Discover our list of Hostplus Cup and BMD Premiership players in the frame for NRL, NRLW contracts
The Hostplus Cup and BMD Premiership are proven breeding grounds for rugby league’s stars of tomorrow. See the full list of players closing in on NRL and NRLW contracts.
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The Gold Coast Titans affiliation with Hostplus Cup side the Ipswich Jets has already reaped some reward and continues to motivate young players to keep pushing their hand for an NRL contract.
Young Jets players, who earlier this season broke a 582-day drought with their first win since round 18, 2022, are able to realise a career in the NRL is no unrealistic dream with their club sharing in partnerships with both the Roosters and Titans.
“We’ve seen it straight away” Jets captain Rhys Jacks said about the positive outcomes coming out of the club’s NRL affiliations.
Promising Jets halfback Kyle Foxwell is the prime example of this. The playmaker enjoyed an NRL pre-season with two clubs.
“One of the boys actually came back from the Roosters, Kyle Foxwell, and within a few weeks the Titans said we need a halfback,” Jacks said.
“So we sent our halfback there, the trial got extended, he did two trials for them in the NRL pre-season.
“So straight away the boys were like ‘oh, you can progress easily into that’.”
Jacks said other players like Dominic Macumboy (outside back) and Jordan Penquitt (prop) were major benefactors of the club’s NRL affiliations.
X-factor centre Macumboy had returned from a Roosters pre-season bigger and stronger, while Penquitt, who spent his pre-season with the Titans, has looked more impressive following the experience at Parkwood.
And while the affiliation is helping Ipswich players realise their dreams, it is also bolstering a squad which has been starved of success. In round two, Ipswich’s 36-16 victory over the Western Clydesdales proved this.
18 Titans players, including Tanah Boyd, Jaylan De Groot, Beau Fermor, David Fifita, Ryan Foran, Moeaki Fotuaika, Arama Hau, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Isaac Liu, Ben Liyou, Ken Maumalo, Seth Nikotemo, Josiah Pahulu, Phil Sami, Aaron Schoupp, Harley Smith-Shields, Joe Stimson and Sam Verrills have all been allocated to the Ipswich side for the season, with eight of them enjoying in that victory.
“Even though we (Jets) were struggling last year it’s crazy how many people still come out to games and get behind us. It’s unreal,” said Jacks.
“You see all the draws and posters in the shops around Ipswich. They love their footy.”
You also saw it at the North Ipswich Reserve during the NRL pre-season, when 5306 footy-mad people piled in watch the Eels take on the Titans.
“It’s crazy how many people just love footy there. So if we can be successful … it would be just times ten.”
Jacks is living out a childhood dream playing in the same competition as his younger brother Ryley, who is with the Brisbane Tigers.
So what other players across the competition are, like Macumboy, Penquitt and Foxwell, pushing their case for higher honours?
Outlined below are a handful of players across the Hostplus Cup and BMD Premiership with points to prove this season.
HOSTPLUS CUP’S NRL HOPEFULS
NORTHERN PRIDE
Seamus King-Smith: Here’s a wildcard. King-Smith, an Ipswich Grammar School old boy, who isn’t the biggest bloke but has speed and is light on his feet.
He can find the try line and if he has a strong season with the Pride, anything looks possible.
NORTHS DEVILS
Gerome Burns: Halfback Burns was a shining light in the Ipswich Jets Hostplus Cup last year which struggled to gain ascendancy for much of the season.
He was a regularly top performer for them and was rewarded with a Dolphins train and trial contract over the summer.
If he has another good season he could well and truly be in the mix for a shot in Wayne Bennett’s team, as a starter.
Zach Brooks: Valley Diehards lock of second rower Brooks is still just 22, and has been a quality club player for some time.
He earned a spot in the Devils side the hard way with brilliant club form and has plenty of upside about him. He’s young, strongly built, has the skills of a back and is fearless.
He spent time in the Roosters system as a youngster at Marist College Ashgrove.
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS
Kyle Laybutt: His younger brother Zac is one of the NRL’s hottest rookies in the centres for North Queensland but big bro Kyle has the ability to join him in first grade.
The Blackhawks and Papua New Guinea captain has moved to lock this season, where his ballplaying as a natural half is drawing comparisons to Cameron Murray of South Sydney.
On the radar at the Titans and Tigers already this season after a cameo with the Indigenous All Stars, Laybutt is 28 years old and primed to impress the club that takes a shot on the two-game former Cowboy.
