Special Highfields group produces quartet of Queensland Country representatives
The Highfields Eagles U17s girls will go down as one of the TJRL’s most dominant teams, and four of the girls have extra reason to celebrate after receiving an incredible honour this week.
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RUGBY LEAGUE: They’ve cemented their place in the grand final, and the Highfields Eagles U17s girls have their sights set on bringing up a hat-trick of titles.
They’ve been the dominant force in their TJRL division this season, a fact highlighted by the recent announcement of the Queensland Country U17s team.
The Eagles have four representatives in the side, namely Mariah Brown, Sienna Norris, Katelyn Collie and Mackenzie Zeller.
They’re joined by fellow Clydesdales representatives Ally Ramsay (Southern Suburbs) and Jessica Barnes (Valleys) to give the league an incredible six players in the starting line-up to take the field at Redcliffe on September 24.
In another coup for the region, Lyhkan King-Togia (Dalby) and Bud Smith (Valleys) were chosen in the boys side to represent Queensland Country, alongside former TJRL player De La Salle Va’a.
Highfields U17s girls manager Anjee Norris said it is a tremendous achievement that showcases the growing strength of the women’s game on the Downs.
“We’ve got our four girls and also Ally and Jess who play with the girls regularly,” Norris said.
“To have six girls is amazing and a credit to the coaches. Elle (Bowden-Betts) was also involved in the U19s and helped them go through undefeated in the U17s (with the Clydesdales) by playing exceptional footy.
“We’re all super proud. The fact it’s all coming to an end for them to be together, you’d be surprised if you saw that dynamic again in a team.
“They all played in the Clydesdales and Darling Downs schoolgirls together. Mariah made the Queensland state team on the back of a DD trial.
“They’re an amazing bunch of girls that are super committed to the sport and each other.”
With this latest rep achievement adding to the extensive list, Norris said the quartet have their eyes on further honours down the track.
“These girls are lucky to come in on the tail end of the likes of Meg Ward, Steph Hancock and Ali Brigginshaw,” she said.
“They idolise those players, and the pathways are only getting stronger.
“Meg came here with Tahnee Norris (Maroons coach) for the U17s carnival, and they’re getting a lot of positive attention.
“No doubt we’ll see them there (NRLW) one day.”
With one eye on the battle against Queensland City, the immediate task is extending the run of TJRL titles to three.
“They won the U14s in 2019 before Covid set us back in 2020,” Norris said.
“It was their first year of U17s last year and they were able to keep a lot of that core together, and won the grand final.
“They’re a pretty strong team. A lot of the girls play other sports together as well. We’ve stumbled upon an amazing team.”
The Eagles are set to play either Brothers or Southern Suburbs in next weekend’s grand final.
TJRL ENTERS PRELIMINARY FINALS
The junior league is at the penultimate stage of the season, as teams have one last chance to book their spot on grand final day.
Newtown’s Jack Martin Centre will host eight games of action, including three fixtures of Brothers vs Southern Suburbs in the U14s and U16s boys, and the U17s girls.
The Tigers girls were able to cause an upset over Valleys last weekend to keep their season alive.
The main game of the day takes centre stage at 4.20pm on Saturday as Dalby takes on Highfields in the U17s boys division.
In what was their first loss of the season, the Diehards fell by two points to the Roosters last week, as Highfields found enough in the tank to end South Burnett’s season with a scoreline of 20-16.
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN THE FINALS
TIME and time again we’ve seen the elite junior talent of Toowoomba rise to new heights.
That comes from successful stints in the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League competition, where they’ve represented their junior clubs with pride.
As the TJRL finals gets underway this weekend, we get to witness the next generation of boys and girls destined for greater things in the sport.
To celebrate, The Chronicle looks at 86 players to watch throughout the finals.
UNDER 13 GIRLS
TAYLA THOMAS (VALLEYS)
A centre with serious speed, good ball handling skills and a great fend that helps her create opportunities in attack.
JAEDA WRIGHT (VALLEYS)
The keen prop loves running the ball up the middle and tackles hard.
BELLA DUNCAN (VALLEYS)
A crafty halfback who loves challenging opposition defences and uses her speed to great effect.
KALEY MARKEY (PITTSWORTH)
Confident with the ball in her hands, Kaley is a skilled ball handler and attacking player.
SALLY CLIFFORD (PITTSWORTH)
Loves to run the ball hard and often – Sally provides the go forward for her team.
ISABELLE DUNCOMBE (PITTSWORTH)
The crafty five-eighth has a great football mind and the ability to break the line in attack.
5/8 good football head and ability to break line.
ELLE WARWICK (HIGHFIELDS)
Elle is one of the strongest players in the comp. She also travels across from Roma every week to play. Elle runs the ball incredibly hard and is bruising in defence. She has a big future in the game.
SIENNA BROWN (HIGHFIELDS)
Sienna is a current Darling Downs Rep who is very hard to handle on the right edge. She has scored many tries this year and is an integral part of the team.
