Sunshine Coast rugby league: Region’s top 52 rising stars
The next generation of Sunshine Coast’s rising rugby league stars have been identified from Noosa to Caboolture, who could enter either the NRL or NRLW with a bang. Now, 52 of the region’s young guns can be named. Full list.
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Sunshine Coast coaches turned talent scouts have identified 52 of the region’s rising rugby league players that could one day play for the NRL or the NRLW.
From Noosa to Caboolture, our experts have identified their top junior stars that are set to have breakout seasons or continue their success.
Many are already signed or on the radar of NRL clubs and more could follow.
The list is in no particular order and each player identified has comments from their coach.
Falcons Cyril Connell squad (under-16s)
Comments from coach Jack Dreger
Zac Garton lock forward and captain
Originally a Gympie product, Garton has signed with the Redcliffe Dolphins after impressing playing for the Falcons last year as a 15-year-old.
He’s a former captain of the Sunshine Coast under-15s schoolboys and made Queensland under-15s merit team in 2021.
“He’s just a real skilful, powerful player who wouldn’t look out of place in the Mal Meninga squad,” Dreger said.
“He played every minute for us last year playing up an age.”
The Caloundra State High School star can play backrow and five-eighth but is most at home in the middle.
Caiden Ah-See five-eighth
Caloundra State High and Caloundra Sharks player who was recently invited into the Melbourne Storm’s Tornados system.
“He’s a real ball runner, aggressive and not afraid to take on the line. He’s one I think is only going to get better as the year goes,” Dreger said.
“I see him as that traditional six with his strong running.”
Ellyjah Birve - halfback
Originally from Cairns, Birve moved to Caloundra State High to improve his development as a player.
The 15-year-old has already established himself in as the team’s halfback but can play fullback and hooker.
He made the under-15s Sunshine Coast side at 14 and is described as an X-Factor.
“Long term I can see him as a nine, but he suits our team the most as a half at present,” Dreger said.
“He’s such a good organiser and light on his feet.”
Birve is a development player in the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm systems.
Jai Bowden - hooker
The Noosa junior known for his electric dummy half runs has freshly put pen to paper with the Melbourne Storm. He’s another who was part of Dreger’s side last year playing up a grade.
“His running game is one of his best assets, can tear them apart up the middle,” Dreger said.
“For his size, he can tackle well too.”
Bowden now plays for Kawana Dolphins and Mountain Creek State High.
Patrick Cathcart - backrower
A Caboolture product who is only a recent convert from soccer but has taken to league well.
“His first year for us he actually played fullback, but now we’ve got him the back row,” Dreger said.
“He’s a big frame, very good defensively and punches lines well. A good kick on him too.”
Christian Simpson - left centre
A Cherbourg product from Murgon State High School who plays for Coolum Colts, Simpson has drawn comparisons with Selwyn Cobbo of the Brisbane Broncos.
“He’s a real strike player like Selwyn is,” Dreger said.
“But really good defensively too. He can pull something out of the bag if he gets the ball early, a real try scorer.”
Sunshine Coast Falcons under-19s women
Comments from coach Mike Jeffs
Malia Ting - halfback
The Falcons on field general who calls the shots in the Ali Brigginshaw mould.
“She’s a bit similar to the Brisbane Broncos half,” Jeffs said.
“A really solid understanding of the game, a good organiser with a fancy step. It’s her second year with us too.”
Immogen and Tamzin Taumafai - front row
Identical twins and front row bookends together.
“They can play big minutes and give us plenty of go-forward,”Jeffs said.
“10m carries every time and strong offloads.
“They are very driven in rugby league and have big futures.”
They both played open women’s for their junior club Caboolture Snakes last year.
Grace Giampino - back rower
A rampaging ball runner said to run like a freight train.
Caboolture Snakes junior Giampino is a backrower with the brains of a centre.
“She seriously motors and her runs are intense,” Jeffs said.
“She’s hard to stop anywhere, but particularly close to the line.
“Having the centre training an edge really suits her.”
Nancy Sullivan - backrow or lock.
