Tara Murray
The Grange P-12 College stunned everyone to finish the number one ranked team in Victoria to qualify for the NRL Schoolboys Cup.
Having added more focus to their rugby league program the last couple of years, the Grange beat Mount Ridley and Hallam College in the Melbourne Storm Cup, which was a qualifier for the national stage of the competition.
Both the Grange and Hallam will compete in the cup, the top school boys competition in the country throughout the next few months.
In the final qualifying game, the Grange ran over the top of Mount Ridley, winning 36-14.
The Grange’s coach Shannon Love said it was a pretty exciting time for the school.
“We had three rounds in the Melbourne Storm Cup,” he said.
“We were pretty lucky to host the third game at the new facilities which are now open. The whole school was there and came out of the classes to watch, so everyone was so happy.
“It’s the first time we’ve qualified as the number one ranking, there was a huge sense of pride.”
This year was the first time the school has been able to try and qualify for the top school boys national competition.
Last year they were part of the second-tier The Schoolboy Trophy, with Love saying they had the talent at the school, but it was about putting it altogether.
He said they had all been keen to test themselves against the best players in the state and country,
“There has been a big push,” he said. “COVID has set us back a bit.
“The talent and the ability is there. I thought we would have the talent to match it with them, but we went in as underdogs.
“There’s some very good players across Victoria. To achieve that result is quite a surprise.
Suliasi Prescott, who was last month’s Don Deeble Sports Award nominee, was the standout for The Grange, while Ethan Barlow-Sua is another who impressed.
The national stage starts next week, with the Grange facing Hallam for the second time in recent weeks.
They then travel to Canberra next term for a game, before hosting a match in the third round. Results then decide the match ups after that.
“We’re going to enjoy the journey and the experience,” Love said. “We don’t have any expectations heading into it.”
