Four codes, 90 of Ipswich’s best young sports stars
Ipswich’s next generation of footy talent revealed. See who’s kicking goals and scoring tries with a list of 90 up-and-coming rookies and star players across four codes.
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Ipswich has a rich sporting history, there is no doubt about it.
There are plenty of young athletes who we will see lighting up the sporting field over the next few years.
Here we look at some of the best young talents from across the four footy codes - rugby league, rugby union, football and Australian rules.
Let’s recognise them in this list of 90 high-achievers from our district.
Here’s 90:
RUGBY LEAGUE:
Josiah Pahulu (Titans)
Pahulu is an absolute powerhouse prop/lock in the Queensland Under 19 men’s squad that played against New South Wales in June.
The Year 12 at Ipswich SHS was selcted in the Australian Schoolboy rugby league team following an impressive showcase at the National Championships at Redcliffe earlier this month.
Pahulu is contracted to the Gold Coast Titans and right now showing the full package of a NRL bound youngster in the 2022 Langer Trophy competition.
KULIKEFU FINEFEUIAKI (Cowboys)
Who is he? A tall, powerful backrower who is fearless when carrying the football. A great prospect.
This Ipswich State High School Old Boy of 2021 is another up-and-coming league star. He’s currently contracted to the Cowboys and living in Townsville.
He is in the Queensland Under 19 men’s squad.
Oliva Iaulualo (Bulldogs)
Who is he? A physical prop/second rower with a great offload. Ipswich SHS’s 16-year-old Oliva Laulualo is another Langer Trophy trooper. He played in the Connell challenge for the Ipswich Jets, was selected for the QLD U15’s in 2021 and the Met West U18’s this year. He’s Contracted to the Bulldogs.
Ipswich Jets Meninga coach Shane Harris said: “He’s very thick … and the combination of a strong palm and good leg drive means he’s very difficult to tackle.”
“Oliva always hunts defensively to make as many tackles as he can. He’s a hard worker,” Harris said.
Jeriah Vagana (Titans)
Vagana is a vicious attacking presence with a hunger for points.
He’s destructive into contact and is a try scoring threat with ball in hand for Ipswich SHS’s Langer reserve team.
Lynn Nielsen
A nifty half and a good organiser.
Nielsen is an elusive ball runner and a strong defender who plays for the U19 Ipswich Jets Women team.
Grace Tupai, Alisha Watene, Heina Navosa
With a mixture of Met West and Ipswich Jets about them, these three girls can play.
Whether it is defensive decision making, physicality, line-running or energy, they’ve got it all.
Dmaris Setu (Jets Women)
A lock with great footwork is a must. Setu has that covered.
With strong running and physical defence, Setu is a super league talent for the Ipswich Jets U19 Women team.
James Grey (Ipswich Grammar School)
Who is James Grey? A youngster at IGS who is the one of the best junior Rugby League or Union players out there.
He is an absolutely incredible talent with a combination of great game sense with physical gifts like size, power, strength and extraordinary speed.
He was running the 100m in sub 12 seconds when he was 12, and will have NRL clubs all over him the older he gets.
Fa’apale Feaunati (St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace)
The tall middle forward shone for Queensland 15 years schoolboy side at the national schoolboy championships.
With a long stride, foot work and ball skills, the Ipswich resident impressed and it is no wonder he has been signed by the Brisbane Broncos
Rene Bagon (Manly)
Ipswich SHS’s Rene Bagon is a Manly signed forward so highly thought of by the Sea Eagles, they fly him to Sydney each weekend to play in the SG Ball competition. Shane Harris has high praise for the 17-year-old’s physicality and aggression.
Mason Pintegne
Once Met West U18 and QLD U15 representative, Pintegne is an ex Ipswich SHS student who graduated in 2021. The halfback/ hooker has an instinctual game style which is captivating.
With good footwork to take the line on, he is currently in Canberra on a multi year deal with the Raiders.
Lishainah Ulugia (Ipswich SHS- Met West)
A cracking lock/five eight developing her game under the great Veronica White.
She has a very good passing game, great footwork, and an even better game understanding.
