2025 Langer Trophy Team of the Season revealed ahead of the grand final
The 2025 Langer Trophy Team of the Season has been unveiled ahead of Wednesday’s grand final. Who made it? All is revealed here.
The Langer Trophy Team of the Season can be revealed ahead of Wednesday’s Gold Coast derby grand final between Keebra Park SHS and PBC SHS.
The grand finalists have dominated selection, and rightly so, earning 11 positions in the 21-man squad.
Wavell SHS, Ipswich SHS, Mabel Park SHS, Marsden SHS and Redcliffe SHS were all represented.
Selecting the centres was a nightmare, with Wavell’s Sangster Figota having to be the odd man out and be relegated to the bench while Siosaia Poese was an unlucky omission from the top 13 after being the competition’s specialist winger.
Poese is also on the bench of what is a serious schoolboy dream team.
The strength of the Langer Trophy is emphasised not by who made the squad but by those who didn’t.
So here it is, the Langer Trophy Team of the Season.
TEAM OF THE SEASON
1. David Bryenton (Keebra Park SHS)
The Mr Magic Man of the competition, Bryenton was at times sublime. No player in the competition could match his dazzling footwork and evasive skills.
He was electric and restricting him would have been the number one priority before anything else when opposition coaches entered games involving him.
It was no surprise to see him follow in the footsteps of another New Zealand native, the Titan’s Keano Kini, by making both the Queensland and Australian Schoolboys sides.
2. Adaquix Luke (Marsden SHS)
Luke had sensational moments in every match he played for Marsden SHS this season.
The Makos fullback could find a gap no one else could.
The son of NRL legend Isaac, Luke looked dangerous whenever he got the ball and scored freakish tries to add to the excitement.
He was an early Dolphins academy signing and this year the wider community have seen what those club’s talent scouts saw earlier in his life.
3. Joey Tupuse (Keebra Park SHS)
Tupuse has been dynamic for Keebra Park SHS this season, even more dynamic than in 2024.
For example, in the round match against Ipswich SHS last month, he set up the first three tries of the game and produced the match winning try in the 16-12 thriller against Wavell SHS.
Signed by the Broncos, he is well and truly living up to his junior school hype.
4. Antonio Verhoeven (PBC SHS)
A rubber man with an extraordinary ability to rebound his way out of contact and make more yards, Verhoeven has that x-factor which will have Broncos supporters excited.
New to the competition after being signed by Brisbane from New Zealand’s South Island, he was an explosive centre who was dynamic with his attacking or defensive runs.
Quick to leave an impression.
5. Dean Tauaa (Mabel Park SHS)
Centre was the most hotly contested position in this side, so to fit three of the best four centres into the side — Wavell’s Sangster Figota is the other on the interchange bench — we have named South Sydney-bound Tauaa on the wing.
If he was blocked from advancing on the outside, Tauaa’s power running back on the inside always gave Mabel Park momentum.
He could beat a man one-on-one and he was a kid going places.
6. Tom Parker (Ipswich SHS)
Parker was here, there and everywhere for Ipswich SHS.
He pulled the trigger on so much of their attack, either as a fullback or a halfback. His performance in the first week of the semi-finals was as good as it gets from an attacking back in a big game.
Over the last three years, Parker has been a dazzling customer and joy to watch in club and school football.
7. Hayden Watson (Marsden SHS)
Across the year Watson has been one of the very best senior school aged footballers in the state.
Signed by the Melbourne Storm, hooker-halfback hybrid Watson was a No. 9 sensation across the club season and was then the player of the state championships in May.
He played with distinction for the Queensland Schoolboys and made the Australian Schoolboys after an incredible run to the championship by the boys in maroon.
Watson played strongly for Marsden SHS this season at halfback, where his creative skills and running game were put to great use.
8. Taufa Taulani (Redcliffe SHS)
In a season which saw Redcliffe often play matches without its three forward spearheads — Cody Starr, Jairus Halahala and Nate Berrigan — Taulani was a rock in the middle of the field.
The compact and courageous Taulani, a revered prop who gets the job done, had a huge season that saw him play long, quality minutes.
