SUN DEVILS TAKE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
QUEENSLAND have proven that they are Australia’s gridiron powerhouse with a third consecutive national championship after a 28-6 thumping of NSW.
After not scoring in the first quarter on Saturday, a Sun Devils side dominated by Gold Coast Stingrays gridiron talent piled on two touchdowns in the second to get out to a 14-point lead at the half in Sydney.
Queensland struck early in the third to extend the margin to 22 points, with Gold Coast product Jayden Paludan continuing the great form that saw him named tournament MVP.
“Our standard of gridiron is higher than the rest of the nation,” Gold Coast Stingrays youth/junior coach and Queensland assistant Lance Tongakilo said.
Queensland’s dominance is evident in the final ladder, with the Sun Devils on top and only conceding 14 points yet scoring 127 of their own.
Three Gold Coast Stingrays – Curtis Bailey, Cynan Tomkins and Jhett Bond – earnt selection in the Australian team that will play USA, Canada, Mexico, Sweden, Japan and Germany next year in Ohio.
Goor Chapari was tournament offensive MVP.