Sunshine Coast’s top rugby league players from 2000 to 2022
From premierships to mateship, there’s been many high quality rugby league players to hit the Sunshine Coast in the past 20 years. See who made the list.
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A rugby league player doesn’t necessarily take to the field for fame and glory but these players sure have made a name for themselves in the past 20 years playing on the Sunshine Coast.
Whether it’s going down in history for an incredible try or helping a team to victory when nobody else thought it possible, there’s many players who deserve to be recognised.
While we can’t name every top player in the local competition, the Daily has put together a list of 20 stars we think deserve the title of Sunshine Coast’s best player.
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Murray Goldsworthy
Known for his big hair, big body and big hits, the two-time premiership winning player began playing for Maroochydore in under-9s and bowed out in the perfect way with a thrilling A-grade grand final win over Beerwah in 2018.
To go with the two premierships, Goldsworthy captained the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Battalion Shield and spent more than two decades in the green, black and white.
In 2020, when naming his ultimate 17, Goldsworthy said he enjoyed every minute out on the field since debuting as a teenager for the Swans A-grade side in 2004.
“I feel very blessed to have played for this club,” he said.
“Made lifelong friends and been really lucky to get some premierships at Swannies.
“I don’t miss the Sunday morning wake-ups though, when your body is ruined.”
Marty Cordwell
Highly respected rugby league player Martin Cordwell has spent years on the field showcasing his talent for the game.
Cordwell, whose Queensland Cup career took him to the Souths Logan Magpies, Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles, Redcliffe Dolphins and Falcons, recently retired from state-level footy.
The front rower endured tough years as the Sea Eagles struggled in its early days but played a leading role as the Falcons swooped to the minor premiership in 2019.
Many Sunshine Coast rugby league pundits agree Cordwell was the heart and soul of the Falcons notching up 100 games for the yellow and black.
Cordwell, 32, returned to his beloved Nambour Crushers in 2022, the club where he first laced up at age five.
Brenton Stonier
The former Sunshine Coast Sea Eagle and Nambour Crushers legend was first introduced to the Coast when he was announced as the Sea Eagles’ major signing ahead of the 2012 season.
In 2005, he played for the Queensland under-19s in a junior State of Origin match and at one time was considered to be one of the brightest up-and-coming talents in the state before stepping back from his playing responsibilities to concentrate on his university studies in accountancy.
Stonier joined the Crushers midway through 2018 and even postponed his retirement in 2019 to win Rugby League Sunshine Coast’s senior player of the year.
He had the ability to hit a pass on the chest from anywhere and his former teammate Martin Cordwell agreed ‘he was always three tackles ahead of every other player on the field’.
Rowan and Callum Klein
Unsurprisingly, given their 100 games of Queensland Cup experience, the Klein brothers – Rowan and Callum – were both common choices.
The brothers were the first Sunshine Coast Falcons players to reach 100 state league games before joining the Fortitude Valley Diehards (Valleys) in 2017.
The pair returned only a few years later and after a 17-year hiatus from the Sunshine Coast’s A-grade competition, Rowan was an integral part of the Stanley River Wolves 2019 title run as a captain and coach.
Noel Goldthorpe
It’s a name that tormented many Sunshine Coast league players and fans but there’s no arguing the contribution of Noel Goldthorpe to the competition.
With more than 200 NRL, ARL and Super League appearances, Goldthorpe’s time in Noosa was supposed to be a relaxing one and said he had no intention of strapping up at the age of 35.
In 2005, Goldthorpe joined the Pirates midway through the season at halfback before going on to win the 2006, 2007 and 2008 premierships as a player and then captain and coach.
“The first year we won it was bloody crazy, the clubhouse went off,” he said.
In 2007 Noosa went undefeated in what was arguably the greatest year in Pirates history.
“I stayed quiet about going undefeated before the final but we won easy in the end, our fitness was so good,” he said.
“I knew we had the skill to get the results and the players bought in.
“No one whinged about training so hard, and we would finish over the top of teams.
“They were such great years.”
Stuart Mackenzie
Former Nambour Crushers player and current juniors coach Stuart Mackenzie or ‘Stewie Mack’ has had a long accomplished playing history on the Sunshine Coast.
The humble but hardworking dummy half began playing for the Crushers in the junior ranks in 1997 before representing the under 19s and A-grade team from 1999 to 2013.
