Meet Ipswich Jets Meninga Cup players 1 through 17 playing in this Sunday’s semi-final game against the Mackay Cutters
Two Newcastle boys, two Kiwi’s and a smattering of returning players will spearhead the Ipswich Jets in Sundays elimination Meninga Cup semi final side against the Mackay Cutters. Meet Jets players one through 17 gunning for finals glory.
Local sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Ipswich Jets have a chance to keep their season alive when they host the Mackay Cutters at the North Ipswich Reserve on Sunday in what looms as a Meninga Cup spectacle.
The Jets topped their pool consisting of the Western Clydesdales, Sunshine Coast Falcons and Wide Bay Bulls and are looking to progress to the preliminary semi-finals against either Tweed or Redcliffe if they are successful on Sunday.
The 17 man squad is chock full with talent, including Ipswich boys Isaac Togia, Jeriah Vagana, Lachlan Stuart, Nathan Fraser, Lachlan Coburn and Lyncoln Clyffe.
The side also has Kiwi flare in centre Caelys Putoko and middle forward Kanaan Magele and a touch of Newcastle with Nick Tuliatu and Ethan Quinn manning the pumps in the forward pack.
The side also has a nice Ipswich State High representation with current students Saifiti Junior Saifiti, Magele and Bill Fraser joining past students Dominique Sandow, Jeriah Vagana, Isaac Togia, Xavier Kirk and Zackariah Stephenson in the team to run out on Sunday.
To give Ipswich Jets supporters a look at the talent going to battle, boys sure to transition into the Hostplus Cup or NRL systems, we introduce players one through 17 trying to go one better this year.
Last season the Jets were eliminated by the Blackhawks in the semi-final, with the Dolphins eventual winners of the competition.
THE TEAM
1 Dominique Sandow
A Hostplus Cup preseason primed this slick Cherbourg fullback for a wonderful season and what a season it has been.
A leader, Sandow has led the way as a calm presence in behind and will be a key player this Sunday.
He is also a confident communicator who will organise the defensive line.
2 Jeriah Vagana
Safe, talented, capable of making things happen and a great leader.
The Jets vice captain and winger has played eight of the nine games this year and has been a big reason why Ipswich have been so successful.
He has been a loyal servant to the Jets over the last few years and there is no one Ipswich would trade him for in this weekend’s must win clash.
3 Amaziah Murgha
The Year 12 Ipswich Grammar School boarder is just the player the Jets would want in a game like this.
The kid is lightning, an attacking player that can make things happen for the Jets.
The Roosters signed 17-year-old just needs the ball in his hand.
4 Caelys Putoko
A rugby union kid, Putoko will play in his first rugby league final on Sunday.
New to the game this year, 18-year-old New Zealand boy Putoko was spotted by the Titans playing rugby and has come to Ipswich to forge a potential career playing rugby league.
After doing an NRL preseason with the Titans in the summer, Putoko has been a top notch performer for the Jets, and could feature in the club’s Hostplus Cup team once the season is over.
5 Saifiti Junior Saifiti
The Jets could not have found a better replacement for Alton Naiyep who last year was arguably Queensland’s best winger in the under-18 age group.
Stepping up to the plate this year, Year 12 Ipswich State High student Saifiti has delivered in spades with his fearless carries, goalkicking and tryscoring prowess.
The Future Titan has been one of Ipswich’s best performers in every game, the hard running winger filling the Naiyep void immediately and spearheading the Jets back to the semi-finals in doing so.
6 Keaton Stutt
The Grafton boy was somewhat a bolt from the blue, a newcomer who impressed at trials and then held down his spot for the whole season as the Jets’ starting five-eighth.
He has played every game, after last year playing as a halfback for the Grafton Rebels A Grade side as an 18-year-old.
7 Lachlan Stuart
The 18-year-old St Peter Claver College old boy has surprised nobody with his form this season. He is just a hardworking, fearless leader who has relished more of an opportunity this year after dipping his toes in the water last season.
A Hostplus Cup preseason served him well, and his competitive edge will come to life in the finals.
Watch for the pesky playmaker to feature in the Hostplus Cup later this season.
