The Springfield Panthers Under 15’s Development Challenge and Division 1 sides both came away victorious in their grand finals on September 7.
Coach of the Panthers’ Development Challenge team Damon Viellaris, spoke highly of his players’ resilience and strategic execution in their 26-4 halftime lead against Redbank.
“The boys stuck with the game plan, and the result came our way,” Damon said.
“We knew Redbank had the better of us earlier in the season, but utilising the heat and getting the little men in after the big boys were gassed worked well.”
Damon also highlighted the performance of Vernard Tetaga, who shifted from his original position to become a key player at five-eighth.
“At the start of the year, Vernard was convinced he was a winger or a centre,” Damon said.
“But once he started playing with the ball, I knew he had more to offer. He hasn’t looked back since.”
The under 15’s development challenge side ended up winning 32 – 18 against Redbank Plains Bears.
In the Division 1 side, head coach Frosty Tikinau celebrated another title win after a turbulent season.
“It’s been a challenging year with lots of ups and downs, but we left the best for last,” Frosty said.
“We started off great, but we fell off in the second half and let them back in. A few more minutes and they could have had us.”
McGuinness Tiananga, awarded Player of the Match, and Kyanu Seiuli, who scored two tries early on, were standout performers in their 28 – 24 victory over Norths Ipswich Tigers.
Looking ahead to 2025, Frosty expressed optimism about keeping the team together for the next season, hoping to add a couple of new players and encourage some to try for the Cyril Connell Cup with the Ipswich Jets.
“A couple of them will put their hands up for that,” he said.
The Springfield Panthers CSI Volunteers cup men’s side lost their grand final against Brothers Ipswich 16 – 8 in a hard-fought match.
