Four code footy special: The top SEQ 100+ footy schoolgirls we saw in 2024
Four code schoolgirl footy special: Here’s the top 100 cream of the crop schoolgirls we saw this season across SEQ rugby league, rugby union, the football and Aussie rules matches. FULL LIST
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Queensland’s future across the four footy codes screams success of the calibre of schoolgirl talent glimpsed across South East Queensland in 2024 is any indication.
From rugby league and rugby union to the Schools Premier League soccer, and across both the Australian rules under-17 club season and AFLQ Schools Cup season, the best of talents crossed our vision.
So who were the cream of the crop schoolgirls we saw in action over the last 10 months? The Best of the Best top 100 is revealed here, along with special mentions observed across the
four footy codes.
Jump to: Rugby, league, Aussie rules, football.
RUGBY UNION, Best of the Best
Sky-Yvette Faimalie (Ipswich SHS
Ipswich State High senior Sky-Yvette Faimalie caught our eye more than once in 2024.
It all started in the club rugby league season where she was one of the top middle forwards in the Harvey Norman Under-17 competition for the Brisbane Tigers.
Through the winter Faimalie played prop for her school team in the NRL Schoolgirls Cup and for the StoreLocal Premier Women minor premiers Sunnybank.
The Ipswich SHS league captain represented the Queensland Reds development team that took on a New Zealand Universities side, a testament to her versatility across both codes.
Danielle Tutakangahau (Mabel Park SHS)
From the evergreen Mabel Park SHS, Danielle Tutakangahau took control in both codes where her play making ability and slick ball running was at times mesmerising.
Earlier in the year Tutakangahau was named in the Queensland under-17 City team from the Souths Logan Magpies before going on to be one of the elite halves in the NRL Schoolgirls Cup.
The Queensland Schoolgirls utility back also sprinkled some magic dust on the Coffs Harbour International Stadium turf in the winter at the national championships for eventual winners Queensland. She also tried her hand in rugby where she was a high-class performer in the state championships and the national championships.
Evie Sampson (Kings Christian College)
Utility back Evie Sampson was a high achieving rugby rook out of Kings College following in the footsteps of past prodigies Ava Wereta and Amahli Hala (2023).
The quick-thinking Gold Coast District Rugby Union Barbarian was a fresh face in Bond University’s historic women’s team that scored an incredible three-peat of premierships this year defeating Easts in the grand final at Ballymore.
The 17-year-old was impressive performing her core roles as halfback and her time in the elite Bull Sharks rugby program primed her for Australian Schoolgirls rugby 7s selection which followed selection in the Queensland 15-16 Years Rugby 7s team last year.
Kaelyn Passi (Kings Christian College)
A multi-sport gem from Kings Christian College, Kaelyn Passi was a passionate, tough and skilful outside back first glimpsed by us playing for the Burleigh Bears during the club rugby league season.
She took things up a notch in the 15-a-side game where she was picked in the Australian Schoolgirls Rugby 7s side after last year making the Australian Under-16s Schoolgirls and Queensland Schoolgirls representative teams.
Despite being in Year 11, Passi was picked for the Queensland Reds Next Gen 7s team.
Nikeisha Ngaru (Marsden SHS)
Nikeisha Ngaru is yet another multi-sport athlete who this year excelled in both codes.
The diminutive Marsden SHS winger had a bumper season being named in the hotly contested Queensland Under 17 Emerging girls league squad before making the Australian Schoolgirls Rugby 7s team.
These selections came on the back of her faultless and fierce performances playing for Marsden SHS in Queensland’s schoolgirls league competition and Sunnybank in club rugby where few were as good finishing backline movements.
Her speed, footwork and positioning on the edges saw her achieve these impressive feats.
Savannah Roberts-Hickling (Ballina Coast High School)
From Ballina Coast High School, the outstanding Savannah Roberts-Hickling sent a tremor through the Harvey Norman Under-19 competition with the Tweed Seagulls.
A powerful ball running five-eighth, Roberts-Hickling was among the biggest threats in the club league season taking the ball forward and in defence where she took no prisoners.
Playing rugby, Roberts-Hickling maintained the rage to earn a coveted spot in the Australian Schoolgirls 7s team where her running, kicking and passing can unlock the best out of the team.
Tekainga Enkera-Raveora (Stretton State College)
A cross code talent who also plays fullback for Logan Brothers, Tekainga is flying machine who can smash a game open with her explosive speed and power. She is a regular in representative teams and most recently helped Queensland Indigenous and Pasifika Under-18 girls to wins in the Pacific Youth Rugby Carnival.
Fleur Ginn (Stretton State College)
Dynamite in both codes.
Fleur Ginn has long been a high achiever in her age group, dating back to 2022 where she made the Queensland Schoolgirls league team as a Year 10 student.
Despite being a serious prospect in rugby league where she is the single-most deadly outside back in Stretton State College’s program, Ginn has more recently been ticking off goals in rugby.
