Mal Meninga Cup Grand Final Archives - OurFootyTeam

Mal Meninga Cup Grand Final Weekend Wrap

ourfooty — Mon, 12 May 2025 05:11:30 +0000

Mal Meninga Cup Grand Final Weekend Wrap

Grand Final Weekend Wrap Mal Meninga Cup (Photo : QRL)

The Burleigh Bears, a month removed from their Cyril Connell Cup premiership, have added the Mal Meninga Cup (Presented by Ford) to their trophy cabinet, outlasting the Redcliffe Dolphins in a blockbuster Grand Final which included two halves of Golden Point.

Coming into the match, the Dolphins and Bears were slated with equal chances of victory, though the Bears’ side entered the game notably more experienced, having been defeated in the Grand Final last year.

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It would be the Dolphins striking first through centre Seth Carpenter, racing out to a 4-nil lead after five minutes.

Despite the early try, the first half points would remain static after Carpenter’s four-pointer, with both defences showing great resilience on their own lines, neither the Dolphins nor Bears giving an inch.

As both teams took to the pitch for the second half, the energy in the stadium remained rather pedestrian following a gritty defensive display in the opening thirty-five minutes.

However, a double for Bears’ winger Disharne Tohini within five minutes would bring Kayo Stadium back to life, with the Bears pushing their noses in front 8-4.

After a much-needed return serve from Dolphins’ winger Callum Bowles, scores would be level once more at 8-a-piece, as gale force winds proved a major headache for conversation takers on both teams.

Another unsuccessful conversion attempt following a brilliant try finished by Hayden Watson would be rectified with a penalty goal taken with five minutes left, putting the Bears up six-points – a likely death knell for the Dolphins considering the conditions.

However, in the final play of regular time, crafty hooker Braelan Marsh would scoot over from dummy-half, reducing the deficit by two and passing the onus on to fullback Reeco Kirk, who had the most important conversion of his career ahead of him.

As the full-time siren rung out, a pin drop could be heard in the stadium as Kirk settled himself for the do-or-die kick.

Composed, Kirk stepped up and laced the Steeden.

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With the ball starting it’s trajectory appearing to be flying over the black dot.

It became caught in the left-to-right wind, straying right and smashing the inside of the right-upright, falling just over the crossbar and levelling the scores 14-14.

Thankfully for fans, and unthankfully for the players – the bona-fide horror movie would continue providing drama after regulation time had finished.

As both sides dealt blows to one another, the final set of the first extra-time would result in a penalty for the Bears, fourty metres out from the Dolphins try-line and ten metres in from the right touchline.

Hayden Watson struck the ball clean as a whistle, with the ball’s trajectory once again slated for success, before being caught in the wind and leathering the right up-right once more.

This time however, the ball ricocheted away from the crossbar, hitting the ground and being desperately thrown over touch by the Dolphins.

Second extra-time it is.

With fatigue well and truly setting in for both teams, a game winning play beckoned for those willing to grab the moment.

In steps Tupou Francis.

Player of the Match in the Cyril Connell Cup Grand Final, the sixteen-year-old had already been one of Burleigh’s best so far this match.

As everyone in attendance braced themselves for a field-goal finish, Francis caught the ball on his own fourty-metre line, bouncing off his right foot he upset the balance of his defender.

Only needing a modicum of space, Francis shrugged off his opposing man – breaking the line as Kayo Stadium erupted in pandemonium.

Burleigh Lock, Anton Whaiapu followed up in support as Francis approached Redcliffe’s fullback – and a successful draw and pass would see Whaiapu cross the line for the match-winning try.

Burleigh were crowned victors 18-14, as they completed the double of the Cyril Connell and Mal Meninga Cup in truly cinematic fashion.

Access the full replay of the Grand Final live and on demand via QPlus.TV, with monthly packages starting from less than $2.50 a week.

Tweed Seagulls crowned premiers

qrlmedia — Sun, 26 May 2024 02:31:28 +0000

Tweed Seagulls crowned premiers

Author : Rikki-Lee Arnold Statewide content producer

Tweed Seagulls crowned premiers in undefeated Mal Meninga Cup season

Mal Meninga Cup Grand Final Action Photo’s

The Tweed Seagulls stuck to the script in Saturday’s Mal Meninga Cup grand final, finishing season 2024 undefeated to be crowned premiers.