Tre Fotu
Ipswich SHS’s Langer Trophy centre Tre Fotu is a powerful young rugby league rook who bullies his opposition with his hard running and strong fend.
He played Mal at Souths and was selected in the Met West U18’s team this year.
Jalen Afamasaga (Ipswich SHS)
Ipswich SHS’s Langer Trophy talent has rugby-smarts, and organises the attack tremendously. He calmly controls the game, with good vision of when and who to distribute the ball to.
It is no wonder his team is one of the strongest in the competition.
Afamasaga was selected to the Met West U18’s team this year and was the No. 7 for Norths Devils in the Mal Meninga Cup this year.
Ariana Henderson(Ipswich SHS)
Henderson hangs in the halves with a great work ethic and a very competitive attitude.
She has good all-round skills and as a reward for her league prowess, has a place in the Titans U17 academy.
Kane Self (Knights)
Ex-Ipswich SHS student Kane Self is a lock who plays with a huge heart and energy. He’s a strong tackler who plays well above his size, contracted to the Knights. Self was flown down on weekends to play Harold Matthews Cup for them in 2022.
Amber Collins (Ipswich SHS)
Collins is a classy half back that plays well above her size.
She plays eyes up and has a good kicking game. She is also a Wet West representative.
Tiresa Elika (Ipswich SHS)
Elika is a strong lock with untapped potential. Her skills? powerful ball running with strong defence. The young gun is a Met West, QLD U15 Merit representative and a Queensland Super W academy talent.
She will run out at Suncorp Stadium alongside 15-year-old Fleur Ginn, a product of Brothers Ipswich this Wednesday representing the Queensalnd 16-18 Years Girls Rugby League Team.
Cooper Cracknell (Rabbitohs)
Cracknell is a powerful forward signed with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The Year 10 just knows the game. He knows when to get involved, and is a brick wall on defence.
He holds down the defensive line and ensures his team rushed up as one to prevent gaps for the opposition to exploit.
Lachlan Coburn (St Peter Claver College)
Coburn is another rugby league gun from Ipswich. He has footy in his genes and has been showing that with his fine Jets form over the last few years.
He keeps improving as a flourishing young league player as his love for the game grows stronger.
Clinton Smith (St Peter Claver College)
Smith is another Claver rookie with a bright future ahead. In only Grade eight, he has plenty of time to keep developing. However, he is already affiliated with the Canberra Raiders with a four year scholarship.
Remember the name of this 14-year-old who may be running out to a viking clap later in the decade.
Lachlan Stuart (St Peter Claver College)
In Mackay, Stuart stepped, kicked and dummied his way past defenders in the 42nd Confraternity Carnival, earning a spot in the honorary representative team.
He has a high ceiling this kid, and is a star halfback from Claver, with a year of Mal Meninga to come.
Nick Torrens (Rabbitohs)
Ipswich SHS’s Nick Torrens is South-Sydney Rabbitohs signed, and has been since 2021.
Watch out for his green-machine in the coming years.
Caleb Jackson (train and trial, Storm)
Jackson has what it takes to make it on the big stage.
The Jack Howarth-esque centre is a big strong ball runner with crisp passing and decision making skills. He is Mr. reliable in the Ipswich SHS Langer Trophy team.
Pauline Moliga (Met West Rep)
Moliga is a great ball runner that plays centre or lock. She’s got speed and power on the offensive end and some real physicality on the defence.
Lina Tanielu (Ipswich SHS)
Tanielu is a determined front rower with a sneaky offload in her back of tricks on top of hard-hitting defensive ability. She’s in the Titans U17 Academy, and a Met West and QLD U15 Merit rep.
Jazmyn Brennan-Rowe (Met West Rep)
Who is she? A damaging dummy half with a big engine and huge work ethic.
What Brennan-Rowe does best is controls the mid field.
Want more talented Ipswich league players?
Met West rep Summer Hoet leads by example with good ball skills and determination,
Shannalyn Mana’O goes all day with her elusive ball running.
Sky Faimalie is a cracking ball playing forward with great game awareness while Sissy Beuke is a young centre with good hands, and great straight-line running into contact.