A Youth Commonwealth Games gun last year for Australia, Ginn has shown a clean pair of heels and plenty of power representing the Bulldogs and Reds with vigour in rugby 7s tournaments over the past 12 months.
She is a bright prospect for the Australian Rugby 7s team, that is for sure.
Fa’agase Tupuola-Palale (Kings Christian College)
A Year 12 student from the fertile rugby grounds of Kings Christian College, Gase Tupuola-Palale had a year to remember in 2024.
The imposing and powerful outside back was Ms Consistent for three-peat premiers Bond University and as such was picked in Queensland’s squad for their Next Gen 7s campaign.
The Reds newcomer scored a team-high seven tries across the tournament, equal with fellow Kings product Amahli Hala who was a silky game-changer in bright pink headgear.
Rhani Hagan (St Aidan’s)
The pacy Rhani Hagan also showed her class representing Queensland in the Next Gen 7s competition. The St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School speedster ran in five tries and showed a turn of speed whenever the chance presented itself.
An Australia A Rugby 7s ace, Hagan has flown the flag for St Aidan’s in not only the rugby arena but also on the track where she is a 100m specialist.
The school’s Sports Woman of the Year awardee, Hagan this year alone represented Queensland in touch football, Australia A in rugby 7s and came first in the QGSSSA 17B 100m and 17A Relay events.
Impressive don’t you think?
Dominika Baleinagasau (Ipswich SHS)
A block busting talent in either code, she has the power and leg drive to play flanker in rugby and the deft hands to make an outstanding utility player of tremendous value in rugby league.
In both codes Baleinagasau is a rock solid defender who locks down her area of the field.
RUGBY LEAGUE, Best of the Best
Lili Lewis (Marsden SHS)
A Natural from Marsden SHS, Lewis has spider senses on the footy field where her uncanny vision, execution and ability to control a match were trademarks of hers.
She is the daughter of Former Makos schoolboy star Aaron Lewis, also a playmaker.
She is quick between the ears, has a wonderful short kicking game and can take the line on with footwork and fearless running.
Lewis was a real jack-in-the-box for the Souths Logan Magpies in the Harvey under-17s, and then for Marsden SHS during the Titans Cup.
Shalom Sauaso (Ipswich SHS)
The ant’s pants of schoolgirls rugby and rugby league.
Powerhouse Ipswich product Shalom Sauaso first came to our attention as a Year 9 student in 2021 when then Ipswich SHS coach Veronica White earmarked her as a star of the future.
Since then, the skilful half or ball running lock has been setting a high standard for her peers with her one-of-a-kind athletic ability and unrivalled work ethic making her a revered young veteran in this age group.
The youngest ever tryscorer (16) in the Super Rugby Women’s competition earlier this year for the Queensland Reds, Sauaso kicks goals, tackles with tenacity and carries the ball with a certain ferocity that has earnt her a NRLW contract with grand finalists the Brisbane Broncos.
She is the best schoolgirl rugby league player we have come across this decade.
Mariah Brown (Mabel Park SHS)
A Darling Downs product, Mariah Brown was a defensive terrier and dangerous attacking weapon in rugby league this year after making the move from St Saviour’s College, Toowoomba to Mabel Park SHS in Logan.
Brown’s 2024 season was full of highs. Some of these included: Making her BMD Premiership debut for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, playing a key role in the Queensland Schoolgirls’ national championships victory in Coffs Harbour and earning the No. 4 jersey for the Queensland Under-19s in the Women’s State of Origin game.
She is equally adept in the halves and at centre.
Tiresa Leasuasu (Ipswich SHS)
There was plenty to like about Ipswich battering ram Tiresa Leasuasu this year.
The Australian Schoolgirls select (2022) was at her best applying the pain from No. 9 for the Brisbane Tigers in the representative under-19s club league season.
She was a damaging metre-eater through the middle of the field and remained potent for the champion Queensland Schoolgirls team and then for Ipswich SHS, the best schoolgirls league side in the nation.
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala (Ipswich SHS)
There’s a reason Mercedez Taulelei-Siala has been crowned the Logan City Sports Young Athlete of the Year. She makes just about every representative team under the sun.
The latest achievement of Taulelei-Siala’s fledgling career was making the Samoan national team for the Pacific Championships which followed her signing with the NRLW Newcastle Knights. Taulelei-Siala is a supreme finisher who scores tries for fun. The Queensland Under-19s centre is Slick with a capital S, but developed her game during the Titans Cup by playing halfback.
Raewyn Olomalii (Marsden SHS)
An Australian schoolgirls No. 9, Raewyn Olomalii was a real handful this season with her scheming runs from the ruck.
Her running game was elite for Marsden SHS, and so was her service.
There is not much of her, but Olomalii is the best No. 9 in the nation in her age group.
