Four codes, 70 schoolboy wonders we saw this season
Here are 70 SEQ schoolboy wonders across four codes we saw in 2023. Our selection includes a recent Manly NRL signing along with football, Aussie rules and rugby top guns. We also name our No. 1-20 cream of the crop players.
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Following the conclusion of the senior Schools Premier League football last Friday, and the impending AFLQ Schools Cup deciders this weekend, we announce the best footballers we saw play across the four codes in 2023.
These are the 70 top flight senior schoolboy talents from SEQ that we saw play across south east Queensland this year.
We name 70 high class athletes, concentrating mainly on Year 11-12s, including ranking the best of the top 20 we saw.
Our top 20 senior schoolboys we saw
1. Quinn MacNicol (Churchie, soccer)
2. Fergus Gillan (The Southport School, rugby union)
3. Macarius Pereira (St Joseph’s Nudgee College, rugby union)
4. Cameron Bukowski (Villanova College, rugby league and union)
5. Mitch Rogers (Padua College, rugby league and union)
6. Bailey McConnell (PBC SHS, rugby league)
7. Lehopa Leota (Iona College, rugby union)
8. Edward Ince (St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace, soccer)
10. Charlie Elliott (PBC SHS, footy)
11. Luke Aiken (Sunshine Coast Grammar, rugby)
12. Nelson Beikoff-Smart ((PBC SHS, footy)
13. Jett Bryce (Keebra Park SHS, rugby league)
14. John Fineanganofo (Redcliffe SHS, league)
15. Rylan Brownlie (Nudgee College, soccer)
16. Luca Laverde (PBC SHS, footy)
17. Xavier Rubens (BBC, rowing, rugby)
18. Tafito Falaniko Ah-Ki (St Edmund’s, rugby union and footy)
19. Isiah Quinn (Marsden SHS, soccer)
20. Sam Stephenson (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, rugby league)
Our Super Seven top 10 junior age talents we saw
Cooper Hodge (St Laurence’s, footy)
Damon Humphrys (Padua College, union)
Raphael Geesu (Cleveland District SHS, footy)
Lui Lee (Marsden SHS, league)
Dylan Patterson (PBC SHS, footy and league)
Taylan Toa (Marsden SHS, league)
David Bryenton (Keebra Park SHS, league)
TOP PLAYERS ACROSS THE SEASON
FOOTBALL
Quinn MacNicol (Churchie)
Midfielder MacNicol is a young veteran who has already achieved so much, including becoming the Brisbane Roar FC’s youngest player to make his senior debut at age 15. He is from the renowned Rochedale Rovers FC system and is a Roar A-League scholarship holder.
RELATED LINKS
SCHOOLS PREMIER LEAGUE SENIOR GRAND FINAL REPLAYS
QUEENSLAND REDS TOP 140 PLAYERS PAST PRESENT AND EMERGING
QUEENSLAND REDS U16S AND U19S START NATIONAL CHAMPS WITH WINS
Edward Ince (St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace).
Ince was the only Queenslander who made the final under 17 Joey’s side this, evidence of this elite attacking player’s ability. He has been with the Brisbane Roar since being invited into its under 13 academy in 2019.
Rylan Brownlie (Nudgee College)
From a famous footballing family – his father Royce was a top tier striker – Brownlie originally was mentored by Jason Tobin at Kelvin Grove State College before moving to Jamie Pybus’ program at Nudgee College in the GPS competition. Like Quinn MacNicol, mentioned earlier, Brownlie is another Brisbane Roar scholarship player who was in the Joeys under 17 training squad.
Isiah Quinn (Marsden SHS)
This ace defender or midfielder played for the 16 Joeys’ last season where his terrific acceleration and a strong work ethic came to the fore. He is a real student of the game.
Noah Maieroni (Kelvin Grove State College)
One of the very best we saw, and an unlucky omission from our top 20. The Brisbane Roar midfielder who plays seniors at Brisbane City looked at times to be a man among boys playing in the Kelvin Grove State College premiership winning side last Friday at the Schools Premier League finals.
