2025 NRL Schoolgirls Cup: Top flight performers from round 2
Who took flight to star in round two of the NRL Schoolgirl Cup? The top players of the day named here. See the full list.
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It will take an all-encompassing effort from an opposition side to take down NRL Schoolgirls Cup frontrunners Marsden State High after its 26-12 win over reigning premiers Ipswich.
On Wednesday night at the North Ipswich Reserve, Marsden made its premiership intentions as clear as day, with a telling 10-minute sprint to the finish line turning a 16-12 tussle into a promising 26-12 win over a brave Ipswich State High outfit.
WATCH REPLAYS
Before Marsden made its move on a brisk winter’s evening, Palm Beach Currumbin SHS snared a historic victory when sweeping from behind to beat a courageous St James College 14-10.
It was the Reds first success as newcomers to the competition this year.
At Kougari Oval in Wynnum, Keebra Park State High playmaker Torah Luadaka was just sublime as her team claimed the big 24-10 scalp of Mabel Park SHS in a moment to savour.
But in the North of Ipswich, it was the mighty Makos who sent a premiership arrow across the bow of its rivals with a stunning showing in an enthralling grand final rematch.
The emergence of right centre Namoe Gesa continued at breakneck speed ahead of her BMD Premiership debut for the Tigers on Saturday when she will run out alongside her five-eighth Evelyn Roberts.
With the NRLW and BMD Premiership seasons clashing this year, clubs are turning to the younger generation to stand up and both Gesa and Roberts warmed their engines with a rousing performance against an Ipswich side that never gave in.
“She (Gesa) has just continued to grow,” said Marsden coach Shane Hammond.
Hammond has not been the only person impressed with Gesa’s rise from a steady youngster to a blockbusting centre of considerable force.
Easts Tigers Under-19s coach Damien Pratt was also a big fan of Gesa’s game during his team’s run to the junior representative premiership earlier this year.
Gesa’s deeds during the club season saw her gain selection in the Queensland Under 18 Emerging squad alongside Ipswich duo Orianna Clark and Lishainah Ulugia, as well as teammate Sienna Ibrahim, who will make her BMD debut for Souths Logan on Saturday.
“It’s great she (Gesa) is getting the recognition for the hard work she puts in,” Hammond praised after Wednesday’s win.
“Through hard work and diligence she has continued to rise up.”
Hammond said Gesa’s best attribute was her hurty defence and fierce fend.
Her noted ferocity was on full display when charging over the top of two cover defenders to score Marsden’s second try on Wednesday.
“She’s really aggressive defensively and has a really strong fend,” Hammond said.
Those traits were seen countless times during the club season when Gesa got on the outside of an opponent to score herself or release her winger.
Gesa’s grand game in round 2 featured a try and a try assist but that may not have been the case had hooker Enah Desic, five-eighth Roberts and halfback Lashae Tonga not set the table so well.
“They are a couple of the best at it,” Hammond said, referencing the trio’s terrific leadership and direction.
“They are very good communicators and very good game managers.
“Their knowledge of the game and ability to pick their moments is great. When to pick the speed up and slow it down a bit.
“It’s good to have little coaches out on the field.”
PLAYERS OF THE ROUND
Keebra Park SHS 24 def Mabel Park SHS 10
Torah Luadaka (Keebra Park SHS)
Luadaka picked up where she left off in the Harvey Norman under-17s club season for the Tweed Seagulls.
The superstar halfback was involved in almost every attacking move and teamed up brilliantly with hooker Okalani Compton to tear apart the Mabel Park defence.
Luadaka had the ball on the string as she set up multiple tries and was a force on either edge of the field.
Okalani Compton (Keebra Park SHS)
Compton put on a show at dummy half and laid down the foundations for victory early.
She immediately put Keebra Park on the front foot with a try in less than four minutes into the contest.
The hooker was in the right place to receive an offload and ran 30m past multiple Mabel Park players to score before adding a second try to her name not long after.
Compton, 17, will also make her BMD debut on Saturday for the Magpies.
Lauryn Martin (Mabel Park SHS)
While the end result did not go her way, Martin was still one of the best players on the field.
Her explosive speed saw her break through the line several times and create opportunities out of nothing.
Martin’s tireless performance against a red-hot Keebra Park was eventually rewarded when she scored a try in the final play of the game.
Mele Misa (Mabel Park SHS)
The front rower shone brightly in defeat and gave her absolute all every time she touched the ball.
Misa’s power was too much to handle for Keebra Park as she forced her way over for a try early in the game and it often took several players to bring her down.
PBC SHS 14 DEF ST JAMES 10
Taharnee Byrnes (PBC SHS)
Byrnes scored two near-identical tries on the left wing in the second half which helped her side claim a comeback win.
She was defensively strong and looked like she could break through the St James defence every time she touched the ball.
Mackenzie Croyston (PBC SHS)
A true leader of the pack from the hooker, Croyston was a perennial threat in attack.
She continues to grow as a player every time she steps foot onto the field and her game IQ and leadership helped the team stay calm when they trailed in the first half.
Croyston’s performance was highlighted by a try where she made a smart move from dummy half close to the tryline to put her side on the board.
Kaylee Booth (PBC SHS)
Booth combined strongly with Croyston in the spine to generate strong attacking opportunities.
Her kicking game caused all kinds of problems for St James and earned multiple repeat sets due to errors from her high-flying bombs into the night sky.
It was a grand performance which followed similar heroics in round 1 when she had her radar working at Langlands Park.
Harmony Harris (St James College)
Harris was a towering presence at prop and gave her absolute all in attack and defence.
When defending, Harris made several bone-rattling tackles to leave her mark and help lift the rest of the forward pack.
In attack, she used all her power to break through several tackles.
Janique Mili (Marsden SHS)
Mili was magic in her return from a knee injury which she sustained at the rugby league state championships.
The fancy-feet of Mili yielded two tries and she was safe as houses under the high ball.
The fierce little fullback was the perfect link with her outside backs, creating two tries at key moments.
Evelyn Roberts and Enah Desic (Marsden SHS)
Roberts (No.6) and Desic (No.9) were like little coaches indeed with their communication and clear direction a huge factor in a game which invoked memories of last year’s grand final at Langlands Park.
The co-captains worked well to get Marsden in positions to score and showed that if they are given an inch they’ll make teams pay this season with sheer execution and class.
Charity Faalago (Ipswich SHS)
The metre eating prop was tough as nails.
Through the middle, Faalago often made 10m or more and it caused a rousing reception from supporters in the grandstand.
Orianna Clark (Ipswich SHS)
Always excellent, edge forward Clark was strong in her performance and even stronger with her leadership.
Displaying power running the ball and subtle skills passing to her backs, the elite forward was a tremendous leader in a losing side.
There was a moment late in the game where she was captured on the livestream instilling confidence in a teammate after Marsden scored.
Do yourself a favour and watch from the 24th minute of the match when Clark lifted her teammates head in what was a ‘follow me’ performance from such an important piece in Ipswich’s premiership puzzle.
Ella O’Dea (Ipswich SHS)
O’Dea was a tackling machine under lights at The Reserve.
A weapon controlling the ruck, O’Dea tackled anyone that moved and suffocated them to ensure a slower play the ball.
The edge forward was on her game.
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