Alice Shannon (Mabel Park SHS)
A tremendously influential player, no one can match Shannon’s dominance in the middle.
She is a middle forward powerhouse who gives teams unparalleled forward momentum.
A Mabel Park SHS marvel, Shannon would have been one of the first players picked in representative teams over the last three years.
Amaani Misa (Mabel Park SHS)
A prolific talent from Mabel Park SHS, Misa has been identified by the Brisbane Broncos as a potential NRLW player.
Noted for her strength, she has been a regular in representative teams over the last two seasons and will be a handful on the edge with her strength and ability to hit holes.
Her defence was just as effective. She is a complete forward who can play in the middle or on an edge.
Reegan Hicks (Redcliffe, Australian Christian College Moreton)
Another middle forward powerhouse from Queensland, Hicks learned her trade in the beautiful Glasshouse Mountains region wherever development was fast tracked by the Beerwah Bulldogs.
An Australian Christian College student, Hicks is another who has experience beyond her years.
Kiera Rangi (Wavell SHS)
The Aspley junior Rangi has been at the cutting edge of the development of schoolgirl rugby league since making the Queensland schoolboys under-12 side – despite being a female. She was that good playing against the boys in 2019.
For the last two seasons she has been a member of the Queensland schoolgirls at the ARSSL championships. She is a running lock or second rower, but creates tries with her ball playing.
Phoenix-Raine Hippi (Tweed Seagulls)
A thrilling prospect from Ballina Coast High School, Hippi burst onto the scene as one of the discovery players of the season in the Harvey Norman under-19 competition when she shone for Tweed Seagulls.
The Northern Rivers talent is an explosive runner with her uncanny pace and deception.
Don’t make the mistake of walking to get a pie or a drink when the ball is anywhere near Hippi – you might miss something special.
Torah Luadaka (Keebra Park SHS)
A Keebra Park SHS sensation, wherever we saw Luadaka, she stood out. Whether it was for the Tweed Seagulls under-17 club side, or the Keebra Park SHS Schoolgirl Cup outfit, she was a wonderful athlete either in the halves or at fullback. She even had a goose step within her armoury.
Enah Desic (Marsden SHS)
Desic earlier in the year was a mighty might from the Brisbane Tigers who kicked goals, scored tries, provided great service and had an immense work rate on defence. That was as a No. 9 but in the school season Desic, the Queensland schoolgirl hooker showed her versatility playing in the halves where she was at home. She was also identified as a Brisbane Lions under-16 footy talent.
Mia Byrnes (Clydesdales, The Glennie School)
A real wildcard in both codes, Downs rookie Mia Byrnes was a classy customer this season in the Harvey 17s and 19s, displaying maturity and game sense beyond her years.
A Glennie School ace, Byrnes caught our attention playing a starring role for the Western Clydesdales under-17s and under-19s league sides before making the Queensland Country representative team.
The stepping fullback or No. 9 has speed to burn, great anticipation and a knack for the line – qualities that make her standout in both codes.
Kameryn Bray (Brisbane Tigers)
The Enah Desic-Kameryn Bray hooker-halfback combination was without peer in the competition. Gosh this competition has unearthed some talent and one of the best out of the pack of players this season was blonde haired Bray. She was also a cross code talent who was runner-up in the Coorparoo under-17 Best and Fairest count.
Saskia Croyston (Tweed Seagulls)
Croyston was a Harvey Norman under-17 club rugby league prop of considerable ability. An athletic middle, Croyston had the mobility of a back rower and got better the more miles she put into her legs as the competition progressed.
Easter Taualai (Ipswich SHS)
A young forward was one of the top players in the Harvey Norman under-17s. She played school football with Ipswich SHS and club football at Norths, and was a Met North representative team regular. A beautifully balanced No. 13, she could impact the middle with ruck running, tip a pass on behind the ruck, or angle herself wider as an edge forward.
Temeka Barnes (Wynnum Manly)
A complete halfback who impressed with her vision and skill, but also someone who makes her tackles and is prepared to run to the line.
Pypah Ferguson (Clydesdales)
A tremendous No. 13 who earned a place in the Queensland country under-17s, Ferguson was a complete lock. She dented the line with her runs, but who also can organise and pass before the line or in contact.
Eta Sikahele (Keebra Park SHS)
A Queensland Schoolgirls representative, Sikahele is a workhorse who can play big minutes.
Signed to a 2025 Titans NRLW development contract, she deserves to be acknowledged in this company.
RUGBY LEAGUE, special mentions
Lishainah Ulugia (Ipswich SHS)
A terrific talent from the south west, Ulugia is a powerhouse wide runner who causes damage when called upon in the middle third. She is a member of the Queensland under-17s Emerging squad and an Ipswich SHS premiership winner.
Genesis Tupa’i (Burleigh)
Tupa’i was a wildcard talent with all the skills, one of the most potent players in the Harvey Norman under-17s. She walked into our club Team of the Season with ease.