Isaac Togia (Titans)
Togia is something else. He is really one to watch in that his roof is as high as the best in the business.
He genuinely enjoys bulldozing his way over defenders.
On the other side of the ball, he loves to seat them too. Togia has no trouble putting his opponents on their backs with some of the most brutal whacks in schoolboy rugby.
While we are on the topic of hard hitting rugby league forwards, Togia’s Langer Reserve teammate Iosefa Kolio is the king of big-hits.
He is a workhorse, but he hits just as hard in the final five minutes of the game as the first five. Iosefa is a sniper on defence, and he is the last person you want to be running at.
Tommy Luhrman (Roosters)
Ipswich SHS’s Langer Trophy hooker is an exciting young prospect affiliated with the Roosters.
Luhrman is underrated. It is as simple as that.
He gets the job done and more from No.9. He delivers spectacular service, has an excellent running game and is always in support.
Israel and David Leota:
Israel is a South Logan Magpie who attends Ipswich Grammar School, and David has been signed by the Bulldogs and plays for the Ipswich Jets.
These two are great prospects and NRL hopefuls in the future.
Gabriel Satrick
Blink and you might miss him. Satrick is a brilliant dummy half prospect who played his way into the Queensland 18 years schoolboy side.
Originally from Yarrahbah, Satrick has grown in confidence and has been one of the best Langer Trophy players across the opening rounds of the competition.
Some more Ipswich rugby league talents include Ipswich Jet and Ipswich SHS Langer Trophy fullback Tyler Peckham-Harris, Ipswich SHS Queensland 15s rep Xzavier Timoteo, Storm signed Hayden Molkentien, Bulldogs affiliated Tayshon Foley and Ogden George, Anton Naiyep, James Frazer, and many, many more.
RUGBY UNION:
Kalani Thomas (Queensland Reds player)
Thomas was a superstar in Ipswich Grammar School’s First XV rugby team in 2019. The scrum half star a GPS sensation, on the same tier as NRL young gun and Origin hopeful Sam Walker.
Thomas has since performed admirably for the Queensland Reds, and has really stood up in big games. Thomas looks to have a home in maroon and is definitely a keeper for Australian Rugby Union.
He is in action tonight for the Junior Wallabies taking on New Zealand.
Larry Siala (Queensland Reds U18)
Siala is a rugby union and rugby league talent. He carved up in St Edmund’s Colleges First XV rugby team.
He’s also an Ipswich Jets beast. He is capable of playing anywhere from second row to the centres, and steered Eddies’ to one of their best seasons in the last decade.
He has been selected in the Queensland Reds U18 team, and will continue to work hard over the next year to push himself to be the best athlete he can be.
Tafito Falaniko Ah-Ki (Queensland Reds U18 Academy)
“T” has a very bright future, debuting for the St Edmund’s College First XV rugby team as a Year 10. In 2021 he was selected as scrumhalf for the Queensland U16 white side and in 2022 was selected in the Queensland Reds U18 team to take on Melbourne and New South Wales. The Year 11 is an integral part of the Eddies’ rugby program and is the best halfback on offer in all of AIC First XV rugby.
Kadin Pritchard (Queensland Reds U18 Academy)
Pritchard is a Springfield boy with a bright future in rugby union. He was selected in the QLD U19 team to take on the Melbourne rebels and New South Wales Waratahs following a superb season for St Peters Lutheran College’s First XV rugby team.
He’s a humble weapon that can do everything in the backline. He is a sharpshooter with his goal kicking and leads from the front. Definitely one to watch over the coming years as he develops his game outside of schoolboy rugby.
Shalom Sauaso (Ipswich SHS)
Sauaso is a cross code talent. League or Union, she’s that good.
Her coach and rugby league legend Veronica White has high praise for Sauaso.
White really believes she is a special player, with a future in either code, depending on who is quick enough to snap her up.
Sauaso is the youngest player ever to be selected in the Queensland Reds Women Academy, however, the Gold Coast Titans U17 Academy are also eyeing up the next-gen talent.
Brayden O’Sullivan:
Brayden O’Sullivan is an Ipswich Grammar School old boy. The leadership skills of the No. 9 came to the fore across the 2021 GPS First XV rugby season.
