VOTE NOW: Who was the best RLMD reserves player this season?
Plenty of names took the RLMD reserves by storm this season. Discover our full list of the standout players and vote on who you think was the best.
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The Wests reserves side put paid to a dominant season to claim premiership success, downing Carltons 30-24 in a tense grand final affair.
While a number of Wests players shone, there were standout performers right across the RLMD reserve grade.
See all the top players from this season below, and have your say on who you think was the best.
Shannon Rupapere
Club: Moranbah Miners
Position: Hooker
Rupapere has plenty of RLMD A-grade experience under his belt over the past five years, and has also played at Queensland Cup level, making him a pivotal member of the Miners reserves side in 2023. A very fit player, Rupapere trains hard, is really fit, and also focuses on developing upcoming players. Finished second in the reserve grade try-scoring with 13.
Ilai Faamita
Club: Moranbah Miners
Position: Front-row
Faamita’s a powerful forward that’s great at advancing the ball. His offloads are another strength of his game. Managed eight tries in reserve grade this season.
Jayden Rodwell
Club: Wests Tigers
Position: Second-row
Rodwell’s a big body that tore up reserve grade this season, scoring a competition-high 17 tries from the forward pack. Lands plenty of big hits and is a good competitor, was central to Wests reserves grade premiership.
Brydon Smith
Club: Wests Tigers
Position: Centre
The goalkicking centre’s numbers speak for themselves. He was the reserve grade competition’s leading pointscorer with 164 points, almost 50 clear of the next best, and crossed for 10 tries himself.
Finlay Black
Club: Sarina Crocs
Position: Front-row
Of the Sarina forward pack, Black has been most central in its defensive efforts, laying around 15 tackles a game. It doesn’t matter how much impact he takes up, he always finds a way to get up and keep going. Was awarded best forward and best reserve grade player at the club’s presentation night.
Ewan Tass
Club: Sarina Crocs
Position: Five-eighth
Tass is the captain-coach of the Sarina reserves side, and is up there with its best players. He brings great mentorship and ensures the side sticks together.
Mitch Petersen
Club: Carltons Devils
Position: Centre
Petersen had a strong season after returning from several years away from rugby league. He gives 110% at training and on game day, and was rewarded with his the player’s player award.
Tom Richardson
Club: Carltons Devils
Position: Front-row
Richardson can often be seen playing out the full 80 minutes of games despite being a forward. His greatest strength is his off-loading ability.
Declan Hopson
Club: Brothers
Position: Fullback
Hopson’s a lightweight fullback that plays like a second half. He’s extremely safe under the high ball, and added an important element to the attack of the Brothers reserves this season.
Josh Borg
Club: Brothers
Position: Second-row
Borg’s strength is his line-running, and he was arguably one of the best at it in reserve grade this season. He’s also good on either side of the ruck.
Matt Lade
Club: Whitsunday Brahmans
Position: Second-row
One of the Brahmans’ best reserve grade players, Laide’s game is underpinned by his fitness, which should come as no surprise as he works as a fitness trainer.
Nathan O’Hara
Club: Whitsunday Brahmans
Position: Wing/centre
O’Hara made leaps and bounds over the course of the season due to his consistent effort at training. He’s not the fastest winger, but his agility is what sets him apart.
George Radley
Club: Mackay Magpies
Position: Fullback/outside back
Radley’s a Magpies veteran and now acts as a strike weapon. He’s a workhorse in attack, and notched 12 reserve grade tries this season, ranking him third in the league.
Ezekiel Cooper-Tetevano
Club: Mackay Magpies
Position: Lock
A dynamic ballrunner that plays above his weight, Cooper-Tetevano can be aggressive when needed and also works a ton on defence.
Ash Cochrane
Club: Souths Sharks
Position: Second-row
The versatile Cochrane captained Souths’ reserves side this season, and he’s also capable of playing as lock or hooker. He’s a great leader, and his game is underpinned by his strong defensive attributes.
Tyson Faulkner
Club: Souths Sharks
Position: Lock
Traditionally a union player, Faulkner has excelled in his first season at Souths. He’s versatile and was trialled with success in varying positions before finding his home as a ball-playing lock. Also a brilliant defender that plays above his weight, and was rewarded with his team’s best and fairest.
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