AIC First XIII rugby league Team of the Season revealed
Who has made the AIC First XIII rugby league Team of the Season following Iona’s premiership confirmation? All is revealed here, along with the best of the best who just missed selection.
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Iona College have been confirmed as the unbeaten premiers following Saturday’s 48-20 win over St Patrick’s College at Ashgrove.
Iona swept all before them this season, their biggest challenge coming from a gutsy Marist College Ashgrove who got within eight points of the bayside boys in a thrilling round three bout.
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But Iona were the best side in the competition by the length of the straight, and then some, and as a result dominate the Team of the Season below.
Team of the Season
1. Tyler Periera (Iona College)
Young Tyler Periera was superb with his timely injections around the ruck where he took on the look of an extra running half, while being able to sweep wide and connect the edge players with the wingers.
The crafty Wynnum Manly Seagulls junior representative had a fine campaign.
2. Tristan Macdonald (Iona College)
McDonald was a battleship winger, a big body who steamrolled opponents with his ruck running from defence.
He was also an excellent finisher who also plays for local club Wynnum Manly.
3. Conor Quinn (Iona College)
The athletic Quinn continued to impress at every turn, firstly with his ball hugging defence and contact, then as a running threat with his carries.
Occasionally he’d leap in the air and win airborne confrontations as well.
He also made the AIC First XV rugby team of the season.
4. Henry Armstrong (St Patrick’s)
A right edge back rower who can play centre, Armstrong made the side because he was arguably St Patrick’s College’s top performer all season.
His tough and reliable defence was a rock for his side and he always had more to give.
5. Tom Howard (Ashgrove)
We already know he is a twinkle toes attacking footballer of considerable skill, but this kid is tough.
Against the brutal defensive line of Iona College he ran a mini-marathon, so many times did he carry, while also making two try saving tackles with an injured shoulder.
Across the season he was just outstanding and he was the lone AIC student who was selected in the Australian Under-18s Development squad gearing up for a rugby tour of New Zealand.
6. Campbell Rolfe (Iona College)
Campbell Rolfe was the perfect foil between the advancing fullback Periera, the flair of halfback Hawea and his edge forwards.
He was reliable, made good decisions in attack and defended strongly.
The Wynnum Manly junior representative was also a high percentage goal kicker who was in his element playing rugby league.
7. Levi Hawea (Iona College)
Hawea ran the show with distinction, using the protective shield offered by his dominating forwards to threaten with his own leg work, while being ready for a quick shift to his backs.
After missing the rugby season through injury, Hawea made up for lost time by steering his side to the premiership.
8. Cooper Bevenuti (Iona College)
Bevenuti continues to develop at pace after initially impressing at Alexandra Hills SHS, then for the Brisbane Tigers and now for Iona.
The mobile Bevenuti has front row smarts the way he adjusts the angle of his runs as he approaches the line.
He was a tenacious customer who added another dimension to this side.
9. Ezekiel Jones (Iona College)
Signed by the Brisbane Broncos, Ezekiel Jones was outstanding behind an aggressive back with his snipping runs, engaging of the markers and clean, crisp service from the ground.
He was born to play dummy half and left a mark this season.
10. Fononga Tuitahi (Iona College)
Tuitahi is no middle forward giant, but his mobility around the ruck and speed at which he played was a point of difference.
He had a bumper rugby season making the First XV Team of the Season as a reserve and then maintained the rage to influence matches for Iona this season.
11. Jasper Barry (Ashgrove)
Big Jasper Barry played largely in the middle but could handle an edge position with ease.
The courageous forward, often seen improving his match fitness with runs around Ashgrove, played with his heart on his sleeve and was an extra effort player.
12. Pat Phakanham (Iona College)
The big fella played No. 13 but to acknowledge the very best from across the season, he is named in the second row where his strong running, mobility and footwork would ensure he handled the role.
He was elite.
13. Fynn Dalton (Padua)
Dalton played a lot of dummy half but spent periods at No. 13.
He really rose to the occasion this season and stepped up to fill the void of Padua’s best league player in 2023, the graduated Mitch Rogers.
