Sunshine Coast rugby union, rugby league, Aussie rules and football stars to watch in 2022
Sunshine Coast coaches from all four sporting codes have revealed their aim for the season ahead and which players they believe are ones to watch in 2022. See the complete list:
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Kick-off is upon for several Sunshine Coast footy codes with amateur athletes gearing up for another season despite plenty of disruption already thanks to the recent deluge.
We can reveal each coach’s aim for the season and which players they believe are ones to watch in 2022.
With rugby league, Aussie rules, rugby union and football clubs ranging from Gympie to Wynnum kicking off from April 1, the expectations are at an all-time high.
USC Barbarians (rugby union), Kawana FC (football) and Kawana Dolphins (rugby league) will all look to defend their 2021 premierships having added new and exciting players to their respective clubs.
Find out below which players from every Sunshine Coast senior sporting club are set to shine and which ones are due for a breakout season on the field.
All teams and clubs were approached for a comment before the time of publishing.
Rugby League
MAROOCHYDORE SWANS (Dennis Moore)
Season aim: “We just want to get off on the right foot and get a good start to the season as we’ve only had just the one trial so might be a little under done but hopefully we’ll be fresh enough and ready to go,” Moore said.
John McLaughlin
“John is back with us full time after being with the Falcons last year so I’m looking forward to seeing what he brings for the year,” Moore said.
Jackson Moule
“Jackson has joined us this season from Caboolture and is another one that I’m excited to see what he can bring to the place,” Moore said.
“He’s a number six so we should have plenty of attacking flair.”
CABOOLTURE SNAKES (Mitch Buckett)
Season aim: “Obviously there’s always the aim to make finals at the end of the regular season so as a group that’s our goal for sure,” he said.
“Early on in the season it’s a fairly new looking side so it’s about us getting those combos going in the first few rounds.”
Aaron Nelson
“Our captain Aaron Nelson is just a big body in the middle who really loves the tough stuff,” Buckett said.
“He’s good to watch and will bring plenty of intensity for us this season.”
Will Shirvington
“Will is a really exciting outside back and another young player for our senior team,” Buckett said.
“He is another that loves the physical challenge and will be solid in both attack and defence.”
Caleb Rothery
“He’ll play out on the wing outside of Will this season and is a player that has a really big motor on him,” Buckett said.
“His workload is huge and he never takes a backwards step.”
GYMPIE DEVILS (Mick Buckley)
Season aim: “We’ll be happy to just get through the season the way everything is going at the moment,” Buckley said.
“It’s a pretty tough environment with work commitments and the impact of the recent floods so if we can just put a side out and compete every week we’ll all be very happy.”
Clayton Dodt
“Clayton is our captain and is one that has had a really good pre-season,” Buckley said.
“He plays upfront footy, leads by example and is highly respected by the group of players.”
Haydin Elsebach
“He’s coming back from a knee injury but has been in the Intrust Super Cup system previously,” Buckley said.
“He goes really well around the ruck as a very sharp and effective hooker.”
CALOUNDRA SHARKS (Leigh De Jersey)
Season aim: “Definitely to improve on last season but mainly to keep players on the field as we had way too many injuries last year,” De Jersey said.
“Ultimately mate we’re going for the premiership like everyone else I think.”
Dylan Carolan
“Dylan played in the Falcons’ colts team last year and was a Coolum junior who has made the move to the Sharkies.” De Jersey said.
“He’s really added some quality pace and flair to our backline so I’m excited to see what he can produce.”
Tayler McCann
“He’s a new front rower for our team after previously playing in Sydney in the Ron Massey Cup,” De Jersey said.
“He’s a really big fella that will add some size and skill to our forward pack.”
KAWANA DOLPHINS (Andrew Hinson)
Season aim: “We had a pretty successful season last year so we definitely want to start the season well and get off to a good start,” Hinson said.
“With any season we’re looking at making the semi finals and then going from there so that would be our main goal.”
Travis Long
“He has been a stalwart at our club for many years and had a bit of a disrupted season last year with a knee injury but was lucky enough with the Covid-19 break that it gave him a bit more time to recover and he was able to get out on the paddock for finals,” Hinson said.
“He was the Sunshine Coast representative player of the year last year and is a tremendous player and a tremendous asset so if we’re looking at being successful he’ll have to have big year.”
Stevie Ray Haenga-Albert
“He came to us last year before he was offered a pre-season with the Falcons and was that good of a trainer and that good of a bloke to have around the club he stayed with the Falcons all season,” Hinson said.
“He is now with us full-time and he plays hooker so is a definite standout in the local grade and someone I expect to have a big season while also pressing for higher honours down the track.”
Connor Luhan
“Connor played juniors at Kawana before going to North Queensland for the under-20s and also to Cronulla where he got a few runs in the lower grades before Covid-19 hit and he decided to come home,” Hinson said.
“He has made his return to footy now and is another big player that if he plays to his potential he’s someone that can put us on the right path to another successful season.”
NAMBOUR CRUSHERS (Ken Kerr)
Season aim: “From what I’ve seen and from the trial we had the players are starting to buy into the culture I’m trying to create,” Kerr said.