The Palmwoods Devils and Nambour Crushers junior’s form won her selection in the Queensland Country under-17s squad in 2021.
“She prefers lock but can play either position,” Jeffs said.
“She’s extremely tough and attracts four defenders with each carry.
“It seems like the opposition try to avoid her as well, so she goes looking for it.”
Trinity Jackson - hooker
A Gympie Devils and Noosa Pirates junior who plays an all important role at the Falcons.
“She gets us on the front foot and is our main ball distributor,” Jeffs said.
“She plays it well and her scoots out of dummy half always make good metres. Great vision too.”
Shae Holliday - centre
At 17, Holliday is a baby of the squad, blessed with speed.
“She has real speed, a slight build and can spot a gap a mile away,” Jeffs said.
“But through her juniors at Gympie and Noosa she played lock. So she’s naturally tough.”
Tarnee Evans - front row
The Caboolture junior is one third of a fearsome front row combination with the twins.
“She’s got an awesome offload and always makes good metres,” Jeffs said.
“We will bring her off the bench when the teams starts to tire and she’ll just roll them.
“Her carries create havoc.”
Mountain Creek State High School Year 10s.
Comments from Mountain Creek rugby league program manager Dan Roberts
Kai Kelly - fullback or centre
Currently going through rehabilitation but Kelly is a highly touted prospect who is on the radar of the Brisbane Broncos, Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm.
“That says it all and he’s a great kid,” Roberts said.
“Very tall and competitive, his will to win is great. He’s a really fast and powerful fullback.”
Tyson Fallon-May - hooker or lock
Only 15 but this Kawana Dolphins junior is lightning quick off the mark.
“He’s got wheels, he can go from 0-50km/h very fast, off the mark he has such good speed,” Roberts said.
“He’s got that good ability to engage a defender too.”
Carlos MacDonald - centre or second row
A Caboolture Snakes junior who is part of the Falcons under-16s.
“He’s a real quiet type who has got to where he is through sheer hard work,” Roberts said.
“He’s a great hole runner and is as tough as they come.”
Jacob Tuckwell - front row
The Maroochydore Swans rep has been described as a gentle giant.
“He’s a really nice kid off the field, but when he gets the football wowee,” Roberts said.
“So polite and something just switches when he’s in the middle. A big body with big potential.”
Kobe Brown - halfback
The Kawana Dolphins general who just needs a growth spurt to take him to the next level.
“He runs the team with his communication and skills,” Roberts said.
“So cool and calm. He has all the tools and is a positive role model.
“When he develops physically we will see the best of him.”
Caloundra State High School Year 10
Comments from Caloundra rugby league coordinator Craig Monaghan
Darcel Snowden front row
A big no nonsense classic bookend consistently playing up the grades.
“He’s in Year 10 but is in the Falcons under-16s squad at 15,” Monaghan said.
“He’s a big presence on the field who has had his share of injury setbacks.”
Trained the house down over the summer.
Toby Irvine fullback
A Caloundra Sharks junior with speed to burn and like Snowden is another to play up an age group.
He’s part of Caloundra Seahawks Year 10 side and the Falcons under-16s.
“Tony is a fleet-footed fullback with the skills that allows him to transition in to the halves seamlessly,” Monaghan said.
“He has speed and is not afraid to throw himself in to the defensive line.”
Callum Ballantyne five eighth
A Beerwah Bulldogs junior who has been signed for the Redcliffe Dolphins under-16s.
“Callum is a smart footballer who has a great ability to read a game and anticipate opposition movements,” Monaghan said.
Keagan Zanchetta - halfback
An integral member of the Seahawks Year 9 squad and from a family renowned for success with Kawana Dolphins.
“He has led the team to the final series in the last few seasons,” Monaghan said.
“Keagan is a smart halfback whose general knowledge of the game is an asset to his team as is his impressive defensive efforts week in week out.”
Caloundra State High School Open girls
Comments from Caloundra rugby league coordinator Craig Monaghan
Makayla Everding - fullback
The Queensland Country’s under-17 fullback is in her fourth and final year of the Caloundra Seahawks program.
