FROM THE COACHES BOX - FINAL DAY

" Congratulations Boys you've done everything we've asked and 10% more - we've reached the highest rung and we're taking the trophy home - go and get a soft drink, I don't think your parents will have too much trouble shouting you one after that effort." -NSW 12 Years Boys Coach John Clune in the victory huddle yesterday with his players.

"We said the rides at Dream World made us nervous, but excited nervous, that's how we should feel about the nerves we have when playing today's final." -Qld 12 Years Girls Coach Evan Willis explaining how the undefeated Qld team handled the weight of expectation on them to keep Queensland's domination in this division going.

"Beaten by a better team, but the Boys gave it all they had, can't knock the effort level" - Qld 12 Years Boys Coach Jason Boyd reflects on the 4 -1 loss to NSW.

"Take your time and make BIG signals - oh and have fun out there."- Diminutive 12 year-old Kingaroy Junior Referee Daniel Ensor explains what he learnt from refereeing at the tournament. The ever-smiling Daniel has quite a few of his own `Billy Bowden' type signals - his 10 metres is a classic.

"Yeah, the Boys did well it's a great way to win, NSW were pretty tough, they put it on us and that's what you expect - but we had what it took to get there in the end... David Briggs and Josh Costello were great in attack and Dwayne Conlon thoroughly deserves his Player of the Series Award.... thanks to Dave Kirby, Simon Horsley, and Peter Bell for all their help as well." -Qld 15 Years Boys Coach Dan Parker giving us his thoughts on the 15 Years Boys Grand Final.

"The girls were fun to coach - it was a bit like `Bruce Reid with only sticky tape holding him together' scenario - but we got there in the end and got the chocolates and I'm proud of them." - Qld 15 Years Girls Coach Craig Slavin talking about winning the title and his team's casualty ward of injured players.

"Good to win, the girls got on great and Slavo and Sharon were fantastic - loved it, despite all the injuries I think we showed a lot of determination to get the win." - Qld 15 Years Co- Captain Sam Hopkin after the win in the Grand Final.

" Look it's Scott Sattler, dare you to challenge him to a game of `Run at me'."- Two 12 Years Boys players after spotting Scott Sattler at the finals yesterday - the game they're talking about involves one person saying `Run at Me' and the other running straight at them in an effort to get past them - perhaps they should have just asked Scott to re-enact his famous cover tackle from the 2003 NRL grand final - that would be safer!

"No worries, yell at you anytime." - QSST's Peter Bell in response to a `thank-you' from Qld 15 Years Girls player Ash Cook for his help with Qld's line defence.

"It's Boom Boom Banks." -Tournament staff giving me heaps after I accidentally pumped up a touch ball for a young boy too much and it burst - Apologies for giving people in the vicinity near heart attacks.. Look, the kid only cried for a little while... don't worry, I replaced the ball.

"Bursting with enthusiasm aren't you." -Tournament Director Greg Norman to me a little while later, everyone's a comedian...I'm tired!!!

"Victoria scrapped past us with 10 lucky touchdowns, it's fair to say the game was in the balance until the ref blew time on...seriously the Boys learnt heaps and gave it their all - had a ball, great tournament." Who else? - Pete Hampson Tasmanian 15 Years Boys Manager whose 'fit as racing snakes' team will be back to do it all again next year along with all the other teams.

Compiled by Karley Banks
31 October 2004