11 Central Queensland rugby league stars who have scored NRL contracts
We profile the teenage rugby league sensations who are one step closer to making it to the big time. Full list here.
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Central Queensland has long been recognised as rugby league heartland.
A host of players from the region have gone on to higher honours, making it to the NRL, starring in the State of Origin arena and donning the green and gold of Australia.
From Rod Reddy and Matt Sing to the current crop including Cameron Munster, Ben Hunt and Harry Grant, plenty of locals have made their mark on the game.
Here is list of the teen sensations who have been contracted by NRL clubs in 2022 and beyond.
Owen Pattie (St Brendan’s College). NRL club: Canberra Raiders (contracted 2022-24)
Owen led St Brendan’s First XIII in the 2021 Confraternity, Aaron Payne and Phil Hall Cup campaigns. Having grown up on the land near Monto, the Moura Tigers junior and Biloela Panthers junior has carried these hard-working traits and applied them to his schooling and football. Dubbed the ultimate competitor by his peers, he leads by example and has the arsenal of skill, athleticism and, most importantly, the smarts to take him to the highest echelons of the game. The Raiders came knocking after he sealed the Aaron Payne Cup decider in scintillating fashion, snapping a late field goal on the buzzer against Kirwan State High.
Jai Hansen (The Cathedral College). NRL club: North Queensland Cowboys (contracted 2022-24)
A highly regarded hooker, Jai was instrumental in the CQ Capras’ run to the Mal Meninga Cup semi-finals and was named the team’s Player of the Year. He also stamped his authority on the Aaron Payne Cup, Queensland’s premier schoolboys competition, playing with The Cathedral College First XIII. Blessed with plenty of footy nous, he is composed and has good tempo out of dummy half. A tough competitor, he has a fantastic kicking game, great ball skills and a strong running game.
Tyler Conroy, The Cathedral College. NRL club – Canberra Raiders (contracted 2022-23)
Strong and skillful, Tyler had a standout season with the CQ Capras in the Mal Meninga Cup in 2021. An edge back rower, he can also slot into the backline and is adept at five-eighth. He has great footwork at the line and is very strong defensively. He’s a smart and instinctive footballer who plays the game with great vision. A Queensland underage representative, he impressed at a training camp with the Raiders earlier in the year, showing he had the skills to take him to the top.
Tane Kiriona (St Brendan’s College). NRL club - Canberra Raiders (contracted 2022-2023)
Tane plays hard and aggressive and it’s this passion that made him one of St Brendan’s best all year. He joins the Green Machine in 2022 and with a clean-out of their middle forwards stocks set to happen, opportunity will surely come knocking for this young bookend in coming years at the NRL club.
Brock Hinds (St Brendan’s College). NRL club - Brisbane Broncos (contracted 2022)
Having grown up in Emerald, playing his junior football for the Emerald Tigers, Brock moved to the Capricorn Coast where he started his high school journey at Yeppoon High. He then moved to St Brendan’s to play Aaron Payne Cup and Confraternity Shield. A big, hard-running middle forward, Brock improved out of sight in 2021.
Tomas Powell, The Cathedral College. NRL club – Canberra Raiders (contracted 2022-23)
Tough as nails, Tom is hard-working front row forward who can find the ground well and makes plenty of metres post-contact. He doesn’t take a backward step and his defensive effort is first rate. A Queensland age representative, he had a solid season with the CQ Capras in the Mal Meninga Cup. He also played with the Queensland Country under-17 team.
Blake Anders (St Brendan’s College). NRL club - Brisbane Broncos (contracted 2022)
Hailing from Emerald, the former Springsure junior has gained a contract with the Brisbane Broncos for season 2022. Tall, rangy and athletic, Blake has scope and plenty of pliability for the Broncos to mould. With a high skill set developed after playing in the halves, he is well placed to play a number of positions at his new home at Red Hill in 2022.
Riley Hall (The Cathedral College). NRL club – North Queensland Cowboys (contracted 2022-23)
Standing at 193cm, Riley is an imposing backrower who can play middle or edge. His power and speed make him a fierce competitor in attack and defence. A great defensive player, he also has some silky skills with ball in hand. He’s all about effort and gives 110 per cent in every performance. His ability earned him selection in the Queensland under-18 squad this year, and he was a consistent performer for the CQ Capras in the Mal Meninga Cup.
Matthew Hill (St Brendan’s College). NRL club – Brisbane Broncos (contracted 2021-22)
Matt is the younger of the current crop of St Brendan’s NRL contracted players. At 17, he is just starting to scratch the surface in his journey. At 185cm and still growing, Matt will no doubt be knocking on the door when he joins the Broncos at the close of the 2022 season. Until then he will again play in the green and gold of St Brendan’s in 2022, where he is sure to go to another level after his debut year wearing the fullback jersey.
Elekana Suavai (The Cathedral College) NRL club - North Queensland Cowboys (contracted 2022-23)
At 193cm and 105kg, Elekana is a damaging ball runner who is a handful for any opposition side. He is defensively solid and was one of the CQ Capras’ best in that department in their close loss in the Mal Meninga Cup semi-final. He has been a regular in Queensland underage sides and this month earned selection in the Queensland Country under-17 team. He’s a big player with a big future.
Kurt Fisher (The Cathedral College). NRL club – North Queensland Cowboys (contracted 2022-23)
A towering outside back who stands at close to 2m, Kurt can also play in the halves. One-on-one he’s very hard to handle and his support play is exceptional. He has speed to burn and boasts some impressive ball skills.
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