Memphis Tanielu (Norths)
Tanielu was an elite middle forward powerhouse who had representative football written all over her. She made our bench in the Harvey Norman under-17 Team of the Season.
Orianna Clark (Marsden SHS, Tigers) and Riley-Jay Henry-Purcell (BSHS, Tigers)
The girls were Brisbane Tigers muscle in the pack, a dynamic duo who could impact matches in the middle or on the edge. Henry-Purcell is of course an athletic field athlete who has regularly broken QGSSSA and All Schools records during her throwing career.
Emily Jackwitz (Ipswich SHS)
We just had to squeeze this defensive wonder from Ippy into the side. A good finisher on the wing, she is also one of the best defensive backs in schoolgirl league.
Okalani Compton (Keebra Park)
We saw her fleetingly because of injury, but in her three matches she showed why she was one of the most feared defenders in the female game.
Leteena Medlande (Clydesdales)
The Oakey product was a Harvey 17s sensation with her second row play. Her own runs were damaging, but she also had a pass in contact in her game which created momentum.
Tayla Horrobin (Clydesdales)
A teammate, Leteena Medlande, Tayla was another outstanding edge forward who made our Harvey 17s team of the Season.
Janique Mili and Angel Austin (Marsden SHS)
One of the code’s big improvers across the last two seasons at both club and school level, Austin has an awareness of where her sideline is and rarely gets tackled into touch. She is courageous under the high ball and has enough speed to run 70m and score. Mili is a pocket rocket winger, a tough competitor with dynamic pace. The athletic Mili has been a regular at the All Schools Track and Field championships this decade.
Zali Bettridge (Keebra Park SHS)
A thorough professional who guides either the Keebra Park school side or the Burleigh Bears Under-19s around the field with ease.
AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL, Best of the Best
Havana Harris (Varsity College, Bond University, Gold Coast SUNS Academy)
The Varsity ruck key position player is a go to girl with a strong mark and an imposing body in contact.
A keen surfer and lover of the great outdoors, the Bond Uni premiership winner has twice been named in the All-Australians under-18 side and has been a national championship MVP. Standing at 183cm tall, she is outstanding in the ruck or at centre half back or forward. She is a Burleigh junior.
Mia Geere (Wilston Grange)
The footy prodigy from Brisbane’s Clayfield College, Geere has learned her junior skills playing in the high class Gorillas’ program.
A Brisbane Lions Academy member, Geere was named in the 2024 Marsh AFL National Development Championships U16 Girls All Australian Team. A half back, she is renowned for having a strong intercept mark in her game.
Harlee McIlwain (Victoria Point)
A ruck or centre half back with the Lions academy, the 2024 all-Australian under-16 representative was a wonderful athlete with a great vertical leap. A Sharks junior, full forward McIlwain also has a great overhead mark and clean hands at ground level. This year she was named the Sharks Female Champion player of 2024.
Mia Salisbury (PBC SHS, Gold Coast SUNS Academy)
A member of PBC SHS’s all-conquering senior girls Schools Cup premiership winning team, the Bond ace was a smart and skilful midfielder who always seemed one step ahead of the play. The Suns Academy player has a high level footy IQ which was seen when she played QAFLW with Bond.
Molly Ferguson (Maroochydore)
Maroochydore’s Ferguson was again an elite midfielder in her age group who went on to become vice-captain of the All Australian team while also making the Queensland under-18 squad. She is a remarkable athlete with quick disposal in traffic and a high work rate. Her repeat efforts and endurance means she gets from contest to contest racking up possessions. She is also a prominent female surfer with Alexandra Headland SLSC.
Ava Maher (PBC SHS)
A player we enjoyed watching during the SEQ under-17 girls premiership and also in the Schools Cup, Maher is an outstanding marking midfielder who constantly tries to get the ball moving forward at speed. A Tweed Coolangatta under-17 standout who finished second in the Best and Fairest count, she has a great overhead mark and is a dead eye goal kicker.
Amelia Ella (Tweed Coast/Northern Rivers Tigers)
A Gold Coast SUNS Academy member again in 2025, Ella was a big effort footy player prepared to put her team first. Great around the club, the Queensland under-18 representative is a courageous type and an energetic leader of the group. She finished second in her club’s Best and Fairest count.
Georja Davies (Southport SHS)
Somewhat of a schoolgirl footy prodigy, Davies’ athletic ruck work and forward play caught the eye of the Gold Coast Suns Academy talent scouts where she is now embedded. Davies was also named in the Queensland under-18s.
Edie McCabe (Wests Juniors)
A milestone player who passed 150 matches for the club this season, goal sneak McCabe was outstanding across the under-17 season, polling second most votes to eventual winner, Sherwood’s Ayana Pritchard, in the official SEQ Youth Awards this season. She was also crowned Wests Juniors Best and Fairest winner. Special mention also to Eva Sorter, an extraordinary survivor, who also passed the 150 game milestone this year. Sorter finished third in the Best and Fairest count.
