2025 Confraternity Carnival: Best boys, girls players in Division 1
The next generation of NRL and NRLW stars were on show at the annual Confraternity Carnival played in Rockhampton. We profile some of the leading performers here.
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Masterful performances saw The Cathedral College’s Josie Wogand and Padua’s Damon Humphrys claim the top gongs at the Confraternity Carnival.
The exciting rugby league prospects were awarded Player of the Carnival in their respective divisions at the record-breaking carnival, which wrapped up in Rockhampton last Friday.
Check out our bumper photo gallery here
Seventy-two teams from Catholic and Independent schools took part at the event, hosted by TCC.
Wogand was instrumental in TCC claiming the girls Shield, while Humphrys was a standout as Padua agonisingly short in a hard-fought boys grand final against St Patrick’s Mackay.
The gun duo also earned selection in the respective Queensland merit teams named at carnival’s end.
Humphrys has already been signed by NRL club Canterbury, and only can only assume Wogand could well be inking a contract of her own after her incredible showing.
Confraternity is recognised as one of the nation’s leading rugby league nurseries, with a host of its graduates going on to higher honours.
Six of them - Cameron Munster (Emmaus College, Rockhampton), Valentine Holmes (Ignatius Park College, Townsville), Harry Grant and Kurt Mann (St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon), Lindsay Collins (Padua College, Kedron) and Xavier Coates (Marymount College, Burleigh Waters) - played in the Maroons’ team that won the second State of Origin in Perth three weeks ago.
We’ve compiled a list of some of this year’s leading performers who could also be on their way to the elite level.
BOYS
St Patrick’s Mackay
Adam McSherry (halfback): The Dolphins-contracted super star with a great footy IQ. A good organiser and communicator, he was instrumental in St Pat’s drought-breaking shield win. A strong runner of the ball with a great kicking game, he reads the game like a book and knows where to go and opposition areas to target.
Declan Grady (second rower): A damaging forward who is powerful and strong. Runs a great lead line and had some really good touches. Was huge in defence with his bone-rattling tackles.
Norman Campbell (centre): Considered one of strongest defensive centres in the Aaron Payne Cup and reinforced that reputation at Confro. A strong runner of the ball, he is good at reading the defensive line and made the most of every attacking opportunity.
Padua College
Damon Humphrys (five-eighth): All class. Brilliant kicking game which is setting the team up well in position to find success.
Jack Mercer (forward): Tough in the middle. Incredible work ethic and always putting his hand up for the tough carries.
Nate Clark (second rower): Tenacious and eager for contact in attack and defence.
St Brendan’s College
Cooper Peirce (prop): Consistent through the carnival. His defensive work was immense and his ability to bend the line in attack equally impressive. One of St Brendan’s best in a team full of talent.
Jake Symes (lock): Was awarded St Brendan’s Player of the Carnival. His aggressive style of play mixed with fast feet and late footwork made opposition teams miss on many occasions. One of the Capras 17s best this year and his form has continued throughout.
Lachlan Anderson (halfback): When you talk about out and out footballers, he’s at the top of the pile. Played an unfamiliar position at dominant seven at Confro and grew in confidence with each game. His direction by tournament’s end was outstanding and his running game was also a feature. Equally as good at lock, which gives NRL clubs the luxury to fill positions if need be.
The Cathedral College
Alekisio Siale (lock): The formidable and imposing skipper the way for his team. Strong and fast, the North Queensland Cowboys’ contracted forward was hard to handle and the more he got the ball, the more space he created for his teammates.
Zac Bateman (front row): A fearless competitor who is always looking to inject himself into the game. Super athletic and enthusiastic, he is a tough runner of the football and a Trojan in defence.
Terrick Law (wing): Was really effective on the edge, carrying into Confro his good form from the Dolphins Cup. Great positional player who exploits gaps in the defensive line with his strong carries. Also very strong defensively.
Ignatius Park
Solomon Terare (centre): Dynamic player who claimed several Player of the Match awards. Defensively sound with some great touches on the ball.
Brodie Pritchard (wing): Really safe defensively on the edge, with his bruising tackles and ability to diffuse kicks.
Tama Reupena (prop): Explosive enforcer who loves to find the tryline. A big body who moves really well.
Rockhampton Grammar
Leo Fanuatanu (centre): Displayed his explosive ball-running ability and formidable defence. His strength and athleticism make him a handful for any defensive line. Leads by his actions and his teammates follow.
Luke Frame (lock): A workhorse and defensive force in the middle. Ever-reliable and always consistent. Just goes about his job and much of what he does goes unnoticed.
