Sport
7 August, 2025
McGrady Fires as Brothers Win Ryan Shield
Gifted halfback Corey McGrady was the linch pin in guiding the Brothers Leprechauns to a hard fought but polished 28 – 20 victory over the Wattles Warriors on Saturday evening at Clifton’s Platz Oval in what can be described as near freezing conditions.
Wattles had hosted a Super Saturday of rugby league with the junior and senior Warriors clubs in fiercely trying conditions, a day of sunshine, wind, rain and hail.
McGrady was in sensational touch as he masterminded the relocation of the prestigious Dan Ryan Memorial Shield in Brothers Glenholme Park trophy cabinet.
Clinching the Sheild ended an eight-year stretch that saw Brothers deprived of award introduced back in 2005, and was owned by them for the initial eight years of its existence.
While not contested in the Covid cancelled TRL 2020 season, running on to Platz Oval on Saturday evening both Wattles and Brothers had won the Shield on nine occasions apiece.
Mrs Linda Ryan, family members Mick Ryan, Matt Ryan and son Clancy along with Chris Ryan and son Hunter were in attendance for the Shield presentation which was made by Terry Fogarty, a team mate of Dan Ryan in Wattles 1970 TRL A Grade premiership winning side.
Wattles took the field without talented play maker Dwayne Duncan who sustained a back injury mid-week.
Regardless the well drilled Brothers outfit enjoying a glut of ball scooted to a 12 – 0 lead by the twenty-minute mark after tries by hooker Hayden Ensbey and prop Flynn Kaiser.
Wattles kept pace with their opponents with a try double late in the first stanza through a dummy-half dart by Tyson Stevens and 19-year-old winger Mason Watson finding just enough room to score in traffic in the north west corner of Platz Oval.
Emerging trailing 10 – 12 to commence the final forty minutes fullback Alex Hinch saved a near certain try in the opening minute to keep the Warriors in touch with the lead.
When winger Shontayne Prince snatched a touchdown in the 47th minute Brothers eased to an 18 – 10 lead.
The loss of halfback Tom Hatch with a head knock, and his attacking finesse dulled Wattles attacking game, and while players were coping with the seeming arctic conditions admirably, they still found enough heat for tempers to flare midway through the second half.
Two tries in quick succession by second-rower Jack Leigh and a second to Shontayne Prince, had Brothers looking confident 28 – 10 leaders.
Coach Travis Burns spoke highly of his team’s defence later in the half with the opposition the beneficiaries of successive penalties and six again sets.
“The players were gallant in defence, and while our second stanza attack could be considered somewhat clunky, Brothers are a class side and deserved winners.”
Wattles threw all they had in the final seven minutes, resulting in a second try for winger Mason Watson and centre Connor Williams touching down on the end of an Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard pass in the final minute.
Giant front rower Tuimavave-Gerrard took the charge to Brothers in a fearless effort throughout, while back-rower Ty Gardner made a return to first grade after a year-long injury spell, but the burley concreter showing plenty of pace in ‘the old legs’ to run down Brothers winger Jackson Lenzo and save a try.
Coach Burns was also particularly impressed with Connor Williams, hooker Jack Duggan and back-rower Domenic Whittingham.
Brothers 28 (Shantayne Prince 2, Hayden Ensbey, Flynn Kaiser, , Jack Leigh tries; Nick Carrie 4 goals) defeated Wattles 20 (Mason Watson 2, Tyson Stevens, Connor Williams tries; Tom Hatch, Matthew Christensen goals)
Reserve Grade
Former TRL top A Grade try scorer centre Austin Jennings ran in three of Wattles four tries in an eye-catching effort in the Warriors 16 – 10 victory.
In a third match back from a year long injury break Jennings was named ‘Player’s Player’, and is approaching his best form according to coach Will Manley.
Fullback Jake Meddleton impressed with his strong carries from the back, while centre Aaron Mitchell looked confident after returning from injury.
Wattles reserve graders 16 – 10 winning result has them sitting comfortably at third rung on the ladder with 20 points, just a point behind the Valleys Roosters which makes next Sunday’s clash between the two an exciting outing.
Wattles 16 (Austin Jennings 3, Kobi De Luca tries) defeated Brothers 10.
Under 19
Alas Saturday afternoon didn’t provide a game Wattles Under 19 team will want to write home about, falling to Brothers 52 – 4.
The dominant undefeated top of the table Brothers outfit hit the ground running leading 18 – 0 after ten minutes, when Wattles were reduced by one due to a sin binning after 25 minutes.
Brothers built a 30 – 0 lead by the break, and kicked on to victory after a brilliant Ashton Wilson solo try from the second stanza restart.
Five eight Patrick Denny was in prime form for Wattles, while centre Sunnie Tunstead and front-rower Bryce Stewart took the fight to their above average opponents.
Brothers 52 defeated Wattles 4 (Patrick Denny tries)
Toowoomba Rugby League Round 16
Sunday 10-08-2025 – John McDonald Sporting Complex.
Wattles Warriors v Valleys Roosters
A Grade – 2.30 pm; Reserve Grade – 1.00 pm; Under 19 – 11.30 am.
- Glyn Rees
