League’s young talent time
Queensland’s top 100 junior stars set to make the grade
FROM fullbacks to hookers, centres to front rowers, Queensland’s rugby league depth of young stars is extensive.
Multiple players are already on the radars of NRL and NRLW clubs as they edge closer to starting their senior careers.
After combing through the states Cyril Connell Challenge, Mal Meninga Cup and Harvey Norman squads we have found the best of the bunch to reveal 100 of Queensland’s best young rugby league talents.
MACKAY CUTTERS
Under 16 Cyril Connell Challenge
Camden Hopes: A product of the Cowboys academy Hopes has dominated locally for Moranbah and will be a driving force for the cutters young brigade come 2023 Kooper Shears: The talented halfback will add pace and direction to this young Cutters team.
Mark Morrow: Morrow will be the enforcer for this men’s side and is not afraid to throw his weight around.
Cohen Jackson: Jackson is a silky smooth mover and will be one of the harder to catch for opposition sides.
Under 18 Mal Meninga Cup:
Xavier Kerrisk: A rising star in the making and one of the best young hookers in Queensland, earning himself a Cowboys development contract this year.
Jaxon Purdue: This is one halfback you wouldn't want to run into. A tall looming figure, Purdue will act as the field general and leader.
Will Shears: Another one recognised as a rising star by the Cowboys and is a dominant force on the line with his strength and speed. Under 19 Harvey Norman Women:
Emily Bella: Has elite footwork and running ability, is a strong competitor with an even stronger pedigree.
Lily Peacock: Last years ‘Players Player’ award winner for the Gold Stars, Peacock is back better than ever.
Lara Hutchinson: An elite hooker in the league who was a dominant force in 2022 and
shows no signs of slowing down.
BURLEIGH BEARS
Under 16 Cyril Connell Challenge
Isaac Cullen: Has dominated in the junior ranks, he drew the attention of arguably rugby league’s biggest juggernaut.
Seth Gundry: Garnered Queensland schoolboys selection just last year.
Luke Jones: Who has been renowned in junior levels for playing big minutes, will likely be the young man who sets the standard in the pack.
Nelson Makaafi: Rugby league fans be on high alert for this stellar talent.
Under 18 Mal Meninga Cup
Ryder Williams: The Future Titans prospect was a shining light for the Future Titans under-17s side, blessed with a complete skills package
Jye Watton: Described as a natural leader and the type of player teammates look up to.
Jac Finigan will come back from Future Titans duties eager to continue building momentum throughout the year.
Under 19 Harvey Norman Women
Bella Thompson: Is in line to become one of the most enigmatic forces in the competition
Yasmin Elabbasi: Will warrant a call-up to the senior ranks this season.
Lily Kolc: the crafty hooker has displayed the makings of a future NRLW champion with five QRLW
appearances already.
Brisbane Tigers
Under 16 Cyril Connell Challenge
Kobi Floro: A big, mobile 194cm, 100kg front rower from Wavell SHS who brings great energy to the group and has attracted NRL interest.
Frank Howarth: The brother of extremely promising Storm rookie Jack, this young edge forward has come under the notice of the Broncos and for good reason.
Under 18 Mal Meninga Cup
Mikael Ibrahim: He is a very experienced junior No. 13 and natural leader who will be playing his second season of Meninga Cup.
Maddox McLean: The talented half and organiser has been outstanding from his very first session .
Jack McCosker: McCosker is often underrated and under valued, but not by the Tigers’ coaching group.
Maika Poese: Poese has silky smooth skills and a ton of ability. A centre, he has been injury plagued but is looking to make amends for last year’s disappointment .
Under 19 Harvey Norman Women
Tigers coach
Paul Nieuwenhuyzen said he was reluctant to single out any players from his squad because “we have a great squad’’.
“I have been impressed with all of the players’ dedication to training and their commitment to playing rugby league. Many of our players travel long distances,’’ he said.
The squad will be captained by Delilah Eliu.
Central Queensland Capras
Under 16 Cyril Connell Challenge
Tyler Melrose: Very talented player who did a great job steering the team’s attack in halfback and also as captain against Redcliffe. Shaping up to be one of the team’s most dangerous attacking weapons this season. Will McLaughlin: Played
for Rocky Tigers and Emmaus College last season. A dangerous and unpredictable half who will be
very hard to defend against. Has some very impressive skills.