Dalton was easily his team’s most consistent forward and he set a high standard for his teammates.
14. Lachlan McCall (Ashgrove)
Tough as teak, hard working and with footy smarts, dummy half McCall was one of the competition’s best players.
He could play eyes up football off the back of a quick ruck, or get down and dirty with the best of them.
The kid is fearless and what a weapon he has been for Ashgrove this year in both codes.
15. Hudson Bishop (Villanova)
A tackling machine and smart runner, the Year 11 student gave Villanova great service from the ruck.
Any side would want to clone a player like Hudson Bishop, Villanova’s impressive hooker.
16. Liam Rice (Ashgrove)
Liam Rice was dangerous in ever outing, the pacy wing featuring footwork, speed and an ability to create something out of nothing whenever he got the chance.
A bolt from the blue, Rice really stepped up for Ashgrove and was a big reason for their successful season.
17. Jhye Leis (St Patrick’s)
Leis is named at No. 17 and was always going to make the side.
There was just an incredible abundance of fine dummy halves in the competition this season.
He was absolutely outstanding for St Patrick’s as a running and passing threat.
Leis was a winger in the rugby season and transitioned seamlessly into a well-rounded No.9.
18. Liam O’Callaghan (St Laurence’s)
O’Callaghan made tackles for fun this season.
His productivity was off the charts when it came to defence and on sheer, bloody minded effort and will in defence, makes it into the top 18.
19th man: Harrison Vidler (St Edmund’s College)
A powerful ball carrier, edge forward Harrison Vidler was a consistent and reliable defender who threw his body in front of bigger bodies without question.
He led the way for St Edmund’s this season.
20th man: Jock Noonan (Ambrose Treacy)
A power forward with Connell Cup experience, this tough front rower impressed with his strength in contact and courageous runs.
THOSE WHO JUST MISSED OUT
Jackson Connor (Villanova)
Playing No. 13, Connor was a leader of the pack who tried his heart out all season - regardless of the scoreboard.
Connor has been the Jack of all trades this year. After playing centre last year, Connor played No. 8 in rugby then became a ball playing No. 13 in the 13-a-side game.
Conrad Browne (St Edmund’s College)
Fast and agile, Browne was a revelation this season at fullback who backed his skills and took the game on.
The Ipswich Jets young gun was also wholehearted and courageous with his return runs and his defence.
Hopa Leota (Iona College)
With his strength, footwork and leg drive, Leota was the most feared interchange player in the competition.
In round 6 against Villanova and in round 3 against Ashgrove he scored with his first touch of the ball which said all about his impact.
Lachlan Smith (Iona College)
Super consistent on the left edge, the second rower was a defensive strongman who ran decoy to open up his outside men, or who took the run into the teeth of the defence.
Nate Wallin (Villanova)
Wallin was a mighty mite who sparked Villanova with his footwork and attacking smarts, while also being a courageous defender from fullback.
He was at home in the No. 1 jersey and got better week-in-week-out.
Joshua Gregory (St Patrick’s)
Gregory was a natural back rower, but Paddies sent out an SOS for a left centre and he played strongly in that role with his line runs.
Indeed the competitive Gregory finished the season a more advanced player.
He will press for Connell Cup selection at the Dolphins next season.
Sean Green (Ashgrove)
A Confraternity Queensland merit team selection earlier in the year, Green was a defensive henchman throughout the season with his thumping defence a highlight.
The Year 11 boarder also had a high work rate in attack and will again be a player to watch next year.
Matt Doherty and Deisel Hauff (Iona College)
Not only was Iona’s attack the best in the competition, but the team’s defence was also outstanding and this was due to Doherty locking down his side of the field and Hauff bedding down the forward role he played.
Both were dangerous runners as well.
Sam Binney (Villanova)
Courageous to the core, the big bloke put his body on the line each match.
Regardless of the scoreline, the Year 11 student would carry possession strongly, take a knock but look for a second effort rebound or spin.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Riley Horn (St Patrick’s)
Horn’s passing, running and kicking game was a big part of St Patrick’s attack this season.