The well respected club legend picked up five premierships in his time at the club which included the team’s three-peat in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Mackenzie was also selected to represent the Sunshine Coast Falcons senior team in 2005, 2006, 2012 and 2013.
The 2012 Sunshine Coast player of the year celebrated his final season with the Yandina Raiders in 2014 and now continues his efforts to improve the club as a junior coach.
Dane Hogan
The unstoppable Sunshine Coast Falcons captain who was lucky enough to play 10 matches in the NRL for the North Queensland Cowboys has arguably had one of the biggest impacts on Sunshine Coast rugby league to date.
The crafty lock forward was a fearless competitor racking up 183 Queensland Cup matches, 68 for the Falcons.
His pre-match and halftime talks were known to even get the trainers and water boys ready for war.
Hogan eventually called time on his illustrious playing career alongside Falcons heroes Todd Murphy and Martin Cordwell in 2021.
Daryl Fitzgerald
The veteran Sunshine Coast rugby league star was a force to be reckoned with across his 17-season career.
The damaging second rower picked up three premierships with the Maroochydore Swans before ending a one-year retirement to take out the 2006 and 2007 grand final with the Noosa Pirates.
Fitzgerald, who played in Sunshine Coast Falcons and Wide Bay representative sides, said he was honoured with his selection in the region’s team of the century from 1907 to 2007.
“It’s a massive privilege,” Fitzgerald said.
“I rang one of my friends during the week after Billy (Moore) told me I’d made the Team of the Century and he said ‘is that because you’ve been playing for 100 years’. I said ‘possibly’.
“The list of guys who missed out, and the guys who made the team, is unbelievable. A lot of the guys I’d heard of but never seen play and then there were five or six of the guys I’d played against or with.”
Todd Murphy
Although he didn’t play a whole heap of rugby league on the Sunshine Coast, Murphy was a simple selection for this list due to his impact and skill level for the Falcons.
The Falcons halfback, who decided to hang up the boots in 2021, recorded 136 Queensland Cup games which included 56 games for the yellow and black along with 20 New South Wales cup matches.
Murphy was an unlucky candidate not to break into the NRL after stints at the Cronulla Sharks and the Brisbane Broncos.
The outstanding top flight competitor used his skills to the best of his ability which frequently resulted in getting the best results out of his teammates.
Paul Cohen
Well regarded by some as Kawana’s best ever player, Paul Cohen has truly earnt his spot on this list.
The former Queensland Cup premiership player, Cohen holds the current record for most A-grade games and points scored for the Dolphins winning multiple premierships throughout.
Renowned for his toughness and guile, the crafty and explosive back suffered a series of small strokes in 2017 and required immediate brain surgery.
More than $38,000 was raised for the well liked and well respected player and father thanks to a GoFundMe page set up by then A-grade coach Rob Brough.
On the field Cohen would long be remembered as one of the best ever players that Coast fans had ever seen.
James Ward
Although he only played three of his glorious 21 years in the 2000s, James ‘Wardy’ Ward deservedly sneaks his way onto this list.
Named halfback of the century in both the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay Regions, Ward was a talented player having first picked up the ball at 14, before going on to play A-grade for Nambour, Caloundra and Kawana as either a player or captain and coach.
For a final season in 2001, Ward welcomed Queensland legend Billy Moore to his team, who added plenty of polish and experience to the Kawana outfit.
The talented player collected four premierships in his playing career and was humbled to be named in the region’s team of the century from 1907 to 2007.
Ward held the important role of Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League chief executive helping foster a next generation of players.
Jye Ballinger
The Sunshine Coast‘s most capped player Jye Ballinger notched up a club-record 119 appearances for the Falcons.
His ability to fill a void anywhere on the field was a testament to his ability and drive to helping his team succeed.
Ballinger’s versatility and experience held him in high regard among the dressing room and although his teammates and coaches were sad to see him leave at the end of the 2019 season, they couldn’t help but smile when he crashed over to score the winning try in the Brisbane Premier grade grand final in 2021.
Falcons legend Martin Cordwell said he was an easy selection in his 18 man ‘dream team’.
“He is a one of a kind utility who can play anywhere on the field, except maybe the halves, (but) he would have a crack still,” Cordwell said.
