OUR OWN FANTASY ORIGIN
Who says only the NRL players get to have any interstate fun? Connor O’Brien sifts through the Rugby League Gold Coast competition to pick the best players and compile the ultimate fantasy Queensland v NSW contest.
QUEENSLAND
1. Jack Mackin (Runaway Bay)
A 2018 premiership-winner, Mackin has kicked on to earn a pair of Intrust Super Cup call-ups for Tweed.
2. Tevita Folau (Southport)
Big, strong winger offers plenty of yardage coming out of trouble, not to mention a knack of finding the try-line.
3. Kurtis McDonald (Tugun)
Joined from Tweed and his form was rewarded with a Queensland Rangers nod.
4. Josh Berkers (Burleigh)
Not the flashiest but gets the job done, whether it’s at A-grade or ISC level.
5. Luke Jaeger (Bilambil)
Beloved member who brings passion and heart. Usually a fullback but has to slot in on the wing here.
6. Jimmy Poland (Runaway Bay)
Guided Bay to last year’s title and has a calm head on his shoulders.
7. Phil Ramage (Currumbin)
Wily veteran is a cool customer and brings versatility, having played some fullback this year. Excellent goalkicker.
8. Jesse Malcolm (Ormeau)
Moved north to captain the Shearers and has been among their best each week.
9. Jenan Parrish (Runaway Bay)
Creative hooker with a dynamic running game out of dummy-half.
10. Tyler Sparkes (Burleigh)
Is perennially on the fringe of the Bears’ ISC squad and is always a core member of their A-grade engine room.
11. Tu Whakatihi (Southport, C)
Passionate Maroons fan has seven A-grade titles and is a fair chance of another.
12. Apiata Noema (Burleigh)
Former Titans-contracted forward has had intermittent tastes of ISC action this year. 13. Nick Harrold (Tugun)
Another captaincy candi- date. A true leader who pro- vides workmanlike efforts.
INTERCHANGE
14. Jordan Scott (Burleigh)
Impressed in ISC. Is an- other running hooker, so would form a nice one-two combination with Parrish.
15. Nathan Young (Southport)
Former Capras and Sea- gulls prop is solely at South- port now and was great against Tugun at the weekend.
16. Matt Munckton (Currumbin)
The second-rower has drawn plenty of praise from senior Eagles teammates; is only young but emerging.
17. Reece Summer (Burleigh)
More than handy prop or back-rower who switched from Tweed in the off-season.
NSW
1. Taine Tuaupiki (Burleigh) More known as a half, Tuaupiki has cherished the chance to run at fullback.
2. Kea Pere (Burleigh)
A centre or winger, Pere is on a Titans development deal after being signed from the Melbourne Storm.
3. Kody Parsons (Tugun)
Dual registered with Tweed, highly regarded and has shown promise when deployed in the second-row.
4. Jack Conlan (Southport)
Has been one of many lower profile players driving Southport’s success this year.
5. Macauley Dawson (Tugun)
Has been a Seahawks regular after helping Tweed to the 2018 A-grade decider.
6. Dan Mortimer (Currumbin)
A veteran of 128 NRL games is only 30 and has
brought plenty to the Eagles.
7. Rex Johnson (Bilambil)
Coach Kevin Campion was delighted to have him and rates him as one of the most influential players around.
8. Mitch Spackman (Bilambil, C)
Speaking of influential, Spackman’s the ultimate stalwart. Leads from the front.
9. Sam Meskell (Tugun)
Crafty hooker with a mountain of ISC experience and leadership. A goalkicker.
10. Stuart Mason (Currumbin)
The former St George Illawarra under-20 captain is considered by some as the competition’s premier prop.
11. Matt Robinson (Burleigh)
An unassuming character who has played plenty of NRL. Does his job on an edge.
12. Bayley Faull (Bilambil)
A standout for the Jets and has broken through into Tweed’s ISC squad.
13. Luke Polson (Southport)
Young, mobile middle forward who plays above his weight and plays the full 80 every week.
INTERCHANGE
14. Kurtis Dark (Currumbin)
Half/hooker has split his time between Currumbin and Tweed since moving up from the Newcastle Knights.
15. Pele Peletelese (Currumbin)
One-time Eels prop is Mr Nice Guy off the field but a force to be reckoned with on it.
16. Josh Harvey (Tugun)
Shockingly unlucky to miss a starting spot in this side. Tireless worker, inspirational figure.
17. Anthony Gray (Ormeau)
The former Burleigh ISC forward has been a solid member of the Shearers pack.