The MacKillop Saints Open Boys capped off their school footy season in perfect fashion, overpowering reigning Eels Cup champions, Palmerston College, 26–6 to reclaim the 2025 Palmerston Cup on a sun-drenched MacKillop Field. It was a fairytale farewell for the club’s Year 12 graduating players.
The day didn’t start smoothly. Three late changes forced reshuffles across the park: Kian T’Lam shifted to fullback, Curtis Gottwaltz moved into the front row, and Louis Shepherd was called into the centres. But under the calm direction of captain Deacon Summerville and veteran Jackson Jones, the Saints were all business.
From the opening hit-up, a bone-rattler from Fin McMullan, MacKillop set the tone. Brutal carries from Cooper Moore and Hunter Knight laid the platform before 14-year-old phenom Vaiola Tofilau lit up the sideline with a searing run. Seconds later, Summerville ducked under defenders for a trademark try. 5 minutes after that, he did it again and the Saints were up 10–0 and flying.
Palmerston fought back through the middle but couldn’t stick the landing with handling errors costing them dearly. Meanwhile, the Saints were ruthless. Year 11 skipper Alex Liddle darted from dummy-half to score, and Summerville’s boot made it 16–0 at the break.
Coach Matt Sharp’s halftime message was clear: “Good start, but 16 points won’t be enough against a champion side. Stay in the grind.” They listened.
Summerville had his hat-trick within two minutes of the restart, stretching the lead to 22–0. Palmerston hit back briefly, but it was too little, too late.
After scoring, Palmerston allowed the ensuing kickoff to sail dead, and then the Saints were back on the attack. Then came the try of the match from Tofilau, four years younger than some of his opponents, bulldozed through for a stunning solo try in the corner. Tofllau’s performance drew comparisons to that of AJ Lasker’s famous Year 9 performance many years ago.
“He’s the real deal,” said Sharp post-game. “Still so young, but fearless. Playing outside the likes of Lonsdale, Jones and T’Lam will fast-track his growth.”
A final Saints attacking raid from a scrum late in the second half nearly produced a sixth try, but T’Lam was denied only by a close knock-on call. But it didn’t matter, as the result was then beyond doubt.
In the dying minutes, Coach Sharp cleared the bench to give all Year 12s their farewell. The final whistle blew with Saints ahead 26–6, and five proud graduates walked off MacKillop Field one last time, as champions.
“This one’s special,” Sharp said. “Some of these boys have given everything to this jersey. It means the world to see them go out like this.”
Summerville, fittingly named Man of the Match, ends his decorated career as one of the greats. Today’s award added to an Eels Cup championship in 2023. Gottwaltz, his vice-captain, was a constant Saints’ ironman — gritty, dependable, and relentless across both rugby codes.
Green and Shepherd stepped up late but left lasting impressions with their courage and character. “They’re the type of players clubs are built on,” said Saints President Mr Oren Tyler. “Quiet achievers who become legends.”
And then there was McMullan — the rugby union import turned league enforcer. “He saved his best school league game for last,” Sharp said. “He can walk tall today.”
As the sun sets on their school footy days, these five Saints leave behind more than just results. They leave behind a legacy. No matter where life takes them, the navy and ochre will always be part of their story.