Raf Alvis (Kelvin Grove State College)
Alvis was a mighty mite for Kelvin Grove in the recent Schools Premier League decider, an x-factor player upfront who was the perfect foil for the imposing Noah Maieroni who we mentioned earlier.
Freddy Babbage (Kelvin Grove State College)
With a high football IQ and hard working ethic, Babbage is easily one of the top flight round ball schoolboys in Australia, not just SEQ.
Novak Kljajic (Cavendish Road SHS)
The striker from Olympic FC was outstanding for his school in last Friday’s Schools Premier League grand final. He was a forward, leading by example and was lethal with both feet.
Tate Baldwin (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS).
The young defensive midfielder who makes a habit of breaking up attacks with his tackling was named Queensland’s Player of the Tournament at the recent National Schoolboy Titles and named in the Australian Schoolboys Team.
AUSSIE RULES
Charlie Elliott
The Year 12 student from northern New South Wales last week won the Palm Beach Currumbin Best and Fairest after shining as a midfielder in the QAFL colts competition. This was his second year in Colts for PBC, having played in their 2022 premiership winning team.
He is a lightning-fast, livewire midfielder with a deadly left foot kick. Also very potent when rotating onto the forward line where he kicked 25 goals this season.
Nelson Beikoff-Smart (PBC SHS)
Beikoff-Smart is a versatile type who tends to play wing in club footy for Palm Beach Currumbin where he is dangerous and creative with his run, footy smarts and clever ball use. But he also rolls into the midfield, while at the Gold Coast Suns’ under 18s he is used as a half back flanker. He also represented the Queensland under 17s.
Alex Peacock (Ipswich Grammar School)
Peacock imposed himself on the QAFL colts competition from the first bounce of the season, linking play and scoring a couple of goals a game. He will be back and ready to roll again next season in colts for Sherwood.
Beau Lester Sutherland (midfielder)
Bullocking, big-bodied, hardworking inside midfielder who gathered plenty of possessions every week. He also relished applying lots of tackle pressure on the opposition at stoppages.
Like who we mentioned earlier, Elliott loved to rotate onto the forward line and kick a goal.
Zane Pearce (Iona College)
The exhaustive midfielder from the Morningside club, Pearce made our QAFL colts Team of the Season and finished third in the Panthers Best and Fairest count last Friday. He attends Iona College
Luca Laverde (PBC SHS)
A Year 12 student at PBC SHS, he was a terrific leader in the Palm Beach Currumbin club side which lost narrowly in the QAFL grand final. He joined an All-Star PBC SHS side in the Schools Cup which included several players already mentioned from PBC SHS, plus Cameron Brown, Lachie Ferguson (both PBC AFC) and Jai Murray (Broadbeach Cats club). They all caught our eye.
Ty Gallop (Maroochydore club)
A Brisbane Lions Academy member, Gallop is a strong bodied forward who rose to great heights on QAFL colts grand final day when he collected Best on Ground in a thriller against PBC. Earlier in the season he played for the Queensland under 17s.
Ryan Lewis (Kedron SHS)
The Wilson Grange midfielder would run a half marathon a game, working his backside off around the ball. He loved competing for the ball and was a brave leader.
Beah Addinsall, Cooper Hynes and Max Hudson (All Broadbeach AFC)
With a forward running midfielders like Addinsall and Hynes (PBC SHS) it is little wonder the Cats had a very good QAFL colts season. Throw in another top flight schoolboy from Broadbeach, Max Hudson (Marymount College), and you have the foundation for a successful side.
Jack Thompson (Marist College Ashgrove)
Another midfield marvel, Thompson had the ability to dominate clearances and be hard all around the ground.
Aston Wilson (Padua)
Wilson played down back for school and club (Wilston Grange) and was a real general down the ground.
Frankie Quinn (Nudgee College)
The versatile Aspley Hornets back was absolutely outstanding in a high performing club side all season.
Ben Dempsey (St Patrick’s College)
The Aspley backman was an intercept specialist who did a power of work for his school, but also helped the Hornets in club land.
Raphael Geesu (Cleveland District SHS)
The Brisbane Lions U16 Academy small forward is renowned for his goal sense and using his speed to complement outstanding kicking skills. He was the full package in the QAFL colts competition for Redland-Victoria Point.
