Colts 1 club rugby’s Team of the Season revealed here ahead of finals
Who are the best Under-20 rugby players in Queensland? Find out here with the revelation of a bumper Colts 1 club rugby Team of the Season - along with the best of the rest.
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Here it is. The 2024 colts 1 club rugby team of the season featuring a vast array of talent from all clubs.
The best of the best come in all shapes and sizes, from many and varied backgrounds, and together they have helped make the colts competition one of the finest in seasons.
ROUND 5 GPS FIRST XV RUGBY TEAM OF THE WEEK
No player could wake up on a Saturday morning and think they were sure to burst past the winners post later in the day at around 1.40pm.
It was a competition in which any team could beat any side - and that’s because of the 24 blokes named here - and the best of the rest whom we also recognise in the story.
TEAM OF THE SEASON
15. Netani Lesimaikimatuku (Sunnybank)
What a season this kid had.
A young veteran who played two seasons of Firsts at Brisbane State High, utility back Netani Lesimaikimatuku had an array of tricks up his sleeve and got better as the season went on.
With each outing, you had the feeling he gained more and more respect from his opponents and onlookers who watched in awe as his kicking game, in general play and for points, as well as his running game, influenced matches for the Dragons.
14. Dan Malum (Sunnybank)
The Brisbane Boys’ College old boy (2023) started the season like a house on fire, carrying his side through the dark times before the Dragons began to see some success.
Malum had this jersey wrapped up at the completion of the first round - that is how good he was going and he continued to play at a very high level.
His kick chase pressure, sheer strength, vision and athleticism could be seen on a variety of occasions this year.
13. Joe Doljanin (GPS)
Similarly to Malum, GPS outside centre Joe Doljanin began the season with a flurry of highlights that quickly cemented himself as arguably the top No. 13 in the competition.
Doljanin was match hardened after two seasons of Colts 1 in 2022 and 2023 as well as Queensland Reds Under-19s experience last Spring and it showed.
His astute defence, line running and try scoring ability was unmatched.
12. Campbell King (Wests)
King walked into this side.
After all, he was the captain of a Wests team that returned from an underwhelming season in 2023 to be premiership frontrunners alongside Souths.
Everyone saw it, King’s vision and deft short kicking game that often opened things up for his side and put blokes like Dom Kallquist, Fynn O’Rielley and Carter Liddiard over for points.
He was the competition’s best goal kicker, if there was any doubt about his selection in this team.
11. Dre-dyn Laban (Souths)
Souths utility back Laban really hit his straps this year and it wasn’t just here and there, it was every game of a 16 game season.
The consistent Brisbane State High product must have been brewing in the off-season after being benched in Souths’ Colts 1 grand final last year because in 2024 he has been something special at fullback or on the wing.
A former Queensland Reds Under-18s selection, Laban showed his class on several occasions with his short kicking game.
10. Will Nason (Souths)
The Queensland Reds Under-19s fly half could have fallen off, or taken a backward step this year after a bumper 2023 season.
The former Toowoomba Grammar ace cricketer and fullback did the opposite, Nason ensuring he would be the Reds Under-19s playmaker once more by spearheading Souths back to the finals.
He was the best flyhalf this season.
9. Callum Reidy (Norths)
It was a toss up between James Martens (GPS) and Callum Reidy for the No. 9 jersey.
In fact, it was almost a dead heat.
Reidy was at the epicentre of Norths’ resurgence this year, with a flashpoint being their 13 year drought breaking win over Brothers in round 17.
The heart and soul of the Eagles Colts 1 side, St Laurence’s College old boy Reidy had plenty of bows in his arrow this season, namely that box kick that could relieve pressure at the drop of a hat.
8. Vaiuta Latu (Brothers)
The performances of the Brothers No. 8 this season were inspirational and awfully impressive.
After kicking it in the Colts 2 set up last year as a senior at St Peters, Latu marched into this team and quickly became a forward leader that led through his actions.
Latu’s ability to offload in contact and muscle over the line to score was unrivalled.
7. Charlie Cooke (Wests)
Cooke has been extraordinary this season.
You’d swear some matches there were two players on the field.
Pound for pound the Terrace old boy is the best player in this competition by the length of the straight.
He has all bases covered - he pinches the ball on the ground, makes breaks, supports breaks, chases kicks and makes important tackles.
6. Noah Rauluni (Easts)
There are some seriously elite flankers coming through right now and the cream of the crop is Cooke and Rauluni, two highly promising 2023 graduates who sent a tremor through the competition.
