Harvey Norman under-19 rugby league players to watch this season
Who will be the key rugby league players to watch from your club this season in the Harvey Norman under-19 female competition? All is revealed here ahead of Saturday’s round one.
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Are you ready for takeoff? The Harvey Norman under-19 competition launches on Saturday featuring the best of the best Queensland junior female league talent.
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The competition is growing at breakneck speed for young women at a time when the NRLW competition is going from strength to strength.
So who will be the Players to Watch from your club this season? All is revealed here ahead of the opening round this weekend.
The www.couriermail.com.au will be your one stop shop for all things Harvey under-17 and under-19 girls rugby league.
HARVEY NORMAN UNDER-19s PLAYERS TO WATCH
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS
Siena Tabacchi
Tabacchi is speed machine with experience in representative rugby league and union.
The lightning-fast winger has been a member of junior Townsville Blackhawks squads for the past three years and she represented the Townsville Brolgas in 15s and 7s rugby.
Tabacchi spent some time at dummy half for the Kirwan Grizzlies but is unlikely to see minutes in the middle of the park in this competition.
Zaleah Mosby-Nona
A fearless fullback from Yorke Island, Mosby-Nona returns for another season with the Blackhawks.
The Cowboys academy outside back packs a serious punch in defence. With strength well beyond her size, she can also wreak havoc running from within her own half.
Ava Wagner
Wagner has been recovering from a collarbone injury which interrupted her 2024 club and schoolgirls season.
She will most likely get the nod to start at No. 7 and she will bring her sharp vision and ability to unlock players around her to the role.
Wagner is the sports captain at Kirwan High and is well placed to captain the Grizzlies team.
Easther Mikaele
Easther, the younger sister of Cowboys prop Tom, is also contracted to the Cowboys and is well regarded as a future NRLW prospect.
The hardrunning middle forward is returning for her third season of Harvey Norman under-19s, and she represented Queensland City under-17s in the 2023 representative clash with Queensland Country.
Mikaele has the ability to play big minutes in the middle while still managing to be effective on both sides of the ball.
Jakaia Collett
The standout forward is in the driver’s seat to claim the starting right backrower position for the Blackhawks under-19s, though she featured as a lock last year in the club’s under-17s side.
Collett was a fine performer for Queensland Country under-17s in 2024, and she is one of a handful of Townsville players currently in the Cowboys NRLW pathway.
BRISBANE TIGERS
Fleur Ginn
Recently named in the Queensland U19 Emerging State of Origin squad, Ginn was a Stretton State College sporting wonder who will spark the Tigers into action from the back.
Just watch.
Orianna Clark
A revered forward in the competition, Clark will lead from the front – most likely as a tearaway edge forward.
Her recent selection in the Queensland under-19 emerging State of Origin squad was great recognition of her grand impact on the fringe of the ruck for Ipwsich SHS last year.
Lishainah Ulugia
A lock, Ulugia has come through the outstanding Ipswich SHS rugby league program where she was coached by Veronica White and continues to go from strength to strength.
She had a dream school career that often saw her confront these Tiger teammates and was a winner in all aspects last year (Queensland City under-17s, NRL Schoolgirls Cup, Harvey under-19s).
India Seeto
A creator in every meaning of the word, Seeto will set up her teammates for success as halfback and captain.
She is consistent footballer, tough, but also clever with the ball. She holds the keys to a backline boasting x-factor in Sienna Ibrahm and Ginn, just to name a few.
Namoe Gesa
Marsden State High student Namoe Gesa is a tough little roosters who will lurk on the edge and work over her fingers to the bone.
The trusty right centre is the type who never lets her teammates down and is ideal for this long, demanding campaign.
MACKAY CUTTERS
Selina Cowley
In 2024, Cowley finished the year with under-19s after a strong campaign with 17s.
She was influential in the club’s run towards the grand final.
She is a dynamic who keeps play alive with an offload.