He was great when using his skills to help his teammates milk metres from the opposition with quick, timely passing.
Zane Kaatz:
Kaatz was one of the best fly halves in the AIC First XV rugby competition.
His kicking game was superb and he was one of the experienced-heads in the squad having played in the First XV for multiple years.
With the help of Siala, Ah-Ki and Logan Costello, Kaatz and the Eddies’ boys were able to put on a show in their best season since 2014.
Kaatz is also a rugby league talent for the Ipswich Jets U18 MM side.
Nacollie Papua (St Peter Claver College)
Papua is currently at the 42nd Confraternity Carnival carving up on the rugby league front, but he plays rugby union for his club footy.
He is an agile back rower with great strength, and leads by example with his uncompromising defence and uncontained ball running.
Cross Code talents:
Tom Gillett (Ipswich Grammar School)
Gillett, 16, is a talented sportsman representing Queensland in cricket. Meanwhile he is a top AFL prospect being extremely athletic at a towering 200cm.
Standing at 6’6”, the IGS representative footballer is a big part of the Brisbane Lions Academy.
He is in the Brisbane Lions level 2 U16 academy program and took part in the Sherwood QAFL Senior Pre-Season earlier in the year.
Isaac Olver (Ipswich Grammar School)
Isaac Olver is a 15-year-old all around sportsman excelling at swimming and cricket. He is a big 6’4’ ruckman from IGS who has played State under age football and is part of the U16 Division 1 Sherwood team.
But wait there’s more. He, along with Gillett is a top AFL prospect with the Lions U16 Academy.
Harry Thomson (Ipswich Grammar School)
13-year-old Harry Thomson is an athletic cross-code footballer who attends Ipswich Grammar and plays both Rugby Union and Aussie Rules.
In Rugby, he was part of the all-conquering Ipswich Grammar U14 group who lost one game in four years playing centre or on the wing. In Aussie Rules he is a representative player, who has won two consecutive Division 1 Best & Fairests at the Sherwood Magpies.
Annabel Peacock
13-year-old Annabel Peacock is a multi-sport athlete and is one of the best junior female footballers in South East Queensland She led the Sherwood Magpies to their historic U13 SEQ Juniors Premiership in 2021.
She was awarded best on ground in the Grand Final and took home the club best & fairest to cap off a remarkable year.
Aussie rules:
Kaitlyn Smith (WestMAC)
Smith is a young Aussie rules player from West Moreton Anglican College.
She was selected in the 2021 Queensland School Sport 13-15 Years Girls Merit Team.
Darcy Prest (Sherwood QAFL Seniors)
The 19-year-old Darcy Prest is a young Aussie rules player from Springfield. He played under age state footy all the way through and was part of the Lions Academy.
In his most crucial year of 2020, the season was wrecked by COVID and underwent shoulder reconstruction.
However, he dusted himself off and made his QAFL Senior debut in Round 1 of 2021 and is one of the players to watch in QAFL moving into the future.
Will Cruice (Eddies’)
Will is a smooth mover and great user of the ball from St Edmund’s College Ipswich.
He’s playing senior footy for Sherwood this year alongside Darcy Prest, and is tough as nails.
Ollie Cruice (Eddies’)
Ollie is a Colts player at Sherwood and has raised eyebrows with his attacking football and physical game style. He is a young-gun to watch moving forward.
Jules Cruice (Eddies’)
Along with his brothers from Ipswich, Jules, the youngest, was captain of the Metropolitan West U15 team last year and selected in the QLD U15 side.
Unlike Ollie and Will, he plays at Morningside and is an upcoming talent in youth football circles.
Christiano Cheneka (Collingwood Park Power JAFC)
Chris is new to the club in 2022 and has taken the competition by storm.
His attack on the ball, tackling pressure, and ability to consistently step an opposition player opens up the play and helps his team either clear the backline or surge the ball into the forward 50.
Harrison Bridge (Faith Lutheran College)
Harrison is just 14 years old and is from Plainland. He attends Faith Lutheran College and has played representative footy for the last four years. Bridge was a QLD U12 State player in 2019. He was the Best & Fairest winner in a very strong Division 1 U14 Sherwood team, and plays Division 1 U16 Football at Sherwood in 2022.