“We’ve had a few players come in from out of town which keeps the local boys honest but expectation wise we just hope to improve each week and finish up better than last season.”
Jackson Gisinger
“He plays in the second row and he’s got everything,” Kerr said.
“He’s about six-foot-twenty and he can run, pass, step, tackle and I think the only thing I haven't seen him do is his kicking game.”
Marty Cordwell
“He’s injured at the moment but Marty has been training and working really well and really hard among the group so far,” Kerr said.
“He’s played for the Falcons and he’ll be our main front rower.”
NOOSA PIRATES (Brett Winkler)
Season aim: “Obviously we want to play finals footy as that’s what it’s all about so for us to make that top four is definitely up there,” Winkler said.
“We will just reassess from there so hopefully things fall into place in the regular season.”
Attacking threats
“I’m a real stickler for not trying to identify players or put pressure on any of them but obviously we have some real good firepower in our outside backs with the likes of Alex Copelin, Kurtis Shayler and Seaton Reid, who was the 2021 Sunshine Coast player of the year,” he said.
“We’re really happy with how we look there and also with our forward pack where we have beefed up a little bit heading into round one.”
Rugby Union
NOOSA DOLPHINS (Matt Buckland)
Season aim: “We have nothing at all this year to be honest as there has been lots of changes, lots of fresh faces and lots of younger faces making that step up to a-grade season,” he said.
Tom McAneney
“Tom is one that has a few senior games under his belt but he has really impressed in our pre-season games and looks to be taking his game to a new level this season,” he said.
Levi Shaw
“Levi has joined us from a Canberra side and is another that has had a good couple of trials,” he said.
“He’ll play in the second row and has put his hand up so far but with our new team this season it’s really on the players to show what they can do and show why they deserve a chance in A-grade.”
MAROOCHYDORE SWANS (Ben Radmall)
Season aim: “We’ve had a bit of a disruptive pre-season due to the weather so it might be a better question following this weekend’s game given we’re up against Noosa and they’re usually the standard every year,” he said.
“I’ve got no reason to think we can’t play finals footy this year given we were probably missing a few key players in key positions last season that we have picked up heading into round one.”
Charlie Bruce
“Charlie is starting to get his confidence back and is electric with wheels at that outside centre spot for us,” he said.
Harry Masters
“Harry is a new signing for us at nine or 15 and has already looked to have an impact on our backline,” Radmall said.
“He’s got plenty of experience playing high level rugby overseas so it will be good to see that transition take shape.”
Andrew Martin
“Is another new player at our club who will play 10 or 12 and he brings a solid skill set and great communication,” he said.
USC BARBARIANS (Brad Tronc)
Season aim: “I think it’s important to have aims and expectations which is what we have discussed as a team internally but obviously we’re just keen to get the season started,” he said.
“The success last season was good but there’s now added pressure as I think we flew under the radar a little bit last year, so we know we have to be better than what we were last year, but looking forward to that challenge.”
Matt Lieder
“Matt was really good for us in the forwards last year and was able to match it with the best opposition players each week.” he said.
Mike Filiga
“Mikey was electric for us last season at fullback and will be strong again no doubt,” he said.
Nathan Thomson
“Nathan is one player that I’m keen to see have a breakout season,” he said
“He has trained his butt off over the last two years that I’ve had him in the seniors and injuries haven't gone his way but he’s in the best nick of his career and hoping he has a breakout year at inside centre.”
CALOUNDRA LIGHTHOUSE (Geoff Ingram)
Season aim: “I think we’re there to win it this season and I think we have the team to do it,” he said.
“We have got a really good bunch of new coaches in Wayne Giddings from Canberra and Steve Peters from Sydney so between us we know we have a good coaching team and the boys are starting to respond.”
Jake Helgesen
“Jake will be our captain this season and has been at the club for a couple of season,” he said.
“He is a really high impact player and definitely one to watch this season.”
Josh Goddard and Dan Kennedy
“Both are young guys that we’ve brought into the forwards so they’re still super raw but hoping we can get the best out of them this season,” he said.
WYNNUM BUGS (Dean Urquhart)
Season aim: “We are just hoping to improve on last year performances as we have a new squad, new coaching staff and new strategies that we hope implement that,” Urquhart said.
“Our main aim is to be playing finals football at the end of the season.”
Giles Beveridge
“He’ll play number 10 for us this season and he looks as one to watch as he really takes initiative over the backline,” he said.
“He has been an outstanding player for a few premier grade rugby clubs in Brisbane and has now transferred to Wynnum so that’s come with plenty of excitement to see what he can bring.”
Scott Davies
“Scott will play at halfback and basically he is just going to bring that extra level of communication between the forwards and the backs,” he said.
“I think he will set us in the right direction in both attack and defence this season which will be solid.”
CABOOLTURE SNAKES (John Flew)
Season aim: “We’re definitely just trying to improve given we have only won one game in three years so hopefully we can get a few more and continue to build,” Flew said.
“That off-field stuff is pretty big for us in terms of creating that club culture and attracting more and more talent to our club.”
Patrick Ubaldo
“Patty is our vice-captain this year after playing a bit of representative football last season,” he said.