Jennifer Kimber
Kimber has been the Cutters best player for the past two seasons and is looking to maintain the rage in 2025.
The premiership winning centre will move to the back this season where her involvements in attack will be key.
Ella Cronin-Flanagan
Cronin-Flanagan, a tough middle forward from the Mackay Brothers, will set a high standard for her peers.
An emerging under-19s Origin squad member, Cronin-Flanagan will be a leader and go-to enforcer in the pack this year.
Shaylee Hazledine
Hazledine’s experience and leadership will go a long way in getting the Cutters back to the finals this season.
Often the success the Cutters have on the edges is a result of Hazledine’s hard work either running the ball and getting a quick play the ball or running a good line for her outsides.
Unsung hero.
Jaccoa Keyssecker
The outside back has been a standout in pre-season.
She is a fast, strong and dynamic and takes the game head on in both attack and defence.
The returning centre is primed for a big year.
WESTERN CLYDESDALES
Eliza Morcom
One of the experienced leaders in the group returning this season, Morcom enters this campaign locked and loaded after a stellar 12 months.
The No. 13 led the Highfields Eagles to the 2024 Toowoomba Rugby League premiership and was player of the final.
Mia Byrnes
An excitement machine, Byrnes will play hooker for the Clydesdales where she is a running threat.
Excellent from a standstill, Byrnes will be quick to target tired bodies around and ruck and push the pace.
Lucy Davis
A Queensland Country representative, damaging centre Davis is a force the Clydesdales are lucky to have.
In attack, she runs telling lines and is coming off a top notch club season where the left centre was a pivotal member of the Highfields TRL premiership side.
Libby Dunn
A destructive forward, Dunn was a key figure in the Clydesdales ranks last season and the sky is the limit for her this season.
Herself and Chelsea Middleton will lay the foundations through the middle.
Chelsea Middleton
Middleton was another Queensland Country representative and was one of the leaders in the forward pack last season.
Tough as nails.
CQ CAPRAS
Stevie-Lee Dixson
Dixson, a hardworking forward who brings plenty of energy and go forward, is the queen of post contact metres.
A leader within the group.
Taila Miller
An up-and-coming right centre, Miller is rearing to make a big impact this season for the Capras girls.
A brave defender, Miller was a part of Yeppoon’s impressive under-17s girls team.
Keeley Marsden
An exhaustive utility forward, Marsden is always willing to go the extra mile. That trait will no doubt rub off on her teammates.
NORTHS DEVILS
Riana Leafa-Paki and Fanua Rimoni
The Devils duo are from a little Wellington town called Wainuiomata which is cradled in a lovely valley featuring beautiful green hills.
Both Rimoni and utility Leafa-Paki were high achievers asschoolgirls, having played premier league and rugby union in across the ditch.
Rimoni was so highly thought of, she was a part of the Wellington Pride NPC (National Provincial Championship) women’s squad.
Leafa-Paki is a terrific hooker, but can also swing into the halves or play as a running forward.
Easter Taualai
While she had a disrupted pre-season due to injury, Ipswich State High senior Taualai was gathering valuable fitness in the trials.
She is a forward utility, mainly a lock, who can move and make a thud on defence.
Barbara (Cathy) Sakaio, Eva Steers and Bailey Sorbello
The Devils outside backs are physical and athletic and will get Norths moving forward out of the end zone in no time.
The terrific trio has footy smarts as well, Sorbello a former touch football ace.
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS
Reegan Hicks
One of the top two or three under age props in the country, the Australian Schoolgirl representative stormed into the limelight with a stunning 2023 club season and has not looked back since.
The Broncos have signed the youngster because of her seismic work rate around the ruck and effective tackling technique.
Raewyn Olomali
A crafty Pine Central Holy Spirit Hornets product, Olomalii had a huge 2024 when she made the Australian Schoolgirls side from Marsden SHS.