Mason Field (Labrador club)
The Labrador midfielder was consistently a pack winning player who worked hard to get to every contest. Part of a young crop of QAFL colts, he also represented the Queensland under 17s.
Harry and Cooper Gwynne (Broadbeach)
In their last season of school, Harry and Cooper Gwynne were off the planet, good for the Broadbeach Cats all season (QAFL colts). Both boys strolled into our Team of the Season, Harry down back and Cooper on the half back flank.
Will Munro ((St Laurence’s College)
A Brisbane Lions Academy Level 3, Munro won the college’s best and fairest for his role in the tied premiership win (SLC have won the 1st XVIII premiership four out of the last five years). Munro is an exciting half back flanker, who provides plenty of run, often quarterbacking the attack for the SLC 1st XVIII. He also has the ability to push forward and showcase his fantastic aerial work.
Wyatt Greenaway ((St Laurence’s College)
Another Brisbane Lions Academy Level 3 member, vice-captain Greenaway is a hardworking midfield, with an elite left foot. He has an incredible ability to find the footy and deliver with poise and precision.m Greenaway represented the Queensland under 17s.
Kieran Micheletti (Villanova College)
Micheletti was a monster in the midfield for Villa during the AIC school season, and for Mt Gravatt during the QAFL colts competition.
Jake Fazldeen (Villanova)
It was a big year for young Fazldeen, his off season spent with the Brisbane Lions Tier Three Academy, then playing for Villa in the AIC school season and churning away each week for Wilston Grange colts – before making the Queensland under 17s.
Heath Seaton (Park Ridge SHS)
The young full forward was a consistent target for his teammates both at school and for his club, the Mt Gravatt Vultures.
Charlie Corrigan (Villanova College)
A half back flanker, the Lions academy player had a big season for the Vultures in QAFL colts, making our Team of the Season.
RUGBY LEAGUE
Bailey McConnell (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS)
McConnell was named by us as the Justin Hodges Medallist for Langer Trophy player of the year. A five-eight from Burleigh Bears, he enjoyed the form of his life with his organising, running game and support play helping drive PBC SHS to its Langer Trophy premiership and its Phil Hall Cup state championship victory.
Jett Bryce (Keebra Park SHS)
Bryce was the best forward in the Langer Trophy. Not a big man, the Broncos-contracted back rower was without peer when it came to energy off the ball and defensive engagement. He was also a strong running edge forward who played for the Queensland schoolboys.
Bryce was a terror carrying the ball or defending front on or in cover defence. He is not a big man, but his energy knows no bounds.
Sam Stephenson (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS)
Stephenson started the season as the most promising outside back in the competition and he did not disappoint. Tall, long striding, Stephenson was a left centre strike weapon who the Titans will be excited to have on their books.
Zane Harrison (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS)
Harrison was at the steering wheel of PBC SHS’s remarkable surge through the schoolboy league season, culminating with an appearance in the NRL Schoolboys Cup grand final. Titans’ signed, Harrison’s halfback play, control and kicking game was outstanding.
Coby Black (Marsden SHS)
Black was the most talented half across schoolboy league this season, winning Queensland schoolboys selection and taking Marsden SHS to the top of the table during the Langer Trophy home-and-away season. Into the future the Broncos’ signed No. 7 will be looking to bed down the basics, time and again in matches, because he already has all the skills.
Alton Naiyep (Ipswich SHS)
It is little wonder Manly have signed this brave, hard running winger who accelerates into the defence during death defying return runs from kicks. Naiyep is also an ace finisher.
John Fineanganofo (Redcliffe SHS)
Fineanganofo was the most skilful player we saw play schoolboy league this season. A ball-playing five-eight or No. 13, he also had pace and leg drive carrying the ball and deserved Australian schoolboy selection. He was a member of the Redcliffe Dolphins Meninga Cup premiership winning side.
Alex Leapai (Mabel Park SHS)
Leapai was the best prop in the Langer Trophy, a driving force behind Mabel Park’s fairytale run across the home-and-away season. More mobile than previous season, he was a power forward with an ability to unload in contact while scoring more tries than any other tight forward.
