Towering Nudgee College lock Denver Bradford rated today's match in gold for Australia Under-16s as the crowning achievement of a massive year.
The 2.02m Bradford, 16, had excelled for his school, the Reds Under-16s and within the Buildcorp Reds Academy before his selection as part of the country's elite crop of U16s.
Today's match against the Queensland Reds U17s Development XV at Wests Rugby Club was an even contest through the first half before the Australia U16s ran away with it at 61-12.
The young Reds trailed 14-12 and nailed the throw into a 5m attacking lineout just before half-time. In a blink, the ball was squandered and key fullback Hemi Rakuita was sinbinned for deliberately knocking down a pass in an attacking breakout by the Australian team.
Down to 14 men to open the second half, the Queenslanders could afford no basic errors. They dropped the re-start to the second half and bungled a kick-off with the ball not travelling 10m.
Both led to tries when the Australian team's quicksilver outside backs took advantage of their overlap. Suddenly, the score was 26-12 and the game was gone.
There were also seven Queenslanders in the Australia U16s starting side and reserves so there was plenty of hometown support on the sidelines at Sci-Fleet Stadium.
Six were forwards, including starting props Jeremiah Kite and Moses Faleafa, who were honoured by their families post-match with lolly leis as is Polynesian tradition.
"It's been so much fun training with the Australian squad, with mates from Queensland and now wearing the Australian jersey," Bradford said.
"It's a real honour and I feel like all the effort of this year has been worth it.
"I knew guys in the Queensland U17s as well and I've trained with schoolmates like Aiden (Luke), Pierra (Poluleuligaga), Jack (Burton) and Harrison (McIver) at Nudgee.
"The first half was definitely a challenge. Our backs were too fast and flashy in the second half."
Bradford, 16, will head into 2026 with high hopes for First XV honours at Nudgee and recognition in the Reds U18s so he can push for the Australia U18s.
The set-up of the U16s impressed Kite, a Brisbane Boys' College prop.
"The whole thing was very professional and the coaches were very clear with what they wanted," Kite said.
"I feel really full of pride to play this game.
"There was some good chirping out there too. When we were throwing into the lineout, McIver was calling out 'what's the call Jerry?' because we've played together before but were opponents today."
For Poluleuligaga, 17, the match made him feel like the comeback trail of 2025 had finally got him back to where he wants to be after shoulder surgery to end last year.
"I missed games and only played half the GPS season so it's good to finish the year like this and play the full 70 minutes," Poluleuligaga said.
"I want to have that full year next year and press for selection in the U18 teams."
His smarts were obvious in the first half. He made a solid hit-up to set up the platform for No.8 Elijah Galloway to power over to lock the scores at 7-all.
Midway through the first half, it was his quick tap, dart and pass which set hooker Xavier Hill away on a 30m dash to the tryline.