She’s made Sunshine Coast Schoolgirls, Kawana Dolphins under-17s and the Country rep.
“Her growth of the past four years has been outstanding,” Monaghan said.
“This is her last year at school and she hopes it will be just as rewarding.”
Georgie Williams - hooker
A smart, hard working footballer off the Kawana Dolphins production line.
“She has an amazing willingness to learn and applies all she is taught to continually improve her craft,” Monaghan said.
“She is a district and regional representative for the Sunshine Coast.”
Keeley Davies - halfback
Davies was the first girl to be enrolled in the Caloundra Rugby League program about six years ago and has matched it with the boys.
“She always competed with them and sometimes outshone them,” Monaghan said.
“She’s a smart and aggressive halfback who leads by example on the field.
“She has a strong running game and can spot opportunities quickly on field and capitalise.”
Davies is a district and regional rep player.
Mountain Creek State High School girls
Aliera Chase - five-eighth
A high-level rugby union player who recently added dual codes to her arsenal.
“She will give the boys a run for their money,” Roberts said.
“She competes hard, never backs down and really sets our standard.
“Great vision, skills and footwork.”
Gabby Poston - fullback
An Oztag sensation in the mould of Brisbane Broncos weapon Tamila Upton.
“Her step is amazing, she moves so well,” Roberts said.
“She’s like Upton in the way she moves, electric footwork.”
Emily Maher - hooker
A youngster of the team as a Year 10 student renowned for 100m tries.
Maher recently made the transition into hooker but has the ability to play across the park.
“She’s super hard to tackle, a really powerful runner,” Roberts said.
“Look out if she gets into space with her fend and strength too.”
Ava Jennings - centre
“Such a hard worker who is so committed to everything, she listens well and just wants to get better,” Roberts said.
“She’s sensational and has a fantastic workrate.”
Ari Finkelstein - second row
Another baby of the team and a straight A student.
The Year 8 student carved up in Townsville at the State Titles and has added rugby league success to a long list of goals.
“She’s strong, really tenacious and skilful,” Roberts said.
Sunshine Coast Falcons Mal Meninga Cup squad
Comments from coach Danny Gray
Sifa Kava - winger
An outside back, Kava is a big, tall, rangy player who has a fair bit of skill about him.
The dual rugby league and rugby union talent was selected in the Queensland U16 team in 2021 and currently plays as a winger for the Sunshine Coast Falcons Mal Meninga Cup team.
Kava is an extremely quick and damaging ball carrier that excels for his team in attack.
He is linked to the Cronulla Sharks.
Jack Underhill - front row
Rising Kawana Dolphins standout player Jack Underhill has been poised as ‘one to watch’ in the rugby league scene for many seasons.
“Jack is a front rower and a quality kid that has signed a development contract with the Melbourne Storm,” Gray said.
“He’d definitely be one of the fittest forwards in our squad and that shows every time he runs the ball.
“It’s good having him grind out metres when needed and he works really hard in his effort areas.”
Mason Kira - back row
Another dual sporting talent that has represented the Sunshine Coast in rugby league and rugby union.
“Mason’s a middle and edge backrower that is a really strong defender and a damaging ball carrier,” Gray said.
“He’s also signed a development contract with the Melbourne Storm and is a really good kid to have in the group.
“He’s highly focused when needed but he’s also got a good sense of humour and gets along with all the boys really well.”
Brooklenn Mundraby-Grogan - fullback or wing
“Brooky is a very electric type player and no doubt he’d be one of the quickest players in the competition,” Gray said.
“He plays fullback or wing and is a classy finisher that uses his instincts on the field to the best of his ability.
“He’s another that’s signed a development contract with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.”
Chase Paterson - middle forward
Crafty Caboolture rising star Chase Paterson has continued to go from strength to strength each year and is looking to build on his already eye catching performances in 2022.
“Chase is a middle and edge player that is really good in his effort areas,” Gray said.
“He’s got a really high work rate and is an aggressive player that doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff.
“He’s signed a development contract with the Melbourne Storm.”
