U14 – 2023 PREMIERS
THE PROSERPINE Whitsunday Junior Rugby League (PWJRL) Club – the Brahmans – were victorious in a 16-10 hard-fought Grand Final, on Saturday, August 26, 2023.
It’s been eight years since the Brahmans have won a grand final in the junior rugby league competition.
The U14’s finished third on the ladder at the end of the season. They went through the semi-finals and reached the Grand Final, held in Mackay.
Coach Justin Follett said: “I am so proud of every member of our team, the boys deserved the win. They played ‘all out, all game’ for each other.
“These young men bought into our game plan and executed it with precision. Everyone knew their job and all put their shoulder to the wheel to achieve this great result.”
Lewis McDermid came up with a superb first try with his straight, hard line running and, at half-time, it was 4 all.
Captain Koby Johnson-Follett crossed the line twice in the second half and converted both tries to put the Brahmans in front 16-10.
“I told the boys at half-time that defence wins premierships. This sunk in, as the last 10 minutes of the game was a gruelling battle with the Magpies on our try line for five sets in a row,” Mr Follett said.
“Our young Brahmans held them out till the full-time siren and secured the win.
“I would like to thank all the boys for their outstanding effort, it was a thrilling game. The Brahmans culture is about loyalty, mateship, commitment, tenacity and unity – we are built on EFFORT!
“These boys showed all these attributes and more, to bring the cup back to the Whitsundays.
“A special thank you to the support team of Russell Mau, Ros Leo, Kim Bates, Don McDermid, Mel Harsley, Matthew Court and Wes Carlson.
“We wanted to end the season with memories of a Premiership – not dreams – and we achieved that goal playing the ‘Greatest Game of All.”
