40 young rugby league players on the Fraser Coast to watch
The next generation of Fraser Coast rugby league stars have been identified from Maryborough to Hervey Bay, who could find themselves playing in a higher league - possibly even the NRL. Now, 40 of the region’s young guns can be named. Full list:
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Fraser Coast coaches turned talent scouts have identified 40 of the region’s rising rugby league players.
From Maryborough and Hervey Bay, our experts have identified their top junior stars that are set to have breakout seasons or continue their success.
Some have been selected in development squads and other have represented their clubs in Wide Bay teams and even more. Meet the 40 young Fraser Coast player to watch.
This list is in no particular order.
Mitchell Rock - Burrum Miners U12
Mitchell Rock, 11, joined the Burrum Miners Junior Rugby League Club in 2018.
This rising star plays in the club’s under 12 team as their dummy half and hooker.
Mitchell , who has been playing rugby league for five years, described the coaches at Burrum Miners JRL were “awesome”.
“Rugby League has made me realise the importance of being a team player, backing my teammates and given me the confidence to back myself, no matter how small I am,” he said.
“I love my club because I have made some awesome friends and it feels like one big family.”
Alleah Locke-Nelson - Burrum Miners U12
This 11-year-old rising rugby league star plays five eighth in the under 12s at Burrum Miners JRL.
Alleah Locke-Nelson joined the club in 2022, and has been playing rugby league for a year now.
“My highlights of playing rugby league are scoring my first try, being coached by my dad, proving my ability in under 10’s to be placed in my proper age group...” she said.
Another highlight for Alleah was being selected to play five-eighth by her 12’s coach and “tackling boys one on one”.
Nara Woods - Burrum Miners U12
Nara Woods, 12, said she was “thankful and proud” to be a Burrum Miners JRL player.
Although this is her first year playing rugby league and a team sport, Nara said her coaches had taught her the “meaning of a team” and they had “become family”.
“Throughout this year at Burrum, this club has taught me to be more confident and a stronger person,” she said.
“If anything bad happens, get up, keep going with my head held high.
“This club accepts me for who I am and embraces my personality.”
Nara plays centre and second row for the club’s under 12 team.
Coen Looker - Burrum Miners U12
Burrum Miners JRL lock and centre Coen Looker started in the club’s under 8s, and now plays for the under 12s.
Coen has played rugby league for one and a half seasons and is “not afraid to get in and tackle”.
“Coming back and fitting in with the new u12’s team was a bit scary, but my team is loud and fun and I look forward to playing with them,” he said.
“My coaches are awesome; they explain things I can understand... like I love chess and they compared it to that so I can see it on the field.
“I love my family coming because I want to make them proud.”
Rahnn Soden - Hervey Bay Seagulls U12
Rahnn Soden plays for Hervey Bay Seagulls Rugby League Club under 12s.
While he does not play in a certain position just yet, he said his dream was playing “front row for the Broncos”.
“I really like rugby league because it’s an interactive and fun sport for everyone,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter what you are, a boy or a girl, you can still have fun.”
Utah Blaikie - Hervey Bay Seagulls U12
Fellow Hervey Bay Seagulls under 12s player Utah Blaikie joined the club in 2022.
While the 11-year-old rising star has only been playing rugby league for six months, he scores nearly three tries each game.
“I love playing rugby league of course, and my favourite position to play is either forward or a halfback,” he said.
Utah said his coach encouraged him to “run hard” and try his best.
Sam Wheeler - Hervey Bay Seagulls U12
Sam Wheeler started his rugby league journey playing for under 10s at Hervey Bay Seagulls in 2020.
“I really enjoy my footy and I’ve been playing for three years now,” he said.
He now plays in under 12s at the club.
While playing in under 11s in Mackay, a highlight for Sam was winning the “most improved award”.
“I would hopefully like to play for the NRL one day,” he said.
Jasiah Parsons - Hervey Bay Seagulls U12
This rising rugby league star at Hervey Bay Seagulls has been playing the sport for seven years.
