There is always something special about Palmerston Cup day, but Thursday’s clash against Driver College will carry even greater significance as MacKillop Saints farewell one of the most accomplished graduating classes in the history of the rugby program.
Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00pm at MacKillop Field, with the Saints chasing back-to-back Palmerston Cup titles while providing a fitting send-off for a group of Year 12 players whose influence has shaped the program over the past six seasons.
Leading the graduating class is 2025 Senior Player of the Year Hunter Knight, who will once again anchor the forward pack alongside fellow front-rowers Kallen Cunningham and Maverick Failla. Joining them in the pack are Sonny Watkinson at lock and two of the side’s inspirational leaders, Alex Liddle at hooker and Cooper Moore in the second row.
The backline also features plenty of experience, with premiership-winning halfback Jackson Jones hoping to finish his school career with consecutive Palmerston Cup victories. Winger Kian T’Lam will also be eager to add one final piece of silverware before graduation.
One of the stories of the afternoon will be the return of Rohan Cram, who makes his first appearance of the season. Following in the footsteps of his older brother Angus, who starred in the 2024 Palmerston Cup, Cram has the opportunity to make his lone appearance of 2026 one to remember.
Meanwhile, relative newcomer George Shoko will be aiming to continue his perfect record in Saints colours, chasing a second victory from just his second appearance for the First XIII.
Head Coach Matthew Sharp paid tribute to the graduating class, describing them as one of the finest groups he has had the privilege to coach.
“This group has been the heart of our program for a long time. Players like Cooper Moore, Jackson Jones and Sonny Watkinson have been with us since the Year 7 and Year 8 days when Saints Rugby was really beginning to build something special. They’ve enjoyed plenty of success, but more importantly they’ve helped create the culture that our younger players now inherit.”
“Their legacy won’t just be measured in trophies. It’s in the standards they’ve set, the way they’ve represented the school and the example they’ve provided for the next generation of Saints. If we can send them out by lifting the Palmerston Cup one last time, it would be a fitting reward for everything they’ve given to the program.”
Earlier today, Coach Sharp unveiled the 21-man squad to face Driver College:
MacKillop Saints First XIII – Palmerston Cup 2026
- TBA
- Kian T’Lam
- Rohan Cram
- Luke Knight
- Timana Roe
- Zac Waters
- Jackson Jones
- Hunter Knight
- Alex Liddle
- Jordan Parfitt
- Jyles Boulton
- Cooper Moore
- Sonny Watkinson
Interchange
- Byron Pearce
- Rallye Archer
- Judd Boulton
- Kallen Cunningham
- Charles Molan
- Gopal Mutanda
- Maverick Failla
- George Shoko
The MacKillop Saints community extends a warm invitation to all families, alumni and supporters to attend Thursday’s fixture and help celebrate the remarkable contribution of the Class of 2026. Join us at MacKillop Field from 1:00pm as the Saints chase another Palmerston Cup and our Year 12 students pull on the famous navy and ochre jersey for one final time.
Hunter Knight – MVP Debut – Catholic Cup 2024
Cooper Moore & Sonny Watkinson – Saints Union MVPs 2023