Such recognition for the rampaging Redcliffe junior has been a long time coming and his presence in this powerhouse side is well deserved after eight great knocks.
9. Jai Bilish (PBC SHS)
Bilish ended the season one of the best schoolboy hookers in Queensland, and in Australia, and was a centre-field marvel for PBC SHS during the season.
Honoured by having the captaincy bestowed upon him, Bilish was an inspiring leader with his speed in the defensive line, energy and leadership.
Smart and strong from attacking rucks, he was able to take advantage of any momentum generated by his big boppers.
10. Torino Jackson (PBC SHS)
Jackson, a big brute of a prop with footwork and strength, was the foundation on which the successful Reds season was laid.
The Kiwi colossus had the ability to twist and wriggle and always be in a position to win the ruck, while his light feet added to his armoury.
In defence, Jackson was a strongman who could brutalise poor backs who entered the middle-third fray.
11. Neyon Taito-Makea (Ipswich SHS)
The long striding mountain man was a back-row behemoth.
He made things happen with his unloads and power and was a strike-weapon battleship, a revelation on the right edge.
Taito-Makea scored tries and had numerous tries disallowed after being held up over the line by scrambling defenders.
A true blue Ipswich boy, he switched from the outside back division to the back row and ran rampant.
12. Kalani Patu (Keebra Park SHS)
With seven tries and countless breaks across the season, this South Coast second row representative added additional potency to the white-hot Keebra Park side.
Coming off an outstanding club season with Tweed, the built Patu was a wide running weapon.
Patu, whose older brother Carsen lit up GPS First XV rugby for TSS earlier this decade, scored a special edge forward’s try in the semi-final against Ipswich and the Gold Coast Titans officials should be well pleased with their signing.
13. Pale Feaunati (Keebra Park SHS)
Towering front rower Pale Feaunati has been arguably the best big man in the competition.
Keebra Park SHS roared to a points differential of 176 (Over 100 more than every other team), and a lot of the team’s momentum has come off the back of his quick play the balls and unloads.
It has been a great homecoming for Feaunati, a young giant who was first at Keebra Park as a Year 7 student before rejoining his old school mates as Year 11 student last year, from Gregory Terrace.
SUPER SUBS
14. Ezra Leota (Mabel Park SHS)
The Queensland Schoolboys No. 9 was a livewire.
Leota was dynamic with his bursting runs from the ruck for Mabel Park SHS, a high energy hooker whose passing from the ground was crisp and precise.
Has the attacking game few hookers possess and couldn’t have played much better to warrant an Australian Schoolboys jersey after aiming up in Coffs Harbour.
15. Taj Lateo (PBC SHS)
Lateo, the Queensland Schoolboys halfback, was the complete half who outdid himself after his long time halfback partner Marley McLaren went down with a season-ending injury during the Meninga Cup grand final.
Lateo was a high percentage footballer who bedded down the skills he was comfortable with and never tried to be someone he was not. He’d go for the $1.05 play and not the $4.50 big shot gamble which suited his teammates just fine.
His tactical kicking complemented his driving defence and passing game.
16. Siai Papani (Wavell SHS)
A highly skilled, slightly raw but extremely promising player, Papani could create for himself and for others.
From the red hot northern catchment of Brisbane and Moreton, Papani went from strength to strength after an outstanding season in a struggling Redcliffe Connell Cup outfit.
Watch this space.
17. Justus Lowndes (Keebra Park SHS)
Lowndes has roared into the Team of the Year after a bumper season performing well before an imposing pack.
He has been the leading try assist footballer in the competition, a No. 6 with good natural vision. Someone who can thrive in both structured and unstructured circumstances.
He reads the game well and was the type of player who made matters worse for opposition defenders when injecting himself.
18. DJ Tevi (Mabel Park SHS)
Mabel Park SHS fell victim to the sheer class of this competition in the end and through the season Tevi enhanced his reputation.
The pacy Moreton Bay Raiders junior ran hard and hit harder in defence.
On the right edge, the Dolphins academy forward would produce dam-bursting runs which saw him score tries or take Mabel Park deep into attack.