Jasiah Parsons currently plays in under 12s at the club and aspires to be a halfback.
For Jasiah, what he loves most about rugby league is “playing with mates”, with his idol being Johnathan Thurston.
Maddie Shipp - Hervey Bay Seagulls U12
Maddie Shipp has five years of rugby league experience behind her, and currently plays for under 12s at Hervey Bay Seagulls.
This young rugby superstar dreams of playing lock for the Indigenous All Stars, and for the Dragons in the NRL Womens Premiership.
For Maddie, a key achievement was being selected in the Wide Bay Female Competition, and what she enjoys most about rugby league is “tackling people”.
She joined Hervey Bay Seagulls in 2019.
Charlotte Gordon - Hervey Bay Seagulls U10
Charlotte Gordon may only be in her first season of rugby league, but she has already scored a try in one of her games.
For this under-10s player, her favourite part about the sport is tackling and dreams of one day being able to play for the Panthers.
Charlotte joined Hervey Bay Seagulls in the 2022 season.
Flynn Polit - Hervey Bay Seagulls U10
This rising rugby league star joined the Hervey Bay Seagulls three years ago, and is now playing in under 10s at the club.
Flynn Polit said what he loved most about rugby league was playing with friends and “having fun”.
A big achievement for Flynn in his rugby league journey has been setting up tries during his games.
Taylah Mews - Hervey Bay Seagulls U12
Previously playing for a team in Toowoomba, Taylah Mews has brought her rugby league talent to the Hervey Bay Seagulls.
She joined the club in 2021 and currently plays in under 12s.
With three years of rugby league experience already behind her, Taylah dreams of one day becoming a second rower.
Taylah said her favourite part about the sport was “tackling the kids”.
Braxon Boon - Hervey Bay Seagulls U14
Rising rugby league star Braxon Boon plays in under 14s for the Hervey Bay Seagulls.
“I’ve been playing the sport for around nine years and my biggest achievement so far would be Wide Bay under 12s,” he said.
Braxon said getting out on the field with his mates was the best part about playing the sport.
According to Bundaberg NewsMail, the young talent is also known for his kicking skills and played in the RISE rugby league development program.
He was also awarded Best Black in 2021 at one of the club’s awards nights.
Samuel Wilson - Hervey Bay Seagulls U14
Samuel Wilson has been playing for the Hervey Bay Seagulls since his under-8’s days.
“The reason I got into footy in the first place was probably because of my dad playing when he was young,” he said.
Samuel now plays in under 14s at the club, highlighting his biggest achievement as making the Wide Bay Rugby League team.
Tom Mason - Hervey Bay Seagulls U13
For this young rugby league talent, tackling is what he loves most about the sport.
Hervey Bay Seagulls under 13’s player Tom Mason joined the club two years ago and has already scored some big achievements.
In 2021, he won Best Forward and is now a second rower for his under 13s team.
Caelan Barr - Hervey Bay Seagulls U13
Hervey Bay Seagulls under 13’s second rower Caelan Barr has had eight years experience in the game.
The rising rugby league star joined the Seagulls in 2015, and was selected for Wide Bay Rugby League in 2019 and 2021.
Caelan said “meeting new people”, getting to play with mates and just “having fun” were his favourite parts the sport.
Lukus Clemson - Hervey Bay Seagulls U10
Lukus Clemson started his rugby league career playing in under 6s at Hervey Bay Seagulls.
Now playing in under 10s at the club, Lukus said his favourite part of rugby league was tackling.
Importantly, the young talent described himself as a“good team player”.
Preston King - Hervey Bay Seagulls U15
Hervey Bay Seagulls under 15’s fullback Preston King hopes to become a professional rugby league player.
His said his biggest achievement was winning the grand final with a couple of lads two years ago.
“I play this sport because I take it professionally and I want to go all the way,” he said.
Preston has been playing rugby league for six years, and joined the Seagulls around three to four years ago.