He was invited to take part in the QAFL Senior Pre-Season over summer. What a talent.
Ethan Duke (Ipswich Grammar School)
13-year-old Ethan Duke is an elite middle distance runner attending Ipswich Grammar School who also plays representative Australian Rules at a high level. He was Best & Fairest for the Jindalee Jags and was awarded Best on Ground in the U14 SEQ Juniors Grand Final when playing up an age group.
Oscar Kenny (Collingwood Park Power JAFC)
Collingwood Park Under 11 AFl young-gun “Ozzie” is a hardworking midfielder with a long and accurate kick.
He is often seen clearing the ball defensively or hitting the scoreboard himself due to his tremendous gut-running ability.
Riley Brand (Collingwood Park Power JAFC)
Riley is a fierce competitor, who wins plenty of the ball through his quick dash and ability to read the game.
Having played at the club for four years, he is developing into one of the strongest junior players in the Under 10s competition, who racks up the possessions week after week.
Soccer:
Western Pride Men:
Attilio (William) Asante (MID)
Attilio is a dynamic box to box midfielder. He is known for creating opportunities for his attacking teammates and plays a key role for the Western Pride this season.
Adam Sawyer (MID)
The technically gifted central midfielder has brought his A-League experience to the club after spending time at Brisbane Roar FC in recent years.
SWQ Thunder Men:
Mirko Crociati (DEF)
2022 SWQ Thunder captain Mirko Crociati played a crucial role in his side’s progression to the FQPL 1 Grand Final for two consecutive seasons.
The talented centre-back from Milan was a Player of the Year nominee last season.
Will Orford (MID)
Will is a creative midfielder with an eye for goal. Orford is a key part of the
Thunder’s attack.
He is a SWQ junior, and has spent time in the Brisbane Roar/QAS program, as well as at rival club Western Pride and South Melbourne in the Victorian NPL.
Western Pride Women:
Meaghan McElligott (ATT):
McElligott is a prolific goalscorer with a remarkable scoring record across various clubs. The Western Pride’s Senior Women team captain holds extensive experience across the NPL Queensland and A-League Women’s competitions. Her performance in the FQPL 1 Women’s last season earned her a Team of the Season selection as well as a Player of the Year nomination. McElligott and teammate Abbey Lloyd are kicking their way to a superb 2022 season that could see them face competition powerhouse Peninsula Power in the final later in the year.
Abbey Lloyd (ATT):
Lloyd is having an exceptional season for Western Pride coming off the back of a successful 2021 season which saw her earn the FQPL Women’s Golden Boot accolade and the FQPL Women’s Player of the Year award.
A clinical goal scorer, Lloyd boasts impressive skill in front of goal and is one of the key pieces for Pride this year as they chase the chip.
April Gleeson (DEF)
Gleeson has established herself as a key defender throughout her career in both the NPL Queensland and FQPL leagues.
Her consistent efforts in the backline proved to be crucial for Pride last season and she is making an impact again this year in the FQPL 1 Women’s competition.
SWQ Thunder Women:
Jordie Franke (DEF)
Franke is an experienced defender who returned to the SWQ Thunder as co-captain after
multiple seasons with the club.
Her consistency and leadership has provided a stable foundation for her team this season.
Lana Harch (MID)
Harch is a clinical midfielder who has had an extensive career with both Lions FC
and SWQ Thunder. Her skills are reliable in both attacking and defensive plays, making her a threat in all aspects of the game.
Lauren Spreadborough (DEF)
Spreadborough returned to the Thunder as co-captain for the 2022 season after strong performances in the NPL Queensland competition in recent years.
What does she bring to the table? Tenacity and key experience to the side’s backline. She’s crucial for the Thunder’s defensive strategy in the FQPL 1 Women’s this season.
Honourable mentions across the board:
Rilee Jorgensen, Harmony Betham, Lorren Ieli, Samiuela Pulu, MacGuinness Tiananga, Jack Laing, and Logan Palmer, Cordell Kirk, MacGuinness Tiananga
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