Meet the King and Queen makers of the Harvey under-17, 19 and Connell Cup semi-finals
Meet the 40 King and Queen makers capable of turning the tide in six sudden death semi-final bouts this Saturday across the Connell and Harvey league competitions.
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Rugby league finals’ fever will sweep over the Harvey Norman under-17, under-19 and Connell Cup competitions this weekend, with six sudden death games to be played across the state.
In the under-17 girls, the Tigers play Tweed Seagulls at Langlands Park (Totally Workwear Stadium), while at the same venue the Capras will play the Falcons.
In the Harvey under-19s, the Tigers host Tweed Seagulls, also at Langlands Park while in Mackay the Cutters will have a home ground advantage against the Clydesdales.
In the Connell Cup, the Cutters will play the Sunshine Coast in Mackay, while Burleigh will play Wynnum Manly at Kougari Oval.
Presented below were the King and Queen makers of the finals, players capable of turning the tide for their respective teams this weekend.
HARVEY UNDER-17 SEMI FINALS QUEEN MAKERS
TIGERS vs. TWEED SEAGULLS
ENAH DESIC (TIGERS)
Last Saturday against Souths Logan, hooker Desic produced an extraordinary performance mixed with skill, fitness and a desire to win. She attacked with her defence around the middle, then would sweep across the field in cover defence.
Desic superbly took advantage of her team’s power game to threaten with her runs, while also kicking four goals from four attempts on a flooded field in the rain which negated her team’s three tries to four disadvantage.
DIAMOND GRAHAM (TWEED)
The Tigers may have Desic, but would Tweed swap Graham for any other No.9 in the competition? No.
Graham has been outstanding this season, nipping out from behind the ruck to often get her halfback Torah Luadaka running onto the ball into half gaps.
Her direct service from the ground to Luadaka has also been pinpoint perfect, while her attacking defence has hustled bigger girls and cut them off before they gather too much momentum.
RILEY-JAY HENRY-PURCELL and CARAYANIDIS TA’AKIMOEAKA-PULU (TIGERS)
Ta’akimoeaka-Pulu would be close to being the player of the season. She has been that good.
And she knows it.
When Ta’akimoeaka-Pulu takes the ball from anywhere inside the attacking 22, it looks like she expects to come out the other side and score.
And she has every right to be a confident player, such has her impact been in matches this season.
Having both Ta’akimoeaka-Pulu and Henry-Purcell in the side is a huge advantage to the Tigers.
The authoritative Henry-Purcell cuts an imposing figure whether carrying the ball or standing in the defensive line.
The question is can Tweed hold both Ta’akimoeaka-Pulu and Henry-Purcell for the entire match this Saturday?
TORAH LUADAKA (Tweed Seagulls)
Simply the best halfback in the competition, Torah Luadaka has been sensational.
Her teammates have been good enough to rally the Seagulls from behind on several occasions and get them close enough on the scoreboard for Luadaka to weave her matchwinning magic.
Whether she is 1m from scoring or 99m out, opposition teams need to be on red alert.
She kicks goals as well.
TIAHNA KANAWI (TIGERS)
The Tigers have a confronting power game but equally impressive this season has been the playmaking of Tiahna Kanawi.
Kanawi’s show-and-go and deft kicking game has been key, most notably in the Tigers’ 46-16 win over the Bears when she scored four tries.
AFFRICA-JADE HIPPI (Tweed)
Despite the presence of respected middle forwards like Sophia Siulepa, Mercedez Lisone and Milla Rogers, Tweed will face a Land of the Giants pack in the Tigers.
To beat them Tweed will need to be quick off the mark in defence and up-tempo around the ruck with the ball.
Tweed’s fitness has seen the side finish strongly in both halves this season, and leading the way has been dynamic lightweight lock Affrica-Jade Hippi.
Just wind her up and watch her go this weekend.
CAPRAS vs. FALCONS
MAYCEE BROWN AND ALEXIS BUKOWSKI (CAPRAS)
The Central Queensland dynamic duo have delivered the goods every round and their teammates will be after one last heave to get the side into the big dance.
Both gifted edge forwards, Brown and Bukowski have matched power with finesse in a Capras campaign which yielded six wins.
Bukowski, the cousin of emerging Broncos rake Cameron Bukowski, makes things happen with telling lines on the edge and on the other side of the field, the headgear wearing Brown is always near the action.
ISABELLE JENSEN (CAPRAS)
Jensen has been a jinking gem for the Capras in 2025.
Fast, powerful through the hips and awfully aware of where the touchline is, Jensen has been a reliable finisher capable of making things happen with her own tricks.