A hooker, she is deceptively effective in the tackle and has the speed to attack quick ruck ball. Olomali also has all the bases covered when it comes to delivery to her halves.
Tianah Teo
A multi-sport talent who is relatively new to the sport, No. 13 Teo comes from an Australian football background after growing up in Melbourne and continuing in the code in Brisbane.
Her first foray into league was with the Dolphins squad last season, and she has progressed impressively since then.
Teo, coming from an AFL background, has a strong kick if halves Memory Paitai and Grace Filipo are under pressure on fifth tackle.
Deleni Paitai
A second rower from the Pine Central Holy Spirit Hornets catchment, Paitai is a high class edge player who can also play in the centres.
A Queensland Scchoolgirls selections side last season, Deleni will be asking plenty of questions with the ball in hand.
Memory Paitai
Named in the Queensland’S Under-19 Emerging State of Origin squad, Memory was one of Redcliffe’s most reliable players in 2024 who rose to the occasion as captain of the side.
Now a year older, the No. 13 or half will be wiser and more physically prepared for this season.
WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS
Ariana Henderson
Henderson, a Ms Versatile, has been a winner in her career.
She hails from the successful Ipswich SHS program and brings match smarts and toughness to the squad.
Can play anywhere but will start the season with jersey No. 11 on her back.
Chloe Maxwell
Maxwell, a second rower, has made the move to the big smoke from Townsville.
She had a strong season with the Blackhawks last season and will give this Wynnum Manly squad an extra layer of protection on defence while offering plenty going the other way.
Hayley Bush
Local junior Bush, Wynnum Manly’s outstanding player last season, gained valuable experience in the second half of last season playing seniorwomen’s league for Beenleigh.
During 2024 she was never far from Harvey Norman Team of the Week selection, so consistent was this tough, high work rateforward who takes No. 13 play to the brink.
Any side would welcome this Queensland U19 Emerging State of Origin squad member, who played for the Australian Universitieslast season.
Lili Douglas
Tenacity best sums up Douglas who only knows 100 per cent effort on the field.
An unwavering front rower, Seagulls skipper Douglas will lead from the front with her tough middle forward surges and repeat effort plays.
Charlotte Wells and Tameka Barnes
Outside back Charlotte Wells (left centre) had a ripper season last year and with a platform in the forwards, watch for halfback Tameka Barnes to try and release her running game.
Barnes was a top gun in the club’s under-17s ranks last year while Wells is a reliable type who has excelled at Marsden State High and Redlands in the past.
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS
Takoda Thompson
An established Falcons and statewide competition player, Thompson is no doubt ready to take another step forward in her rugby league career.
Her skills on both sides of the footy are unmatched, the young gun a Queensland emerging origin squad member.
Lila Parr
Like Thompson, the crafty Parr has also earnt a place in the emerging origin squad and will look to start the under-19s season with a bang in her return from injury.
The talented half is still relatively new to rugby league but her touch football background has been a key component of her rapid rise.
Makayla Elliott and Sarah McGuire
Lock Elliot and edge forward McGuire, both bottom age players, have plenty to offer for the Falcons after steering the ship in the under-17s competition last year.
Elliott, who captained the under-17s, was one of the finest front rowers in the competition. The gritty McGuire, the reigning Junior Falcon of the Year awardee, will captain the Sunshine Coast this Saturday against the Clydesdales.
TWEED SEAGULLS
Phoenix-Raine Hippi
The humble Australian Schoolgirls centre has a heap of potential and is on the path to an NRLW opportunity with the Gold Coast.
A phenomenal trainer, Hippi goes about her business quietly and then in an instant can slip through a tackle and be off to the races.
Classy, and gutsy.
Savannah Roberts-Hickling
Roberts-Hickling, Hippi’s Ballina Coast State High buddy, was supreme last season as a playmaker and attacking kicker.
She is also a revered rugby union back having made the Australian Schoolgirls 7s side last year.
Can create nothing from something.