Jake Gillard (front row): His great leadership qualities make him an inspirational figure on and off the field. A very strong carrier of the ball and relentless in defence. Trains hard and is keen to learn.
Emmaus College
Jack O’Neill (lock): A warrior who has tackled everything. Controlling the middle with his running. Has also slotted into the back row due to injury
Jacob Murphy (front row): Playing big minutes, getting out of his trouble and on the front foot. Strong defensively.
Harri Meilland (five-eighth): Great ball movement and his push support saw him score three tries on day one.
Shalom College
Luke Giles (lock): Does all the little things incredibly well. Was a big part in finishing off tackles.
Riley Morcom (prop): Inspirational skipper who leads with his actions. Got through a mountain of work, taking the tough carries.
Kyan Edwards (centre): Strong runner who made some tough carries on the edge.
St Augustine’s Cairns
Cayde Miller (prop): Led by example with his tireless efforts. Constantly finding his front and played some good shape out the back.
Cooper Meares (prop): Made plenty of good breaks and was really strong defensively.
Lucas Russell (halfback): Guided the team around well, directing attack and creating opportunities.
St Mary’s Toowoomba
Alastair MacLachlan (lock): A natural footballer. Strong ball runner and great defender who can also find the tryline.
Lachlan Lyons (second row): Inspirational with his carries and leadership.
Alex White (centre): A constant threat out wide with his strong carries and explosive running.
GIRLS
St James
The Cathedral College
Josie Wogand (hooker): One of the most exciting young prospects in the game. Has an incredible work ethic and a great footy brain. Her service and running game were instrumental in TCC’s Shield win. Fittingly bagged a host of awards at carnival’s end.
Rachel Oakley (front row): One of the toughest in the game who made the number 10 jersey her own. Gritty and gutsy, she never takes a backward step. Provided great go-forward for her team and was solid in defence.
Charlotte McLean (second row): Reliable and relentless, just rolls her sleeves up and gets the job done. Always gives 100 percent and loves the contest.
St James
Kina Vainga (lock): Has been outstanding and a major contributor to her team’s maiden grand final appearance. Recipient of two Player of the Match awards, she is a powerful runner and a tireless tackler.
Lenore Georgetown (halfback): The exciting number seven directs the play and carefully controls the tempo of the game. She has a great boot, using her kicking game to great effect.
Layla Satui (hooker/fullback): A crafty hooker who has slotted into the fullback role when needed. She is a workhorse in attack and defence and has an uncanny knack of creating something out of nothing.
St Patrick’s Mackay
Ebony Temple (second row): A phenomenal performer who is one of the most consistent and hard-working players. Always gives 100 percent and does the little things well. When she hits a line, she’s very difficult to stop.
Courtney Harris (fullback): Very safe under a high ball and always competing on the edges. Has adapted well to running different shapes. Keen to learn and she loves the contest.
Sophie Searle (second row): The reliable skipper who is an inspiration to her teammates. An old head on young shoulders, she is very mature and has a great understanding of the game.
St Margaret Mary’s
Evoltia Tuala (lock): The barnstorming middle forward makes a huge impact whenever she’s on the field, lifting her school to an unlikely semi-finals appearance in its first year in division 1. As co-captain of her team, Tuala leads by example with her strong and reliable performances. She scored a try in each of St Margaret Mary’s games on Tuesday.
Taylar Viero (prop): Viero started every game for her school in the front row, bringing her great physicality to the middle of the park. The short but strong forward has a great ability to beat defenders, evidenced with a try in three out of four games through the opening days of Confro. The only game Viero did not find the try-line was during the 18-0 defeat to reigning champions St Patrick’s College, Mackay, in the school’s opening match of the tournament.
Chloe Lane (hooker): Although she was named as the squad’s halfback and wore the No.7, Lane spent most of her time at dummy half as St Margaret Mary’s College stunned their opponents in their inaugural division 1 campaign. The tough and versatile ballplayer provided great service from the ruck while using her footy IQ and ability to read the game to know when to make a darting run.
Emmaus College
Addison Carlon (prop): Led from the front, working hard to get the team forward.
Layney Jenkins (halfback): Finished the sets off well and regularly got her team back into the contest with some creative plays.
Isabelle Jensen (lock): Workhorse in the middle. Strong with great ball-playing skills.
Rockhampton Grammar
Alice Kallquist (lock): A genuine workhorse who never shies away from the hard yards. Epitome of toughness.
Emmalina Ingui (fullback): Fast and elusive number one who, when given space, will always find metres for her team.
Offiliah Chippendale (front row): A robust forward with footwork and aggression. She’s a force to be reckoned with.
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