OUR VERY BEST OF 2018
Every day this week the Bulletin counts down the 20 best performers in Gold Coast league across all levels of the game. Today we look at numbers 16-13
16 PHIL RAMAGE CURRUMBIN EAGLES
Veteran halfback returned from the Whitsundays to spearhead his junior club. Though they ultimately missed out on the title, Ramage’s game management, leadership and goalkicking were pivotal to the upturn in form that netted a minor premiership.
15 BRAYDEN MCGRADY TWEED HEADS
Talk about a breakthrough year. McGrady exploded onto the scene to be the talk of Piggabeen when he scored 12 tries in his first seven games. Unfortunately his eighth match lasted only nine minutes as he suffered a season-ending knee injury – but not before earning a Panthers contract from 2019.
14 JIMMY POLAND RUNAWAY BAY
Poland has had a chequered past but is trying to turn his life around off the field with his work for the Australian Anti-Ice Campaign. On the field he made up for missing last year’s grand final by bringing a calm playmaking presence. Capped his season by winning man of the match in the Rugby League Gold Coast decider.
13 MOEAKI FOTUAIKA GOLD COAST TITANS
An 18-year-old playing frontrow in the NRL is not an everyday sight but Fotuaika did it without fuss, easily holding a place in Gold Coast’s top 17. The Keebra Park product carried the ball strongly to provide excellent impact off the bench across 16 games. His efforts did not go unnoticed, earning call-ups to the Tongan international squad.