Indeed the entire Capras’ back five division of Jensen, Charlotte McLean, Isabella Jensen, Kayla Vella, Jorgie Mitchell and Ashlynn Self can turn half chances into tries. Jensen and Rocky Tigers ace McLean vie for the fastest girl in the side honours.
Watch out if any of the back five see space on Saturday.
LILY BAIN (FALCONS)
A playmaker, Bain will play a big role in getting her side into a position to win the semi-finals.
Slightly built but with a big heart, the crafty five-eight’s work on and off the ball has simply been immense this season.
With the Falcons possessing a duffel bag of attacking weapons, Bain stands tall every week showcasing her rugby league IQ and quick feet.
If The Caloundra Sharks junior is not slicing through the defensive line herself, she’s off the hip of her forwards or outside backs.
AYSLINN POLLOCK (FALCONS)
Three players in one this season, Pollock enters Saturday’s skirmish with the Capras as her team’s prime mover.
A right edge forward who runs aggressively, Pollock has resembled a playmaker and prop at times this season as she seeks to get involved as much as possible.
A tall, mobile mover, Pollock has quick feet at the line, a fierce right fend and an offload game to compliment all of the above.
JOSIE WOGAND (Capras)
The Harvey competition has a surplus of outstanding hookers, and Josie Wogand loses nothing in comparison.
The Rockhampton Brothers junior from The Cathedral College knows her game well and has vast experience for her age, having played representatively at the under-12 level.
The Capras play an up-tempo game and Wogand’s delivery from the ruck and ability to take advantage of a quick run with her own runs is a threat.
RACHAEL OAKLEY (CAPRAS)
The spiritual leader of the pack, Oakley is a prop who will lead with action.
She is ideal for a big match like finals because she has an ability to impact games with a big tackle or a strong run.
Her actions tend to inspire those around her.
KIRRA PAMENTER (FALCONS)
Watch for the Sunshine Coast wing weapons Pamenter and Sailor Bowker to work their backside off to try and establish a roll on that enables halves Lily Bain and Marley Chan to bring in edge forwards Ays Pollock and Mackenzie Cassar.
Pamenter, a cross-code kid from the Gympie Hammers rugby club, is slightly underrated but remains a highly effective player whose work rate off the ball has been appreciated by her peers in 2025.
HARVEY UNDER-19 SEMI FINALS QUEEN MAKERS
TWEED vs. TIGERS
INDIA SEETO (TIGERS)
Tigers halfback India Seeto could make or break this match, so important is she.
A natural, Seeto is well versed in sending teammates through holes and her decision making under pressure will determine the success of her slick backline division.
Seeto, a Marsden State High alumni, hits like a Mack truck at times in defence.
LISHAINAH ULUGIA AND PORCHE JOHN (TIGERS)
The Tigers forwards have been firing from round 1 this season and their best will go a long way in punching Easts a grand final ticket after last season finishing runners up.
Lishainah Ulugia’s goalkicking was of a high-quality, as were her catch-and-pass skills.
Watch for the tackling tenacity of prop Porche John to match her intensity with the ball.
MIKALAH TEALE (TWEED)
Teale has been a spark plug for Tweed this season, storming onto the field to fan the fire ignited by middle forwards Grace Maxwell, Saskia Croyston and Kaliyah Browning.
Teale’s fresh legs, power in contact and strength to rise and play the ball quickly has been setting Tweed in motion in the middle of matches.
Will she be able to do against the big Tigers’ pack?
SAVANNAH ROBERTS-HICKLING (TWEED)
Five-eighth Savannah Roberts-Hickling is a wildcard talent with flare, speed and vision you cannot coach.
The other stuff will come but she has the natural spark in spades.
Importantly, the rugby 7s ace from Ballina Coast High School is more than willing to learn her craft and play for her teammates.
It is the quickness between her ears, as much as her flashy feet, which will threaten the Tigers on Saturday.
CUTTERS v CLYDESDALES
SELINA COWLEY (CUTTERS)
Cowley has been a sensation off the bench for the Cutters.
The Mackay SHS student has had an ability to alter the momentum of matches with her energy, footwork and ability to unload the ball in contact.
She started the season as a very good player, but she has risen to another level and will be a flag bearer for her side on semi-final day.
JEN KIMBER (CUTTERS)
A class act, Kimber seems to pop up at just the right times and prides herself on being a regular support player for her runaway teammates.
A fierce fullback, Kimber has worn multiple hats this season for the reigning premiers and her value is a constant for the Mackay team.