Jake Reily Oberhardt: Nuggetty, very strong and has great leg speed for a middle forward. Also in his second year in this squad, he has just made the move from Emerald to St Brendan’s College this year.
Under 18 Mal Meninga Cup
Mutua Brown: North Queensland Cowboys’ signed talent who provides confidence in the team with his ability on and off the ball. The fullback/centre is a leader. Tommy Green: Reads a game well. Brings plenty of energy to the team with his speed and defensive efforts.
Connor Hinds : Dolphins’ signed talent who is strong in defence and possesses great ball-playing ability.
Under 19 Harvey Norman Women
Luca Howarth: Queensland schoolgirls rep in 2022. Classy runner of the footy and great finisher on the wing. Talented fullback also.
Gail Wing: A Capras under-19 player last year, she brings experience and reliability. Safe and strong carry in attack.
Shauna Barnham (fiveeighth): Natural ballplayer. Recruited back to Capras after starring for Marsden State High School last year. Player with untapped potential.
Ipswich Jets
Under 16 Cyril Connell Challenge
Cooper Cracknell: The Queensland under-15 prop will be a forward leader who will set an example to his teammates and will step up to the plate.
Tyson Walker: The younger brother of Roosters NRL star Sam Walker, Tyson is another playmaker (fiveeighth) who plays eyes up football. He has a very good long ball and is dangerous in broken play and is also learning set up plays.
Xzavier Timoteo: There will not be too many players who will finish a match against the Jets’ under 16s without plenty of bumps and bruises, and many of them will be caused by Timoteo who will play in the middle.
James Pou: New to the Connell Challenge environment, the No. 13 will complement fellow middle men Cracknell and Timoteo. He is physical, loves the contact and hard work, but also has a good off load.
Under 18 Mal Meninga Cup
Dominque Sandow: The nephew of former NRL halfback Chris Sandow, Sandow is a dynamic fullback with great vision and game awareness. He’s an attacking threat from anywhere on the field. Sandow attends Ipswich SHS and was a 2022 Met East Under 18 representative.
LJ Nonu: Keep an eye out for this young centre who has been identified by the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Another Ipswich SHS student, he is sure to be a handful for any defender this season, with a combination of speed and strength. He is originally from Victoria but has been in Ipswich since 2021.
Tarell Indich: Indich is a newcomer to Brisbane, having arrived at Ipswich SHS and the Jets from Cherbourg. A second row or centre, Indich recently played in the Murri under 16 team against the NSW Koori side and was one of the players of the day. He is a gifted ball carrier and is physical in defence. Under 19 Harvey Norman Women
Tiresa Elika: Tiresa outplayed the Newcastle Knights in the recent under17s Titans future Academy trial game, making huge metres in the middle while dominating with strong
defence. Selected for the under-18s Australian Schoolgirls team which played Fiji last year.
NORTHERN PRIDE
Under 16
Cyril Connell Challenge
D’Artanyan Connolly and Ira Yeatman: outstanding talents who both have electric speed, can create something out of nothing, and are as unpredictable as they come.
Cayde Miller: Will be one to watch, a “professional” who has set the example with his attitude as he recovered from a back injury.
Under 18 Mal Meninga Cup
Braithan RobertsonKetchell and Cohen Briggs: North Queensland Young Guns members are expected to bring experience as the Cowboys-contracted development players grow their game.
Under 19 Harvey Norman Women
Aerielle Hobbler and Montana Mook-Kusu: These two will act as the experience and muscle upfront as they work towards a potential future in the NRLW.
NORTHS DEVILS
Under 16 Cyril Connell Challenge
The Devils will be talented – they always are – although on this occasion coach Shannon Tupara declined to single out his players or put pressure on them. But expect them to be a good side.
Under 18 Mal Meninga Cup
Loto Salei: He has come the long way around – from Christchurch to Alice Springs to Cairns to Wavell SHS and now finds himself at Bishop Park. Has great versatility who will probably play No. 13, but who can also move to the edge or centre with his ball running. Tyreece Tait: The Queensland schoolboy and Maroons under 19 squad member is an elite finisher on the wing, but will move to centre. He has been signed by the Broncos.
