Goodline Park was buzzing today as the MacKillop Saints Juniors and Palmerston College locked horns in two fiery encounters of schoolboy and schoolgirl rugby league, with honours ultimately shared one apiece.
The day kicked off with the boys’ clash, and the Saints were out of the blocks like a team on a mission. The Year 9 Rugby Codes Academy showed early dominance, pinning Palmerston deep and striking first through debutant Alex O’Keefe-Murray. It was a dream start for the youngster, who marked his first ever game of rugby league with a slick right-corner finish courtesy of a precision cut-out ball from halfback Gabriel Te Maro.
Captain Walter Lasker soon extended the lead, burrowing over from dummy half after threatening just minutes earlier. This time, he made no mistake, and with Phillip Taisali adding the extras, the Saints had a 10–0 cushion. Lasker’s running game kept Palmerston guessing all morning.
Coach Sharp then rolled the dice with a tactical switch, moving the versatile Zac Waters into the forward pack. The move paid instant dividends, as Waters produced a silky short ball to send Gopal Mutanda crashing over on the left edge. With fullback Jack Tilley slicing through the line almost at will, the Saints looked like running away with it.
But ill-discipline crept in, with a string of penalties gifting Palmerston field position. Just before halftime, the visitors capitalised with a try in the corner to claw it back to 16–4 at the break.
Sharp’s halftime message was clear, applaud the attacking flair, but cut out the complacency in defence. And the Saints responded. Tries to Timana Roe and Taisali inside seven minutes looked to have the game sealed. Yet Palmerston weren’t done, storming back with three unanswered tries to bring the scoreline back to 26–16 and keep the game alive.
It took another flash of brilliance from Timana Roe, who stepped and weaved his way through multiple defenders to score, to finally shut the door on the fast finishing Palmerston, sealing a 30–16 victory for the Saints.
The girls’ clash told a different tale. Palmerston dominated possession and territory, grinding out a 30–10 victory over a brave Saints outfit that never stopped competing. Saints captain Ellie Pulman and Mia Keelan crossed for the team’s only tries, while prop Grace Laker stood tall with crunching defence and powerful carries. For Palmerston, consistency across the park was the key as they controlled the contest from start to finish.
With the ledger squared at one win apiece, both Directors of Rugby, MacKillop’s Mr. Sharp and Palmerston’s Mr. Savvas, agreed the rivalry deserves another chapter next term.
The day would not have been possible without the support of the Palmerston Raiders committee, especially club president Craig Jones, for providing the venue. Thanks also to gatekeeper extraordinaire Kieran Crowe, match officials Alex and Nate for their professionalism, Referees boss, Carissa Liddle for getting them there, and Darren and his NRL NT crew for their sideline support.
Two games, two colleges, plenty of tries, and a rivalry that promises plenty more.