Rauluni burst onto the scene after missing the first part of the season through Meninga Cup Under-19 commitments with the Brisbane Tigers and it is no coincidence that is when Easts started winning.
He does the dirty work, but also has a capacity to burst into the clear or anticipate the bounce of a ball if he is chasing a kick.
He is strong with boundless energy, while having that splash of Fijian flair coaches cannot teach.
5. Mattias Agent (Sunnybank)
Sunybank’s lock and captain Mattias Agent set the highest standards with his outstanding work rate around the park.
While he carried the ball often, it was his defence that set the tone for the team and his leadership which lifted the side when things weren’t going their way.
A regular in News Corp’s GPS First XV Team of the Weeks in 2023, Agent hit the ground running and was one of the elite school leavers who earnt treasured minutes in the Hospital Cup.
He finished a first class campaign in style by scoring a match winning try against University in round 17.
4. Charlie McCauley (Bond University)
The Brisbane Grammar old boy was a real weapon for the Bullsharks, someone who made a difference if he wasn’t up with the big boys playing in Mick Heenan’s Hospital Cup team.
McCauley, a tall, big bodied lock, was also the team captain so his selection here was a no-brainer.
What a leader he is.
3. Slater Galloway (Souths)
A big bopper, Galloway is a boy who has become a man this season after rising to the occasion in his first season out of school rugby (BBC).
The tighthead prop has been the cornerstone of Souths marauding scrum, while his thrust sweeping from attacking lineouts have been destructive.
He has also carried the ball with great gusto.
2. Finlay King (Wests)
Coming into this season, King was a quality Second XV rugby old boy from Nudgee.
Finishing it, he is, without a doubt, the top performing hooker of the season.
King’s progression this season has been unmatched and opposition forward packs would have to admit King had his way - in the rolling maul and at lineout time where it was rare to see him make a mistake.
A big bonus is that he did not miss a game.
1. Harry Bell (Bond University)
Bell was brilliant this season, a tighthead prop marvel who spearheaded Bond University’s dominant scrum and set-piece.
The John Eales Rugby Excellence Scholarship holder at Bond, Bell put it all together this year to the premier player in his position, while also being a tremendous leader.
RESERVES
16. Cooper Hoare (Souths)
After running amok for BBC in last year’s GPS First XV rugby competition, Cooper Hoare maintained the rage to be an elite hooker in this age group.
A staple week-in-week-out for the minor premiers, Hoare’s consistency, straight lineout throwing, tryscoring ability and athleticism around the park was to be admired.
17. Macarius Pereira (Norths)
He missed some crucial games down the stretch for Norths in the club’s pursuit of the finals but his beloved Eagles would not have been in that position had he not delivered in spades to begin the year.
A colossus with a wealth of representative experience, leadership qualities and high IQ, Pereira was in part responsible for Norths’ impressive start to the season where twice they toppled Souths.
He is the one that got away.
18. Paddy Dallimore (Brothers)
What a return agile flanker Dallimore made after missing the entirety of the 2023 season through injury.
A jack-in-the-box breakaway who runs like the wind, Dallimore was one of the more ferocious jacklers in the competition and in the wider channels, you would think he was an outside back had his jersey number been covered.
19. Ben Kluck (Norths)
Another player who, like Finlay King (Wests), played Second XV at Nudgee and was one of the top performers in his position in club land.
Kluck stood up in just about every battle to be one of the best on ground for big improvers Norths.
A tireless worker who is unsung simply because of how much he gets through, Kluck won lineouts, chased kicks, engineered the rolling maul and fronted up like one and a half players when in defence.
If head coach Bart Ritchie could clone a bloke like Kluck, he would.
20. Jack Henry (University)
Entering the season, little would have known about humble forward leader Jack Henry.
It would be a different story now after the Australian Schoolboy selection (2023) from Canterbury College proved that despite going to a lesser known rugby school, he is a premier utility forward with the brightest of futures at the club.
An outstanding leader, Henry is the type to play more than 100 games of Hospital Cup when it is all said and done.
21. James Martens (Wests)
It was a toss up between Martens, Callum Reidy (Norths) and Archie Xavier (Easts) and Martens gets a run here for three reasons.
Firstly, how good his team went and secondly, his ability to make winning plays.
And thirdly, countless times this season he was a game breaking whiz who played just one half before resting up for Hospital Cup action later in the day.
You get the impression he could play point guard in basketball or ruck rover in Australian football with ease, such was Martens’ athletic ability.
