Langer Trophy: Early Player of the Year contenders revealed
Langer Trophy: Who are the early Player of the Year contenders? We reveal 25 schoolboys in the running for the Justin Hodges Medal - so far.
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Who were the early season contenders for the Justin Hodges Medal Player of the Year award?
Ahead of round 3 action on Wednesday - where all four games plus Walters Cup fixtures will be live streamed by www.couriermail.com.au, the Gold Coast Bulletin and News’ affiliates - we name 25 early season contenders for the Player of the Year.
Players from the two unbeaten teams, Palm Beach Currumbin SHS and Ipswich SHS, figure prominently, but all eight teams have contenders.
Other contenders will bob up, but after two rounds these players are on the front foot.
RELATED LINKS
WATCH THE REPLAYS: MARSDEN SHS v WAVELL SHS
WATCH THE REPLAYS: IPSWICH SHS v MABEL PARK SHS
Keano Kini (PBC SHS)
When Kini played round 1 against Marsden SHS, it was like watching an NRL player let loose against schoolboys.
It was not just his running game, but creative left edge ball playing also led to several tries.
And in the second match of the season against Redcliffe, Kini was the difference again although it must be stressed that in each match, he had plenty of helpers in an outstanding team.
Jett Forbes (PBC SHS)
Jett by name, Jet by nature. The PBC SHS winger scored four tries against Redcliffe SHS and was a great support player around the ruck.
This followed his excellent start to the season against Marsden in the round 1 match, which included a runaway try.
Isisah Scanlan (PBC SHS)
PBC SHS had the foundation of their 2020 and 2021 Phil Hall winning packs dismantled but in their place the likes of Scanlan and his front row team mates Tanu Nona (hooker) and Reico Ratana (prop) had effortlessly slotted in.
Scanlan has been outstanding, playing big minutes this season in the middle and has carried strongly in the opening two games.
Tre Fotu (Ipswich SHS)
Fotu’s season of dreams has continued, with his Meninga Cup form rolling into two outstanding Langer Trophy performances for Ipswich SHS.
Unsigned by an NRL club, he was one of the players of the match in Souths Logan’s under 18 premiership win over the Blackhawks where his left side running and hard hitting defence terrorised his opponents.
He has continued that form across in Ipswich SHS’s first two games of the season
Jack Laing (Ipswich SHS)
Laing, James Frazer (five-eight) and winger Kulu Baruani have been outstanding across the first two matches of the season for Ipswich SHS which has amassed almost 70 points in two games - against Keebra Park SHS and Mabel Park SHS.
And around the attacking flair, Laing has been the glue of the side at No.13, the perfect foil to the boys playing footy around him.
Josiah Pahulu (Ipswich SHS)
With a front row of captain Josiah Pahulu, Ahmani Leilua and Tommy Luhrman, and with Queensland schoolboys hooker Gabriel Satrick coming off the bench, it is little wonder Ipswic have started the season strongly.
And leader of the pack is dynamic, mobile front rower Pahulu who was the best prop during the Meninga Cup season earlier in the year.
Po Hotere-Papalii (Wavell SHS)
Wavell were blessed to have Prinston Esra for three seasons of Langer Trophy but now another elite edge runner has emerged in Po Hotere-Papalii.
He had a big round 1 and was dangerous with limited opportunities in round 2.
Loto Salei (Wavell SHS)
The Canberra Raiders signed Salei has hit the ground running in his first season of Langer Trophy.
A country boy, he will get better and better as the season progresses.
Bristowe Murray (Wavell SHS)
The livewire dummy half is electric and can spark his team in a flash off front foot ball.
Don’t discount this No.9 from being one of the most influential players in the competition.
Karl Oloapu (Wavell SHS)
Oloapu can match PBC SHS young gun Keano Kini for attacking class and ball work guile.
The rookie No.6 created a try against Marsden SHS with dazzling footwork that no other player in the competition could produce, then laid on a left side try with a beautiful short pass.
Devonte Vaivela
Vaivela was Tre Fotu’s (Ipswich SHS) centre partner in Souths Logan’s Meninga Cup premiership winning side.