19. Saia Poese (Keebra Park SHS)
The evasive skills out of the ruck and finishing prowess in attack made the long-term Broncos signee one of the best specialist wingers in the competition this season.
He had a huge season earning Queensland Schoolboys selection, winning a place in the Broncos Under-20 side and adding to Keebra Park’s unmatched strike power in the Langer Trophy.
As the stakes get higher, Poese rises to the occasion.
20. Sangstar Figota (Wavell SHS)
A genuine strike weapon, Figota was capable of anything with his fast feet.
An outstanding Queensland Schoolboys champion, he brought that winning form back from Coffs Harbour and kept playing well.
He was initially one of the best attacking fullbacks in the Walters Cup (2023) and has remained a danger man following his switch to centre.
21. Billy Mulheran (PBC SHS)
We added player number 21 especially for this bloke who just had to be acknowledged.
Mulheran emerged as the top ballplaying forward in the competition, a big boy skilled enough to play at five-eighth but tough enough to make a career out of life in the middle.
As it turned out, he made a fist of playing edge forward in PBC’s run to the grand final.
An under age player for this competition, the Canterbury-signed Northern Rivers young gun added a dimension to PBC’s attack with his footwork and passing.
THE SUPER SEVEN WE’D LOVE TO HAVE SELECTED
Tupou Francis (Marsden SHS)
Francis was a whisker from making the top squad.
The Queensland Schoolboys No. 13 played his heart out in all seven matches for Marsden. Entering the season, Francis was arguably the Sunshine State’s best forward in the 16-18 years age bracket.
But he had a heavy workload and while he was an eight-out-of-ten effort player every game for Marsden, he had the edge taken off him.
Francis was sensational in the club season, spearheading Burleigh to a premiership in the Connell Cup before scoring the matchwinner that delivered the Meninga Cup team a premiership.
He then represented Queensland and the Broncos Under-20s.
Mel Nonu (Ipswich SHS)
Nonu was more than good enough to make the top Team of the Season, but the cluster of elite centres put a squeeze on spaces in the three quarter line.
A Queensland Schoolboys selection bolter after a cracking Jets campaign and fly start to the school season, Nonu used his big frame and athleticism to dent the defence line like an extra forward when bringing the ball back.
He did the little stuff well and often for Ipswich and signs off as a polished, full-package winger with bucket loads of potential.
Xzavier Timoteo (Ipswich SHS)
The Queensland and Australian Schoolboy prop was looked to by his teammates when momentum was needed with his crash ball runs.
No effort was spared by the Roosters-bound Ipswich SHS prop whose toughness was undisputed.
He also had nice footwork to go with his brawn, but it was those off the back fence charges which the Ipswich community have fallen in love with over the years and will miss dearly.
Josiah Fa’aoso (PBC SHS)
Fa’aoso was an interchange muscle man who’d come on to frighten the life out of opponents with the intensity of his charges.
He was the type of kid who ran harder the second, third or fourth carry than he would in his first.
The Cairns product was consistently very good.
Lisi Fa’aoso (Wavell SHS)
An understated, somewhat underrated No. 13, Fa’aoso’s mop up work in the middle was a godsend to his teammates.
Wavell built its campaign not on Flash Dan footy, but by fortifying the defensive line and working hard around the ruck to make life easier for strike men like fullback Timahna Tandy, half Charlie Webb, Figota and Co.
Fa’aoso was a Mr Consistent Wavell forward from start to finish, a flexible type who played lock and hooker in tandem with zippy No.9 Kanon Phillips.
Cody Starr (Redcliffe SHS)
Starr produced the best performances by a front rower in his three games.
But unfortunately, that was his problem at the selection table. He only played the last three matches which is why he is here, and not in the starting side.
The Dolphins academy coaching staff have a good player here to work with over the summer.
Dallas Davidson (Wavell SHS)
Davidson was a huge improver during the club season for Norths and he continued that form into the Langer Trophy where he rose to the challenge.
