NRL talents tip for Souths Logan Magpies fullback Tom Parker
NRL talent scouts take note, this is the teenage league side you simply must take a look at, featuring among our Meninga Cup, Connell and Harvey 19 girls’ junior league teams of the week.
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Souths Logan Connell Challenge coach Scott Bannan has implored NRL talent scouts to take a peek at his star fullback after a rollicking round 3 win over the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls.
According to Bannan, the Magpies’ smorgasbord of rookies includes last season’s Queensland (white) under 15 fullback Tom Parker whom Bannan described as “deadly’’.
ROUND 3 WRAP UP - TWEED, DOLPHIN AND CAPRA KIDS SHINE
A smooth operator, he played his way into the Maroons side last season from the highly productive Forest Lake SHS league program, but has moved to Australia’s 2022 schoolboy champions Ipswich SHS for Year 11.
This will allow Parker the chance to test himself in the elite Langer Trophy competition.
“Tom Parker is so smooth. I see these kids that are signed and I wonder why no one has got him” Bannan said on Saturday.
“He is the complete package, smooth, always catching it on the full. Not to mention he’s an incredible kid.
“I’m a fan of Jahrel Conlon-Stephan too. He has been absolutely incredible after starting on the bench.
We will throw another two names into the mix - three time Marsden SHS Team of the Year selection Levi-James Bannan and Sam Martin.
Levi-James Bannan is a Year 10 student who has played in four straight finals where Marsden SHS were winners on all occasions.
In two big games (semi and grand finals) for his club and school he produced Man of the Match performances.
Around halfback Bannan, another Magpie, darting No. 9 Sam Martin, is one for the black book.
Souths Logan do have several NRL signed players from the Connell Challenge squad, among them:
+ five-eight-fullback Adaquix Luke signed by the Dolphins NRL organisation. He is the son of New Zealand Test great and South Sydney champion Isaac Luke.
+ Long striding Logan Brothers junior Benson Tau who has been signed by the Dolphins after impressing in school football for Marsden SHS. He played wing for the No. 1 Queensland 15s last season.
+ The tall, mobile Fa’apale Feaunati isa fabulous middle forward talent snapped up by the Broncos. He is the Magpies captain.
+ from Mabel Park SHS, Duquan Talaepa is an edge forward prospect signed by Canterbury Bulldogs and he played in the Queensland schoolboys top team last season.
+ Joseph Tupuse was a dynamic performer at right centre for the Queensland under 15 schoolboys last season. He is with the Broncos.
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ROOSTERS SIGN SCHOOLBOY; ROUND 1 TEAM OF THE WEEK
Round 3 was also a win for several non-stars - including Tweed winger Fui Fui Taito who made his debut as a middle forward after a late call up, and Capras fullback Zakkaree Jenkyn.
Other top notch performances came in losing efforts, with players like Jack Daniels (Pride), Jason Hastie (Pride), 19. Elijah Breen (Tigers), Tweed’s Ben Quinlan and Chase Sheppard (Pride) winning place in our under 16 Team of the Week squad.
Some of the performances of the weekend again came from Braithen Scott, the Clydesdales fullback who was elite, along with Capras No. 13 Jake Oberhardt (Capras), Dane Ransom (Blackhawks), Redcliffe’s Jake Carsburg and Bears pair Jax Damro and Zac Murphy.
In the Harvey Norman under 19s, Tweed Seagulls put on a show against Redcliffe who, believe me, are not mugs.
But the Tweed Seagulls put plenty of space between them and their rivals during a gala second half performance.
Tweed coach Anthony Swain has this aim:
“My biggest thing is everyone (of the public) who pays 10 dollars to come in, I want that to be the best value 10 dollars of their weekend,’’ he said.
It was such a stunning performance that Swain struggled to single out players, although Roberts-Hickling and the defence of centre Ava Swain, and middle forward Jaida Faleono was strong.
In the far North, Blackhawks Chelsea McLeod was the Players’ Player and Libby Surha the Coaches selection as best players for the winners, while Cutters centre Ana Malupo lit up the match with three tries in the first half, helping her side to victory.
The Ipswich girls’ also announced themselves, with double try scoring prop Lina Tanielu, second rowers Tanisha Tryhorn and Dmarius Setu and representative centre Relna Hosea impressive in their 20-12 win over the Clydesdales.