Lily Moana (PBC SHS)
Utility not for her lightning speed and skills, Moana has an outstanding kick. The PBC SHS junior girls Schools Cup premiership winner has that x-factor ability when she runs and carries the ball. She made the Queensland RSS merit state 13-15 years side.
Alannah McNally (Tweed Coast Northern Rivers)
What a grand season it was for this Ballina Bombers native whose pace and skill were electrifying across the season. The Best and Fairest awards winner, she was a player with tremendous hands who tended to get her hands on the ball first courtesy of her
energy and intensity.
Mikayla Nurse (Pacific Pines)
Mikayla Nurse (Pacific Pines)
Nurse was the leader of the pack for her side during the Schools Cup campaign, a player who hit plenty of targets coming out of congestion. She was one of the best this season, that’s for sure.
Summer Browning, the two Billi girls (Tweed Coast Northern Rivers)
A 100 game veteran for the Tigers, Browning was an explosive winger who is in the Suns Academy (16 years). She has explosive pace, crisp skills and a long accurate kick.
Both her, Billie Cook, Billi Hutton, who were all Gold Coast Suns academy players, were outstanding Northern Rivers talents.
Izzy Boucher (Tweed Coolangatta)
Winner of the club’s SEQ AFL under-17 Best and Fairest award, Boucher was a fearless mid field player, someone who was hard at the ball and who only had eyes for the winning possession. She is a part of the PBC SHS’s crack school program.
Shyla Bauer (Southport)
Another outstanding junior from the Sharks who is noted for her long kick, Bauer is the club’s under-17 back to back Best of the Fairest winner after the mid field ace continued to exhibit her natural skills and a great game sense in 2024. She has been named in the Gold Coast Suns 2025 Academy squad.
Heidi Grimster (Tweed Coast Northern Rivers)
From the beautiful Northern Rivers, Grimster has that x-factor ability which can see her break away from the pack. She is a high energy, hard running mid field player with a big heart. She was in a dead heat for third alongside Summer Browning, mentioned earlier, when Best and Fairest votes were counted.
Ava Usher (Hills Christian College, Bond University)
A former junior state basketball representative and competitive swimmer, Usher’s career was held up by an ACL injury last year. But she is an elite mid field player who helped Bond University win the QAFLW premiership earlier this year and who has been named in the 2025 Suns Academy.
Bronte Parker (Marymount College)
Parker was such a good youth player, in 2023 she was voted Players Player of the under-16 Gold Coast Academy last season. This season the Year 12 student was named in the Queensland under-18s and is a member of the 2025 Gold Coast Suns Academy.
Tara Nieass (Surfers Paradise)
Consistently one of the best players in the SEQ under-17s girls competition over the last two seasons, no one was more versatile than the remarkable Nieass. No matter where she played, her great aerial skills were on show. She is an under-16 Gold Coast Suns academy squad member and made the 13-15 years QRSS merit representative side.
Issy Levine and Morgan Whalley (Wilston Grange)
You know Levine had a good season when won the club’s Best and Fairest from Niamh McCarthy, whom we mentioned earlier. A hard training midfielder, she backs up contest after contest and often gave her side quality use of possession. Morgan Whalley also had a fabulous season, earning the respect of her peers who voted her the Players Player of the year at the Gorillas. Footnote: Gorillas’ junior Summer Hamilton has earned a place in the Suns 2025 Academy squad.
Rhianna Ingram (Southport)
One of the club’s best junior players who finished third in a high class race for the under-17 Best and Fairest honours. Ingram has been identified by the Gold Coast Suns and this year spent time in its under-18 academy squad.
Scarlett Featherstone (Southport)
Along with her teammate Mikhayla Nurse who we mentioned earlier in the story, Featherstone earned a place in the Suns’ Academy while also progressing to the QAFLW after shining in the under-17s with her hard running midfield play. It was a bumper season for the Southport Best and Fairest runner-up and she will benefit from off-season training with the Gold Coast club.
Leila Tonna (Morningside)
A top three finisher in the official under-17 girls Div 1 Best and Fairest race, Tonna’s speed was a point of difference. Her x-factor play included being able to drag spectacular marks.
Rosie Ross (PBC SHS)
Best on Ground when PBC SHS won the Schools Cup junior girls premiership last month, Ross is a forward of untapped potential. She is someone who instinctively flies at the ball and kicks beautifully. She is a coaching dream because of her desire to learn and improve.
Nikki Sandeman (PBC SHS, Tweed Coolangatta)
A small defender of considerable note, Sandeman has an excellent kick. One of the best readers of the game in the Schools Cup junior girls competition, the Tweed Coolangatta talent has an ability to intercept opposition attacks.