KYANNA LOGAN (HIGHFIELDS)
Kyanna plays in the halves and is getting better with each game She has speed to burn and usually makes plenty of metres and line breaks.
UNDER 13 BOYS
LACHLAN HILLMAN (VALLEYS)
Makes a real impact in defence with tough tackling style.
The young lock is also a damaging ball runner and his professional approach to the game made him a natural choice to captain the side.
LEROY MALONY (VALLEYS)
The quick and tall fullback is safe as houses at the back.
He rarely misses a tackle in defence and is calm under the high ball.
JUNIOR PATERSON (VALLEYS)
The halfback expertly steers his team around the paddock making sure the Roosters stick to their structures and shape in attack and defence.
JACK LEWIS (DALBY)
The determined front rower works both sides of the ball as a hard hitting defender and strong ball runners.
XAVIER FING and JACKSON DOMJAHN (DALBY)
Coaching staff at Dalby feel compelled to mention Xavier and Jackson in the same breathe.
The second row pairing love piling the pressure on opposition defences with their damaging runs out wide.
STEELE TURNER (DALBY)
A silky skilled playmaker who creatures plenty of chances for his teammates and is a great goal-kicker.
UNDER 14 BOYS
TAJ SINGH (VALLEYS)
A big, strong and fast second rower who runs the ball hard and is also a top notch defender.
KOBE DRISCOLL (VALLEYS)
Due for a breakout finals series having shown steady improvement all year.
The five-eighth is a great conduit between the forward and back lines.
CODY SODERQUIST (VALLEYS)
The front-rower knuckled down in the off-season and his hard work is paying off at a personal and team level.
With his increased fitness Soderquist is playing more minutes and can be relied to get the job for his side.
HARRY GREEN (SOUTHS)
“Our five-eighth and a strong runner of the ball,” coach Tim Fitzgerald said.
“Harry’s a really good defender for us.”
LIAM MARSHALL (SOUTHS)
“Plays in the centres and again is a great defender,” Fitzgerald said.
“Runs a good line out wide and a good runner of the ball.”
HARRY FOGARTY (SOUTHS)
“A really good front rower,” Fitzgerald said.
“Does the hard work up front for us.”
ZANE SCHEFE (BROTHERS)
“Zane is an impact player off the bench,” coach Aaron Hohn said.
“Was in the starting side and progressed off the bench where he’s been unbelievable.
“Does the hard yards when people are tired and always gives 100 per cent.”
LUCAS CLARKE (BROTHERS)
“A solid all-round player who plays fullback,” Hohn said.
“Is quick on his feet, loves to tackle and will very rarely make a mistake.”
NATE TRUDGETT (BROTHERS)
“A well-balanced second rower who just loves the physicality of any game,” Hohn said.
“The tougher game is, the more he loves it.”
UNDER 15 GIRLS
ERIKA DALLINGER (HIGHFIELDS)
“Plays at lock and is a very talented player,” coach Shirley Hay said.
“I don’t think she realises how good she is. Persistent and doesn't back down. Just keeps on going.”
LETEENA MEDLAND (HIGHFIELDS)
“She’s my halfback and a very good player,” Hay said.
“She’s strong, guides the team well and is pretty fierce in making her tackles.”
TAYLA HORROBIN (HIGHFIELDS)
“Plays at fullback and you couldn’t ask for a better one,” Hay said.
“Great at getting the team together and guides them well.”
ASHANDRA BOND (SOUTHS)
“A strong running fullback,” coach Wayne Ferguson said.
“Catches the ball on the full and plays the position well with good attacking flair.”
PYPAH FERGUSON (SOUTHS)
“Captain and front rower for the team,” Ferguson said.
“Has a strong running game and good offload in attack, and tackles well in defence.”
KYOMIE DEEMAL (SOUTHS)
“Plays at five-eighth,” Ferguson said.
“Organises the backline well and also has some really good attacking flair.”
ELLA HOLLIS (PITTSWORTH)
A real quiet achiever, Hollis gets in works hard and scores plenty of great tries.
JESSIE FRIEDRICHS (PITTSWORTH)
Always willing to do the hard work up the middle of the park.
A great defender with solid all-round footy skills.
ANGELA ROBERTSON (PITTSWORTH)
A fantastic utility player who plays hard in attack and defence.
Loves making big runs up the middle to get her team on the front foot.
UNDER 15 BOYS
HARRISON BRAITHWAITE (SOUTH BURNETT)
Working off the back of his forward pack, the five-eighth is a great organiser and has a real attacking flair to his game.
DUSTIN RAMKE (SOUTH BURNETT)
A raw-boned country footballer who runs hard and has a work rate second to none.
Alongside fellow forward Sebastian King he provides the go forward for his team.
SEBASTIAN KING (SOUTH BURNETT)
A hard working damaging ball runner, King has developed an excellent partnership with Ramke to provide a 1-2 go forward punch.
BRAITHEN SCOTT (VALLEYS)
A high energy halfback who expertly steers his teammates around the park and has a great kicking game.
HARRY ROBINSON (VALLEYS)
Does his best work on the edges running the ball hard and is a strong defender.