In a losing effort, winger Lucy Davis shone, as did Charlotte and Eliza Morcom and captain MacKenzie Zeller.
Coach Russell Jones also commended the efforts of his energetic bench reinforcement Libby Dunn.
Ipswich’s Alton Naiyep was a four try hero for the Jets in their 48-20 Meninga Cup thumping.
So far this season he is proving a class above and there’s little wonder why. Last year he was an extremely talented player on a stacked Ipswich SHS side. In this year’s Meninga Cup, the fast, strong and bulldozing ball carrier has the keys at centre instead of on the wing.
Hooker Tyler Peckham-Harris and centre LJ Nonu were also lethal, as was winger Saifiti Junior Saifiti who finished tries and kicked six-from-nine with the boot.
In the Connell, Tyson Walker, Xzavier Timoteo, Finn Kendall and Dennis Papua all crossed for Ipswich, but the efforts of Braithen Scott among other brave Clydesdales meant the Jets were leaving toowoomba 24-16 losers.
In the Connell on the Sunshine Coast, the Falcons clinched a 34-26 win over the Wide Bay Bulls. Nate Donald scored twice for the Falcons, while Taj Handsaker, Toby Irvine, Jackson Koina and Benjamin Hunter each claimed a four pointer.
Halfback Ellyjah Birve shone defensively, while lock Jackson Koina was unbelievably tough in the middle, urging his side on with good effort and chat. Second rower Ben Hunter laid the foundations, with Donald a fantastic finisher on the wing.
In the Meninga Cup, the Falcons beat the Bulls 58-20, with fullback Finn Lawson sniping off the tee at a 90% clip.
Falcons coach Danny Gray pointed out that it was a mammoth team effort, with ten players scoring tries.
“Jett Elich did a great job out on the left edge. Our middle forwards Mason Kira and Beau Lucien set the platform and youngster Bayden Hales was great. Our three middles laid the platform and he (at hooker) fed off it with a classy game. I am super proud of him for making his Meninga Cup debut,” Gray said after a confidence boosting victory.
Ryan Bugeja, Adam Khan and Thomas Marcom (two tries) crossed the chalk for the Bulls.
In the Harvey 19s, the Falcons made it three-from three over the Bulls with a 64-6 win.
Winger Brianna Smart cashed in on the edge with a hattrick, as did second rower Nancy Sullivan. It was a just reward for her solid defensive efforts and aggression in attack.
Kate Ellem scored two of her own, while Tianna Fry, Lila Parr, Allira Purtell, Taylor Fitzgerald and Lainey Grieve added four pointers to the scoreboard.
In the Connell at Marsden SHS, Wynnum-Manly centre Tawa-Dean Simpkins was a Brian To’o clone with his duck-and-weave moves allowing him to break the first tackle. The first defender could never get a hold of him.
It was a similar story for Chaev Kolone who impressed coach Ben Weston with his 60 minute effort bending the opposition line. Second rower Majah-Jose Peachey also stood out in red and green colours, hustling up in defence every set.
In the Meninga nailbiter which saw the Seagulls capture a 30-26 win, Wynnum halfback Coby Black kicked five-from-five with the boot and was quite the playmaker.
Winger Saxon Innes bagged a double, while Beni Allen, Jett Bryce and Harry Armstrong worked tirelessly in the middle to give their side front foot ball.
For the Magpies, Israel Leota scored a magical try with an Israel Folau-like catch off a perfectly weighted cross-field kick.
He hit his straps, as did middle forwards Alex Leapai,Mosese Manu and five-eighth Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri, the No. 6 picking up a couple try assists.
In the 19s, Wynnum-Manly made it three on the trot courtesy of Alyssa McCarthy and Destiny Mino-Sinapati doubles.
Second rower McCarthy was on scoring and kicking duties, while the elusive Mino-Sinapati wove her way past defenders to produce a convincing 26-6 victory.
Reserve rake Emma Barnes also burrowed her way over in what was an intense match-up.
For the Magpies, the entire forward pack applied immense pressure from the get-go, namely Savannah Tato, Jada Toleafoa, Tusitina Fale and Jaydika Tafua.
After gruelling back-and-forth action between forward rivals, it was Wynnum’s halves pairing Sienna Lofipo and Jayde Herdegen that broke things open. They could not have done this without their gutsy forwards taking it to a Magpies outfit operating with a size advantage.