Ricky Duncan
Debuting in 1988 and playing in more than 500 games across 30 years for the Maroochydore Swans, Ricky Duncan is the epitome of a loyal Sunshine Coast rugby league star.
Widely considered as the heart and sole of the Swans A-grade side, the former captain began playing for the green and black at the age of six and picked up representative honours for Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay and a call up to the Queensland Rangers.
In an interview before his 500-game milestone, the front rower said despite receiving offers from other clubs he never regretted for a minute his decision to stay at Wises Rd.
“It’s nice being known as a one-club man,” Duncan said.
“It probably doesn’t happen that often nowadays as people move around, they get married and have kids so it’s not always possible, but for me it was the only way to go.”
A true Swanee, through and through.
Brad Ibbs
Ibbs, a decorated Sharks champion who spent more than two decades with Caloundra won two A-grade premierships, three reserve grade premierships and one under-19s title.
The talented halfback and captain played more than 200 games for Caloundra and was lucky enough to partner Brisbane Broncos legend Allan Langer in the halves.
“I’d be pinching myself receiving the ball from him, he was a bloke I’d watched as a kid for the Broncos, Queensland and Australia,” he recalled.
“It was just awesome. And you didn’t realise how far ahead he was until you played with him. He was streaks ahead.”
Off field he said Alfie’s older brother and coach Kevvie enforced plenty of team bonding sessions.
“Those boys knew how to party. It was the best club environment we have ever had,” Ibbs told the Daily in 2018.
“Everyone bonded together so well. We (shared) quite a few late nights together.”
Grant Young
The Beerwah Bulldogs legend has pushed his body to the limit, having represented New Zealand, played with the Auckland Warriors and South Queensland Crushers and won one premiership with Stanley Rivers in 1992.
With a senior playing career spanning across 17 years, Young was named 2004 Player of the Year for his dedication to the game before hanging up the boots at 34-years-old.
He went on to play for the Ipswich Jets from 2005-08 in the Queensland Cup.
Kyle Brownlie
The former Caloundra Sharks junior, turned Kawana Dolphins senior, played his rugby league on the Sunshine Coast from 1989 until 2007.
The no nonsense, damaging forward, who is still heavily involved with the Dolphins, notched up a total of 151 senior games for the club and represented Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay numerous times at both junior and senior levels.
Brownlie was made a life member for the Dolphins in 2006 and inducted into the Kawana Hall of Fame in 2013.
Rohan Molineux
The Nambour Crushers veteran has earned his place on this list for helping the team to victory for three consecutive premierships from 2003 to 2005.
The skilful five-eight endured a miniature code switch to rugby union where he won three straight titles from 2007 to 2009 with the University Barbarians.
Molineux returned to his beloved Crushers for a victory lap season in 2010 where he also recorded his 100 game for the club and also had a stint with the Kawana Dolphins.
Josh Buckland
Regarded as one of the beating hearts of the Maroochydore Swans for over 20 years, Buckland played with pride and passion across his junior and senior playing career.
The elusive and flair-filled fullback began playing for the Swans at seven-years-old before making his A-grade debut at the age of 19.
His skill at the back was explosive and within two seasons Buckland was quickly regarded as the competition’s leading number one.
He said the thrilling 2018 premiership victory over Beerwah remained a personal highlight.
“That’s obviously a great memory,” Buckland said of the 2018 triumph.
“I thought we were done, but we got the win in very dramatic fashion.
“You make mates for life after wins like that.”
Anthony Zipf
Ultimate Noosa Pirates legend, Anthony ‘Zippy’ Zipf, spent his first three years out of school with the Brisbane Broncos before playing in the Queensland Cup and Mixwell Cup with Norths Devils.
Known for his outstanding speed he is the co-holder for most tries in a Queensland Cup match after his seven-try effort was only equalled by former Queensland Origin winger Chris Walker.
The talented Pirates outside back began playing for the club in under-8s and made his A-grade debut at fullback in 2005.
Zipf went on to be a part of the ‘Noosa three-peat’ winning titles in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and from time to time has continued to lace up the boots for the Pirates’ division three team.
The Sunshine Coast Daily would like to give honourable mentions to players Shane Payne, Brad Pike, Isaac Smith and Donald ‘Duck’ Malone.
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