Raffi Baviello (St Teresa’s Catholic College)
Another Maroochydore young gun identified by the Brisbane Lions Academy coaches, the mid or wing is a fast, tremendously versatile player with terrific run. She can also finish for her side at the business end. Raffi made the 2023 all-Australian under-16 squad.
Samantha Snowden (Stuartholme School, Wests Juniors)
An eye-catching mid or forward for Wests Juniors in the under-17 SEQ AFL season, she also had a strong Schools Cup campaign where she rallied her side from the backline on Stuartholme’s march toward the finals. A player who so often wins the contest, Snowden also had a mighty club season for Wests Juniors, finishing second in the Best and Fairest count.
Edie Fraser (Coorparoo)
Also an excellent footballer (soccer) for her school, Cav Road SHS, Fraser had an ability to convert on the Australian football field. A mid field player or forward, the renowned trainer made the Queensland 13-15 years School Sport merit state side.
Riley Perrett (PBC SHS)
A mid field ace from PBC SHS’s Schools Cup senior girls premiership winning side, Perrett has that ruthless competitive streak which complements her desire for hard work. She is a great teammate.
Maia Dumerge (PBC SHS)
A blissful winger, Dumerge has a terrific positional sense and natural footy knowledge. A natural leader who took PBC SHS to the Schools Cup senior girls premiership this season, she has an unwavering desire.
Emma Bracegirlde (Coorparoo)
Bracegirdle deservedly makes our story on the strength of Best and Fairest winning effort for the Roos, and also her remarkable longevity in the code. A backline player strong in one-on-one contests, Bracegirlde passed 150 junior games this season. Second in the Best and Fairest count were Armelle O’Hare and Kami Bray, a wonderful runner and link player who we mentioned as a rugby league talent.
Rosie Kusic (Redcliffe)
Kusic capped a mighty season for the Peninsula club when she was crowned Best of Fairest player. The team vice-captain, Kusic played many positions, particularly across centre half back and mid field or rover roles. She also made her senior debut during the season.
Ava Jacobsen and Charlotte Cran (Wynnum)
It could not have been any closer in the Wynnum Vikings’ best and fairest count this season. So close was it that both Ava Jacobsen and Charlotte Cran were awarded BoF. It was a huge achievement for both first year players.
Abby Chardon (Sandgate)
Local junior Chardon was nominated pre-season as one of the team’s players to watch and she lived up to the hype with a Best and Fairest winning performance in the under-17 Div 2 side. Not far behind her was Indigo Van Voord.
Tigerlily Nixon (PBC SHS)
A tough, aggressive and smart inside midfielder, Nixon has a desire you simply cannot coach. She is a part of an exciting next generation of talent coming through the PBC SHS’s footy program. Palm Beach Currumbin SHS’s Sage Crossley was another ripper from the school who was named best on ground in the AFLQ Schools Cup junior grand final.
Laura Irvin and co (Moreton Bay)
Irvin swept to the club’s prestigious Best and Fairest award which said plenty about her ability. She was a tremendously versatile player, playing plenty of time in the forwards and mid field, but always being capable of playing down back.
Irvin was a part of a terrific trio - the others were Isabell Coogan and Amelia Reeves - who finished one, two and three in the Best of Fairest count.
Jemma Foley, Molly Ferguson and co. (Maroochydore)
A natural footy player, Foley was a general down back who used the ball well with her long kicks out of defence. Both her and Sophie Schulze, the Maroochydore captain, were excellent. Schulze was an endurance athlete who was fierce at the ball while having a booming kick.
Ferguson was young for the competition, but stood tall with her exceptional aerobic ability around the ball.
AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL, Special mentions
Tyra Bell-Brooks (Victoria Point)
Bell-Brooks was a heart and soul player, a solid defender renowned for being cool under pressure. She earned the distinction of being named the Sharks’ under-17 Tayla Spirit & Encouragement award winner.
Niamh McCarthy (Wilston Grange)
The Wilston Grange defender from St Rita’s College, McCarthy was a rock for her side during the Schools Cup. A former gymnast, she had a nice kick to get her side out of trouble and was an endurance athlete capable of playing ruck or key forward. She finished second in the Gorillas Best and Fairest vote.
Maddie Campbell (Tweed Coast Northern Rivers)
Named in the Suns’ 2025 Academy squad, Campbell could swing a moment in time on the footy field with her transition play out wide.
Annabel Peacock (IGGS)
An outstanding Australian rules footballer, Peacock is a Sherwood AFC junior who is a member of the Brisbane Lions under-16 academy.
Georgia Watterson (Sandgate)
It was also a memorable season for Georgia Watterson, the Hawks captain who passed her 100th game.
Tarryn Parker (Tweed Coolangatta)
Parker entered the 100 club during the season which was a tribute to her endurance. Highly respected and a natural leader, she is both an on field and off field ace, while Allira Palmucci was also a strong performer, among many.
