Dalby rugby league: 25+ up and coming footy legends from across the region
The next generation of young gun footy players have been turning heads and making their mark on the Western Downs region throughout the 2023 season. We’ve named some of the brightest junior talent here. SEE THE LIST.
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Dalby and the surrounding region is no stranger to producing top-quality football stars over the years and now the town’s coaches have identified the juniors who they think has what it takes to be among the next generation of rugby league legends.
These are Dalby’s top junior footy players who have shown great skill, determination and enthusiasm for the sport.
The following list is in no particular order and each player identified includes comments from their coaches.
Under-13 boys
“With no shortage of depth or talent across the playing field, this entire team is one to watch,” coach Zac Robinson said.
“The individual contributions of every player in this side and the way the boys work together will be a huge threat in the TJRL this year.”
Talon Burton
This year has seen Talon make the change into playing lock position, however is said to have the ability to attack like a half.
“A dedicated Devil from day one, Talon always gives his best on the field,” Robinson said.
“He is a tackling machine and can take a hit (often sporting a black eye for his efforts).”
Mason Geisel
The crowd should be excited to see what Mason will bring to the team after representing the Darling Downs as an under-12.
“Mason is one of the toughest under-13 Devils and will always run into defence with a smile on his face,” Robinson said.
“He uses his strength to get over the advantage line. (He) can always be seen putting on big defensive hits and is a major asset to the team.”
Ryker and Jasper Filewood (aka ‘The Twins’)
While the pair may be identical twins, it’s said that these two are completely different when it comes to what they bring on the field.
“Jasper is a running fullback, always catching the defence off guard with his speed,” Robinson said.
“Ryker is an interchangeable player, between centre and halves with equally impressive defensive skills. Both are representative players and two to watch.”
Joe York
Dubbed the ‘magic mullet’, Joe brings an impressive passing game to the team this season.
“Joe has developed into a half with his superb ball handling skills,” Robinson said.
“(He) has an amazing ability to read the game and is always fighting to the end. Looking forward to seeing Joe develop with the team.”
Under-13 Girls
Comments provided by Shirley Hay and Gaby Anderton.
The Dalby Devils have combined with the Oakey Bears to field an all-girls under-13 side.
Montaya Domjahn
Montaya is “always” a player to watch, and is said to be just as hard and strong as any of the boys from her team.
“(She has) plenty of ticker and it will be great to watch her confidence grow in a girls-only playing environment this season,” Anderton said.
Allie Parker Egel
Allie is up there with “the best of the boys” since joining the Devils a few years ago.
“Allie has a swag of Player of the Match and Player of the Carnival titles to her name,” Anderton said.
“She gives it absolutely everything, is a strong runner and a hard defender. She will thrive.”
Lily Jones
Lily is a player who is said to give 100 per cent even at training.
“She is a hard worker and never gives up,” Anderton said.
“Lily can always be counted on to encourage her teammates, to lift at training and inspires the team to continue working hard.”
Under-14 Boys
Comments provided by Tim Hart and Matt McDonnell.
“A team with infinite potential and talent, this side were runners up in the 2022 TJRL competition as under-13s,” Hart and McDonnell said.
“Now under-14s, this squad has been doing the hard work in pre-season, playing some of their best football at the recent Adrian Vowles Cup.”
Pat Stenzel
Pat is said to have finished the 2022 season strong and proved to be one of the strongest ball runners in the team.
“Pat is the epitome of a front rower and a true leader,” the coaches said.
“He runs hard and is hard to tackle. He brings great energy to the team, keeps calm under pressure and steps up in the big moments.”
Cooper Tate
Playing in the halves, Cooper is said to have shown great consistency during trial games and at the Adrian Vowles Cup and has “brilliant work ethic”.
“His efforts at training and outside of training are second-to-none and it shows,” the coaches said.
“Cooper applies every bit of advice to his games and will cause some strife this year.”
Ned Laffey
After playing rugby union for the Dalby Wheatmen for many years, Ned has made the switch to rugby league this season.
“Ned is working exceptionally hard at training to make a smooth transition between the codes and was an absolute animal in forwards during the recent trial match against the Waterford Demons,” the coaches said.
“He is 100 per cent a player to watch.”
Under-15 Boys
Comments provided by Craig Fermor.
“The Devils under-15s have been working hard since their pre-season camp and training session with the Gold Coast Titans in mid-January,” Fermor said.
“We’re expecting a top four season from these boys in 2023.”
Ronald Fing
Ronald is said to be a gifted fullback with a “huge potential” in the game.
“The thing that sets Ronald apart is his footy intelligence, his strong work ethic and his ‘team before anything else’ attitude,” Fermor said.
“He is a try scorer, a good defender and a great talker. Ronald is growing into a leader within the team.”
Jaxan Long
Fermor is expecting a “big season” from the front rower who is playing his third season for rugby league.
“Jaxan is a big body in the front row, a strong ball runner and an aggressive defender,” he said.
