Connell Cup, Harvey under-19s King and Queenmakers revealed ahead of Semi-final bouts
Junior reps semi-finals: Who were the King and Queenmakers capable of turning the tide for their teams? Find out here as we arrive at the business end of the Connell Cup and Harvey girls competitions.
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The Connell Cup and Harvey under-19s girls semi-finals have arrived and here we highlight the King and Queenmakers who could turn the tide for their team when it matters most.
The Cutters and Clydesdales and the Seagulls and Tigers will clash in the Harvey girls, while the Magpies and Dolphins and Clydesdales and Blackhawks meet in the Connell Cup semi-finals.
HARVEY 19s TEAMS OF THE SEASON HERE
HARVEY 17s TEAM OF THE SEASON HERE
The Clydesdales Connell Cup side were the last unbeaten side in the finals following a season where they won six-from-six games.
This bested last season’s third place effort in their pool which was headed by the Falcons.
Shaun Elara proved a breakout player, but even more so were the club’s back three players: Lachlan McGrath (fullback), Jackson Winnett (winger) and Hayden Nicholson (winger).
■ How do the finals work? What are the key dates? Ultimate guide
This was McGrath’s first season playing fullback and he did not miss a game. Throughout the course of the season, the St Mary’s boy just got better, as did his reliable wingers Winnett and Nicholson.
Nicholson had not played representative rugby league prior to this season, but found a home on the wing where he did everything right.
Equally important to the team’s success as the emergence of these rookie backs was the leadership of Braithen Scott (halfback) and Riley Zanette (captain, edge forward).
Midway through the season the pair initiated team meet-ups outside of three training sessions and Saturday’s game, to strengthen and unify the playing group.
Their leadership proved the difference in four close matches where the Clydesdales ran away victors by the skin of their teeth. They beat Ipswich 18-16 and 28-26 in thrillers and the Falcons 32-22 and 23-12 in tight affairs.
DEEP DIVE INTO 38 JUNIOR DOLPHINS ACES
So who were the Kingmakers looking to keep the Clydesdales season alive? Find out below along with each teams King and Queenmakers.
CYRIL CONNELL CUP
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS V WESTERN CLYDESDALES
Sitiveni Afu (Blackhawks)
The middle forward dynamo has power and footwork, strength and a pass. He has been a great forward leader and we expect him to maintain those high standards in the finals.
Cooper Cox (Blackhawks)
Cox has been one of the best dummy half runners in the competition. He takes the right option frequently and digs in hard in defence.
Taakoi Benioni (Blackhawks)
Edge player Benioni has been one of his team’s best all season. He is athletic and packs an ounce with the ball or without it.
Riley Zanette and Joseph Litidamu (Clydesdales)
The Clydesdales left edge has caused opposition defences some issues this season. Edge forward Riley Zanette and centre Joseph Litidamu have been to the fore, finishing through the hands movements finesse.
Braithen Scott (Clydesdales)
He silky smooth playmaker had an electric showing up the range in round seven to help topple the Falcons 23-12.
The Broncos signed halfback has the goalkicking duties, the ball in his hands the most, behind Brodie Hilt, and on his day can be mesmerising.
Shaun Elara (Clydesdales)
The discovery player of the season has been one and a half players this year, playing as a hard running forward and a defensive workhorse.
The glue of the team, Elara is made for these moments.
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES V REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS
Jake Carsburg (Dolphins)
What will outside centre Carsburg conjure up this time? He has scored three and four tries in games this season, and can clearly come out a man on a mission.
With Recliffe’ crafty halves Noah Fien and Carter Welfare pulling the trigger, Carsburg could see plenty of action.
Brian Pouniu (Dolphins)
The mobile edge forward and team captain has been something to behold again this season.
He will have his hands full with Majah-Jose Peachey, Jared Horne and Cooper Young coming at him but he is the type of player to handle it and return serve.
Noah Fien and Carter Welfare (Dolphins)
The Redcliffe halves pairing have been awfully impressive this season in steering the side around, assisting on tries and applying pressure with their kicks.
They work wonderfully together, and have the keys to unlock the best out of Dustin Appo, Carsburg and Pouniu.
