Vote for state’s top star closing
THE search for Queensland’s top grassroots rugby union talent has reached the final hours, with a winner to be crowned at noon on Thursday.
A dozen players from Townsville’s six first-grade clubs have been nominated for the statewide honour, which is to be decided by votes from the public.
BROTHERS Matt Fanning
Fanning cuts a Pierre Spieslike figure in Townsville rugby circles with an uncanny knack for finding the tryline.
Tall and athletic, this No.8’s 80-minute engine has been the primary driver for Townsville’s top attacking team of 2022.
Brendan Morgan
A famous surname in Townsville sport, Morgan (pictured below)’s impact on Brothers has been just as immense as his cousin Michael’s was for the North Queensland Cowboys in their wonder years.
No ball-running threat himself, Morgan’s game management and playmaking have unlocked the best in the players around him.
BURDEKIN Tubby Heron
A Queensland Country and Outback Stockmen’s representative in the front row, Heron is an inspirational leader for the rebuilding Canetoads club.
A quiet footballer, Heron lets his actions do the talking on the park. He never commits a mistake.
Brady Vasta
The Burdekin born-and-bred scrumhalf won’t stick around for long because his talent demands he journeys south to test his mettle against Queensland’s best in Brisbane,
His crisp passing either side is matched by well-honed game management skills at just 19 years of age.
CHARTERS TOWERS Joey Cran
The Bulls’ 2019 best and fairest player has returned to the back row in 2022 after a stint away with work and has made an immediate impact.
His intensity at the breakdown has made him a dangerous threat to opposition possession. For a smaller body, coaches rate his ability to break the line in the middle of the paddock as second to none.
Aiden Reddicliffe
Reddicliffe has returned to his childhood club after his university studies and has filled in a multitude of roles across the backline since making his comeback.
With strong playmaking vision and the skills to execute it, Reddicliffe’s physicality has helped him play flyhalf, both centres, wing and fullback in an injury-hit team.
NORTH WARD Johnny Salee
A North Ward A-grade standout since his 18th birthday, Salee’s strength in the Old Boys front row is only matched by the speed at which he can process the game mentally.
His combination of power and footy smarts see him cross the gainline every single carry.
Sam Bradley
A young family has cut into Bradley’s availability this season but when he takes the field the lift in his teammates is immediately apparent.
The flyhalf has represented Queensland Country where his strong ball-running and kicking boot have been used to full effect.
TEACHERS WEST Angus Small
The future Dr Small has been the dominant prop in Townsville rugby for years.
His abilities have seen him selected for Queensland Country where his all-round game has been a pillar of the Heelers pack as well as his home club.
Curtis Rayment
Rayment brings the excitement wherever he lines up in the Bulldogs backline but his preferred positions are flyhalf and fullback.
Rayment attacks with flair and excels when playing offthe-cuff, eyes-up football.
His speed and evasiveness help him get into position to make most tackles as well.
WESTERN SUBURBS Brandon Luta
A staple of the Queensland Country Heelers for years, Luta is one of the highest-impact front rowers Townsville has ever seen.
An excellent scrummager and physical ball-carrier, Luta (pictured right) is the unquestioned leader of the Dragons pack, whether captaining or otherwise.
Kailab Coventry
A former Queensland Schoolboys and Queensland Sevens training squad representative, Coventry is the tip of the Dragons spear in the backline.
His linebreaking ability was never more on show than in a 22-15 win over Charters Towers, when Coventry shredded the Bulls for five linebreaks.