SPORT WHO ARE THE TJRL STARS TO WATCH?
THEY’RE the bright young boys and girls ready to light up the big stage this weekend.
After a thrilling preliminary finals day in Highfields, the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League hosts its grand final day on Saturday, with 14 teams striving for the ultimate glory.
In honour of the big day, we look at the stars to watch in the TJRL finals. For the full list of 28 players head online to thechronicle.com.au/sport
13 GIRLS ELLA O’DEA (PITTSWORTH)
Plays in the front row for the young Danes and isn’t backward in taking a forward step.
“She’s a great player that has scored numerous tries this season,” coach Amylee Hinselwood said.
“She’s an all-round great person and a team player. She puts in 100 per cent effort and has played up in U15s.”
POPPY GIBBONS (SOUTHERN SUBURBS)
A Goondiwindi junior, Gibbons has shown an ability to play wherever required in the backline to great effect.
“She’s generally a centre or fullback but is my all-rounder,” coach Sandie Olive said.
“She’s not afraid to get in there and tackle, and is always in the opposition’s face. She’s one the other teams have to watch out for.”
ELLA HOLLIS (PITTSWORTH) Blink and you’ll miss her, the Pittsworth winger has caught many opposing players off guard with her speed.
“Our little wing is one you have to watch on the chase,” Hinselwood said.
“A quick runner that teams up well with Ella (O’Dea). She’s been playing since she was little and is a good kid to work with.”
ANNIE SCRIVEN (SOUTHERN SUBURBS)
A talented young gun across athletics and league, the quiet-natured Scriven lets her football do the talking.
“Annie plays in the second row and is our full field runner. If she gets the ball she can run and there’s no stopping her,” Olive said.
“She’s always ready to defend and helps the smaller girls out.”
13 BOYS
ASHTON MESSENGER (BROTHERS)
The man at the back for Brothers is an electric talent that brings excitement and X-factor for the Leprechauns.
“He can pretty much score a try from anywhere on the field,” coach Aaron Hohn said.
“Ashton is one of those kids that can blow a game wide open. He has that X-factor type ability.”
JACK WILLIAMS (VALLEYS) Although he’s still new to the sport, you wouldn’t know that Williams was a soccer player and not a young league star.
“It’s only his second year of footy and he’s picking it up well,” coach Ned Murphy said.
“He came from soccer after Covid and is pretty aggressive. He’s a good strong runner and tackles hard.” KADEN HOHN (BROTHERS) The quintessential organising half, Hohn steers Brothers around the park at five-eighth with flashes of his own individual brilliance.
“He organises the team around the field and gets them where they need to be,” Hohn said.
“He’s cool, calm and collected and nothing fazes him to a point.”
SAM FITZPATRICK (VALLEYS) A hard running second rower, Fitzpatrick continues to improve during his tenure at the Roosters.
“A good, tough, strong runner and defender as well,” Murphy said.
“He goes really well and has improved out of sight this season. He’s played for a fair while and this is his second season at Valleys.”
15 GIRLS
CHELSEA MIDDLETON (BROTHERS)
With a seemingly endless motor, the second rower boasts skill and a workrate among the premier players in the competition.
“I call her the statistician’s nightmare because she would make 60 tackles per game,” coach John Lucas said.
“She runs hard and has an amazing tackle technique.
“For a girl who just turned 15 she’s a real leader, and would be one of the better footballers in the competition.”
CHLOE PALLISIER (SOUTHERN SUBURBS)
A high level player at a young age, Pallisier has enjoyed the rep spoils of the Mustangs and Central Crows.
“Chloe is just a great, strong defender and good runner of the ball,” coach Andrew Trapp said.
“She moved to us from Chinchilla where she played with the boys and has been a great halfback for us.” LUCY DAVIS (BROTHERS) Linking strongly with halves partner Bridget Lucas, Davis’ experience is showing for Brothers.
“Lucy has great hands and an amazing sidestep,” Lucas said.
“She has a fair bit of pace and doesn’t get found out in defence. She’s one of the originals that started playing in U14s.”
PYPAH FERGUSON (SOUTHERN SUBURBS)
A multi-sport star with a background in netball as well, Ferguson’s athleticism has proven an asset.
“She runs the ball hard and is able to read the game very well,” Trapp said.
“She’s a hard girl to tackle.”