Adaquix-Jeramiah Watts-Luke (Magpies)
The son of Warriors NRL legend Isaac has a sidestep with sizzle. He is the type of kid who could dodge rain drops with his feet, and that type of footwork can be the difference sometimes.
Tom Parker (Magpies)
Souths Logan five-eighth Tom Parker has the chance to maintain the Magpies brilliant record at home this season, with his ball playing and with his goal kicking.
An Ipswich SHS Langer Trophy player this year, Parker can help swing the tide for his team following their tight but informative 16-14 loss against Redcliffe in round six.
Sam Martin (Magpies)
Another Ipswich SHS Year 12 student, hooker Sam Martin has plenty of tricks up his sleeve.
His precise passing, tireless work on defence and scoots from the ruck have been staples of his game this season and could be key to Souths Logan defending home turf.
HARVEY NORMAN UNDER-19S
MACKAY CUTTERS V WESTERN CLYDESDALES
Paityne Johns (Mackay)
The best in the business from Queensland country, 2023 schoolgirl representative Johns has been a revelation this season. Mackey have rolled forward this season, and part of the team’s success has been down to the quick service and runs from the ruck by Johns.
Ella Cronin-Flanagan and Gracie Watt (Mackay)
Look no further than these front row bookends for reasons the Cutters have gone so well. As a one-two, prop combination, these girls have been as good as any in the competition and we can’t wait to see their battle against the in form girls from the Western Clydesdales.
Jennifer Kimber (Mackay)
Away from the ruck Kimber has been one of the best in the business, rewarding her forwards with genuine strike on the fringes of the field.
Chloe Pallisier (Clydesdales)
Chloe Pallisier is back after a few weeks off as No.6 and captain. Watch for her to take advantage of her team’s quick ruck ball with clever hands and robust running.
Mia Byrnes (Clydesdales)
Our Harvey Norman under-17s fullback of the year, Byrnes has been a sensation coming off the bench as a second dummy half. Her pace and running ability will be a threat to the Cutters.
Libby Dunn (Clydesdales)
Dunn will take on the Mackay forwards with gusto. She is fearless, getting better with the more experience she gains and you know before a whistle is blown that she will be among her team’s best effort players.
Chelsea Middleton (Clydesdales)
She has some tremendous rising young forwards around her - Pypah Ferguson and Tayla Horrobin were two that spring to mind - but Middleton is a middle forward glue player who is the foundation of her pack.
BRISBANE TIGERS V TWEED SEAGULLS
Relna Hosea (Tigers)
The try scoring terror out of Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School has been a regular on the scoresheet and her knack for scoring could prove pivotal in the finals.
She’s strong, fast, and instinctual. Watch for Hosea down the left of the field to bust through a tackle or two.
India Seeto (Tigers)
Likely the one putting Hosea through holes, high IQ halfback India Seeto is another Tigers cub capable of swinging the game in her team’s favour.
She has had a strong campaign thus far and will be eager to progress through to the big dance.
Tiresa Elika (Tigers)
The ferocious lock is a powerhouse springing from the ruck and has proven countless times this year that multiple defenders are required to bring her down.
A student at rugby league finishing school Ipswich SHS, Elika’s presence through the middle of the field and defensive capabilities are sure to shine through in the semi-final.
Savannah Roberts-Hickling (Tweed)
Tweed’s prime mover in the backs, five-eighth Roberts-Hickling is a tremendous leader who organises her strike weapons, runs her self, cleans up tackles and kicks goals.
She, and her younger sister Natalia, are red alert players. So is outside back Mercedez Taulelei-Siala whose mere presence on the field instils confidence in her teammates.
Phoenix-Raine Hippi (Tweed)
Matching Hosea’s try scoring tendencies is her opposite, centre Phoenix-Raine Hippi.
The Ballina ace has been a revelation this season and the form guide suggests she is due for a four-pointer.
Sienna Smith (Tweed)
Edge forward Sienna Smith has churned out consistently good performances all season long and on the back of a loss in round seven, the Tweed skipper has to rally the troops for the clash of the season.
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