Harden residents Tom & Robyn Apps will be watching the Grand Final this Sunday with a vested interest, as their grandson Will Pearsall lines up at five-eight for Manly’s Holden Cup Under 20s side. The team will take on the Minor Premiers, Penrith Panthers at 1:00 pm on Sunday, with the game broadcast by Channel Nine.
Will made his debut in 2012 for Manly at the age of 17, after joining the club from The Entrance Tigers at the age of sixteen. This year marks his fourth year in the Holden Cup competition, with this weekend being his first opportunity for a premiership. He was awarded the Players Player of the Year by his team mates three weeks ago, and is described by his coach David Heath as a strong runner and an extremely energetic player who will be a lynchpin to any success the Sea Eagles will have.
The Sea Eagles have had a tough run into the Grand Final, going down to Penrith in the Finals before defeating the North Queensland Cowboys 25-24 in a brilliant display to book their place this Sunday. Considering that the Cowboys had beaten them twice this season, the effort was no mean feat. Grandparents Tom & Robyn Apps are immensely proud of their grandson, and they are hoping Will’s team of bolters will get up against favoured Penrith Panthers on Sunday.