The positive news for Wavell is Davidson is back again next year, with a superb season under his belt.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Timahna Tandy (Wavell SHS, the best goal kicker)
Charlie Webb (Wavell SHS, exciting playmaker)
David Filo (Mabel Park SHS, dependable outside back)
Amare Wynyard (Redcliffe SHS, tough hooker and captain)
Bailey Vang (Stretton SC, polished dummyhalf)
Boston Nau (Wavell SHS, slick outside back)
Grady Payne (Redcliffe SHS, creative and classy halfback)
Nate Berrigan (Redcliffe SHS, rampaging Redcliffe junior)
Tavita Pomale (Ipswich SHS, Left-centre powerhouse from across the ditch)
Harvey Smith (Keebra Park SHS, mesmerising and masterful young halfback)
Quinn Timperon (Mabel Park SHS, complete and courageous winger)
Kayzon Key (Stretton SC, defensive demon at centre)
Taylan To’a and Mace Andrew (Marsden SHS, the edge forward bash brothers)
Cooper Murphy (Keebra Park SHS, captain and dummyhalf of minor premiers)
BEST NEW FACES
Tj Sauaso (Ipswich SHS)
Sauaso entered the season underdone compared to his opposition.
Having broken his wrist during the club season, Sauaso was unsure of what role he’d play for Ipswich.
He played an instrumental one.
As a dependable five-eighth and then a tireless hooker late in games, Sauaso knew no bounds and often put his body on the line in typical Sauaso fashion.
Gad Tata (PBC SHS)
Tate only had one gear — flat out.
Whether he was sprinting for the corner or taking ruck ball to relieve his tired forwards, winger Tata ran with the same intensity and intent.
He was a tough player and a grand finisher.
Cohen Cochran (Redcliffe SHS)
Year 11 student Cochran was outstanding coming off the bench for Redcliffe.
He played more minutes than he probably thought he would, so well did he go.
The Redcliffe Connell Cup skipper defended well, provided good service and was largely error free while adding punch with his running game.
Diezel Guillonta (Marsden SHS)
Signed by South Sydney, the Year 10 Walters Cup centre was elevated into the Langer Cup side by the end of the season.
Only the rare breeds are blooded in Grade 10. Think Jared Horne and Rame Neemia (Wavell SHS).
THE BRAVO AWARD
Karsen Leota (Stretton SC)
Take a bow Karsen Leota.
Transitioning to the front row for the first time, Leota played well above his weight in the best schoolboy competition in the land.
Against highly regarded opponents in a side which struggled, Leota was never intimidated by the situation.
He played most minutes each week for Stretton, an extraordinary effort for a prop.
DEFENSIVE HENCHMAN AWARD
Israel Lotaki (Keebra Park SHS)
The Queensland Schoolboys centre has come through the grades with razor sharp attack, but the other side of his growing game is defence.
No rival had an easy day against this tough-tackling outside back who garnished his season with a bone-rattling special in last week’s Preliminary Final win over Ipswich SHS.
PLAYERS TO WATCH WITH INTEREST IN 2026
Tomasi Vaitai (Keebra Park SHS)
Maje Peachey (Mabel Park SHS)
Israel Lotaki (Keebra Park SHS)
James Grey (Redcliffe SHS)
Cornelius Kelsall (Keebra Park SHS)
Jonathan Alo (Redcliffe SHS)
Kyron Arthy (Redcliffe SHS)
Rame Neemia (Wavell SHS)
Pale Sosene (Wavell SHS)
Jaylen Naleba (Ipswich SHS)
Ira Yeatman (Ipswich SHS)
COMEBACK OF THE YEAR
Tawa Simpkins (Mabel Park SHS)
The fancy fullback missed the first four matches while at the back end of his rehabilitation of a spiral fracture to his humerus (upper arm).
He came back with a bang against Ipswich, like he’d been out for no time at all, and showed flashes of brilliance in the final four games.
There is so much more to come from the slippery Simpkins.
Cooper Cracknell (Ipswich SHS)
The Ipswich SHS program product finished his school career in style after coming back from a shoulder reconstruction and returning to his best self.
Cracknell did his shoulder during last year’s finals series and after working hard in the off-season to get back to full fitness, he played his way into the starting No.13 role and flourished.