Skylah Samson
Samson, a slightly built Australian Schoolgirls 7s ace from Keebra Park SHS, will play fullback on Saturday where she can have a big say returning the ball.
Samson’s footy smarts and tenacity will challenge Redcliffe and her opposite number Aspen Nakao, a fine, third-year under-19s fullback from St James College.
Joshalynn Walker
The 17-year-old outside back from Grafton has x-factor.
A newcomer to the Titans academy, fullback or winger Walker can slot goals from the halfway line and from the sideline.
Has speed to burn.
Shanarlii Peckham
Peckham poured on points in South East Queensland’s premier women competition for the Palm Beach Currumbin Eagles and will play right centre on Saturday.
With speed to burn, herself and Hippi could rain in tries this season. Her older brother Lindon McGrady, a halfback, is also an accomplished player at the club having fronted up for more than 100 Queensland Cup games.
BURLEIGH BEARS
Nadia Windleborn
The Robina Raptors junior has been a staple in representative teams over the past two years and her presence on the field would insitll confidence in her teammates.
A Queensland under-19 squad member, Windleborn takes control from dummyhalf and is known for scooting over in close quarters.
Expect a strong campaign from her after being honoured with the club’s under-19 player of the year award last year.
Liarna Barber-Salvation
Barbara-Salvation’s fierceness is on another level and that is what set her apart in 2024.
The Titans academy player will bring that, and much more, at lock this season for the Bears.
Bella Thompson
Thompson’s pace, support play and footwork will create plenty of points. There is no doubt.
A versatile type best suited at fullback, Thompson is also enhancing her power in the weight room.
Eta Sikahele
She won’t wow you with sizzling pace or a goose step but what middle forward Sikahele offers is far more important than a one off highlight play and her impact will be profound.
The Keebra Park SHS girls rugby league academy product is a workhorse, on both sides of the ball, who will head the Bears pack as the engine room.
Natalia Vaeau
Keep a watch on project player Vaeau, a centre new to the sport. She is a raw talent with a touch football background.
She was picked in Queensland’s under-19s squad and with centre Brianna Toopi, a four-try terror in last Saturday’s clash against the Jets, the Bears’ edges will have loaded with strikepower.
IPSWICH JETS
Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa
Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa is her name and making this happen is her game.
Last year was a big year for the Goodna Eagles playmaker who, shortly after winning the NRL National Schoolgirls title, made her Fetu Samoa international debut. She came off the bench in Samoa’s 34-12 victory over the PNG Orchids in round 4 of the Pacific Championships.
2025 is another chance for the ballrunning pivot to shine.
Emily Jackwitz
The left centre was tireless in the Jets first game against Burleigh and scored a try for her hard work.
Tough defence, quick decisions and smart spatial awareness out wide were trademarks of hers.
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES
Nikeisha Ngaru
Ngaru will move in from the wing and play left centre on Saturday which will see her get more ball. That will pay off.
She is a speedy, tenacious type who has a nose for the tryline.
Just last Sunday she was playing rugby 7s for the Queensland under-18s. She is in form.
Danielle-Elizabeth Tutakangahau
Tutakangahau will be hard to miss because she is the Magpies captain and conductor in the halves.
Her short kicking game is impressive and her running game potent.
Keira Rangi
Rangi missed last season and is back to bolster what looks to be a very strong Souths Logan team.
There is class across the park and Rangi, a Queensland under-19s squad member, adds to the cause.
Amaani Misa
Misa will play No. 13 for Souths Logan where she can create opportunities for others, as well as knock the barn door down with her powerful carries.
She is a genuine utility.
NORTHERN PRIDE
Chloe Mackenzie
The prolific right centre is returning for another season where she will be one of Pride’s go-to girls on the edge.
A gladiator of rugby league in far north Queensland, Mackenzie was one of Ivanhoes’ brightest young prospects last year and would have been one of the first picked in this team.
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