Ray Puru (PBC SHS)
He swooped late in the season after coming back from injury, but by heavens didn’t he add a dimension to the PBC SHS Langer Trophy attack coming off the bench. The fullback was dangerous against tiring forwards down the middle.
Zac Garton (Caloundra SHS)
Signed by the Dolphins, Garton was an edge back rower ace, a powerful runner who will only get better and better training in the Dolphins NRL system. He will learn so much off the Dolphins’s senior forwards and is exactly the type of schoolboy who will push hard for NRL selection later in his sporting life.
Tyler Peckham-Harris (Ipswich SHS)
Jack-in-the-box Peckham-Harris has been a regular on our high achievers list for two seasons now. An elite fullback in 2022 – including when he helped Ipswich SHS through its unbeaten 2022 season – Peckham-Harris was swung to hooker this season where he was possibly more effective with his running game and courage in defence.
Aholoka Toia (Redcliffe SHS)
The steady she goes Toia just had to be in our top 60. A nuts and bolts tight forward signed by the Roosters, he deservedly made the Queensland schoolboys side and was one of Queensland’s top six players at the nationals.
Saxon Innes (Marsden SHS)
Speed was Innes point of difference in 2023 and for that reason, he made our Meninga Cup Team of the Season as fullback. He is signed by the Brisbane Broncos.
Will Semu (Marsden SHS)
A schoolboy prodigy, Semu delivered on his promise in spades. A winger or centre, he was a dynamic runner and strong defender who made it all the way into the Queensland schoolboys side after overcoming a bad head knock in 2021. The Melbourne Storm have signed him.
Will Saunders ((Palm Beach Currumbin SHS)
Saunders was the ace in the Palm Beach Currumbin SHS pace with his well paced dummy half player. He’d come alive as the match wore on, with his scheming runs running defenders onto the back foot.
Lewis Symonds (Marsden SHS)
Symonds was the best forward in the Langer Trophy not to make the Queensland schoolboys side. A No. 13, national track and field medal winning athlete took his game to another level and is exactly the type of kid who will bob in up in an NRL top 30 squad in the years ahead.
Cameron Bukowski (Villanova)
Bukowski was elite across the season, culminating in captaining Villa to a shared AIC First XI rugby league premiership. The Broncos contracted hooker was everything to Villa – a tackling machine, ballplayer and running ace who played for the Queensland schoolboys league side. He was also the Villa First XV captain (inside centre) and a century maker in First XI cricket who garnished his sporting season by helping Villanova claim victory in the open 4x100m AIC track and field relay last Friday.
Mitch Rogers (Padua)
Could Rogers have had a more compelling season? Contracted by the Canterbury Bulldogs, Rogers was Man of the Match for his club Redcliffe in the Meninga Cup premiership win, made the Confraternity Shield Team of the Carnival and helped Padua College to a joint premiership in the First XI rugby league. He should have played for the Queensland schoolboys as well.
Will Lane (Iona College)
One of the competition’s hardest workers, Lane has been rewarded with a contract offer from the Manly club. A back rower, he started the season in the successful Wynnum Manly Seagulls system and carried that form over into playing First XV rugby – often as a centre – and then AIC league in his preferred No. 13 jersey.
Jayden Solien (Padua College)
Solien was another natural talent who had a rousing season. He was an interchange ace for Padua in First XV rugby, coming on as an outside back, but in league he played in the halves. He was one of the real bright sparks of both codes a player who was very quick, who loved to run the ball.
Calef Johnson (Padua College)
Johnson was a young giant who terrorised midfields when he played centre in the First XV competition, and was even more dangerous in league with his driving runs and defensive line speed for a big bloke. He has big post contact metres.
Finn Dalton (Padua)
Like Villa’s Ben Addley, back rower Dalton was slightly underrated for his work ethic yet one of the first players picked in Gary O’Brien’s league side. Dalton had excellent late feet at the line, and always quick play the ball.
