It’s win or go home in the Queensland Premier Rugby semi-finals as Easts, GPS, Brothers and Bond University aim to stamp their ticket to the big dance in the Colts 1 competition.
Let’s take a look at some of the players who’ll decide the outcome for their club’s next weekend.
Floyd Aubrey | GPS – Fullback
Blink and you’ll miss Floyd Aubrey.
The Murgon and Marist College Ashgrove product has played a key role in the revival of GPS’ Colts program this year and has already made his Premier Grade debut for the Gallopers.
Elusive, evasive and unpredictable, Aubrey has puzzled defenders across the Premier Colts competition for the entire season and will look to do just that when his side takes on Brothers next weekend.
A win would see Aubrey take to Suncorp Stadium on Grand Final day, an arena we’re sure he’ll see plenty of in the coming years.
Louis Werchon | Brothers – Scrumhalf
Louis Werchon isn’t the first blonde-haired, Sunshine Coast Grammar School scrumhalf to set the Premier Colts competition alight.
Queensland Reds and Wallabies livewire Tate McDermott did the same in 2017, taking out the title with the University of Queensland as his ascension to the professional game begun.
Werchon, who was mentored by McDermott in their school days, is paving his own path at Crosby Park, helping the Brethren to a third-placed finish and impressing with his slick service and jinking running game.
Brothers captured the Colts triple-crown last season, and Werchon will be at the heart of their efforts if they are to do the same in 2021.
Zac Crothers | Easts – Hooker
Zac Crothers may be just 20, but the Tigers hooker brings experience beyond his years to the Easts front row.
Crothers made his Premier Grade debut in 2019, and already has a Hospital Cup title on his Rugby resume.
The Churchie product split his time between Colts and the top grade this season and now has the chance to focus purely on the U20s competition with the Tigers knocked out of contention in the Hospital Cup.
A Junior Wallabies squad member, Crothers brings an experienced edge to the minor premiers pack as they look to claim their first Colts 1 premiership since 2001.
Ethyn Martin | Bond University – Wing
They say you’re only as good as your last game, and if that’s the case Ethyn Martin will be the player to watch next Saturday at Yoku Road.
The Bond University flyer scored four tries in his last appearance for the Bullsharks, capping a strong regular season in his first year in the competition after moving across the ditch from New Zealand.
After spending time on the sidelines early in the season, the diminutive winger has impressed with his nose for the try line, while his electric speed and footwork makes him a try scoring threat from anywhere on the park.
Bond and GPS have split their two games this season by just three points on both occasions, and Martin will be key once again if the Bullsharks are to get the chocolates at Ashgrove.
