Brisbane Tigers set to roar during the 2025 Harvey Norman U17 season

Who will spearhead the Brisbane Tigers in the Harvey Norman U17 rugby league competition this season? The squad is revealed here.

Tigers player Leilani Toafinuu scores last Saturday in a trial against Norths. Picture, John Gass

The Brisbane Tigers will field another highly talented, youthful side this season.

The club has been a mecca for young women wanting to play the code, with the U19s making the Harvey Norman grand final last season while the 17s possessed an array of outstanding players in 2024.

Two of those survivors from 2024 were Enah Desic and Riley-Jay Henry-Purcell.

A powerhouse middle forward, Henry-Purcell is a strong woman who breaks field athletic records in shot put.

Yet she is also a mobile player with good hands who has been a fixture in representative teams. Henry-Purcell can also unload in tackles under pressure.

JUNIOR REP PREVIEWS

HARVEY NORMAN U19s

REDCLIFFE’S SQUAD

WYNNUM MANLY

NORTHS SQUAD

HARVEY NORMAN U17s

SOUTH LOGAN SQUAD

WYNNUM MANLY SQUAD

MENINGA CUP

BRISBANE TIGERS SQUAD

WYNNUM MANLY’S SQUAD

CONNELL CUP

SOUTHS LOGAN SQUAD

WYNNUM MANLY SQUAD

Desic was quicksilver No.9 last season, a revelation during the inaugural 2024 competition.

With a year of Schoolgirls Cup, club footy and representative honours under her belt, she will be primed for a big season.

Signed by the Titans, she is clever with a good kicking game and can kick goals as well.

Harvey Norman U17 girls match between Brisbane Tigers and Norths Saturday February 1, 2025. Picture, John Gass

New to the club is impressive centre Leilani Taofinuu.

Taofinuu arrived in Brisbane last where she linked with her cousin, Bulldogs’ Evelyn Roberts, playing in the National Schoolgirls Cup at Marsden SHS.

A hard hitting centre, she made such an impression that she was drafted into the Queensland U16 representative side. She has an ability to release her winger on sideline runs, as she did at the weekend, or take quick ruck runs to put her side on the front foot.

Tigers player Charlize Duncan on the move last Saturday in a trial. Picture, John Gass

The squad: Ebony Tziros, Sofia Scanlan, Leilani Taofinuu, Lily Sumner, Lily Hedge, Charlotte Keki, Tiahna Kanawi, Carayanidis Ta’akimoeaka-Pulu, Enah Desic, Neleilani Ulugia, Peyton Fakaosilea, London Pakura, Riley Jay Henry-Purcell, Taylor Martin-Habib, Lilijana Volkanovska, Iolesina Lale, Te Ahurei Latu, Faith Lafaele, Skye Penitani, Charity Faalogo, Charlize Duncan, Annemarie Lyiambian, Laylah’Ali Ioane, Isabel Baleinagasau, Lucy Posea.

ROUND 1, February 15

Tigers v Norths

Tweed v Dolphins

Blackhawks v Capras

Wynnum v Magpies

Falcons v Clydesdales

Cutters v Pride

Jets v Bulls