“That really gave him a step up so we’ve now put him in a leadership role at halfback.”
James Barrett
“James is a paramedic so he does shift work but when he can play he is definitely one to watch,” Flew said.
“He has come from UQ where he won a few premierships playing fly half so he will be guiding us around the park this season.”
Football
CALOUNDRA FC (Louis Chaperon)
Season aim: “If we can improve again on last season that would be great as I think we missed out on the top four by just a few points,” Chaperon said.
“I think every season I’ve been there we have lost players to higher honours so we’ve rebuilt again but also been able to hold onto our more experienced players.”
Cody Shorter
“Cody just leads by example as he is one of the oldest players on the team,” he said.
“He always gives 100 per cent at training and in the games so certainly expecting him to go well again.”
Aidan Hidassy
“Aidan is only 17 but has done well in the pre-season game as a big strong centre forward,” he said.
“I have been really impressed with his attitude and application so will try and give him as much game time as possible off the bench this season.”
COOLUM FC (Ben Wilks)
Season aim: “The big thing for us is to just compete every week and try and put Coolum back on the map after a few tough years,” Wilks said.
“If we can compete and finish in the top half of the league we’ll be happy with our efforts.”
Will Graham
“He’s just a young 16-year-old who is playing in our premier men's side this season,” he said.
“He has shown a lot of talent already and hoping he can go well against the league's top opposition in midfield.”
Adam Karyem
“Adam is an attacking midfielder who has just moved to the Coast,” he said.
“He’s a young exciting player who has played at a semi-professional level and is someone to watch this season.”
NOOSA LIONS (Ben Amson)
Season aim: “Go one better really there’s not much more to it,” Amson said.
Jack Williams
“Jack will play in the central midfield this year but just everything about him in terms of his on the ball skill, his vision and his class makes him so exciting to watch,” Amson said.
Byron Faleono
“In my opinion I think Byron will probably be one of the best nines on the Coast in time so excited to see what he can do this season,” he said.
GYMPIE UNITED FC (Jason Bradbury)
Season aim: “At the moment really we have a relatively new team put together so our expectation is to improve on our performances last year,” he said.
Jye Wivell
“Jye is our left back and is just an out and out solid defender who does everything right in attack and defence,” he said.
MAROOCHYDORE FC (Warren Crickmore)
Season aim: “It’s a new club for me, a new season and all new players after Maroochydore didn’t perform too well last year,” he said.
“There’s no major expectations as we just want to do well and play a good brand of football each week.”
Michael Holden
“Obviously he’s won player of the year the last couple of years so you could expect him to perform well again,” Crickmore said.
“He’s a class player all over the pitch so looking forward to what he brings.”
KAWANA FC (Brad Lloyd)
Season aim: “For the season we have high expectations among ourselves as we have retained most of the same squad from last year,” Lloyd said.
“We have also added one or two extra players in key positions so we are really excited for the year and hopefully we can stay fit and suspension free to have another good run at it this season.”
Harry Turner
“Harry is someone I’m expecting to have a good season this year as I thought he put in an outstanding performance in the grand final last year and just fell short of man of the match in my opinion,” he said.
“His workrate is phenomenal so I think he can back that up and have a big year.”
Jyi Oakes
“Jyi is someone we have recruited for the season who is a quality player with experience at higher levels on the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“He joins his brother Kayden at the club and I have some high expectations on him to have a solid year for us as well.”
NAMBOUR YANDINA UTD (Kyle Nix)
Season aim: “There is aims to retain the league again and even go one better by playing in the grand final as well,” Nix said.
Jonathan Harth
“Jonno had a really good season as he finished as our leading goalscorer so he will be looking to build and go to a new level again this year,” Nix said.
Josh Sansucie
“Josh has come back which is really promising as he is always a threat against any opposition upfront,” he said.
AFL
MAROOCHYDORE ROOS (Ben Jones)
Season aim: “We will certainly be aiming towards finals as we went well last year but the competition will get stronger again,” Jones said.
“We really want to set ourselves as a top six team in the regular season and see how we go in the finals again.”
Jackson Bury
“I think he started to cement himself as a solid running backline player last year and I think he will step up again and be one of the premier defenders in the QAFL competition,” he said.
Sam McLachlan
“He was really good for us last year but I think the pre-season effort he put in over the summer will ensure he takes his game to a new level,” he said.
Damon Eastwell
“His efforts over the summer to build his body up but to also work on his skill level have been really good,” Jones said.
“He’s a younger player but could feature anywhere in our 23 throughout the year.”
NOOSA TIGERS (Chris Rourke)
Season aim: “We’re really happy with our pre-season off the back of what was a disappointing season last year,” he said.
“We just want to make sure that we’re competitive this year and that’s something which will ultimately continue to help establish us as a quality QAFL side.”
Tom Templeton
“Tommy will be a really good player for us this year coming back from the VFL,” he said.
“He’s been terrific in the lead up to round one so definitely looking forward to seeing how he goes.”
Wil O’Dwyer and Maverick Pettigrove
“The pair of youngsters have been really good on the track so far so hoping they can transition their good performances to match day,” he said.
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