“His skills are still developing but he brings aggression and intimidation to our forward pack.”
Jack Hall
Jack is referred to as a “quiet achiever” within his team and plays in the centres and on the wing.
“He is a hard worker and very versatile,” Fermor said.
“Jack is the kind of player every coach wants on his side. He never complains, he has a great work ethic and he will fill any position asked of him and get the job done.”
Ace Smith
New to the Devils this season, Fermor said he is excited to see what Ace brings to the side after seeing his efforts at pre-season training.
“He has skills, is a good ball runner and isn’t afraid to get his body in front to make a tackle,” he said.
“Ace will bring a point of difference to our spine this year which will help create more scoring opportunities for the team.”
Under-16 Boys
Comments provided by Dave Tate.
“The Devils under-16s have started the season with a new level of intensity and enthusiasm courtesy of a new coaching team spearheaded by Dave Tate,” the club said.
“Dave coached under-13 Devils to their first TJRL premiership last year and it will be exciting to see this team go from strength to strength under his command.”
Koen Zerbst, Dan Brown and Waynos Salase-Edmonds
The trio are current players in the 2023 under-16s Western Clydesdales side and have been training and doing the Devils proud on the representative side.
“It will be good to inject them back into the Devils under-16s team when the season kicks off,” Tate said.
Braden Eisenmenger
Braden is said to be an “exceptionally skilled” forward with great speed and is a “terrific hole runner”.
“(He) is a gritty player who never shies away from the hard work and is as formidable in attack and he is in defence.”
Jackson Harrison Gander
The fullback is referred to by his coach as “electric” and a player who puts the work in to develop and hone his skills.
“Jackson is an electric fullback in the mould of Tedesco, who has been working exceptionally hard to improve his game,” Tate said.
“(He) does everything with intent, leads from the back and is a key organisational player.”
Riley Lankowski
Riley is described as being a “livewire half”.
“He controls the game well and has a great turn of pace,” Tate said.
“Riley brings good intensity and direction to the team.”
Caleb Wieland
The forward is said to be a “no nonsense” player.
“Caleb hits like a train and runs the footy just as hard,” Tate said.
“He always turns up for his teammates and can be counted on to give 110 per cent intensity.”
Under-17 Girls
Comments provided by Scott Anderton.
“With an exciting mix of enthusiastic new talent and the strength and experience of returning players, the Dalby Devils under-17s girls could easily be the dark horse of the TJRL competition this year,” Anderton said.
“They were in great pre-season form at the Adrian Vowles Cup in February and putting in big effort at training.”
Aaliyah Murray
Aaliyah is a new addition to the Devils team and is said to be showing great promise in the halves.
“An excellent ball handler and a smart ball mover, her ability to read play will be a tremendous asset to the team this year,” Anderton said.
Gemma Tate
Coming from a line of Devils and Diehards’ rugby league stock, Gemma joins the under-17s side for the first time playing the sport.
“(She is) training hard and making rapid improvements in the pre-season,” Tate said.
“It will be very exciting to see her enthusiastic efforts pay off in her first games for the Devils.”
Karley Falvey
Karley was named in the Adrian Vowles Cup Dream Team as a debutant to rugby league after playing her first ever three games in February.
“(She) is proving herself as a little lady with a big ticker,” Anderton said.
“Karley brings intensity, speed and agility to the fore and isn’t afraid to get the job done in defence.”
Natasha Nelson
Making the move from Roma, Natasha is said to be another new exciting addition to the Devils side.
“Natasha is a tough front rower who defends will,” Tate said.
“Her hard ball running will add great strength up in the middle for the girls this season.”
Under-17 Boys
Comments provided by Brenton McMillan.
“This side will start the year as the team to beat after achieving a dream finish to the 2022 season with their second consecutive TJRL premiership,” McMillan said.
“These boys will be the leaders of the Devils club this year and it is great to see some of these players giving back as coaches in younger age divisions.”
Jacob Utz
Jacob is said to be a strong player who has worked hard to get to starting position this season.
“Don’t be fooled by Jacob’s size,” McMillan said.
“He isn’t the biggest body in the team but is one of the 17s strongest. (He has) excellent leg drive in attack and isn’t afraid to put his body on the line in defence.
“Brilliant utility coming off the bench in the last couple of seasons but has worked his way into a starting spot on the team in the forwards.”
Joey Sankey
Joey is an exciting new addition to the team after playing at the coast for the last couple of years.
“(He) plays five-eighth and brings a lot of experience and leadership to the team,” McMillan said.
“Joey has a great kicking game to get his team on the front foot and can draw defenders to put his runners into space. A reliable defender on the edge and great talker on the field.”
Dan O’Callaghan
Dan is said to have really stepped up his game last season and has continued the progress throughout the trial matches this season.
“As halfback he guides the team around the field and is a really good organiser,” McMillan said.
“With some speedy backs and strong back rowers outside him, he will have plenty of try assists to his name. Dan is not afraid to get in and make some strong tackles on some of the bigger opposition.”
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