Langer Reserves Team of the Season unveiled here ahead of big dance
The Langer Reserves Team of the Season revealed here ahead of Wednesday’s Ipswich-Mabel Park grand final. Also featured were many other award winners and special mention recipients.
Other Sports
Don't miss out on the headlines from Other Sports. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Ipswich SHS will play Mabel Park SHS in Wednesday’s grand final after both teams earned wins during this week’s big wet.
The decider, to be live streamed by News Corp at 10.30am on Wednesday, August 21, will conclude what was another bumper season that saw Langer Trophy standard players scattered all around the competition.
LANGER TROPHY GRAND FINAL COUNTDOWN
LANGER TROPHY SEMI-FINAL REPORT HERE
Ahead of the decider, we name our Langer Reserves team of the season, while also recognising many of the other outstanding players from the competition.
TEAM OF THE SEASON
1. Dylan Watkins (PBC SHS)
Watkins was consistently a 3-2-1 vote winner with his effort, work rate and class from the back.
He was equally at home at either wing or centre, but at fullback his turn of speed, safety under the high ball and vision would be to the fore.
He had a sprinkle of class this kid.
It is a little wonder PBC SHS had another good Langer Trophy season when you have blokes like Watkins playing in the reserves.
2. Mel Nonu (Ipswich SHS)
A semi-final hero for Ipswich, Nonu was like an extra forward with his work ethic from the wing getting his side out of trouble on exit.
With the ball he was also an accomplished finisher and around the park he hunted work.
3. Gus Folau (Redcliffe SHS)
Folau was his team’s Man of the Match in three out of their seven games. Aside from his strike power in attack, ruck runs out of defence, and tackling, Folau also became the team’s goal kicker - nailing four from four in one match.
4. Tyler Theuerkauf (Ipswich SHS)
One of the toughest attacking players in the competition, Theuerkauf’s strength and speed was too hard to handle as he was consistently one of Ipswich’s best throughout the season.
He was at his best on his beloved North Ipswich Reserve turf where, on multiple occasions throughout the season, he came away with doubles.
Ipswich SHS were in the box seat when their damaging left centre Theuerkauf had the ball in his hands.
5. Harlem Tata-Piki (Mabel Park SHS)
The Mabel Park SHS centre was his side’s best player in their semi-final win, with his edge defence going to another level.
This season saw him make lots of strong carries coming out of trouble for his side.
He played centre but to fit everyone, we named him on the wing where he would be a wrecking ball.
6. Taj Lateo (PBC SHS)
The 2023 Walters Cup premiership winning No.6, Lateo was blooded in the Langer Trophy but played most of his football in the reserves.
He was an attacking spark, but also a clever support player.
Lateo also read play with his tactical kicking, arguably his biggest asset.
The tall, long striding playmaker was classy that is for sure.
7. Gideon Tanielu (Mabel Park SHS)
A player who was too good to be in the Langer Reserves, much like many others in this competition, Taniuela set high standards for his teammates and had plenty of bows to his arrow.
A halfback or five-eighth who is also a quality dummyhalf, Tanielu’s short kicking game, long passing and running game was to the fore of Mabel Park SHS’s successful season.
He was also a fierce defender who knew what strings to pull to get the best out of his side.
8. Tanielu Tuu’u (Ipswich SHS)
He was exceptional from start to finish, with his work in the middle third of the field something to behold.
A big, powerful customer, Tuu’u sometimes provided the output of two players that is how much work he got through on a Wednesday afternoon.
But that was all a product of his efforts at training through the week where he is one of the hardest workers, according to coach Shane Dore.
9. Sonny Herdegen (Wavell SHS)
Sonny Herdegen had the footy smarts.
You can see he has played countless minutes from the backyard to the local oval - and watched even more.
Put that great football mind into a creative body and you have a high class footballer and when he was on the paddock for the Warriors, they were a different beast.
When he wasn’t Zius Oloapo did a great job.
10. Pale Feaunati (Ipswich SHS)
One of the top two or three players in the competition, big Feaunati was not eligible to play Langer Trophy after arriving at his old school from Brisbane too late.
But watch for him to lead the way in 2025.
He is contracted to the Broncos and is a little like former Brisbane champion Petero Civoniceva.
This season, he went looking for work and got Keebra Park SHS rolling with his charges.
11. Devin Bates-Wellington (PBC SHS)
On multiple occasions the second rower was his team’s most prolificforward this season, and he was rewarded with a semi-final berth in PBC SHS’s top side for the quarterfinals.
The powerful edge forward is a workhorse, who on numerous occasions either found the tryline or helped his teammate cross by laying the foundation with a strong carry.
12. Tipene Cooley (Mabel Park SHS)
One of the reasons Mabel Park SHS won through to the big dance was because of its edge forward depth and the best in the business was Tipene Cooley who was strong in both attack and defence.
