in the

final preliminary round at Proserpine Junior Sporting Complex – a

match that could have gone either way.

“It was after that game that the boys started to believe they could

hold their own against the Brahmans and gained plenty of confidence in

the lead into the finals,” said coach Muscat.

The nucleus of the Magpies team has played together since forming back

in Under 7s with Michael at the helm.

During the past seven seasons both the Brahmans and Magpies have

dominated the Mackay and District Junior League age divisions through to

Under 12s and have built a keen rivalry.

“As coach I’ve watched the team develop over the years and there is

a strong bond amongst them which is evident when they play,” said

Michael.

“The Grand Final victory is something they’ll cherish forever.”

Four of the Magpies’ top prospects – Srsen, Frost, McFarlane and

hooker Mason Muscat were selected to participate in the Brisbane Broncos

Junior Academy train-on squad where they have undergone extra fitness

and skills work under an elite coaching panel.

The Magpies’ premiership-winning Under 13 squad was: Marik Srsen

(captain), Charlie Cochrane, Johnny Ziegeler, Austin Armitage, Griffin

Borg, Nate Frost, Isaac McFarlane, Sangwani Chinula, Luke Clarke, Tyran

Attard, Joshua Kunst, Mason Muscat (captain – injured); Darcy Cabassi,

Cooper Elliott; Braithe Williams, Zac Robinson, Hunter Wood, David

Phineasa, Ngatimakea Tuiravakai, Jazon Chammen; Coach: Michael Muscat;

Manager Kylie Muscat; Trainers: Denis Clarke, Russell Ziegeler.

Contributed with thanks to Chris Karas

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