He made up for lost time after missing last season’s league competition through injury and St Patrick’s were always a good chance with his steering the ship.
Brock Dillon (Padua)
The Padua halfback was consistently first class leading the side around, disciplined and scored each week without question.
Dillon was rock solid.
Blake Densely (Ambrose Treacy)
With his natural football instinct, Densely impressed with his ability to create space for his teammates, a skill that cannot be coached.
Archie Maddocks (St Patrick’s)
Maddocks was one of his team’s forward leaders and he played like one.
St Patrick’s were competitive because of blokes like this Connell Cup premiership winning Dolphin.
Patrick Albion (St Edmund’s)
Albion would have pushed for the top 20 squad had he played more football.
In his few matches Albion, a fine cricketer, showed everyone he was a tough, crafty five-eighth who played direct and created space for those around him.
Declan Lever (Ambrose Treacy College)
A player with Connell Cup experience, halfback Lever was the voice of the team, a real general of his side.
Damon Humphrys (Padua)
Damon Humphrys, with his kicking game and sleight of hand, held up his end of the bargain in a season which did not reach great heights for Padua.
He was threatening at times with his running game and had a touch of class.
MOST IMPROVED YOUNG GUN
Jett Toupuo (Villanova)
A front rower, Toupuo is one of many Year 11 players who impressed playing in the hardest position on the field.
He will be a forward leader next season for the bayside boys after coming into his own this year.
UNSUNG HEROES
Hayden Castner (Iona College)
Hayden Castner offered his team a smooth transition when starting No. 9 Jones was interchanged.
Castner offered crisp service, took his opportunities with the ball when there was ruck speed and defensively put his body in front of the big middles.
Jordan Craft (Ambrose Treacy College)
Playing lock, Craft’s power running was hard to stop when he surged forward close to the line.
Defenders had to really commit themselves to halt him.
Ewan Fisher (Iona College)
Fisher churned through every match of the competition for Iona, locking down the centre position with his strong defence while giving Iona early momentum with carries out of defence.
Jake Maynard (St Patrick’s)
Maynard was courageous at centre with his strong carries coming out of defensive and his decisive tackling.
BEST NEW FACES
Jarah Chaseling (Padua)
A Year 11, Chaseling impressed with his quick feet and great ball handling until his season was cut short by injury.
Josh Manning (St Edmund’s)
Josh Manning was an energetic newcomer who played a number of roles throughout the year.
Best suited on the wing, he threaded the group together with his demeanour and will be a leader again in 2025.
WILDCARD PERFORMERS
Christian Porreca (Villanova)
Out of the heat haze in the match against Iona College came this towering, mobile prop.
He seemed to have the fitness of a triathlete and impacted with booming runs when the match was lost.
It was much of the same from Porreca across the season.
Justin Wilson (St Laurence’s)
St Laurence’s were taking water and sinking in a 36-6 loss to Ashgrove, but Wilson produced two aggressive stints in heatwave conditions with a stirring performance.
Edison Mername (Villanova College)
One of Villanova’s Year 11 brigade who progressed noticeably across the competition, Edison Mername will be even better for the experience in 2025.
EXCITEMENT MACHINES
Jack Boland (St Patrick’s)
Along with Padua’s Jayden Solien and Ashgrove’s Tom Howard, Boland stood apart from the pack because his of individual brilliance.
His try scoring ability was feared by opposition teams.
Jasper Dittmar (Ambrose Treacy College)
A fullback, Dittmar added the spark to the ATC attack with the way he injected himself and the number of times he became involved.
Jayden Solien (Padua)
As stated above, the biggest compliment you can pay Solien is to say he would have been mentioned by every opposition coach on their player tip sheet entering a match.
He played very few matches however.
MR UTILITY
Jarrah Clarke-Hooper (Ambrose Treacy)
Utility player Clarke-Hooper played an up-tempo game whenever he could from centre and was an attacking threat for rivals.
Blaze Mohi (Iona)
He took a hit for the side playing on the wing where he was solid, but don’t forget he was a natural halve.
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