Iliesa Baravilala - Hervey Bay Seagulls U16
Iliesa Baravilala has already scored some incredible rugby league achievements for his age.
“I’ve been playing rugby league, this is my third year this year, and one of my favourite achievements is being involved in the Cowboys Academy,” he said.
The young rugby superstar plays halfback, five eighth and fullback in under 16s for the Hervey Bay Seagulls.
Caleb Berthelsen - Hervey Bay Seagulls U15
Caleb Berthelsen started his rugby league career with the Hervey Bay Seagulls eight years ago.
The young athlete now plays in under 15s at the club.
“My best achievement is probably making the Dolphins Squad,” he said.
“The thing I like most about footy is just getting to play with all my mates and I just love the sport - I’m really competitive,” he said.
Ethan Hore - Hervey Bay Seagulls U16
Rising rugby league star Ethan Hore has played the sport for nine years now.
He current position is hooker in the Hervey Bay Seagulls under 16s team.
“My favourite thing about it, rugby league, is just getting involved and having the boys around,” he said.
Joshua Titmarsh - Wallaroo JRLC U11
Joshua Titmarsh started his playing career in under 6s at Wallaroo JRLC in 2017.
The rising rugby league star now plays in the club’s under 11s.
A key achievement for Joshua was being selected in the Wide Bay Schools under 11s side, and playing in Townsville for the state championship.
Leyland Kemble - Wallaroo JRLC U12
Despite only being a youngster, Leyland Kemble has already been selected to represent multiple teams for his school.
He started his rugby league career in under 6s at Wallaroo JRLC in 2016.
A club spokesperson described Leyland as a player who “consistently gives his all” and “not afraid to put himself on the line and play up out of his age group”.
Leyland now plays in under 12s at the club.
Emme Neinhuis - Wallaroo JRLC U12
Described as an “outstanding all round player” by her club, Emme Neinhuis started her rugby league journey in under 12s at Wallaroo JRLC in 2022.
“This girl has the goods to go far in rep when she is given the opportunity,” a club spokesperson said.
Connor Gee - Wallaroo JRLC U11
Wallaroo JRLC under 11s player Connor Gee is a young rugby league talent to watch.
He joined the club in his under 8’s days in 2019.
A club spokesperson described Connor as a “great all rounder and one to watch as his skills progress”.
Caden Muir - Wallaroo JRLC U11
In 2020, Caden Muir embarked on his rugby league journey when he started playing in under 10s at Wallaroo JRLC.
Since then, the young athlete has been recognised by the club as “one to watch as opportunities start to arise” in the years ahead.
Kolby Joynson - Wallaroo JRLC U12
Kolby Joynson joined the Wallaroo JRLC in 2018 when he played in under 6s.
Now with years of experience in the sport behind him, this rugby league star has a shining future ahead of him.
A club spokesperson said Kolby was a “great all rounder with big things to come for him”.
Bayley Carius - Wallaroo JRLC U13
Bayley Carius started his playing career in 2017.
In 2019, he joined the Wallaroos and has since been selected in the Wide Bay schools team.
Another highlight for Bayley was being selected in the Queensland team for athletics.
“When he gets the ball he is a hard one to catch – one to watch,” a club spokesperson said.
Deejay Kearns - Wallaroo JRLC U13
This young rugby league star has already played in a state championship in Cairns, as was selected in the under 12’s Wide Bay Schools team.
Deejay Kearns started playing rugby league in 2015, and joined the Wallaroo JRLC under 8s in 2017.
“Talks with Bronco scouts for development squad have already began for this kid – one to watch,” a club spokesperson said.
Devyn MacDonald - Wallaroo JRLC U15
There are “big things coming” for young rugby league star Devyn MacDonald.
A spokesperson from Wallaroo JRLC described Devyn as a “great all rounder” as well as a “great kid to have for balance” on a team.
Devyn started his playing career in 2013, at Gayndah and then joined the Wallaroo JRLC in 2019.