Sophia Springer and Mia Avatt (Surfers Paradise)
Both girls tasted senior footy before returning to play in the SEQ AFL under-17s. Springer rotated between the ruck and key positions while the versatile Avatt played on the ball and, when required, a defending role.
FOOTBALL, Best of the Best
Xiana Ludwig (Kelvin Grove State College)
A centre mid of considerable clout, Ludwig made the Queensland Representative School Sport 13-15 years merit side. Aged just 14 years, Ludwig plays well beyond her age group. Technically gifted and hard working, she was named in the Schools Premier League junior girls team of the season.
Violet McKee (Kelvin Grove State College)
A strong and composed centre back, McKee enjoyed the honour of being named in the under 18 Australian schoolgirls team. A centre back in the QAS side that plays in the NPLW, she has a reputation for being calm and respectful, around her strong football ability. She also made the Queensland School Sport 16-18 Merit schoolgirls side.
Ashleigh Adamson (PBC SHS)
An attacking midfielder with an eye for goal, Adamson has been a member of the Queensland under 19 women’s team for the last two years. Earlier this year she made her NPLW debut for Gold Coast United. A player who can change a game, she also made the Queensland School Sport 16-18 Merit schoolgirls side.
Rani Sharma (Corinda SHS)
A dynamic centre midfielder, she is an outstanding engine room player both in possession and in defence. A player who will run all day, Sharma enjoys being involved in all aspects of the game and never gives up.
Willow Nicol (Cleveland District SHS)
One of the competition’s finest, she was rewarded for an outstanding season by winning a place in the hotly contested Schools Premier League Team of the Season.
Nella Bodlak (Aspley SHS)
A versatile player who can play as a striker, either wing or in midfield, her athleticism and determination to be first to the ball were outstanding qualities. When she has space in the opposition penalty area, her finishing can be lethal.
Daniella Casey Polia (Murrumba State College)
A centre back, has a reputation for being a strong, composed and determined player. For her season of toil she was named in the Schools Premier League Team of the Season.
Mackenzie Gallaghar (Marsden SHS)
Gallagher is a natural footballer who reads the game well in defence. She is outstanding one-on-one and can swing play away from the danger zone with a deft pass.
Beatrix Nilsen (Southport SHS)
A tremendous box to box midfielder with great technical ability, Nilsen has a great eye for a killer pass and regularly scores goals from outside the box. But she is also a tremendous goal assist player.
Katie Harrison (Albany Creek SHS)
The centre Attacking midfielder has tremendous running with the ball in one-on-one situations. She has a great striking ability and can finish at the business end of the ground. Aside from making the Schools Premier League Team of the Season, she made the Queensland Representative School Sport merit Team of the Season.
Jessica Stafford (Chancellor State College)
A consistent and composed player, she is one of the best under-15 players on the Sunshine Coast. Stafford is versatile in a number of positions and an extremely good one-on-one defender.
Aliviah Gill (Harristown SHS)
Another selection in the Schools Premier League Team of the Season, Gill’s commitment to the cause stands out her among the pack. She has a high work rate, is reliable and a good team player.
Lucie Read (Kawana)
A strong one-on-one defender with a capacity to save goals in big moments, the Caloundra FC junior made the Schools Premier League Team of the Season.
Mateja Despot (Cavendish Road SHS)
A noted leader, the under-23 NPL player made the Schools Premier League Team of the Season.
Montana Wilkes (Helensvale SHS)
The Gold Coast United ace made both the Queensland under-16 squad and the Schools Premier League Team of the Season this season.
Issy Anderson (Kelvin Grove State College)
Anderson, who represented the under-18 Queensland schoolgirls team earlier in the year, is a dynamic midfielder. She plays her club football for Brisbane City where her vision, work ethic and respectful nature were welcomed with open arms. She was also named in the Queensland Representative School Sport merit Team of the Season. Her teammate Tarryn Knight, a creative attacking player recruited into the QAS squad, also shone this season.
Katie Sherar (Chancellor State College)
A strong, creative midfielder, Sherar is technically very good and gets in great positions in the final third of the field which makes her a dangerous goal threat. From the Peninsula Power program, she made the Queensland Representative School Sport merit Team of the Season.
Rhiannon Larsen (Corinda SHS)
A striker, she was one of the most potent players in the Schools Premier League this season, scoring on multiple occasions. Ruby Suitor, a solid centre back, also impressed with or organising ability and leadership.
Sophie Paterson (Helensvale SHS)
A Logan Lightning under-23 fullback, the versatile left footer read the game well during the Schools Premier League season. She was an intercept queen.
Chloe Camilleri (Helensvale SHS)
Another Logan Lightning under-23 ace, this centre back was the Helensvale captain. Tall and powerful with an excellent range of passing, she was a leader on and off the pitch. Mia Deanoz, a central midfielder, also impressed across the season.