Jayden Smith - back row
Another Caboolture Snakes product who has signed a development contract with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
“Jayden is a really skilful backrower who takes real pride in his ball running and rugby league IQ,” Gray said.
“He could easily play in the halves and shows his aggression and effort wherever it’s needed.
“The boys gave him a bit of stick earlier on when he was mistakenly identified as Brandon Smith’s younger brother but he just shares the exact same name as Brandon’s real brother who plays in Brisbane.
Tully McLellan - halfback
After his Man of the Match performance in last season’s Caloundra State High School DeVere Trophy victory, McLellan is preparing to take his game to new heights in 2022.
“Tully will play as our halfback this year and he’s signed a development contract with the Melbourne Storm,” Gray said.
“He’s a really smart player on and off the ball and a very good talker and organiser for the team.
“To top it off he’s got a great kicking game which I can only see getting better this season.”
Dyllan Cousens - hooker
The Noosa Pirates and Mountain Creek State High School star is again looking to go to new heights this season.
“Dyllan is this year’s Mal Meninga Cup captain who is your typical high workrate hooker but he also has some real x-factor about his game,” Gary said.
“He’s instinctive and likes to run in attack but is also very good defensively.
“He puts in a lot of work and does plenty of tidy-up stuff which we really liked as it can sometimes go unnoticed from the general spectator.”
Brock Thomas - front row
“Brock’s a really hard running front rower,” Gray said.
“He’s signed a development contract with the Newcastle Knights and his skills will only grow this season.
“There’s a lot to like about Brocky who just is an all-round solid forward.”
Jett Thorpe-Elich - utility
“Jett is a bit of a utility player who is one of the guys that we think is really going to progress over the next 12 to 18 months,” Gray said.
“He could play five-eight, back row, lock and even in the centres if we needed him to.
“He’s a very smart, hardworking player that has solid communication skills and the boys really enjoy playing alongside him.”
Mitchell Jennings - centre
“Mitch will predominantly play as a centre for us but he can definitely play in the back row as well,” Gray said.
“He’s an exciting Beerwah Bulldogs talent that is a really powerful and incredibly strong ball carrier.
“He’s aggressive all over the field in both attack and defence.”
Ethan Bainbridge fullback
A Gympie Devils junior who is one of the squad’s main goal kickers.
“He has plenty of skill and speed and is a really good goal kicker,” Gray said.
Saxon Day - prop or lock
A traditional middle forward out of the Maroochydore Swans system,
“Tough and uncompromising in attack and defence, but skillful too,” Gray said.
Harry Dreger
The younger brother of well known prop Jack Dreger but unlike his older sibling Harry is a halfback.
“Harry is out of Maroochydore, a skilful halfback and a great organiser, your traditional half,” Gray said.
Harry Dwyer prop lock
Dwyer is natural half trapped in a front rower’s body who is part of the Melbourne Storm’s academy.
“He’s a middle forward but could easily play five-eighth, he’s very smart,” Gray said.
Jackson Kite back row
A big, tally rangy back rower of the Beerwah Bulldogs club.
“He’s a good young edge forward with pretty silky skills,” Gray said.
Finn Lawson hooker
A dynamic player out of dummy half who will provide spark off the bench for Danny Gray’s squad in 2022.
“He’s a clever little hooker or half from Nambour, and a very good goal kicker.”
Cayse Munro half or hooker
Another utility who comes from Beachmere Rugby League Club.
“Cayse has a great instinct for the game and is very creative,” Gray said.
Kaedyn Philemon back row
A Caloundra Sharks gun who is also a state level swimmer.
“He’s super athletic, fit and fast and has really good knowledge of the game,” Gray said.
Ethan Polner centre or fullback
“A Noosa Pirates junior, strong defender with great skills. he’s not your big traditional super athletic centre, but is very smart, fast and knows where to be.”
Kahn Sutherland-Chan prop lock
A power player off the bench who attracts four to five defenders a carry.
“Big Kahn, he’s from Noosa Pirates, a big, powerful aggressive middle forward,” Gray said.
“He makes serious impact off the bench, incredibly strong.”
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