8 Nick Tuliatu
The big, powerful Newcastle boy has been superb through the middle of the field this season and will be chomping at the bit for Sunday’s skirmish at the North Ipswich Reserve.
Standing at 192cm, the 116kg prop made his International debut for Greece as an 18-year-old and after just missing out on a contract with the Sharks SG ball team, Tuliatu has been tearing it up for the Jets.
The massive middle forward is just the player the Jets would consider for their Hostplus Cup team once the Meninga Cup season is done.
9 Nathan Fraser
Are we looking at the Jets best player all year?
He had never played hooker, instead five-eighth of halfback, but took to the new position like a duck to water and has been brilliant every single week.
He is someone who got one game last year, but has shone in a more prominent role this year where his booming kicking game and strong defence around the ruck has impressed his peers and coaching staff.
10 Kanaan Magele
Roosters contracted prop Magele has been an absolute wrecking ball for the Jets this season, Tuliatu’s right hand man in the middle.
Now attending Ipswich State High, Met West representative Magele will hit the ground running for the Langer Trophy competition after running hard and fast for the Jets during their campaign.
A New Zealand boy who the Roosters will likely have playing SG ball next year, Magele is a player of potential.
11 Ethan Quinn
Another Newcastle boy, Quinn came to the Jets early in the year and has made a home on the edge.
A brilliant backrower, Quinn’s defence, offloading ability and tall stature has given the Jets an extra threat in the wider channels.
12 Isaac Togia
Norths Tigers junior Togia has made up for lost time this year after some time away from the game in 2023.
The mobile, fit and fast 18-year-old has shown his talent this season, and his power and strength through contact will help Ipswich when the going gets tough.
13 Lincoln Clyffe
The excellent No.13 has been tremendous this year after making the move from Tigerland.
A local kid signed to the Bulldogs, Clyffe has made an impact in his first season with the Jets after playing his junior footy at the Goodna Eagles.
The co-captain alongside Stuart, 18-year-old Ipswich Grammar product Clyffe will be another fine Queensland product heading south in the new year to play SG ball.
14 Lachlan Coburn
One of the most improved in the squad, Coburn has been a rock for the Jets at No.14, acting as a spark plug coming off the bench.
The interchange hooker gets the Jets going with his energy, toughness and tackling and with the ball in hand he can use his speed and elusiveness to catch the opposition napping around the ruck.
The Jets will have a ready made rake for next year’s campaign in St Peter Claver product Coburn.
15 Xavier Kirk
Livewire utility back Kirk is another like Coburn who could give Ipswich life off the bench.
Capable of playing hooker, on the wing or at fullback, the pacy Kirk began the season with the Seagulls but will finish it where he belongs with Ipswich.
16 Bill Fraser
Year 12 Ipswich State High boy Fraser has been improving more and more over the last six months as he gears up for a Langer Trophy debut.
After playing in Ipswich State High’s Langer Reserves side last year, the hardworking middle forward has enhanced his reputation with the Jets, culminating in Met West representative selection.
He is a player you want on your team because he does the things other blokes don’t like doing.
Will be back for more next year.
17 Zackariah Stephenson
Rounding out this elite match day 17 is Ipswich State High old boy Stephenson.
Shoulder injuries have disrupted his season, but in the four games he has played the returning Meninga Cup player has been top notch.
Also, spare a thought for Norths Tigers boy Mafiou Cherif who won’t play on Sunday as he is returning from injury.
The Cowboys signee is a middle forward gun, someone whose leg speed, hard running and thumping defence has been a staple of the Jets Meninga Cup side over the last two seasons.
AIC First XIII rugby league Team of the Season after Iona triumph
Who has made the AIC First XIII rugby league Team of the Season following Iona’s premiership confirmation? All is revealed here, along with the best of the best who just missed selection.
BJRU grand finals: Players of the Day includes next-gen Nudgee weapon
BJRU grand finals: See who the Players of the Day were after five stunning Div 1 and 2 deciders between Easts, Logan Saints, Caboolture, Wynnum, Souths, Brothers, and Riverside. The list includes an exciting outside back from Nudgee that set Bottomley Park alight on Sunday.