LACHIE MCGRATH (VALLEYS)
One of the Roosters biggest improvers this season, Lachie has shone at five-eighth creating plenty of opportunities for his teammates.
JOEY LITADUM (VALLEYS)
An excellent reader of the game who creates plenty of opportunities with his quality return runs from fullback.
UNDER 16 BOYS
PAT MUIR (BROTHERS)
“He’s got a big engine and he just runs all day,” coach Trevor Sharpley said.
“Is always putting his hand up to take the first up in the front row.”
BODHI SHARPLEY (BROTHERS)
“He’s our go forward fella and very solid in defence,” Sharpley said.
“Playing well at five-eighth after starting the year at lock.”
SAM SHEPPARD (BROTHERS)
“Playing at centre and he’s a good strike weapon for us out wide,” Sharpley said.
“Makes plenty of metres and a good line runner.”
PAT SANDERSON (SOUTHS)
“Is a good positional player at fullback,” coach Brendan Wilson said.
“Is safe under the high ball and does some hard yards for us.”
DANE NILSSON (SOUTHS)
“A front rower who takes us forward,” Wilson said.
“Aggressive and really leads from the front.”
KAILEB JANES (SOUTHS)
“He’s a middle forward as well,” Wilson said.
“Really hits hard in defence and makes a lot of tackles for us.”
MATTHEW DREWS (DALBY)
The under-16 Clydesdales rep is strong in attack and defence and very elusive with the ball in hand.
CARL REDLICH (DALBY)
A hard working second rower who defends strongly and has an exceptional work rate.
BRODIE WRIGHT (DALBY)
The dummy half star always manages to find his teammates with the right pass and is tireless in defence.
UNDER 17 GIRLS
SHARNARLI PECKHAM (BROTHERS)
“A halfback with electric speed. She’d be the fastest girl in the club,” coach John Lucas said.
“Will chip and chase, and is just a born footballer.”
CHEYENNE ZIRBEL (BROTHERS)
“A fullback with an AFL background,” Lucas said.
“Really safe under the high ball, a really good runner and has a great tackling technique.
“Has kicked a 40/20. A great boot.”
RIANNA HAVERHOEK (BROTHERS)
“A pocket rocket out of dummy half,” Lucas said.
“Doesn’t back down and if a tough run needs to be made, she’s the one to do it.”
ALLY RAMSAY (SOUTHS)
“Plays lock and is our most consistent player,” coach Terri Pallisier said.
“No matter what happens she will always put in 100 per cent and is a tackling machine. Fantastic at understanding the game and knowing her role.”
RASHAE KING (SOUTHS)
“Makes big metres as a front rower and is a really strong defender,” Pallisier said.
“Is virtually unstoppable inside the 10m line.”
LEAH WALKER (SOUTHS)
“Steps up and takes control of the game in the halves,” Pallisier said.
“Her first year she’s had to step up to that role and she’s doing a fantastic job leading the team around.”
MACKENZIE ZELLER (HIGHFIELDS)
Mackenzie is the leader of the pack who will have a big influence on the finals for the Eagles. She runs very hard and makes plenty of line breaks and tackles.
BONNIE ZAPPA (HIGHFIELDS)
Bonnie has a high work rate and is key to the Eagles attack.
Her scoots out of dummy half are always dangerous and she never quits on a play.
Bonnie is an experienced finals campaigner.
MARIAH BROWN (HIGHFIELDS)
Current Queensland representative.
Mariah is aggressive in defence and leads the right-side attack around the park.
Mariah will be a key player in the finals for the Eagles.
UNDER 17 BOYS
BAYDEN ALEXANDER (SOUTH BURNETT)
The hard working prop runs hard to provide space and time for his backs.
MALAKYE SWAN (SOUTH BURNETT)
A real threat on the edges, the wide running speedy second row is nearly impossible to stop when he finds space.
MARSHALL HEARD (SOUTH BURNETT)
Another committed, hard running second row who loves to create space out wide for his teammates.
LYHKAN KING-TOGIA (DALBY)
King-Togia is a class act who is strong, fast, has good hands and a great kicking game.
JOSEPH GILLETT and BAILEY RATHMELL (DALBY)
Like their under-13 counterparts you can’t mention Joseph without talking about Bailey.
The second row pairing are devastating ball runners who can bend the line wide.
BAILEY SKINNER (DALBY)
The speedy fullback is on the competition’s fastest runners – when he gets a yard of space he is rarely caught.
LUKE CESARI (HIGHFIELDS)
“He’s a gun and is probably the best player in the team,” co-coach Jacob Leach said.
“Suits up and plays U19s and reggies, and makes his own there.”
JAI PURSER (HIGHFIELDS)
“He’s a man-child. He absolute destroys everyone,” Leach said.
“Has played at A-grade level this year and is very skilled.”
BAILEY NASH (HIGHFIELDS)
“A standout in the Mustangs team for his age and another standout in this team,” Leach said. “Is skilful with the ball and deceptively strong.”
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