In a dominant performance at Redcliffe’s Kayo Stadium, the Seagulls put their Gold Coast rivals Burleigh Bears to the sword with a 36-12 victory.

It was a fitting finish to a year in which the Seagulls not only ended as minor premiers but also went through the season without recording a single loss and just one draw.

Coach Sam Meskell said he was impressed with how his team overcame the pressure of being the competition leaders to execute against the Bears on Saturday.

“I’m very happy for the boys mostly,” he said.

“They do all the hard work. It’s been a really good season in terms of results and getting the minor premiership and going through undefeated.

“They probably felt a little bit of pressure today so really happy for them that they got the job done at the end of the road.

“Being undefeated… it wasn’t really a focus. I didn’t want to make a deal of it because it applies more pressure. But the boys will be quite proud of it.

“There were games where we behind and we came over the top and there were games where we led so they found a way to not get beat all season and that’s a credit to their resilience.”

Grand Final – Saturday 25th May – Full Time

Burleigh Bears 2024 Mal Meninga Cup Grand Final team (Photo – Steve Montgomery)

Seagulls 36 – 12 Bears

Venue: Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe

Team Stats

Mal Meninga Cup Grand Final Action Photo’s

Play by Play

Tweed were the first to cross, with Cory Pearse and Billy Wellard combining to capitalise on a Burleigh mistake within the opening minute.

From here however, Burleigh had all the momentum and were firing in attack, constantly threatening with the ball in hand.

They managed to hit back quickly through Jett Bryce in the sixth minute and then earned back-to-back sets, increasing the pressure on Tweed.

It required the Seagulls to defend repetitive sets on the line and this was ultimately where the game was won, as Tweed did not leak a single point in a tense 15 minute period.

A change in momentum then saw Tweed start to runaway with the game as they scored three more tries before the break to go into halftime up 24-6.

Meskell said that defensive period in the first half was the key.

Tweed captain, Zane Harrison bags a grand final try. Photo: Steve Montgomery

“It was probably everything,” he said.

“If we cracked there and conceded two or three then all of a sudden we’re chasing the game. That was massive. Luckily when we got an opportunity, we capitalised.”

Tweed captain Zane Harrison was named player of the match for his precision and calm nature in attack, while Meskell also gave praise to Wellard and Pearse for stepping up where needed.

Tweed captain Zane Harrison was named player of the match (Photo – Steve Montgomery)

Winger Tyson Ploegsma bagged a hat-trick in the victory while Wellard’s opening four-pointer was his first of the season.

Tweed Seagulls

1. Mason Barber 2. Tyson Ploegsma 3. Billy Tonkin 4. Sam Stephenson 5. Bailey Simpson 6. Ryder Williams 7. Zane Harrison 8. Jack Schmidt 9. Cory Pearse 10. Zac Kumbamong 11. Junior Filimaua 12. Jac Finigan 13. Isaac Harrison 14. Jack Hudson 15. Tom Summer 16. Billy Wellard 17. Jake Lateo 18. Ethan Schultz 19. Brock Lennox 20. Toran O’Donnell 21. Callum Bowles

Burleigh Bears

1. Raymond Puru 2. Saxon Innes 3. Sunny Kama 4. Phillip Coates 5. Creedence Kelly Donovan 6. Bailey McConnell 7. Coby Black 8. Brady Turner 9. Hayden Watson 10. Talas Abell 11. Jett Bryce 12. Amare Milford 13. Cooper Bai 14. Klay Tancred 15. Kanititeiti Sikahele 16. Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu 17. Disharne Tonihi 18. Kilarney Lavender 19. Daniel Rakena 20. Jye Watton

Referee: Dylan Lawrence
Sideline Ref’s : Harrison Lea, Scott Whelan

Mal Meninga Cup Grand Final Action Photo’s

For a replay of the Mal Meninga Cup grand final, subscribe to Qplus.tv.

Watch Tweed captain Zane Harrison ‘s interview with QRLTV

Mal Meninga Cup Grand Final Action Photo’s

Redcliffe Dolphins win Mal Meninga Cup

qrlmedia — Sun, 23 Apr 2023 06:28:29 +0000

Redcliffe Dolphins win Mal Meninga Cup

Author : Michael Nunn QRL correspondent

Redcliffe Dolphins win Mal Meninga Cup

Redcliffe end 10-year Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup premiership drought

The Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup final edition has been written for 2023 and for the Redcliffe Dolphins, it will be a retold narrative.

For the Townville Blackhawks it’s another missed chance.