Under 19 Harvey Norman Women:
Grace Giampino: A front rower or second rower, coach Jake Rowden said Giampino had strong first up contact in defence while also being a devastating ball runner. She was a natural leader.
Cedilla Matatahi: A hooker Cedella is a noted strong communicator who has vision while also possessing a massive engine
Tayla Sykes: The Devils will have Skys as their fiveeighth, with her strong running, footwork and great kicking game an asset.
Blessing Leota-Williams: Another strong communicator, she is great under pressure, level headed and a leader.
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS
Under 16 Cyril Connell Challenge:
Brian Pouniu: The 2022 Queensland under 16 edge forward is a real dynamo who is sure to again be a handful at this level. Mereki Warradoo: A Dolphins junior from the Moreton Bay junior league club, Warradoo is an exciting fullback talent who last year was voted best Queensland under 15 player at the nationals.
Jarius Halahala: A Redcliffe SHS student, the 2022 Queensland under 15 prop will be a real asset to the side with his strong, aggressive game. He also has great late footwork.
Under 18 Mal Meninga Cup
Michael Waqa: From the Dolphins northside catchment, Waqa gained valuable open rugby league experience playing front row in the Langer Trophy last season. He has impressed coach Scott Tronc by being a “tough competitor with a great motor’’. Although a likely middle, he has the versatility to play on the edge. John Paul Donevski: A real impact player in the backs, he will probably play centre but can also play fullback or wing with ease. “He is versatile, a very skilful fast and athletic outside back,’’ Tronc said.
Under 19 Harvey Norman Women
Grace Filipo: A young footballer, Filipo is a real natural who has both toughness and skill. She will be used as a utility player. Reegan Hicks: Hicks will be an impact player, using her strength, skill and pace as a back rower.
Armarni-Lea Auvae: Watch for this strong, athletic middle forward who has good hands.
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES
Under 16 Cyril Connell Challenge
Ezra Leota: A dummy half, Leota is an explosive player who is a little like his idol, premiership winning NRL star Api Koroisau. He is also very strong in defence and is always pinching those extra metres around the ruck.
Levi Bannan: Bannan will play either fullback or halfback and features ridiculous speed off the mark and great footwork.
Sam Martin: Plays at hooker and is super calm and a natural born leader. Martin plays a very intelligent game and is always three plays ahead. He loves big contact and is always looking for that shot that can change the game’s momentum.
Under 18 Mal Meninga Cup
Israel Leota: Watch for his damaging outside back to influence games. A survivor from last season’s premiership winning side, the tall, athletic Leota is a powerful and damaging outside back and good in the air. He has been signed by the Broncos.
Jacob Tinsley: A very smart dummy half around the ruck, and tough as teak, Tinsley can generate ruck speed and will be a key player.
Under 19 Harvey Norman Women:
Savannah Tato: The hard running forward will be the leader of the pack and has the potential to be elevated into the BMD senior competition when the 19s is finished. Jaydika Tafua: A second rower, she is a good defender who reads the game well.
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS
Under 16 Cyril Connell Challenge Jackson Koina:
A co-captains who is a real leader through the team and especially within the forward pack. Plays with maturity, has great ball skills and is willing on defence.
Under 18 Mal Meninga Cup
Joseph Meikle:
He’s a big, strong, centre and a true hard working kid coming from a farm background. Although new to the Falcons set up he has thrived in the environment. Tully McLellan:
Versatile player who can play fullback or in the halves. On a Melbourne development contract he’s got skill, he’s got speed, he’s got vision and he’s a great communicator.
Chase Paterson:
Chase is a middle and edge player on a Melbourne development contracted. He’s the quintessential Storm player who does all the little one percenters and all the tidy up stuff really well.
Under 19 Harvey Norman Women
Kahurangi Hetaraka: Kahu is working hard on improving her fitness to be better as an edge second rower but she showed a lot of good signs in pre-season and is an exciting prospect.
Nancy Sullivan: Played on the edge and in the middle as our lock and was really promising in pre-season and is expect to improve further during the year.
