Marsden break the curse

THE WINNERS: (not listed in order) . Liam Malone, Brent Anderson, Codey Kennedy, Connor Carey, Noah Wright, Jordan Stewart (vice captain), Dave Leapai, Nez Paane (captain), Justin McKenna, Wesley Laina, Mili Nanai, Jason Tomane, Jonathan Andrew, Gab Tafa, Brenko Lee, Marvin Toko, Luther Blake, Jordan Haim, Eddison Smalley, Jodeci Panapa, Clerk Katoa and Josh Faitete. Photo Pita Tago / ourfootyteam

THE curse is finally broken.

Marsden State High School's year 10 rugby league side has won this year's Walters Cup grand final after defeating Palm Beach Currumbin State High 30-11 in front of an encouraging crowd at Burleigh's Pizzey Park last Wednesday.

It's taken longer than thought, but finally the school has a Broncos Challenge trophy to put on display in the cabinet after failing on several previous attempts.

The ‘curse of Marsden' looked set to rear its ugly head when Palm Beach Currumbin took an unexpected 11-4 into the break.

But 26 unanswered points by Marsden in the second half smashed that possibility and coach, Joe O'Callaghan, couldn't be happier.

“At half-time there were a few people getting worried with the ‘curse of Marsden', we've been there (grand final) three or four times and choked,” he said.

“But the way they went about it in the second half and came out the other side showed good character.

“That's what makes them so special, their willingness to play for each other.

“All the boys were willing to put up their hand and knew their job and did that well.”

It was the first time all campaign Marsden was forced to play catch up footy after being down at the break.

But the players revelled in the challenge as they turned in an electric second half performance to sprint clear of their opponents.

Halfback Dave Leapai scored a double, while man-of-the-match Wesley Liana and Canberra Raiders-contracted player, Brenko Lee were instrumental in the six-try to two victory.

The win capped an undefeated season for Marsden and O'Callaghan hailed the victory as a reward for not only the players but everyone who has contributed to the school's rugby league excellence program.

“It's probably a reward for the work done to the program by Kim Bray, who was the co-ordinator, and before me Grant Stephenson,” he said.

“Trophies aren't everything at the end of the day, but a reward for the people who put a lot of effort in the program and for the boys, who have been together since year eight, it's a nice little reward for them too.”