Sunshine Coast schoolboy rugby league players to watch
The Sunshine Coast’s top schoolboy rugby league talents will compete at the State Championships in Townsville this weekend as we reveal the key players to keep an eye on.
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The Sunshine Coast will field two teams at this weekend’s Queensland Schools Rugby League Championships as players battle it out for a spot in the state representative squad.
Players will compete in the under 14-15s and under 16-18s divisions against Met East, Met West, Met North, South West, Peninsula, Wide Bay, South Coast, North West, Capricornia, Northern, Darling Downs and South Coast Maroon.
Matches will be played at the Brothers Leagues Club in Townsville from May 20 to 23.
Here’s a snapshot of each of the squads with players from Caloundra SHS, Mountain Creek SHS and Redcliffe SHS.
Under 14/15s
Lucas Bourke and Will Joyner (Caloundra State High School)
The talented halves pairing will look to take their game to another level. Bourke and Joyner combined for Caloundra Sharks’ under 15s and have proven this season to be one of the most free flowing attacking sides in the competition. Look for them to make their on-field presence felt.
Jett Ryan (Caloundra State High School)
A damaging front rower who came across to Caloundra SHS in the last 18 months. He made the Sunshine Coast team this year and is aggressive, tackles with intent, runs the ball hard and is an all round leader for the forward pack.
Lorenzo Silva (Redcliffe State High School)
A bottom age kid that has excelled to make the team and will be a key component of the Redcliffe forward pack. A player on the rise and will put his talents to the test this year and next.
Taj Burke (Mountain Creek State High School)
Burke punched above his weight for the Sunshine Coast Falcons Cyril Connell Challenge side this season as a starting second rower. He knows his role well and can bring a lot of focus to his attacking skills.
Jonathon Alo (Redcliffe State High School)
A strong and commanding centre who is another underage player but already one of the tallest and biggest running around. He‘s quick, has a good level of skill and puts his opponents in two minds in attack and defence.
Oliver Kleijn (Mountain Creek State High School)
A powerful second rower who has shown to store a massive engine in attack and defence. Kleijn brings confidence to the players around him and should excel again across the weekend.
Under 16/17/18s
Jack Philp and Tully McLellan (Caloundra State High School)
Phillip and McLellan will again join forces in the halves, a deadly combination that has proved vital for Caloundra‘s success this season. Both players have developed immensely in recent seasons and are starting to come into their own as dominant playmakers.
Chase Paterson (Caloundra State High School)
Paterson has drawn comparisons to the likes of Dale Finucane in recent seasons and is another powerful middle and edge forward on the rise. He thrives on a rough and tumble game style and does the one percenters extremely well.
Brooklenn Mundraby-Grogan (Caloundra State High School)
An outside who is very exciting to watch, Brooklenn’s electric speed makes him extremely dangerous to mark, especially in broken play. He uses his instincts to the best of his ability and since moving down from Cairns has gone from strength to strength.
Zac Garton (Caloundra State High School)
Garton is coming off the back of a major season for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Mal Meninga Cup competition. After transitioning from the Sunshine Coast Falcons last season, it‘s no secret why the Dolphins NRL Academy wanted to get their hands on the elusive edge forward. He’s arguably in the form of his young career and will be strong again this weekend.
Mason Kira (Mountain Creek State High School)
Kira was a standout for the Sunshine Coast Falcons Mal Meninga Cup side this season, earning him a spot in the Queensland under 18 Emerging Origin squad. He’s a big, strong, fast, skilful player in that middle forward or back row position.
Finn Lawson (Mountain Creek State High School)
The “ultimate utility” has burst onto the Sunshine Coast and Queensland rugby league scene in recent years pulling on a jersey at hooker, halfback, five-eight, fullback and even out on the sting. Lawson made the Queensland and Australian Schoolboys Rugby Union team in 2022 after never even playing the sport. He will again prove to be a handful and look to steer his side around the park.
Jai Bowden (Mountain Creek State High School)
A clever number nine that picks his plays and reads the game exceptionally well. ‘Bowdo’ will look to create havoc and chaos around the ruck and wouldn’t be surprising if he crosses the chalk for a few four pointers.
Jayden Evans (Redcliffe State High School)
An explosive halfback has arrived from Western Australia. He is built close to the ground, is strong and has great acceleration.
Hayden Potts (Redcliffe State High School)
A dynamic hooker that brings a high rugby league IQ to the field. He’s tough, agile and makes the most out of having a top level forward pack alongside him.
John Fineanganofo (Redcliffe State High School)
A ball playing five eight or lock who played at the recent Meninga Cup competition. He helped Redcliffe to win the under 18 club competition in April and along with Jayden is a great chance to earn a Queensland jersey.
Loka Toia (Redcliffe State High School)
A hard working front rower who gets better with age. He has learned his trade the hard way after being thrown to the wolves last year in the Langer Trophy, but enters 2023 one of the leading props for his age.
Regan O‘Connell (Redcliffe State High School)
After a tough run of injuries in the past few years, O’Connell has steered clear of the hospital bed in recent months and looks the fittest he’s ever been. He’s quick and sharp and will look to explode out in the centres.
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