MIA BYRNES (CLYDESDALES)
Dummyhalf dynamo Mia Byrnes has given the Clydesdales an attacking spark from the ruck base this season after last year playing fullback in the U17s and hooker in the U19s.
A creative player from the Glennie School, Byrnes is quicker between the ears than she is across the ground – and she is fast.
ELIZA MORCOM (CLYDESDALES)
The ultra-consistent Eliza Morcom is two players in one who gives the Clydesdales defensive clout and ball carrying muscle at No. 13.
She also loves an offload and does plenty with the ball to promote the runners on her outside.
Morcom will lead the Clydesdales into battle as captain.
CONNELL CUP SEMI-FINAL KING MAKERS
MACKAY v SUNSHINE COAST
GRANGE WOMAL (CUTTERS)
The team’s halfback, Womal has the temperament and type of game which should stand up perfectly under finals pressure.
His kicking game will be just what the doctor ordered, as will his ability to manage matches. These are ideal traits in a final.
Around that, don’t discount his own running game when he takes the defenders on.
JETT RYAN (Falcons)
The Falcons skipper hasn’t stopped all season for his side, giving it his all from siren to siren and coming up with a number of big plays along the way.
Ryan’s communication on both sides of the ball is easy to see and his defence is just as impressive to watch with plenty of big hits on offer from the big-bodied No.13.
He will no doubt be a key focus point for defenders this weekend.
ADAM McSHERRY (CUTTERS)
McSherry, a Mr Versatile, has been outstanding for Mackay this season.
His kicking game complements that of his halfback Womal, while his creative ball skills mixed with his agility and probing runs have given the Cutters a leg-up in their conference.
Last season’s fullback of the season, McSherry plays No. 13 now but filled in at five-eighth this season.
ELI COOKSON and WILL HAMBLIN (CUTTERS)
This dynamic duo can tilt the match their team’s way with their one-two punch around the ruck.
Cookson, A Moranbah product, will start at lock, while the boundless Hamblin will add a dimension to the potency of the Cutters’ side from hooker.
TAJ KUHL (FALCONS)
Despite the Falcons Cyril Connell side rolling out some jumbled spines in the past few weeks Kuhl has cemented his spot at fullback and his effort has been immense.
This has been Kuhl’s first taste of representative footy and he’s slotted into a new position but that hasn’t stopped his attitude and eagerness to learn as much as possible every week.
Kuhl’s direct communication from the back has been huge for his side’s defensive set up while his attacking link up play and kicking game has developed as the season has progressed.
KAIO MOSES (FALCONS)
Despite being one of the Falcon’s larger forwards, Moses has had to match it with some much bigger bodies this season.
His grunt work and carries past the advantage line have been massive for his side as he continues to blossom as a standout middle forward.
BURLEIGH v WYNNUM MANLY
MAJAH-JOSE PEACHEY (Wynnum Manly)
You hate singling him out because around him middle men Daniel Cash, Koby McGarrity and Franck Iraguha are just so damn good, but the bottom line is Peachey’s explosive left edge running game can dent defensive lines and create points.
After bursting onto the scene from Perth in 2022, Peachey took time to find his feet in 2023 before making the Queensland schoolboys.
This season he is reaping the rewards of a big off-season and coaching under the experienced Jon Buchanan.
CORNELIUS KELSALL (BEARS)
This mouth-watering contest features x-factor fullback Cornelius Kelsall who can pull a rabbit out of a hat.
Wynnum Manly will be on high alert when he comes anywhere near the ruck, particularly in the minutes leading up to halftime or full-time.
EZEKIEL JONES (Wynnum Manly)
Jones is as good as any hooker in this age group and the Broncos were shrewd to snap him up two seasons ago.
The team’s captain is at the peak of his powers with the ball, whether he is running himself or passing.
TUPOU FRANCIS (BEARS)
Captain courageous Francis has been a prime mover all season long for Burleigh.
The busy No.13 attacks with his aggressive defence, and runs like he is winding up to try and crash through a brick wall.
He is a great competitor and the type of character who can lift his side with a tackle, run or pass out the back.
DEAN TAUAA (Wynnum Manly)
Like Jose-Peachey, Tauaa has really come on this season.
He was good last year as an underage Connell player, but he is a man in 2025 and has taken his game from base camp to lofty heights.
He is a huge threat.
MAX FIFE (BEARS)
Watch for this hooking mighty mite to roar off the bench and inject spark into the Bears’ ruck on Saturday.
A kid who can play hooker, lock or half, Fife has great pass selection and an excellent long kicking game, while his tackle technique allows him to contain bigger opponents.
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