RUGBY UNION
Lehopa Leota (QLD Reds, Iona College)
Leota has been a near unstoppable force. Iona have used him expertly and he has been a regular on the score sheet. Leota is a whirlwind in the maul or sweeping, but also has soft hands when unloading to teammates.
Tafito Falaniko Ah-Ki (St Edmund’s)
Ah-Ki had to be the best player in the competition. He was out of this world last season and boy did he repeat the dose, producing one man of the match performance after another with brilliance out of scrum half.
GPS rugby
Fergus Gillan (The Southport School)
Was there a more worthy Australian schoolboys selection than TSS lock Fergus Gillan. He was not only the best lock in the GPS First XV, it could be argued he was the best back five forward. He was consistent, aggressive and a great leader who was the backbone of TSS’s remarkable season which started with little expectations.
Jimmy White (TGS)
Like his teammate Joe Gray who we feature below, White came from the clouds this season and finished one of the best forwards in the GPS competition. His tackles were inspiring, his running game effective and his courage at ruck and maul contact evident week to week.
Joe Gray (TGS)
Gray was a revelation this season, a coaches’ dream who gave his all. Hard work was his middle name, but he had more to his game than contact and could also offer teammates a nice pass to clear the ball away from the traffic.
Amaziah Murgha (Ipswich Grammar School)
Talk about a talent. His speed was blistering both running the ball but also covering in defence. He garnished his season with a thrilling 95m intercept try in the last First XV match of the season.
Hugo Hart (Nudgee)
We’d put Hugo Hart in the same category as White and Gray, aggressive loose forwards who, whatever they did, they achieved without any thought of self preservation. Well done him in a fabulous season for the premiers.
Samson Tuqiri (Brisbane Boys College)
He didn’t always get a flood of possession, but Tuqiri on ball and off the ball work was there for all to season. We look forward to seeing more of his explosive runs in 2024.
Charlie Johnstone (Anglican Church Grammar School)
Johnstone was one of the first players we named in our GPS First XV Team of the Season. He Churchie No. 10 had it all – his kicking, running game and passing game all top notch strings to his bow.
Macarius Pereira (Nudgee)
He we are again, talking up this marvellous veteran of three Nudgee First XV campaigns. The 2023 Australian schoolboys selection was the most complete prop we have seen in GPS over the last few seasons and Nudgee were lucky to have him.
Mattias Agent (BSHS)
Mattias who? You would have been forgiven for asking this question at the start of the season but the opposition coaches’ smoke signals would have been pouring out across the competition as word went around about this remarkable flanker. Week to week he was a top three performer in most matches
Moses Manu (BSHS)
Wherever Manu turns up next season in colts football, he will give full value. Manu is an elite mobile prop with all the skills who would walk into any rival First XV set up. He has a capital T for Talent.
Tom Robinson (Terrace)
Robinson backed up a 2022 debut season with an encore performance for Terrace. Without putting pressure on him, he is one of the state’s most promising forwards whose second row play was outstanding.
Richard Dean (Toowoomba Grammar School)
Dean was a big reason Toowoomba Grammar School pushed so hard for its first premiership since the 1950s. He was a potent fullback with speed and a passing game and one senses his game is on the up.
Xavier Rubens (QLD Reds, Brisbane Boys College)
The headgear wearing Rubens deservedly surged into the Australian schoolboys side after an outstanding 2023. An explosive runner and strong defender who will benefit from being exposed to elite representative rugby.
Jacob Johnson (Nudgee College)
Johnson’s pace was a godsend for the premiers, He used it running the ball and creating from broken play, but he also used it to mop up kicks. It must have been so frustrating for opposition teams thinking they had unlocked Nudgee’s rhythm with a good clearing kick, only to have Johnson nullify its effect.
Prestyn Laine-Sietu (Nudgee College)
Laine-Sietu was a winner. He was a Meninga Cup premiership winner for the Redcliffe Dolphins, a Queensland schoolboys league selection and a Nudgee College First XV premiership winner. He perfect the one per cent plays, Mr Reliable in both codes.
Kingsley Uys (The Southport School)
Along with Iona College’s prop Lehopa Leota, front rower Uys was the best new talent we saw in the GPS First X rugby this season. We can’t wait to see him go around next year for TSS.