He is playing centre at the moment but has as a second rower he gets the job too, and it earned him a Langer Trophy call up.
13. Unique Waerehu (Ipswich SHS)
An elite No.6 but in order to get the top 20 performers this season in the squad, he is named as a starting No.13.
Ironically there were times this season when he played like an extra No.13 with his physical defence at five-eight.
He had a knack for creating tries for others or scoring himself, and organised his backs where he was able to bring players to the outside or inside of him like a thorough professional.
14. Wilhelm Wolfgramm (Keebra Park SHS)
The Langer Reserves was like a merry-go-round at stages this season as players came in and out, but one constant was prop Wolfgramm who demanded his place in this side with the quality of his work.
15. Motootua Kia (Mabel Park SHS)
Samoan man mountain Motootua Kia dominated periods of play with his barnstorming carries through the middle which allowed his halves allowed Tanielu and Marsden to play freely.
A loyant servant to Mabel Park SHS’s Langer Reserves team the last two years, Kia has that fear factor and would get his team on the front foot in an instant with he charged towards the defensive line at full throttle.
16. Tanei Heijames (Marsden SHS)
Heijames was the Mr Consistent of the Marsden SHS side, a big man who played his heart out, week in, week out.
There was one match where he starred in the reserves - and 30 minutes later was on the field backing up in the Langer Trophy.
No one deserves selection more than him.
17. Tyson MacDonald (Mabel Park SHS)
A powerfully built winger, MacDonald was another who looked Langer Trophy standard.
His thumping runs out of the back field pushed Mabel Park SHS onto the front foot, and when he needed to be he was also a class finisher who took a ton of stopping.
In the air he was elite and he had the pace to finish backline shifts in athe click of a finger.
18. James Spicer (Wavell SHS)
The inspiring Wavell SHS prop was the heart and soul of the team.
He produced countless hit-ups and even more tackles. Spicer was someone who worked himself until he could give no more - and then he would give more.
When he wasn’t on the field, the Warriors missed his aggression and presence that is for sure.
19th man. Josiah Fa’Aoso (PBC SHS)
All power, the explosive Fa’Aoso was so impressive across the Langer Reserves season that Langer Trophy coach Tim Maccan handed him a berth for the quarterfinals.
He was dynamic in the middle with his strength in contact and would shed tackles like it was nothing.
20th man. Jackson Carmody (Redcliffe SHS)
Carmody is a quality hooker or half, but makes this team for his leadership.
Redcliffe SHS were never out of a game and it was because of their inspiring dummyhalf leader Jackson Carmody, a high IQ player who knew where the ball had to go.
He had an uncanny way of bringing the group together to produce and play as a team.
THE PLAYERS WE’D LOVE TO HAVE SQUEEZED INTO THE TOP SQUAD
Carlos Ka (Wavell SHS)
A little like Sonny Herdegen, Ka looked like a Langer Trophy player in reserve grade despite the limited opportunities he had in the centres.
He would have been a strong contender for the side but played three Langer Trophy games.
Before the term two holidays, Ka was a damaging left centre who loomed as a constant threat and he just knew how to beat a defender to score.
Isaiah Pene (Ipswich SHS)
A fullback, he was relatively unsung but lead the group wonderful as co-captain of the side. Pene, who has been with the Ipswich program since Year 7, would be a Firsts player at most other schools there is no doubt about it.
His quick footwork, vision and quick decision making gave Ipswich SHS a headstart from the backfield.
Justus Lowndes (Keebra Park SHS)
A halfback, he had a great attacking kicking game which forced restarts and caused grief for fullbacks, while he was also creative with the ball.
He will play in the Langer Trophy next season.
Lachlan Hill (Wavell SHS)
An edge back rower, Hill loved a collision and enjoyed defence.
A strong runner, Hill was rewarded with two games in Langer Trophy top side toward the end of the season.
Titus Marsden (Mabel Park SHS)
Crafty five-eighth Marsden was a sharp shooting ace who guided his team around the paddock expertly across the season.
His short kicking game was at times jaw dropping and Mabel Park SHS’s success started in the halves with the first rate Marsden and Tanielu.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Berakah Tuifaasisina (Ipswich SHS)
If he doesn’t have a future in rugby union - Berakah Tuifaasisina is a rugby union representative prop - then Tuifaasisina would sure have a future in rugby league.
He was a mobile middle forward with boundless energy, great timing in defence and nice ball skills.
Khan Pokere (Marsden SHS)
Rain, hail or shine, in good times and not so good times, fullback Pokere was an accomplished No.1 who maintained a high standard at the back of his side.
Hollan Poto (Redcliffe SHS)
Poto played strongly on the wing, enabling his team to get its sets rolling forward from an early tackle.
He was also safe under the high ball.