The Dolphins stormed to a 36-18 victory over the Blackhawks at Totally Workwear Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday, claiming their first under 18s premiership trophy in 10 years.

For Redcliffe, the first half was where the game was won, with the spine and leadership outstanding in the opening stanza.

Redcliffe hooker Mitch Rogers led the charge, kicking boldly for touch and winning his team ground from his 40/20.

From there, winger Siosifa Kava got the Dolphins four points and the dream start.

Match: Blackhawks 18 – 36 Dolphins
Team Stat’s & MMC Grand Final Point Scorers

Townsville responded with a try to Reece Foley, but Redcliffe didn’t lose focus and came straight back at them when captain Michael Waqa got a quick play-the-ball.

Five-eighth John Fineanganofo kicked and regathered to score his 12th try of the season and his fourth try of the finals series.

The first half carnage continued and brut force was on show when Redcliffe centre Prestyn Laine-Sietu physically dominated and ran over the top of the Blackhawks to hand the Dolphins their third try.

The Dolphins then finished the half going left from the scrum, with Fineanganofo digging in and unleashing his outside backs, with Jayden Alefaio capitalising.

Redcliffe on the attack. Photo: Erick Lucero/QRL

At halftime the Dolphins were ahead 20-4. With Rogers’ kicking, Fineanganofo’s playmaking and Waqa leading from the front, Redcliffe had done everything to make sure they had the early running.

The Blackhawks needed to start the second half well and win the first 10 minutes.

On the back of three penalties, they found themselves in great position and Harley Walker twisted and moved his way to score his sixth try to put Townsville back in the game.

The Blackhawks then scored the another two tries but there was no jitters amongst the Dolphins who steadied themselves and resumed the norm.

Redcliffe centre Laine-Sietu wasn’t done with his power and physical game as he conjured up his second, coming back inside to beat five Blackhawks and put the ball down.

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The Dolphins then extended their lead even further with a break down the left-hand side by Fineanganofo.

The Dolphins went right to come back left and Elijah Rasmussen dived over and the lead was 20.

Inspirational skipper Waqa then finished the grand final with a try. The Dolphins’ 36-18 win gave them their first Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup title since 2013.

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Grand finalist ‘player to bank on’

ourfooty — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 05:37:52 +0000

Grand finalist ‘player to bank on’

Author : Rikki-Lee Arnold Statewide content producer

Grand finalist voted best Auswide Bank ‘player to bank on’ for 2023

The voting for this year’s best Auswide Bank ‘player to bank on’ went right down to the wire in a battle set to be replicated in this weekend’s Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup grand final.

Townsville Blackhawks backrower Elijah-Shane Tapau has taken out the title of the best 2023 Auswide Bank ‘player to bank on’.

After a destructive performance in Round 5 against the Central Queensland Capras.

Set to play in this Sunday’s premiership decider.

Tapau didn’t emerge as the winner until the final minute, with just over one thousand votes logged on the final day to help him pip fellow top contender.

This week’s opposition forward – Redcliffe Dolphins captain, Michael Waqa.

Both players were engaged in a heated back-and-forth battle in the voting since it opened on April 12, with Waqa in the lead on Monday.

Elijah-Shane Tapau. Photo: Townsville Blackhawks

Tapau ended up taking the win with 38 per cent of the vote while Waqa came in second with 33 per cent of the vote.

Electric Ipswich Jets winger Alton Naiyep came in third with 11 per cent of the vote.

In total, 14,638 votes were placed this year in a highly competitive field.

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Vote for the 2023 Auswide Bank ‘player to bank on’

The Auswide Bank ‘player to bank on’ was a weekly video to celebrate and recognise the talent within the competition, with one player highlighted in each round of the regular season.

Each weekly winners all received a $100 gift voucher courtesy of Auswide Bank and then the public voted on the overall winner for 2023, with Tapau set to receive an additional $250 gift voucher also courtesy of Auswide Bank.

Player to bank on: Elijah-Shane Tapau

Tapau was initially the Round 5 winner, after the blockbusting forward put on an attacking masterclass, scoring three tries and making 127 run metres.

He has been named for this Sunday’s Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup grand final clash against the Redcliffe Dolphins, which will be played at Totally Workwear Stadium from 1pm.

2023 Mal Malminga Cup Grand final will also be live and free on Qplus.tv and Kayo Freebies.

The official Auswide Bank player of the year will be announced at the end-of-season QRL awards.