Seagulls coach Steve Casey said: “We pushed the pass and haven’t learned to complete our sets. But I like the way we play. Our effort and skill is great but we need to start building more pressure so we will work on that.
“Our forwards matched them. Prue Peters stood up and played the full game. It was a huge effort and our lock Koolee Harbour cemented her spot in the side with effort on both sides of the ball.
“The Magpies stepped up another level against us. Moving forward they’ll be tough. Their prop Alice Shannon was great and their half Milahn Situa was really good too. She has some great skill, and her passing and kicking game was unreal I thought.”
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Again to acknowledge all our elite Connell Challenge No. 1s - Parker, Seth Gundry and Scott - who all deserve Team of the Week recognition, we have shuffled the back three around to accommodate them all.
Team of the Week
Connell Challenge
1. Braithen Scott (Clydesdales)
2. Tom Parker (Souths Logan) and Nate Donald (Sunny Coast)
3. Phillip Yock (Capras) and Tawa-Dean Simpkins (Wynnum)
4. Jake Carsburg (Redcliffe)
5. Seth Gundry (Bears)
6. Adaquix Luke (Souths Logan)
7. Levi Bannan (Souths Logan) and Ellyjah Birve (Sunny Coast)
8. Shaun Elara (Clydesdales) and Chaev Kolone (Wynnum)
9. Jax Damro (Bears)
10. Zac Murphy (Bears)
11. Majah-Jose Peachey (Wynnum) and Ben Hunter (Sunny Coast)
12. Benjamin Quinlan (Tweed)
13. Jake Oberhardt (Capras)
14. Dane Ransom (Blackhawks)
15. Fui Fui Taito (Tweed)
16. Jack Daniels (Pride)
17. Jason Hastie (Pride)
18. Zakkaree Jenkyn (Capras)
19. Elijah Breen (Tigers)
20. Chase Sheppard (Pride)
21. Jahrel Conlon-Stephan (Souths Logan)
22. Monte Betham (Tigers)
Team of the Week
Meninga Cup
1. Bailey McConnell (Bears)
2. Rayzarlin Pearson (Blackhawks)
3. Alton Naiyep (Ipswich)
4. Sam Stephenson (Bears) and Israel Leota (Magpies)
5. Kai Simon (Cutters)
6. Xavier Hellyer (Blackhawks)
7. Coby Black (Wynnum-Manly)
8. Jamal Shibasaki (Blackhawks) and Mosese Manu (Magpies)
9. Xavier Kerrisk (Cutters)
10. Wyatt Lourigan (Blackhawks) and Alex Leapai (Magpies)
11. forward trio Beni Allen, Jett Bryce and Harry Armstrong (Wynnum)
12. Cayleb Johnson (Ipswich)
13. Tavita Penaia Te’o (Blackhawks)
14. Cam Bukowski (Wynnum)
15. Marley Helion (Blackhawks)
16. Bodie Sharpley (Clydesdales)
17. Mutua Brown (Capras)
18. Max Sprag (Tigers)
19. Will Saunders (Tweed)
20. Seizel Brunker (Capras)
21. Zac Bryce (Capras)
22. Kevin Blessington (Tigers)
23. Isaish Scanlan (Tweed)
24. Barney Litudamu (Tweed)
Players of the Week Harvey 19s
Harvey Norman under 19 girls
Savannah Roberts-Hickling (Tweed)
Chelsea McLeod (Blackhawks)
Ana Malupo (Cutters)
Tanisha Tryhorn (Jets)
Libby Surha (Blackhawks)
Lina Tanielu (Jets)
Relna Hosea (Jets)
Ava Swain (Tweed)
Jaida Faleono (Tweed)
Reegan Hicks (Redcliffe)
Dmarius Setu (Jets)
Lenniece Wright (Redcliffe)
Eden Utatao (Redcliffe)
Miah Powell (Capras)
Lindsay Major-Booth (Capras)
Lucy Davis (Clydesdales)
Charlotte and Eliza Morcom ((Clydesdales)
MacKenzie Zeller ((Clydesdales)
Libby Dunn ((Clydesdales)
Kate Ellem (Sunny Coast)
Nancy Sullivan (Sunny Coast)
Brianna Smart (Sunny Coast)
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