Lila Parr: An exciting halfback who is really strong, has got good vision and passing skills.
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS
Under 16 Cyril Connell Challenge
Don Paiyala: A dynamic player that has strength beyond his size and could be used at centre or on the wing. Ryan Van Zanden: Played for the Queensland Schoolboy Whites last year, basically a secondary team to the Maroons, proving he is knocking on the door of higher honours.
Cooper Cox and Cooper Reinders: These two don’t just share a name, Norford said they could easily find themselves swapping roles depending on who was firing at training.
Under 18 Mal Meninga Cup
Iowani Cavuilati: Cavuilati played on the wing for the Under-16 Queensland Fiji rugby union team in 2022 at the Pacific Youth Rugby Festival on the Gold Coast. The junior cross-code star is a member of the North Queensland Cowboys Academy, and could offer a lot to whichever sport he dedicates himself to.
Jack Hebei: Hebei has made the move south from Cairns this year and is a member of the NRL Cowboys House. The elusive outside back played for the Northern Pride in last year’s Cyril Connell Challenge. Emparama Kikau:
The younger brother of NRL-famous Viliame is an athletically-gifted centre or backrower who attended Marist Brothers in Suva, where he was named best player in the U17 schools final in 2022.
Tekelu Mene: The Cowboys-contracted junior returns to the side after a strong showing in the Mal Meninga Cup last year. Originally from Warraber Island in the Torres Strait, Mene is an NRL Cowboys House 2022 graduate and represented Queensland Country U17 in 2022.
Under 19 Harvey Norman Women
Halls Barker: Barker plays her club rugby league at the Western Lions, where she went up into the women’s open competition last year and won the competition. Entering her second year with the Blackhawks,
Remi Bishop: Joining the Blackhawks for her third season is Bishop, who was one of the team’s inaugural women’s team members. Bishop plays locally for Centrals and came through the Southern Cross Catholic College system.
Thalia Clarke: Clarke is a cross-sport athletes that joins the team from the St Margaret Mary’s College school system, and she’s also been added to the Cowboys Gold Stars Academy squad.
WESTERN CLYDESD ALES
Under 16 Cyril Connell Challenge
Brathien Scott: Having leadership qualities beyond his years and 16 yearsold, Scott is the side’s utility. Capable of playing in fiveeighth and other play making roles, he will be key to the sides creativity in attack. Shaun Elara: A solid unit in the front row, he has been described as a very explosive player. At 16 years-old the lock and former Highfields junior will be integral to the sides efforts going forwards. Harry Robinson: A good, hard running and hard tackling player, Robinson is a Valleys junior.
A second-rower, as well as a centre, his coach has called him a, “great kid, who works really hard.”
Under 18 Mal Meninga Cup
Matthew Moore: Fullback and captain of the side, Moore is a Valleys junior. Coming from a touch footy background, he has represented Australia and plays A-grade. Combining his elite fitness and his knack at reading the game, he is an important asset to the team. Jake Durie: A Souths junior, he is the five-eighth of the side, Durie is a player to watch. An important part of the side, it is his ball running and ability to take on the line that makes him a special player.
Bud Smith: With a big and solid frame, he is a big presence in the middle. Playing at lock, his ball playing is underrated. A leader of the pack, he keeps his fellow forward in check. Smith also comes from NRL heritage with his father is former Maroons and Kangaroos lock, Jason Smith.
Under 19 Harvey Norman Women
Mackenzie Zeller: A This is the Highfields junior’s second season in the U19’s competition. At just 17 she is already the sides captain, kicking off her campaign already with a hat-trick in her first match and leads by example through her powerful play and physicality.
Regan McMillian: Her first year in the side and only 16 years-old. A Brothers junior, she has the ability to make “fantastic“underline runs. McMillian also has a very strong left handed fend and a good left foot step.
Chloe Palliser: Playing in the halves, the 16 year-old is coming back from an ankle injury. The Souths junior is a great organiser of her side, frequently taking on the line with impressive ‘show-and-go’s.
Anna Dingley: A senior in the side at 18 years-old and in her second season, the Newton junior was in the Qld Sapphires last year. Having missed some games and a few training sessions, she in back on deck full time. She has been described as a strong and very capable player.