Dudley Dotoi: A schoolboy phenom at Townsville’s Kirwan State High School playing outside Jeremiah Nanai in 2020, Dotoi’s path has taken him to Sydney with Wests Tigers juniors and now back to the Blackhawks.
The big-haired flyer from Bowen has flashed speed and power to great effect in his debut Queensland Cup season.
He scored his maiden try by beating in a man in no space at all and racing away to the tryline.
NRL clubs interested in x-factor outside backs will be keeping tabs on Dotoi.
IPSWICH JETS
Dominic Macumboy: The Ipswich Jets outside back had a cracking season last year and is back bigger, stronger and more locked in this year after an off-season with the Roosters.
He is a big boy, but is a sleek mover who can cover fullback, centre or wing positions.
Jordan Penquitt: A prop, Penquitt has been a top player in his age group over recent years and gets a chance to shine in a Jets side looking to make some noise in season 2024.
Penquitt has spent time at NRL clubs for preseasons, but hasn’t made the jump to the big league just yet.
Watch this space.
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES
Tyler Coburn: The mobile second rower or prop has been a top player for some time and has had his chances to forge a way into the NRL.
He has had off-seasons with the Broncos and is primed for a big season with the Magpies, the Broncos affiliate club.
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS
Cody Hunter: The Falcons new recruit, halfback Hunter has long been an exciting prospect.
He trained full time with the Dolphins over the pre-season and is deserving of a full time contract with the club.
Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima are both turning 30 this year.
Caius Faatili: Was a key recruit in the off-season and it’s clear to see why.
Faatili, who underwent a full Melbourne storm pre-season, was a Hostplus Cup competition stand out in 2023 and has furthered his skills through the opening rounds.
He certainly would not look out of place at the elite level.
Nofoasa Malutoa: Another Falcons off-season recruit that trained with the Storm during the pre-season, Malutoa is a damaging middle forward that brings plenty of whack to the Falcons pack.
Malutoa, 24, is a 107kg mobile forward and is continuing to prosper for the Falcons.
Kane Jackson: Jackson has risen through the Falcons system and was awarded best back for the Colts side in 2021.
The now 24-year-old is a high quality centre with great speed, power and genuine expertise to punch through defensive holes.
His ability to find the try line is unmatched and his head coach labelled him as ‘the best defensive centre in the competition’.
WESTERN CLYDESDALES
Mitchell Leard-Lamont: He’s not the biggest prop around but he is young, strong, tough and has a massive engine. Leard-Lamont will happily produce 10 or more hit-ups in a game given the opportunity and will tackle his heart out. The new Clydesdales forward caught the eye of Canterbury Bulldogs officials in 2023 and played a NSW Cup game for the NRL earlier this year.
Taniela Otukolo: A gifted young footballer who oozes class. He is versatile enough to play at lock or on the edge but he does his best work at hooker. Otukolo is calm on the ball and has great distribution skills. The 21-year-old, who played nine NRL games for the Warriors in 2021 and 2022, has joined the Clydesdales looking to reignite his love for rugby league.
MACKAY CUTTERS
Sean Mullany: An NRL deal could very well be on the horizon for Cutters captain Sean Mullany, who spent a large chunk of his pre-season training with the Cowboys and even featured in a trial match against the Broncos where he performed strongly and even scored a try out of dummy half.
Prior to this season Mullany had spent most of his time with the Cutters - having joined the club in 2021 - as a lock, but the Cowboys see him as a hooker, and that’s where he is playing his Hostplus Cup footy this season as a result. He’s a workhorse that tackles hard, and North Queensland Coach Todd Payten has hinted at the possibility of him succeeding Jake Granville on the Cowboys list.
Will spend the next four to six weeks on the sideline however after tearing his MCL.
John Radel: Radel has been on the cusp of an NRL deal for some time. He had a train and trial opportunity with the Broncos last season and again with the Cowboys in 2024.
The young prop made the move north ahead of this season from Wynnum-Manly to chase more opportunity with the Cowboys. Has impressed throughout the early stages of the season and also gained valuable NRL trial match experience with the Cowboys.
BMD PREMIERSHIP’S NRLW HOPEFULS
NORTHS DEVILS
Rebecca Davidson: Davidson has been one of the supreme centres in the Premier Women rugby union competition over the last few years.
Now, having made the mode to league, Davidson is ready to run crash ball and score tries at centre for the Devils.
She has what it takes, and so does her centre partner Brittney Brown.