Harry Newnham (TGS)
In terms of week to week form, Harry Newnham was the best outside centre we saw in the GPS First XV competition this season. He was unsung, but always kept his opponents in check, was reliable and added balance to the high achieving TGS squad.
Frankie Goldsbrough (Anglican Church Grammar School)
While Goldsbrough did not have a season as good as 2022 – he would have suffered by not having players like Charles Brosnan and Dre Pakeho in his side – he was still very good as an outside centre and warrants his place in our top 60.
PJ Su’a (Terrace)
Su’a thumping runs from No. 8 shook the competition. A big, mobile unit, he was at the forefront of Terrace’s recovery this season with his compelling ball carrying into the teeth of the rivals.
Liam Payne (St Paul’s)
Payne was like a comet screeching across the sky, a fleet footed fullback with remarkable evasive skills. He just had this natural talent, speed and a step which won several games for St Paul’s School.
Devlyn Nel (St Columban’s)
Nel was a get down and dirty flanker, a gritty type who’d have made any AIC or GPS First XV squad.
Manaaki Bateman (St Patrick’s)
There were times when hooker Bateman was a one man wrecking machine for Paddies. He was no mug and the best No. 2 we saw in the AIC First XV competition.
Byron Murphy and Rylan Lock (St Laurence’s)
Murphy and Rylan Lock were tight forward twins, the cornerstone of St Laurence’s surge to its third successive premiership. They loved the pick and drive, the rolling maul contact and were relentless on and off the ball.
Jude Knapp (Marist College Ashgrove)
Knapp was the discovery player of both the AIC rugby union and rugby league seasons. We didn’t know he was this good. In rugby he played wing and fullback, and in league he
played several positions across the backline, including in the halves.
Ben Addley (Villanova)
Workhorse forward Addley was an unsung glue player in both the Villa First XI league and First XV rugby teams.
GUN ROOKIES
Damon Humphrys (Padua College)
The youngster was the baby of the AIC First XV who displayed arguably the best kicking game in the competition. He also shone in the First XI rugby league season and Padua’s league and union teams will be built around his organising and kicking game in 2024.
Cooper Hodge (St Laurence’s College, footy)
The Brisbane Lions Academy Level 2 squad member is a 2023 Queensland under 15 representative who was rewarded with All-Australian selection at the 15s National AFL Carnival earlier this. He is an explosively on-baller, who can push forward to impact on the scoreboard. Great kid, with a fantastic temperament and good understanding of the game. He will captain the SLC Junior Male team this weekend in the AFLQ State Final.
Taylan Toa (Marsden SHS, league)
Taylan Toa is an edge back rower from league mad Marsden who has been signed by the Gold Coast Titans. The Year 10 student tasted senior football this season in the Langer Trophy.
Dylan Patterson (PBC SHS, league and footy)
Dylan Patterson (PBC SHS, league and footy)
A Mr Sporting natural who is contracted to the Gold Coast Suns Academy squads, but who shone as a fullback for the premiership winning PBC SHS Walters Cup league side.
David Bryenton (Keebra Park SHS, league)
Bryenton was a new boy on the block from New Zealand and he starred for Burleigh in the Connell Cup season, but then for Keebra Park SHS in the Walters Cup.
Lui Lee (Marsden SHS)
Signed by the Sydney Roosters, Lee played the full season in Langer Trophy despite being a Walters Cup Year 10 age group player. He played wing or centre.
FOOTNOTE:
We would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge one high achieving teenager who left school last year – Victoria Point SHS past student Harry Taylor.
Taylor, who plays for the Morningside Panthers, won the coveted QAFL colts Player of the Year award, a supreme achievement given the quality of footy players in that competition.
He won with 26 votes, 11 clear of second place and achieved five Best on Ground performances. Then, to cap it all off, amazingly Taylor won the Morningside colts Best and Fairest by more than 50 votes.
Other QAFL colts Best and Fairest footy winners have been
Charlie Elliott who we mentioned earlier in this story and Jake Selvey (Surfers Paradise).
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