Wanderers Under 17 Premiership Triumph

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.

‍