Talent on show at the Murri v Koori Interstate Challenge
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An interstate match featuring emerging talent, two showdowns involving Murri and Koori big names and junior clashes featuring Murri and Rugby League Samoa Queensland teams awaits at Logan Metro Sports Complex on Saturday.
The Murri v Koori Interstate Challenge and Cultural Celebration is back for another year in what promises spectacular action and displays of cultural pride, celebrating rugby league's diversity.
And it's another special one for the Michael Purcell Memorial team, again taking the opportunity to reflect on the legacy of the beloved 'Kangaroo Catcher'.
Many players were shedding tears after their Queensland Murri Carnival triumph, and coach Ray Thompson said the team was buzzing at the thought of taking the field in his name against Koori Knockout winners Walgett.
Thompson said a 'mini-camp' from Friday would unite everyone closer together and expected it to translate to a strong performance on a massive day.
"We haven't really changed much, so it will be interesting, and all the boys are in pre-season training, so that will make it a bit better," he said.
The team has retained the bulk of its 2023 QMC winning squad, minus Cronulla Sharks half Braydon Trindall, Indigenous All Stars hooker Kierran Moseley and former Dally M winner Ben Barba - the latter instead being recruited to the opposition Walgett side.
Michael Purcell Memorial has drafted in former NRL hooker Craig Garvey and 2023 Cairns skipper Davin Crampton, who captained Barba and his now Walgett teammate Noel Underwood in the Foley Shield last year.
Davin Crampton: 'Proud is an understatement'
The preceding clash will see Mungindi Panthers - women's winners of the Queensland Murri Carnival - take on Newcastle Yowies.
All eyes will also be on the interstate Murri v Koori battle - the Queensland team selected from the Under 16 competition at the 2023 Queensland Murri Carnival.
Under 12, Under 14 and Under 18 boys, alongside Under 15 and Under 17 girls teams selected from the carnival will take the field in five matches from 9am against Rugby League Queensland Samoa representative teams.
The event, supported by Deadly Choices and the Arthur Beetson Foundation, is sugar, smoke, drug and alcohol free.
Everything you need to know
What: Murri v Koori Interstate Challenge
When: Saturday, February 24
Where: Logan Metro Sports Complex, Crestmead
Spectator entry: Adults $10, Aged pensioner (with ID) $5. Children (under 18) free
Watch: Live stream only on QMC App
Schedule
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 8am | Opening ceremony |
| 9am | Under 12 - Queensland Murri v RLSQ |
| 10am | Under 14 Boys - Murri v RLSQ |
| 11.30am | Under 15 Girls - Murri v RLSQ |
| 1pm | Under 17 Girls - Murri v RLSQ |
| 2.30pm | Under 18 Boys - Murri v RLSQ |
| 4pm | Under 16 Murri v Koori |
| 5.30pm | Mungindi Panthers v Newcastle Yowies |
| 7pm | Michael Purcell Memorial v Walgett |
Selected squads
Michael Purcell Memorial Team v Walgett, 7pm
Michael Purcell Memorial Team: 1. Tyronne Roberts-Davis, 2. Luke Geary, 3. Brett Kelly, 4. Michael Roberts, 5. Dan West-Pes, 6. Shallin Fuller, 7. Wes Conlon (c), 8. Cameron Toulhurst, 9. Craig Garvey, 10. Dan Shannon, 11. Davin Crampton, 12. Sam Shannon, 13. Robert Kennedy, 14. Jerome Green, 15. Richard Murray, 16. Matthew Bowen (TBA), 17. Zac Roberts, 18. Joe Shannon, 19. Brenton Wallace, 20. Samson Link. Standby: Cameron Moran
Walgett: 1. Chris Woodbridge, 2. Dillon Walford, 3. Grant Green, 4. Windsor Bowie, 5. Matthew Gibuma, 6. Ben Barba, 7. Ben Jones, 8. Tariq Miles, 9. Jayden Connors, 10. Jesse Thompson, 11. Noel Underwood, 12. Joel Thompson, 13. George Kepa. 14. Matt Vessey, 15. Yaza Stephen, 16. Jardine Bobongie, 17. Milton Mossman, 18. Rahkeem Auda, 19. Cameron Dennis, 20. Stanley Anau
Mungindi Panthers v Newcastle Yowies, 5.30pm
Mungindi Panthers: 1. Daisy Gordon, 2. Kiani Duckett, 3. Shanelle Lyons, 4. Anna Dingley, 5. Turzah Donovan, 6. Rosie Parsons, 7. Tarnayar Hinch, 8. Janaya Trapman, 9. Lateia Duckett, 10. Nellie Bell, 11. Tegan Gibbs, 12. Cheyenne Baker, 13. Emily Young, 14. Megan Prince, 15. Amelia Harris, 16. Tanisha Dennis, 17. Tia Hinch, 18. Chantelle Orcher, 19. Tia Chapman, 20. Shakiah Riley
