It’s a clash that promises to be one for the ages. This Friday, as the Saints prepare to lock horns with Palmerston College in the annual Palmerston Cup, there’s more than just victory on the line. A group of seasoned Year 12 warriors will pull on the iconic navy and ochre for the last time, marking the end of an era as they aim for an extraordinary fourth consecutive win.
For veteran players like Koen Hughes, Will McCallum, and Daniel Murphy, the stakes couldn’t be higher. These boys have been tearing it up on the field together since debuting in Year 7 at the PARRS Championships. Now, as seniors, they’re eyeing the ultimate goodbye prize – a Palmerston Cup four-peat – as the perfect send-off. Their final battle on MacKillop Field will be a gladiator-like showdown, one last shot at rugby league glory before hanging up their Saints jerseys for the final time.
But they’re not going it alone. Joining the departing trio are Saints stalwarts Cohen Patch, Angus Cram, Noah Ferguson, Charlie Napier, Nic Hall, and Jayden Lih. Each of these players has carved out a special place in Saints rugby league history, their contributions immortalised in the folklore of the club.
Earlier today, Senior Boys coach Mr. Matthew Sharp unveiled his squad for this monumental clash, and it’s a team packed with talent, grit, and a hunger for victory:
1. Koen Hughes (c)
2. Angus Cram
3. Will McCallum (c)
4. Cohen Patch
5. Brodie Peacock
6. Kian T'Lam
7. Jackson Jones
8. Noah Ferguson
9. Daniel Murphy
10. Khai Nguyen
11. Hunter Knight
12. Ralph Lonsdale
13. Nathan O'Sullivan
14. Jayden Lih
15. Nic Hall
16. Charlie Napier
17. Zac Schultz
18. Finlay McMullan
19. Cooper Moore
All eyes will be on the joint-captains, Will McCallum and Koen Hughes, leading their side for the last time. In a fitting twist, Hughes will be making his debut at fullback in his final outing as captain, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the occasion. Can these leaders rally their team to one last triumph?
The return of last season’s Liam Gardner Medal winner, Nathan O’Sullivan, is another key subplot. Having battled injuries in recent weeks, O’Sullivan, last Cup's MVP, is itching to get back into the thick of it, ready to make an impact at lock. Alongside him are fellow Year 11 rising stars Zac Schultz and Fin McMullan, who have steadily grown into key players since their debut last season.
However, the most compelling narrative of the day may be the symbolic “passing of the torch” from our Year 12s to the next generation. Coach Matthew Sharp highlighted the importance of the Year 12 players in shaping the modern-day success of the Saints. "Our senior boys have set the bar high," Sharp remarked. "Players like Daniel Murphy and Cohen Patch have been the heart and soul of this team, and now it’s time for the next generation to step up."
He spoke of Jackson Jones, Ralph Lonsdale, Brodie Peacock and their Year 10 colleagues, who will take up the mantle and lead the Saints forward. “It’s a big responsibility,” Sharp said, “but I’ve no doubt these boys are ready. If they follow in the footsteps of those who came before, their names too will be remembered forever at MacKillop.”
But the drama doesn’t end with the Open Boys. Friday’s rugby league showdown will also feature the highly-anticipated Girls League Tag match, a fierce contest following last week’s thrilling draw in the Gala Day Grand Final, where Palmerston College narrowly edged out the Saints on a points countback. This time, the Saints girls are determined to claim the victory.
The Middle School Boys are also out for redemption, after suffering a heavy defeat at the hands of Palmerston College last week. With the return of key players like Jack Tilley, Andreas Kumwenda, Bryce Morely and Zaiden Smith, the Saints are gearing up to flip the script and exact their revenge.
Here’s the schedule for what promises to be an unforgettable day:
Middle School Boys – 10:40 AM
Girls Tag – 11:45 AM
Palmerston Cup – Open Boys – 12:50 PM
Former players of the Saints are invited to come and witness our graduating player's last dance as we bid farewell to our Year 12 heroes while cheering on the next generation.
If you're a past player wanting to attend, kindly confirm your attendance by contacting Director of Rugby, Matthew Sharp, at matthew.sharp@nt.catholic.edu.au.
The stage is set, the players are ready, and MacKillop Field is about to witness something special. Will the Saints etch their names into history once again, or will Palmerston College play the role of spoiler? One thing’s for sure: this Friday, it’s all on the line.
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