SAINTS SPORT

Senior AFL Q Cup State Finals Recap

Our Senior AFL team embarked on their final challenge for 2025 early on Friday 17 October, travelling to the Sunshine Coast to compete in the Q Cup State Finals. The trip represented a significant opportunity for the boys to showcase their talent against the state’s best.

Upon arrival, the team participated in a valuable Ahead of the Game mental wellness workshop, focused on building resilience, mindset and the importance of mental health in elite sport. The boys then had some brief downtime before their 2:30pm game.

The opening match saw our boys face off against the formidable 2025 premiers, Palm Beach Currumbin. Despite the tough matchup, the team delivered a spirited performance — particularly in the second quarter, where they fought back hard and gained real momentum. Although ultimately outclassed by a polished and well-drilled opponent, the team’s determination and heart were evident throughout.

Several standout performances emerged from the contest. Jack-Levi Hume and Xavier Lallemand were relentless in their efforts, providing drive and pressure across the ground all day. Charlie Lawrence impressed up forward, showcasing his class and composure under pressure. The boys did the CREST (courage, response, energy, strive, together) proud.

Saturday offered a well-earned rest day, with the team travelling to the Gold Coast for a recovery session at Bond University’s Health and Wellness Centre. This was followed by a tour of Bond University and its AFL club. We extend our sincere thanks to Bond University for their hospitality and support. The day concluded with some well-deserved fun and downtime at Dreamworld, allowing the boys to relax and enjoy themselves after a big first day of competition.

Sunday brought the playoff for third place in the Q Cup against powerhouse Iona College. After a slow first half, the boys responded in true CREST fashion, displaying our Saints AFL character through fierce tackling, relentless pressure, and unwavering team spirit. The team finished strongly, kicking five goals to two in the second half, but ultimately went down narrowly to finish fourth overall in Queensland — an outstanding result at this elite level of competition.

Special congratulations to Charlie Lawrence and Matthew McCoy, who were named runner-up MVPs over the weekend, and to Jack-Levi Hume, who was awarded St Augustine’s MVP for the carnival.

Finally, a heartfelt thank you to all the parents who supported and assisted not only throughout this carnival but across the entire season. Your commitment and encouragement make all the difference. We also extend our sincere thanks to our generous sponsors — Home Marketing QLD, Lane Orthodontics, Halpin Partners, Stitch Trim, BAthletic, and Cairns Total Physiotherapy — for their continued support throughout the year.

The 2025 Q Cup campaign was a true reflection of Saints pride — teamwork, perseverance and character both on and off the field.

NQ Schools Rugby Tournament - Mr Toby McCarthy

Last weekend our 2026 (15-17 years) 1st XV Rugby Union team travelled to Innisfail to compete in the NQ Schools Rugby Tournament. In its second year running, our boys took on the Cairns/ Cassowary Coast Barbarians as well as Townsville’s Grammar School and traditional Term 4 rivals Ignatius Park.

Both days saw perfect conditions, despite the heat, for running Rugby. Our first game was against the Barbarians and we got off to a rusty start before stabilising and coming back only just missing the victory gong down 12-17. The next game against Iggy Park was forgettable. We did a miraculous job holding on for a three tries to nil loss considering we played the first half virtually a man down and the second with only thirteen men.

We knew the next day would be different as we were back to full strength for Townsville Grammar. This proved to be an epic contest and the boys played very tough and brave Rugby indeed. At half time, it was nil all, a true reflection of the intensity of the seesawing contest. Our boys broke through for the first try to Zacharia Foster after some great lead up work from forwards Jack Richardson, Brock Caltabiano and Alex McDonald and classy outside backs Liam Quabba, Rhys Baldwin and Oliver Rix. Grammar came back and scored and it would stay 7- all after a very controversial decision not to award Saints what appeared to be a certain try after full time much to the dismay of the large crowd and our fired up bench. Our first try technically gave us the win and the boys have every right to be very proud of hard and uncompromising style of play that they showed.

Our players of the carnival were Nassar Foster and Oliver Rix, while our noble and inspirational captain Connor Jensen was awarded this year’s Mitch Kreutzer Medal, named after a fallen 1st XV warrior and champion from 2006.

Special thanks must go to Mr Matthew Di Salvo for all of his work behind the scenes and to Mr Bryan Carswell for driving the bus. Thanks fellas.

Bentley 7s Rugby League Gala Day

On Friday of Week 2 this term, Saints entered two teams into the annual Bentley 7s Rugby League Gala day. We sent a group of Year 8s who showed promising talent in the Year 8 Rugby League competition in Term 3.

 We played three pool games against Woree SHS, Smithfield SHS and Bentley Park College B and were successful in all three to finish top of Pool B. This meant we faced St Mary’s in the semi-final who were gritty and well drilled, but we overcame them with a strong performance to win 5-3. 

The Grand Final saw us come up against Bentley Park College A who were also undefeated in Pool A. An exciting contest with a strong home crowd advantage put us under pressure, but strong performances from all our boys quietened the crowd and we finish with a 7-4 victory. 

Special mentions go to Will Irvine who was man of the match in the final and Koby Craig, Edward Hammerton and Isaia Mosby who led the team strongly.

3x3 Basketball

In Week 4, St Augustine’s College proudly entered two teams — one from Year 7 and another from Year 8 — into the regional 3x3 Basketball Competition. The event brought together schools from across the district for a fast-paced day of competition, teamwork and sportsmanship. 

Both St Augustine’s teams showed outstanding skill and determination throughout the day.  

While both teams faced strong opposition, the boys’ positive attitude, sportsmanship and respect for officials and competitors stood out. They were a credit to themselves and to St Augustine’s College. 

Congratulations to all players involved and thank you to Mr Chapman for his efforts on the day.