Fifita 2.0 delivers Keebra dominance
ANDREW Fifita gave Queensland nightmares in the State of Origin opener and it’s his copycat relative who is now ensuring Keebra Park avoids a repeat of last year’s GIO Cup horrors.
Southport’s Keebra Park will today aim to take another step towards redemption in the schoolboys’ competition when they face Marsden State High at Redcliffe’s Dolphin Oval (3.30pm).
Fueling the drive has been teen giant David Fifita, the Keebra captain and a relative of Sharks NRL star Andrew.
David scored four tries in the semi-final win over The Cathedral College.
“He doesn’t like the spotlight being on him, he just likes to do his job and he is very much a team player and a great kid to boot,” coach Glen Campbell said.
“For the size of the man, he moves very quickly and he has got a good football brain. He can go a long way in our game at the NRL so that’s what I am tipping.
“We’re able to support real high-profile players (such as Fifita) with very good talent right behind them so it makes everything work well and the team is gelling well so there are no egos that override.
“We’re damaging across the park. Both sides of the field have got try-scoring ability.”
Today’s match comes a year after the school suffered heartbreak in the GIO Cup national final, conceding two tries in the final two minutes to go down 26-24 to Westfields Sports High.
This season Keebra have been relentless in sweeping to a place in the Queensland decider, with the talented side making a monumental statement in recent weeks.
Backing up their 68-0 quarter-final drubbing of Wavell Heights a fortnight ago, Keebra demolished The Cathedral College Rockhampton 76-0 in the semis last week.
Campbell revealed the hurt of missing out on a third national title last year was driving the squad this term.
“We got beaten in the last 30 seconds by Westfields,” Campbell said.
“The boys, I think that’s in the back of their mind now and I think that’s why they are putting a few sides to the sword at the moment.
“Their focus is to try to win that title and not let anyone get in their way.”
Keebra’s only loss all tournament was to Wavell Heights during the group stage, which forced them to “hit the reset button”.
They won last year’s state final at Pizzey Park in golden point against Coombabah.
HE CAN GO A LONG WAY IN OUR GAME AT THE NRL SO THAT’S WHAT I AM TIPPING. CAMPBELL ON DAVID FIFITA