He is a Mr Natural, someone who plays with time on his hands - which is a great trait given he plays in a position where he often needs the reflexes of a cat.
A former First XI cricketer at BBC, Martens can also crack a match open with his running game.
22. Luke Hatherall (Easts)
Hatherall has plenty of natural flair, but what we like most about him was his willingness to play a team game with the ball, while also contributing to the Tigers defensive effort.
That said, he reads play well when in possession and the movement is every chance of progressing positively when he carries.
He was the captain of a team who started 1-5 and ended up finishing in third place.
23. Byron Murphy (Easts)
Are we talking about the most underrated player in the competition to make our Team of the Season? Probably.
A strongman of the set piece, the loosehead prop has improved enormously across the season and his presence is the perfect foil in an Easts side which has ample flair and spark.
He had the foundation to be a mighty player - he came out of St Laurence’s premiership winning system - but he has really turned promise into performance.
24. Cooper Cameron (Brothers)
Brothers breakaway Cameron fit a full season into half a season after returning from a broken elbow and torn bicep sustained playing Queensland Under-19s at the back end of 2023.
If his workrate around the paddock wasn’t head turning enough, the Nudgee and Brothers premiership winner sports bright yellow headgear so you will never miss him.
Much like Joe Liddy last season, Cameron was a monster over the ball.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Archie Xavier (Easts)
One of the finest players in the competition who has found a nice balance in his game.
He can box kick his side out of trouble, or run his team out of trouble with blinding speed. The Terrace old boy halfback is also a tremendous team man who does not over play his hand.
You sense he is brimming with confidence and at the top of his game at the moment, a person who is progressing quickly this season behind a strong forward pack.
Chace Oates (University)
A highly touted young gun out of Toowoomba Grammar, Oates lived up to his reputation to be a high class utility back for Josh Bray’s Colts 1 team and Elton Berrange’s Hospital Cup side.
Not many would have a crisper passing game than this bloke, who was also an elite cricket all-rounder before honing in on his footy.
He is still eligible for two more seasons of Colts and University were a better side when he was out there.
Chris Jansen (GPS)
A battering ram from Melkbossstrand, a small west coast village in the Western Cape of Africa, Jansen left no shortage of bruises on his opponents this season - his first in the sunshine state.
An 18-year-old who enjoys tackling more than scoring, Jansen has a hunger for contact that will likely see him level up in 2025 after sending a ripple across an Under-20s competition he played the majority of as a 17-year-old.
Kaleb Akaroa (Souths)
It’s not often you see a man mountain like Kaleb Akaroa have his sort of stepping ability.
A Marsden State High School product, Logan City enforcer Akaroa has played out of his skin in the second round of the season and has featured at lock, flanker and No. 8 under coach Cian O’Connor.
Just take a look at this highlight to see what the big bopper is all about.
Te Ohorei Totorewa (Souths)
A teammate of Akaroa’s at Marsden SHS, Totorewa was Mr Reliable on the wing for the Magpies this season.
The vice-captain of the team, Totorewa knew when to jam in and when to stay on his wing, while on the other side of the ball being a trusted finisher who had the finesse to execute backline shifts.
He was outstanding.
Matthew Ribot-de-Bresac (GPS)
The grandson of a gun - his grandad is former Queensland and Australian rugby league winger John - Matt was a revelation in the GPS backline.
So well did he play, he was genuinely considered for the Team of the Season. Ribot was not a first choice regular to start the season, but by midway through the competition he would have been one of the first players chosen.
Ribot also had the distinction of twice scoring try of the season contenders.
Stuart Tualima (GPS)
The greatest compliment we can pay Tualima is announcing that he’d make any team in the competition.
The back rower or lock was a one man forward pack with endless energy, supreme handling skills and a ruthless work ethic.
GPS would not swap him for any player in the competition.
Ewald Kruger (GPS)
He is a wonderfully rounded hooker with elite touches who played off the bench for Sio Kite’s Hospital Cup team aged just 18-years-old.
His younger brother, Ruben Kruger, 15, plays first XV as a Year 10 student at TGS and is doing a mighty fine job.
Josh Takai (Brothers)
Brisbane State High old boy midfielder Takai has all the makings of a top flight inside centre and his raw, untapped talent was glimpsed on numerous occasions across the season.
A try scoring ace whose communication and organisation skills in the defensive line was underrated, Takai backed up his selection in the Australian Under-18s with a fierce campaign for The Brethren.
