Mal Meninga Cup

Magpies fly high in grand final

by
qrlmedia
01/05/2022

Magpies fly high in grand final

Author : Michael Nunn QRL correspondent

Magpies fly high in grand final against Blackhawks

The Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup grand final was a thrilling affair, but in the end it was the team in black, white and grey that took home the title.

Match: Blackhawks v Magpies
Grand Final – Sunday 1st May
Venue : Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast

Souths Logan Magpies proved too strong for Townsville Blackhawks and started well with great defence and their middles was great in attack with Jye Gray.

Blake Mozer and Chris Faagutu performing well, with calm coolness under pressure.

Souths Logan’s first defensive set was a statement set and it said this game was going to be played with a great intensity.

When Townsville were down in attacking areas, it was Magpies hooker Mozer – the player of the match – who got off his line and forced an error.

It took 15 minutes before any points were scored, but once the first try came, it was followed by a flood of four-pointers.

Souths started the better and scored the first two tries through the good work of that man Mozer.

The first when he jumped out of dummy half when the close-in defenders became fragmented and found Faagutu on his right to barge his way over.

It was Mozer again who assisted with the second try when he went to dummy half and took off in search of gaps and came out the other side, and on his inside was Gray who run away to score.

The Blackhawks though came back, and scored their first try through winger Tekelu Mene.

Mene hugged the sideline and when Townsville got the overlap, he cashed in with the Blackhawks first points.

From there though, it was all black and white.

When Magpies got good ball, Mozer played with width and on the receiving end was Stanley Huen who went over for Souths Logan’s third try.

Lokea Motufoua may have put the ball down for the Magpies next four points, but it was all owing to Gray who went to the line and passed beautifully for Motufoua to score.

Then just before halftime, the Magpies went the two-point option from a penalty, but it feel safely into the arms of the Blackhawks.

However, the Souths defence forced the error and Tre Fotu ran away to score to give the Magpies a 26-6 lead.

Blake Mozer claimed player of the match honours. Photo: Josh Woning / QRL

One minute into the second half, Mozer picked up a grenade on the ground scooped it up and ran 30 metres to score and give the Magpies a massive lead of 32-6.

Townsville were still alive though when Jamal Shibasaki scored two tries in seven minutes. Originally named on the bench, Shibasaki moved into the starting side to great effect.

When the Blackhawks were forced to come out of their end, it was inspirational captain Damon Marshall who got the ball and found Shibasaki to run away and score.

Shibasaki’s second try was all force as he crashed his way over and planted the ball to give the Blackhawks a glimmer of hope at 32-16.

The Blackhawks dream was still alive when they went from left to right and through the hands and Tremaine Body found some space to make the scores 32-20 with 15 minutes to go.

Max Hayley went in for the Blackhawks, with an error from a kick resulting in his try.

It was now 32-26 and it was game on in a big way.

However, Mozer stood up when the going got tough and threw a pass with great width and Gray was outside and able to step through defenders to score.

Timothy Sielaff-Burns landed the much needed extra two points and the Magpies held on to win 38-26.