The Marsden SHS outside back has had limited opportunities so far this season, but from the round 1 wreckage he emerged as a potent runner, and again against Wavell SHS got across the stripe with a powerhouse individual surge that proved a turning point.
If the move of Teapo Stoltman to left edge remains permanent, watch for the Broncos-signed Vaivela to get into the action even more because Stoltman is Langer Trophy conditioned campaigner and a fine runner and passer of the ball.
Chris Faagutu (Marsden SHS)
Marsden SHS captain Faagutu was joint winner of the Justin Hodges Medal for player of the year last season, joining PBC SHS fullback Keano Kini on the podium.
Marsden were white-washed in round 1 and grinded their way to the winners post in a come from behind win over Wavell SHS, and we expect Faagutu to continue to led his team well after making the Queensland under 18s team.
RELATED LINKS, ROUND 1 REPLAYS
Isaiah Fagalilo (Keebra Park SHS)
The Keebra Park starting hooker fired his team to a resounding second round win against Coomoobah.
In his debut match, Fagalilo controlled the middle really well and was solid in defence.
Munga Baruani (Keebra Park SHS)
The left winger scored three tries in round 2 to get his season, and the team’s season, rolling forward after a round 1 loss.
Immanuel Kalekale (Keebra Park SHS)
The big Queensland schoolboys front rower was at times an unstoppable force in Keebra Park SHS’s round 2 win.
Arama Hau (Keebra Park SHS)
Is there a more talented back rower in the competition than Hau.
The big bloke missed round 1 due to illness but got some miles in his legs in round 2.
Gold Coast Titans contracted, he played No.13 but can easily transition to a running edge player.
Seth Nikotemo (Keebra Park SHS)
THe edge back rower is primed and ready to rumble after entering 2022 as a forward leader following hard earned experiences during the 2021 Langer campaign.
He has already made the Queensland under 18 schoolboys team and if Keebra get rolling, Nikotemo will be around the man of the match votes each week.
Lewis Symonds (Coombabah SHS)
Edge forward Symonds shone in his team’s round 1 victory and has grown enormously over the last 12 months after experiencing his first season of Langer Trophy last year - and then helping Souths Logan to the Meninga Cup under 18 premiership.
Symonds and K-ci Whare can be among contenders for 3-2-1 player of the match points each game this season.
Alex Leapai
Leapai is a man for all seasons for Mabel Park SHS and his go forward, along with subtle ball distribution, will be important for Mabel Park this season.
He was in the 3-2-1 best player points after a round 1 effort against Redcliffe when he drove Mabel onto the front foot against Redcliffe, and then unloaded to provide his team with second phase ball.
If he gets forward, also watch for Mabel Park SHS halfback Julian Drinnan, centre Elijah Mikaio, edge forward Marley Lupeomanu and fullback Te Hataterehapaerau Reid to impact matches.
Jayden Alefaio
Our Meninga Cup team of the Year winger, the Redcliffe SHS Langer Trophy utility could easily bob up in the Langer Team of the Season as well if his form continues.
There is no greater test in the competition than playing PBC SHS away, but he was particularly good against the champion outfit.
In that match John Fineanganofo was also strong for the DOlphins, while Jacob Taulani has been there, done that in big games and Guy Visachi is an exciting talent.
RELATED LINKS
BRONCOS EXTEND LANGER TROPHY STAR
DOLPHINS SIGN LANGER PLAYER OF THE YEAR
MEET THE LANGER TROPHY CAPTAINS
LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE
2.15pm: Forest Lake SHS v Palm Beach Currumbin SHS (Walters Cup)
2.30pm: Redcliffe SHS v Ipswich SHS (Walters Cup)
3.15pm: Coombabah SHS v Palm Beach Currumbin SHS (Langer Trophy)
3.30pm: Redcliffe SHS v Ipswich SHS (Langer Trophy)
4.30pm: Keebra Park v Marsden SHS (Walters Cup)
4.30pm: Wavell SHS v Mabel Park SHS (Walters Cup)
5.30pm: Keebra Park v Marsden SHS (Langer Trophy)
5.30pm: Wavell SHS v Mabek Lark SHS (Langer Trophy)
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