Newcastle Yowies: 1. Brandi Davis-Welsh, 2. Rikka Lamb, 3. Robyn Draper, 4. Kathryn Niki, 5. Tawana Togo, 6. Tazmyne Luschwitz, 7. Caitlin Moran, 8. Kyra Simon, 9. Tanika Toddhunter, 10. Takiyah Nagas, 11. Ella Koster, 12. Kayla Flemming, 13. Majayda Darcy, 14. Bianca Beale, 15. Kiesha Johnston, 16. Bianca Holt, 17. Janiyah Brown
Under 16 Boys - Queensland Murri v NSW Koori
Murri: Christian Tapaitua, Cooper Murphy, Dwayne Hemena, Ezekiel Saylor-Pau, Immanuel Kawane, Jace Sibley, Jacon Johnson, Jacol Barney, Jahrel Conlon, Jai Jarro, Joseph Evans, Nash Tollen, Noah Dawson, Richard Hill, Shaun Elara, Tyler Pereia, Tyson Knight, Ziggy Pidgeon
Koori: Ashton Allen, Jace Baker, Jaylan Bishop, Glassie Glassie, Lincoln Hansen, Lucas Harding, Joshua Howard, Lewis Jones, Dwayne Lyons, Izaak Moggridge, Billy Mullheren, Braydon Nean, Kyron Nixon-Croaker, Kaidyn Peckham, Tyreke Peckham, Isaiah Russell, Kory Taaffe, Sol Tuiletufuga, Xavier Williams
Under 18 Boys Queensland Murri v Rugby League Queensland Samoa
Murri: Blaine Watson, Corey Prior, Dion Sandow, Jinarli Breckenridge, Mana Pere, Michael Percy, Orlando Nawarie, Rachine Doyle, Sean Daugherty, Tim Duncan, Xzandah Henaway, James Minniecon, Hunter Hawkins, Manaji Fleiter, Waverley Roberts-Brown, Dominic Bourke, Devontae Auda, Khynaan Kennedy, Zarley Hodges
RLSQ: Tyrell Tuimalealiifano, Caesar Tamua, William Nati, Ieti Tapu, Nesian Harris-Hytongue, Gideon Tanielu, Titus Marsden, Orlando Levi, Benji Strutt, Dominic Punivalu, Onosa'i Howe, Evanda Tofilau, Moto'otua Kia, Marshall Vaili, Mataio Tuigamala, Tyrel Laban, Azariah Puleaga, Semu Fepulea'i
Under 17 Girls - Queensland Murri v Rugby League Queensland Samoa
Murri: Aneice Mitchell, Angel Austin, Channell Ahwing, Denisha Gibuma, Kaylee Booth, Kaysharn Deemal, KC Campbell, Latisha Bell, Loti Sagigi, Makayla Hiwart, Marley Morgan, Reese Orcher, Tallara Tayla, Wazanna Thaiday, Ruby Besgovsek, Layla Geck, Ellicyr Tighe, Tammin-Lee Schefe, Heaven Brady
RLSQ: Tiresa Elka, Harmony Harris, Pauline Moliga, Aspenyork Nakao, Raewyn Olomali'i, Memory Paitai, Bernadette Papani, Carleigh Pio, Layla Satui, Mya Sautia, Alice Shannon, Memphis Tanielu, Patience Tuatagaloa, Barbara Sakaio, Vyeisha Tuua, Liliele Vaitolo, Jessica Jahnke
Under 15 Girls - Queensland Murri v Rugby League Queensland Samoa
Murri: Aaliyah Mae Hagan, Amaya Green, Angel-May Dempsey, Aydah Ross-Kelly, Elle Warwick, Holly Mead, Jannali Wyles, Le-Zanga Tilberoo, Lenore Georgetown, Lily Sumner, Maddie Shipp, Moondara Mason, Phoenix Groth, Shanequa Hartas, Sienna Close, Summar Webb, Tayla Thomas, Zakiylia Freeman Lynch, Zhyra Lohse, Zuhade Laterre, Amanda Davidson
RLSQ: Lilliana Nati, Gloria Isarelu, Kharizma Papalii, Elizabeth Mikaio, Delaney Ah Fook, Nadiah Amiatu, Arianah-Lei Colenso-Tevita, Sianah Misa, Iolesina Lale, Charity Faalogo, Serenity Mila, Luisa Ololmali'i, Jurney Mila, Neleilani Ulugia, Alitasi Su'a Pala
Under 14 Boys - Queensland Murri v Rugby League Queensland Samoa
Murri: Bailey Silvester, Billo Wotton, Brandon Addo, Caleb Rebel, Eugene Hill, Frank Gela, Harlem Faalafi, Joseph Salafia, Karhys Morseu, Leo Briggs, Manua Dau, Nate Lapworth, Polaiap Kepa, Regan Blake, Ricco Ornyengaia, Tyler Oliver, Xavier Fing, Zavier Meaghan
RLSQ: Cornelius Kelsall, Lyric Poto, Tallas Chong-Nee, Jezhalex Chubb, Kaiden Jennings, Tarell Pati-Sialapae, Leison Malu, Cordell Kirk, Deshawn Compton, Ranel Filipine, Lorenzo Peseta, Triston Sauaga, Eparame Neemia, Harlem O'Brien-Aumaalii, Peter Pita, Dache Tevi, Lennox Ngate-Faofua, Tyson Tai
Under 12 - Queensland Murri v Rugby League Queensland Samoa
Murri: Allie-Parker Egel, Aston Everson, Beckham Ford, Billy Thomas, Boston Bero, Cain Apanui, Harry Apanui, DJ Daley-Murphy, Gertrude Sandow, Harper Smith, Izaac Shipman, Jarra Chapman, Javonne Davidson-Alberts, Jeffrey Alberts, Kenny Sullivan Jnr, Kyden Lane-Williams, Ochre Stanley, Quade Hambley, Tylah Nukunuku
RLSQ: Fagamanu Misa, Mark Howe, Suisami Aveau, Temarah Taula, Haylee Smetheram, Fabian Pese, Dallas David, Jasiah Ioane, Victor Leota, Noah Pulu, Poasa Logova, Iosefo Taateo, Maddox Leapai, Dazrus Tevi, Uelese Tauvao, Mataio Misa, Phoenix Seumanu, Kalorina Samson
Main image: Michael Purcell Memorial Team captain Wes Conlon celebrates after his side won at the 2023 Queensland Murri Carnival