Hats off to him.
BIG IMPROVER AWARD
Ruben Webb (PBC SHS)
Had there not been so many masterful centres, Webb would’ve walked into the wing spot.
Signed by Cronulla in May, playmaker-turned-winger Webb was blooded in the Langer Trophy last season but took his game to another level in 2025 as he got more familiar with a new position.
He was always a good finisher, but this season his work from the wing launched an attack from unfashionable areas on the field.
UNSUNG - ALMOST
Devin Bates-Wellington (PBC SHS)
PBC SHS has constructed its premiership success this decade around understated types like Bates-Wellington supporting the flair players.
While edge enforcer Bates-Wellington is relatively unsung to the general public, he is not in the eyes of the Titans talent scouts who have signed him.
The way the Kiwi big man saved a try with driving defence when Wavell’s Sangster Figota almost scored in the semi-final highlighted his effort.
UNSUNG HERO AWARDS
Brodie Saunders (PBC SHS)
Saunders lived in the middle of the park and worked his backside off.
He followed in the proud tradition of 2023-24 PBC No. 13 Isaac Harrison, Saunders a no frills type who added balance and tenacity to the PBC side.
In typical Saunders fashion, Brodie was tough and uncompromising like older brother Will (hooker, 2023).
Aza Toki-Mautairi (Redcliffe SHS)
The rib-rattling No. 13 was a leader within the Eagles nest who did his best leading Redcliffe’s attack and linking with the team’s middles.
Toki-Mautairi had to find different ways to make an impact because he’d chop and change between positions, come on and off at different times and through it all, he maintained a high standard.
DISCOVERY PLAYER OF THE SEASON
Max Fife (PBC SHS)
We knew he was good. After all, he was a bit of a Walters Cup wonder in 2024.
But this fearless hooker-half was thrown in the deep end when first-choice playmaker Marley McLaren went down injured.
Fife played five-eighth with distinction alongside the calming Lateo.
TRUE BLUE PERFORMERS
Ethan Jackson (Marsden SHS)
Jackson finished the season twice as good as he started it and was one of Marsden’s top three players.
He was outstanding and was an outside chance of making the top 20 after returning from a full-time apprenticeship to school football with vim and vigour.
Cruz Dangerfield (PBC SHS)
The rangy prop was the quiet achiever of the Reds pack.
Hard work would be his middle name and he was a perfect foil to muscle men next to him like Torino Jackson and Josiah Fa’aoso.
He and 100 per cent man Marlie Barry were brilliant.
BIG HEART AWARD
Koby McGarrity (Marsden SHS)
McGarrity brought a high work ethic to the middle of the park for Marsden, playing huge minutes across the competition.
He would have been a dream to coach, someone Krys Freeman could plonk in the middle of the park knowing he would do the job very well.
Lewis Gardner (Stretton SC)
He was a courageous little lock who played above his weight and had boundless energy.
Gardner was the type of player that, if his team was down 40-nil with 10 minutes to play, he’d throw himself on a 50-50 ball with his risk of self preservation.
He was a team player and a terrific leader who should be proud of his effort in a trying campaign where the side’s depth was tested.
BIG SHOES TO FILL AWARD
Kaea Cribb (PBC SHS)
Fullback Cribb followed in the footsteps of Ray Puru, which is no mean feat.
After all, Puru was a two-time Langer Trophy premiership winning No.1.
Cribb stepped up to the plate and delivered with ease for his side.
FIGHTBACK HARD AWARD
Hollan Poto (Redcliffe SHS)
The smart winger had a terrific season for Redcliffe, scoring plenty of tries and defending strongly.
He displayed tremendous fortitude to bounce back from the disappointment of not making the Redcliffe Connell Cup side by putting his head down, taking on feedback and wanting to improve.
The result of his determination was a ripping season out wide for the Eagles.
PLAYERS WE WISH WE’D SEEN MORE OF
Mairangiatea Walker (Marsden SHS)
Jairus Halalala (Redcliffe SHS)
Marley McLaren (PBC SHS)
Jared Horne (Wavell SHS)
Monte Betham (Stretton SC)
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