He has been selected in the Wide Bay Schools under 15’s team and for the 2022 Dolphins Development Squad.
Devyn has also played in Brisbane at state championship level.
Tyson Knight - Wallaroo JRLC U15
A young rugby league talent described by his club as a player who is “definitely going places”.
Tyson Knight joined the Wallaroo JRLC in 2013 when he played in under 6s.
He has been selected in the Wide Bay Schools under 15’s team, as well as the 2022 Broncos and Dolphins development squads.
Tyson was also crowned Man of the Match when he recently played in Brisbane for state honours.
Pearce Booth - Wallaroo JRLC U15
Pearce Booth plays in under 15s at the Wallaroo JRLC.
He joined the club in 2015 and has been selected in the Wide Bay Schools under 15s.
Key achievements for Pearce include being selected in the 2022 Queensland Reds Development Squad (rugby union) and playing in Brisbane in a state competition.
Kev Weribone - Wallaroo JRLC
Kev Weribone started his playing career with the Wallaroo JRLC in 2021.
The rugby league newcomer has already been selected in the Wide Bay Schools team, and various athletic teams for Wide Bay.
“Wow, for a late starter in the sport, this kid is moving fast up the path,” a club spokesperson said.
A highlight for Kev was being selected in the Dolphins development squad for 2022.
Lachlon Beasley – Maryborough Brothers
Maryborough Brothers Junior Rugby League player Lachlon Beasley is another rising rugby talent of the Fraser Coast.
In 2021, he played fullback in club’s under-12s team.
A club spokesperson said Lachlon was a “player you see where size doesn’t matter”.
“His commitment and dedication to all training sessions and giving 100 per cent effort will take him a long way,” a spokesperson said.
Hayley Cross – Maryborough Brothers
Hayley Cross started her first season in rugby league when she joined Maryborough Brothers JRL in 2021.
Despite being in a team with mostly boys, she was crowned the most improved player in her under 12s team in 2021.
A club spokesperson said once Hayley got an understanding of the game her “confidence grew,” and she started “coming in from the centre chasing the ball more”.
Zaiden Malone – Maryborough Brothers
This rising rugby league star has been playing with Maryborough Brothers JRL for five years.
In his time at the club over the years, Zaiden Malone has taken home several awards in rugby league achievements.
“He not only demonstrates a great attack, but his defence has also always stood out,” a club spokesperson said.
Lincoln Putman – Maryborough Brothers
Lincoln Putman plays for Maryborough Brothers JRL.
He represented the Maryborough District for the under 12s in 2021, and held a leadership position as the captain of his under 12’s team at Maryborough Brothers JRL.
“Lincoln’s is able to lead the way in the middle with his strong defence and also take the hit-ups early in the set to get the team across the advantage line,” a club spokesman said.
Malakai Lasserre – Maryborough Brothers
This rising rugby league star joined Maryborough Brothers JRL halfway through the 2021 season.
Malakai Lasserre played five eighth for the club’s under 12s in 2021.
A club representative described him as being “quick on his feet” and had “the ability to find gaps, always making the advantage line early for the backline”.
“He has great skills right across his game defence, passing and also knowing when to hold the ball and run,” the club representative said.
Jack Brischke – Maryborough Brothers
A young rugby league talent who his recognised by his club as a “true team player”.
Jack Brischke plays hooker for his team at Maryborough Brothers JRL, and holds the position of hooker.
A club spokesperson described Jack as “always in the middle, working hard in his defence”.
“He has nice quick handouts from dummy half, having a great ability to pass both left and right,”a club spokesperson said.
Ariki Grau-Winikerei – Maryborough Brothers
Rising rugby league star Ariki Grau-Winikerei plays for Maryborough Brothers JRL.
“Ariki has great attacking skills from the halfback role which he demonstrated last year, and developed him; gaining a position in the under-12’s Wide Bay Rep side,” a club spokesperson said.
Ariki was also described as “really consistent player” right from his early days at the club.
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