They are capable of taking Norths to the finals this season.
Losalio Sita Payne: Powerful prop Payne piles on pain with her crash balls and there are NRLW teams out there that could use her toughness.
A Parramatta Eels Tarsha Gale young gun who was one of cream of the crop players in the Premier Women rugby union competition last year, Payne, like Davidson and Brown, have come to league for a shot in the NRLW.
The trio are more than qualified.
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES
Madisen-Jade Iva: The Canterbury College alum moved across from union where she played for Sunnybank and has slotted right into the starting line-up at Souths Logan.
A centre or winger, Iva has tremendous upside and despite being one of the youngest on the team, she is one of the hardest hitters.
WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS
Ellie Draper: The Seagulls new addition could well have a contract come the end of the season.
A halfback, Draper has played Reds Super W and was a hot commodity switching from union to league last year, coming over from the Souths Magpies to try her luck with Wynnum, who have invested in her.
She’s a classy player.
Mariah Brown: The Highfields junior from the Towoomba region made her BMD Premiership debut last weekend.
Previously a Queensland Schoolgirls selection, the 19-year-old has been one of the best in the under-19s competition and didn’t look out of place playing against the older girls.
An NRLW club would be smart to invest in Brown, a defensive brute capable of playing in the halves and in the centres.
WESTERN CLYDESDALES
Georgia Sim: The Rugby 7s convert has only played five rugby league in her life but has quickly adapted to the new code. She has all the physical attributes - speeds, good hands and power - and more importantly a willingness to learn. The flying winger could easily land an NRLW contract if her meteoric rise continues.
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS
Jordan Jackson: The crafty Falcons teenager has continued to grow her game in recent seasons, earning a well deserved place in the inaugural Sunshine Coast BMD side.
At just 19-years-old Jackson punches well above her weight in defence and creates a number of opportunities with the footy.
Jackson recently donned the Queensland Sapphires jersey at the Women’s National Champs.
Rhemy Hinckesman: A homegrown Sunshine Coast talent, Hinckesman only started playing local footy last year and in less than 12 months has played for the Falcons and the Queensland Sapphires.
The talented lock forward brings a stacked touch football resume and admitted living with Broncos NRLW star Hayley Maddick was a big reason for her taking to the rugby league field.
The 21-year-old has been a standout player in recent weeks and is no doubt gaining some serious scout attraction.
Makayla Henry: Better known as ‘Betty’, Henry has shot through the ranks in recent seasons and was lucky enough to score the Falcons first ever BMD try in round one.
The electric outside back grew up playing oztag and rugby 7s before putting a bigger focus on rugby league in 2021.
Since then Henry has been a livewire for the Falcons and grew her game even further at the Women’s National Champs.
TWEED SEAGULLS
Lily Patston: Lily is the full package. Fit, fast and strong who carries eagerness to learn and gives 100 per cent. -The versatile fullback or winger is good under high balls and has tried her luck at touch football as well, helping her better her craft.
Lailee Phillips: Incredible knowledge and game smarts. Lailee has great game vision, defends well in the middle as her ball skills are the next level. Always gives 100 per cent and always willing to learn to improve her game.
Nikiah Campbell: A very versatile player who is usually a strong physical defender. Nikiah has a strong carry, quality above most in ball skills and mentally she is one of the hardest workers both on and off the field.
Perrine Monsarrat: Probably one of the strongest ball runners going around. Perrine is quite physical and getting stronger but the best ting about her is her willingness to learn and grow in any position. She has been known to play middle, edge forward and centre.
Jasmine Morrissey: Another one who is a strong ball runner. Jasmine has this nact for creating space when no one else can, especially under high balls. She is always willing to improve her game which is amazing from such a young athlete.
BURLEIGH BEARS
Sophie Buller: Has come from a different pathway, Buller was on the Titans list at a stage before being delisted and welcomed back in the Bears outfit. Now she is someone who is determined to get back there and definitely someone who is good enough to.
Teaghan Hartigan: Teaghan is definitely one to be looked at. She has come back through the Currumbin Eagles, she might be a little bit older but someone who is worthy of taking the next step. She already played a really high level, having made her test debut for Fiji in 2018.
Shaianne McGlone: Shaianne was a massive gain for the Bears in 2023 as she helped them on their way to last years grand final. Someone who is gaining momentum in every game she plays. One to watch for the future.
Originally published as Discover our list of Hostplus Cup and BMD Premiership players in the frame for NRL, NRLW contracts
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