Jed Anderson (Ipswich SHS)
An unsung hero, the Ipswich SHS co-captain was not flashy, but he took the tough carries and made his tackles.
He didn’t sweep 40m down field, but neither did his opponents.
He was a fine leader.
Anthony Solomon (Marsden SHS)
His end of season was nipped in the bud by injury, but when he was on the field Solomon looked like a Langer Trophy First XIII player in the reserves.
He was an outstanding forward, a No.13 who could act as a prop or playmaker at any given time.
Onosa’I Howe (Mabel Park SHS)
Howe was a brute of an edge forward who played above his weight.
He had nice footwork to go with his aggressive running and leg drive. He also defended strongly.
Bailey Downs (Mabel Park SHS)
Another quality edge forward at the school, Downs angled his runs cleverly and drove powerfully at the point of contact.
Unsung due to the mountains of work he got through in a game, Downs did the dirty work well and had plenty of speed.
Ethan O’Day (Ipswich SHS)
A tough as teak No.13 who unfortunately broke his hand.
There was no mucking around with O’Day who’d make 40 tackles a game - then look to make some more.
Xander Henaway (Wavell SHS)
Henaway played strongly and consistently across the season for Wavell SHS.
He was the team’s orchestrator in attack, fronted up in defence, kicked goals efficiently, forced repeat sets with his deft short kicking game and was the bloke Wavell looked to when a play had to be made.
PLAYERS WE’D LOVE TO HAVE SEEN MORE OF
Jack O’Hagan (Redcliffe SHS)
O’Hagan was outstanding when he played reserves and would have made the side had he not played more Langer First XIII games than reserve fixtures.
Lisi Fa’aoso (Wavell SHS)
A five-eight or hooker, Fa’aoso was very strong in all aspects of the game and was ultimately rewarded with Langer Trophy appearances.
MR VERSATILE
Jackson Globits (Wavell SHS)
Globits was the Mr Fix-it who proved more than capable as either a second rower or centre.
McSweeney Ripa (Wavell SHS)
What a player.
This kid played fullback, winger, centre, and halfback this season.
He is electric, pacy and passionate and Wavell had the spark needed to win close games when Ripa was lurking.
A PLAYER WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE IN 2025
James Pau (Ipswich SHS)
Prop James Pau was outstanding with his energy, leg drive and effort around the ruck. The Year 11 student was athletic and had plenty of energy, often chasing kicks with great enthusiasm.
WILDCARD TALENT
Beau Molo (Redcliffe SHS)
A seconr rower, Molo was a strong carrier of the ball who was at the peak of his powers taking the Eagles forward in his wider chanell.
Then on defence, he took no prisoners.
BEST UTILITY
Max Kirkman (Redcliffe SHS)
Utility played lock/hooker and covered in the outside backs when we had injuries. Strong carries for a smaller guy and had a huge work rate.
ELITE KICKING GAME
Jackson Sambrooks (Redcliffe SHS)
Redcliffe SHS’s halfback, Sambrooks had arguably the most dangerous kicking game in this competition and he used it to get the side out of trouble when trapped in their end.
In opposition territory, he created plenty of tries with his cross field kicks, towering kicks, and grubbers that caused plenty of headaches of rival back three players.
ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD
Josh Beetham (Mabel Park SHS) who returned from a long injury;
Loti Fatunelu (Wavell SHS) who announced himself with a bang in his first game of the season in round five with a great work ethic and defensive efforts;
Will Witlock (Wavell SHS) who also returned to the field in round five after an injury lay-off, playing right winger
DEVELOPMENT PLAYER
Sione Feketi (Ipswich SHS) was a tall, all effort winger who had only been playing the game for 18 months after moving from Sydney to Redbank Plains.
We can’t wait to see his progression this time next season.
OLD SCHOOL PROP AWARD
Braddock Taylor (Mabel Park SHS)
Taylor ran straight and hard, and did it over and over again.
It was strictly business for this Mabel Park SHS middle forward.
HARD YAKKA AWARD WINNERS
- The Redcliffe forwards Kai Harris, Genesis Toleafoa, and Ajay Maka who, as a group, worked well in tandem to get their side on a roll.
- Tugene David (Ipswich SHS), an edge back rower who defended strongly and attacked all season.
- Dominic Ierome (Mabel Park SHS) was a workhorse No.13 who was always under consideration when it came to 3-2-1 votes after matches.
He will be a Langer Trophy walk-in next year.
Originally published as Langer Reserves Team of the Season unveiled here ahead of big dance
Ultra-light winds foil Aussies at America’s Cup youth regatta
Australia finally raced in anger at the America’s Cup Youth regatta after days of weather delays and in terrible conditions off Barcelona. Latest news.
Noted! How Aussies chasing winning edge at Youth America’s Cup
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but Australian sailors are relying on it giving them an extra edge at the America’s Cup youth regatta in Barcelona.