Keona Pringault and Bella Auld (PBC SHS)
Both girls were tremendous for PBC in its push into the grand final, Pringault for the pressure she placed on opposition defences, and Auld for her reliable play and ability to polish build-up pressure.
FOOTBALL, special mentions, juniors girls
Ebony Spreadbury (Aspley SHS)
A member of the junior girls Schools Premier League team of the season, defensive midfielder is a great organiser and who contributes on both sides of the ball. She recently trained with the Chelsea FC’s under-15s in England.
Tayla McMurtrie (Southport SHS)
The midfielder has outstanding first touch skills and is able to quickly manipulate the ball and use her speed. She is technically sound and has excellent leadership qualities.
Brylee Chaplin (Albany Creek SHS)
Known for her play-making vision and precision passes, Chaplin is an exceptional player and captain. She made the SPL Team of the Season following a bumper 2024.
Melanie La Frentz (Cavendish Road SHS)
A proven leader, this local junior has been a calming influence at centre midfield where she has been able to control her side. She made the junior girls Schools Premier League team of the season.
Mia Leyland (PBC SHS)
Leyland has a capacity to read the game and make split-second decisions which set her apart from her peers, allowing her to navigate through defenders with ease.
As a captain, she leads by example and is inspiring her teammates with her unwavering dedication and passion for the sport. Leyland’s football IQ elevates the entire team’s play, making her a pivotal figure in every match.
Fernanda Mclaren (Murummba State College)
Mclaren was one of the most influential players across the Schools Premier League this season.
Mya Ward (Helensvale SHS)
Being a player with that rare ability to create time and space for her teammates through her passing range and decisions, Ward was one of the finest players in her age group the SPL. She was also the Helensvale junior captain.
Belinda D’Assuncao (Corinda SHS)
A winger, D’Assuncao is fearless with her dribble and outstanding with her one-on-one ability. She loves to take players on and is exciting player to watch. She made the Schools Premier League junior girls merit team of the season.
Lola Rhodes (Cleveland District SHS)
The celebrated bayside product had such a strong season in the Schools Premier League junior girls competition, she was named in the competition’s Team of the Season.
Abbi Dunn (Marsden SHS)
Dunn’s attitude at training is reflected on the pitch where she is a real effort player. Dunn is athletic with a good passing range, a player who also loves a tackle. She is a player of considerable potential and also made the Queensland Representative School Sport 13-15 years merit side.
Delaney Waugh (Chancellor State College), Abbey Hall (Harristown SHS) and
Brandi Baptise (Kawana SHS) were also junior girl trump cards who made the Schools Premier League team of the season.
Mikayla Afoa (Aspley SHS)
An attacking midfielder, Afoa has the potential to unlock defences with her creativity on the ball. She made the Queensland Representative School Sport 13-15 years merit side.
Ayla Lausev (Kelvin Grove State College)
A centre back or left back, Lausev would make a great card player because she seems to lap up pressure. She is composed on the ball in big matches.
Zoe Reader (Kelvin Grove State College)
Reader is making great strides in junior football and, at her rate of development, will be knocking on the door to play senior football. Watch this space.
Allegra O’Grady (Cavendish Road SHS)
Second name coming
With an uncanny ability to put the ball in the back of the net, Allegra is one of the finest strikers in her school age group who played Schools Premier League.
Lily C (Cavendish Road SHS)
A centre back with natural leadership skills, Lily soaked up pressure during the Schools Premier League junior girls grand final last week.
Pyper Walmsley (Albany Creek SHS)
Another Schools Premier League ace, Walmsley has enhanced her reputation as a tenacious fullback with speed and tactical awareness complementing her desire to halt opposition attacking raids.
Adaya Neilsen (Albany Creek SHS)
Another flair player from Albany Creek SHS, left wing Neilsen nullified opponents during the Schools Premier League junior girls season.
Brooke Hummels (Aspley SHS)
Hummels’ is one of the competition’s finest goalkeeper prospects whose ability to stop attacking shots was highlighted during the Schools Premier League grand final. She also restarts play with aplomb from the back.
Sophie Holbeck (Chancellor State College)
Midfield ace in the QAS system, Holbeck displayed technical efficiency and composure working hard from box to box
Jessica Stafford and Alexa Holroyd (Chancellor State College)
Both girls were embedded in the Sunshine Coast Wanderers club, Stafford as a reliable, consistent defender and Holroyd as outstanding goalkeeper, a good communicator with great stopping ability.
10 budding U20 backs to black book for the ‘25 Super Rugby season
Future Wallabies? Here is your Super Rugby Pacific rookie handbook highlighting 10 rookies aged 20 or younger who could fire in the new season. See the emerging talents at your club here.
Club cricket: Top teen shines; Ipswich schoolboy, Scorchers star fire
Australia’s best young batsman did it again while a teen trio shone bright across Taverners and Queensland Premier cricket. See who starred across all the grades here.