Rory Beech (Brothers)
Rory Beech was the perfectly well-rounded prop powerhouse who gave Brothers a little bit of everything.
His defence was inspirational and he was often the unsung front rower moving mountains near the ruck base.
He was consistently good and would fit right into the starting XV.
Charlie Stack (Brothers)
A working man’s lock with a high work rate, Stack knew what it took to win premierships having helped Brothers (2023) to a title.
A young veteran of three seasons of colts, Stack would have imposed vast knowledge on younger members of the squad.
Frankie Goldsbrough (Easts)
A defensive henchman and crash ball powerhouse whose strength in contact allows him to effortlessly set up, or keep the ball in play with an astute pass.
He is built like an old out house and his presence would give teammates confidence.
It is worth noting the young gun missed a handful of games with the Australian Under-20s and playing Hospital Cup under coach Simon Craig.
Jodeci Letalu (Easts)
It was hard to miss Easts fullback Letalu. He was always in or around the action and he sports bright pink headgear and bright yellow or pink boots.
A poised customer, Letalu had a low mistake rake, a sprinkle of flare, kicked goals and was so dependable.
The New Zealand born weapon did not miss a game this season. In fact, he did not miss a single minute.
Jovid Aveau (Norths)
In the absence of his bash brother Macarius Pereira, Gregory Terrace old boy Jovid Aveau relished more responsibility and dug his heels in deep to deliver for Norths.
Prolific from close range and damaging for a prop in general play, Aveau led by example.
He sure made up for lost time after missing a good portion of matches earlier in the season through injury.
Ryan Heaton (Norths)
Heaton was a handful in the midfield for Norths and there was not much more he could have done to put himself in the conversations for Queensland Under-18s selection.
The Nudgee premiership winner was the linchpin that held together the Eagles defensive line and in attack, he could ballplay for his teammates or deal blows himself with his powerful running.
Tane Hetaraka (Easts)
A player who could have been the starting lock in the Team of the Season, Hetaraka had his best season yet and put to use his imposing build to leave defenders in his wake.
A powerful and prolific lock who got Easts rolling with his runs, Hetaraka could often be seen bumping off first defenders and before long barging his way over the stripe.
The bayside brute was exceptional.
Fergus Gillan (Bond University)
The athletic Gillan was a wonderful attacking and defensive line out jumper, good ball carrier and imposing leader whose knowledge bank was enhanced by tasting Premier rugby.
On a Tuesday or Thursday night at training, when there were so many learnings to be consumed, Gillan would be eager to learn and a great one for teammates to bounce questions off.
PJ Su’a (Easts)
Su’a is now settled in France playing professional rugby, but before his departure he was a thunderous No. 8 who moved mountains for the Tigers.
Easts have the depth to cover him - but only just.
He was that good.
Tom Robinson (University)
Robinson has been a model of consistency across the season who deserves to be mentioned in this company.
A lock or back rower forward, don’t discount him from impacting the 2025 season now he is more street wise to the goings on in club rugby.
A Queensland Reds debut looms for the technically sound utility forward.
UNSUNG HEROES
Nick Harper (GPS)
Ben Mooney (Wests)
Oscar Lane (Sunnybank)
Tom O’Callaghan and Dian Minnie (Souths)
Harry Gould (GPS)
Mac Hermann (Norths)
Alex Watkins (Wests)
James Prole (GPS)
George Griffiths (GPS)
Tom Twaddell (Easts)
Ben Pula-Fatu (Brothers)
Pat Gavin (GPS)
PLAYERS WE’D LOVE TO HAVE SEEN MORE OF
Jamie Alexander (Wests)
Avery Thomson (GPS)
Archie Wilson (Easts)
Will Rogers (Norths)
Emil Willie-Jawai (Easts)
Rocco Gollings (Bond University)
Charlie Johnstone (Brothers)
DIFFERENCE MAKERS
Dom Kallquist (Wests)
DJ Manase (Sunnybank)
Nick Hilton (Bond University)
Zeb Misios (Bond University)
Kobe Waikato (Bond University)
Kye Porter (University)
Tafito Ah-Ki (University)
Rodney Blake (University)
Isaiah Kolopeaua (University)
Ellis Davies (Brothers)
Sam Dickie (Norths)
BEST NEW FACES
Sam Howarth (Bond University)
Hunter Robinson (Bond University)
JD Sivivatu Kanth (Sunnybank)
Callum Simpson (Bond University)
Brody McLaren (Sunnybank)
Spencer Alcock (GPS)
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