Club rugby: 30 Speed Demons revealed
A future Wallaroo and a sizzling sibling combination from Bond University are among the 30 speed demons lighting up the Colts 1 and Premier Women’s competitions. Full list here.
Local sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Queensland Reds had Rocket Rod Davies, and the Queensland Reds Super W team have GPS galloper Heleina Young, players so quick they can turn off the light and be in bed before it’s dark.
Davies was scintillating in the 2010s, and rugby union is still producing its speed demons like Young and Corey Toole of this year’s ACT Brumbies.
So who were the next wave of blistering rugby players in our own club rugby Colts 1 and Premier Women’s competitions?
Here’s 30 players who if you blink you will miss.
CLUB RUGBY PLAYERS YOU DO NOT WANT TO RUN AT
SPEED DEMONS
COLTS 1
Toshi Butlin (Brothers)
Brothers win the speed man debate with this speedster on the wing.
The Brisbane State High Old Boy was a 100m state and national champion and Oceania Championship Australian team representative who is as fast they come.
Against Wests earlier in the season, the two try hero left a trail of smoke behind him when scorching down the left touchline.
Will Cartwright (Brothers)
Brothers scrumhalf Will Cartwright combines his speed, dummy and step which makes him very dangerous when scooting from the ruck.
He isn’t afraid to take the line on and his speed and fitness to the breakdown gives his teammates front foot ball.
Ellis Davies (Brothers)
Davies lurks at the back of a star backline but he is always in and around the action.
He goes looking for it, swinging into the attack with an injection of speed.
The Brothers fullback is also happy to take a knock in contact.
Jarrod Homan (Easts)
When he gets going it’ll take some real speed to run him down.
A deadly finisher on the wing, a lethal injection from fullback or a fearless crash ball runner out of the centre position, Homan is one exciting prospect.
Will Quinn (Easts)
Quinn’s speed is something coach Tyrell Barker was keen on, so much so that he has moved from Colts 2 to Colts 1.
In game No. 1 he scored so high praise to him.
Zion Damaze Ashby (Sunnybank)
Ashby’s pace isn’t hard to notice, the fullback full of speed when returning the ball from the back.
Woody and Rocco Gollings (Bond University)
Brothers who are hot on heels, Woody and Rocco are excitement machines who in open space run rampant.
Denzil Perkins (Souths)
This guy has an 11 second 100m under his belt from school. He is rapid and all the Magpies need to do is get him in space because he is sure to finish.
Fun fact about Perkins – He captained the Ipswich Grammar First XV side in 2021 and led Ipswich to the GPS Track and Field title in 2020.
RELATED LINKS
CLUB RUGBY POWER RANKINGS, 50 KEY PLAYERS SO FAR
Harry Logan (Wests)
On the wing, Logan has scored a number of run away tries this year and when he gets a chance with open pastures there’s not many that can run him down.
Jackson Munn (GPS)
Here’s a wildcard. Munn, a winger who is absolutely rapid.
He will be a sight to see when he returns from injury.
Dylan Hindmarsh (GPS)
For a flanker, Hindmarsh has rare athleticism that could see him play in the backs if he wanted to.
Matt Brice (University)
A rangy fullback from the Sunshine Coast, Brice is deceptively fast and among the fittest players in the competition.
He has the ability to slide past defenders and break open the line with ease.
Will McCulloch (Norths)
McCulloch has been one of Norths best players this season and there’s little wonder why – the fullback is a real thrill-a-minute player who can really move.
He has graduated from Colts 1 to the Hospital Cup after a strong start to the season.
Sam Dickie (Norths)
Not unlike McCulloch, Dickie has been a shining light for the Eagles.
He scored a try on Saturday and that’s been the case on most weekend’s this year for the No. 11.
PREMIER WOMEN
Rebecca Davidson and Brittney Brown (Brothers)
A given.
The exciting Davidson and her partner in crime Brown provide Brothers with a punch out of the centres.
RELATED LINKS
BROTHERS LEGENDS HONOURED BY HILL NAMING
MEET THE WESTS BULLDOGS PREMIER GRADE CAPTAIN
Jazlyn Leota (Brothers)
Leota is the youngest in the Brothers team, but she is also one of the quickest.
A back three up-and-coming player.
Charlize Ratu (Bond Uni)
Ratu is quite the prospect and although we name her here as a speed demon, she most definitely has x-factor.
From Kings Christian College now Keebra Park SHS, Ratu is strong in contact, has pace, and is determined – If you tell her she can’t she’ll go do it.
In just about every representative side out there (Senior QAS team, Australian Youth squad, Under 16s Australian Schoolgirls National Merit 7s just to name a few), Ratu has the world at her feet such is her natural talent and work ethic.
RELATED LINKS
Dianne Waight (Bond Uni)
Bond University’s Dianne Waight has got a lot of pace. Give her the ball and she’s got the footwork to turn half chances into points.
Finding her form, Waight will at some point be a representative player whether it be in rugby league, union or Rugby Sevens.
Kalisi Longopoa and Erin McConnell (Sunnybank)
These two couldn’t be split by coach Sione Helu.
A centre pairing who have some serious gas to burn, Longopoa and McConnell will catch you napping.
Piper Flynn (Easts)
In her second year at the club, Flynn continues to burn past defenders as she injects herself from fullback.
A young gun on the up.
Heleina Young (GPS)
Speed demon personified is Heleina Young.
She made headlines with her efforts for the Queensland Reds in their finals push, but that came as no surprise down at Yoku Road.
She has recently added a chip and chase skill to her tool of tricks and is able to make up ground against defenders who get a head start on her with her graceful sprinters technique and incredible speed.
You can’t teach speed and if you have it, like Young, you are an asset to any team.
The Gallopers are lucky to have her.
Georgia Wilson (Souths)
England rugby league International Georgia Wilson, had found a home with the Magpies (Souths-Logan league and Souths union) after shining for the Wigan Warriors.
The 25-year-old who hails from Cumbria scored 30 tries in 43 appearances for the Warriors (since joining in 2017), and came down under for a shot at the big time – in both codes.
The winger has a goal and is willing to do everything to make it happen.
In 2022, Wilson was both the Players’ Player and Warrior of the Year at her club’s annual women’s awards evening before playing for England at the world cup.
Really quick.
Giverny Robinson (University)
We named Robinson as an x-factor player last week but we just had to have her in this company.
A fullback for all seasons, Robinson has speed for days.
Deborah Burese (Souths)
Burese is quick but she doesn’t know just how quick. Not only is she one of the Magpies’ fastest but the Fijian is also their best defender who enjoys ironing people out with her unforgiving defence.
RELATED LINKS
CLUB RUGBY PREVIEW: PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ellie Draper (Souths)
Souths also had this Queensland Reds flyer who is awfully fast.
Draper, a hot on heels fullback who adds a spark to the Magpies backline.
Gemma Lawrence (Wests)
One of those players who once wound up, is almost untouchable. When the right wing presses the go button, away she launches to the try line.
Watch now: Mabel Park v Marsden, Langer Trophy
It’s going to be a special day for Mabel Park on Wednesday when they play on school grounds for only the second time. Catch the games LIVE against Marsden from 1pm.
Named: QAFL, QAFLW stars leading finals charge
We’re at the pointy end of the QAFL and QAFLW seasons and performances are carrying more weight than ever. Discover who has been dominating the run home to finals.