Meninga, Connell Cup Teams of the Week from round 5 action
Meninga Cup, Connell Teams of the Week latest: Titans long term signing, Mackay based Broncos’ academy player and a Dolphins next-gen half among those chosen. But who else made the side?
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Here were the round 5 Teams of the Week after a bumper weekend of Meninga Cup and Connell Cup junior representative rugby league.
A feature of the weekend was Souths Logan’s clean sweep of Redcliffe in Meninga Cup, Connell and both Harvey girls competitions.
The Harvey girls’ results and Connell wins were expected, but the Meninga Cup victory was from left field given the form guide.
Other highlights came from the north where the Capras’ U17s girls were sensational, while the Northern Pride props churned through the wet to get the job done in the Meninga Cup.
In this story we feature the Super Six players from both the Meninga Cup and Connell Cup, while also unveiling the Teams of the Week for both competitions.
Footnote: Both Harvey Norman U17 and U19 Teams of the Week will be revealed on Wednesday.
MENINGA CUP SUPER SIX
Elsiyah Laumatia (Souths Logan Magpies)
As a boy growing up in Cairns, Laumatia dabbled in rugby playing for the Wanderers but while at Trinity Bay State High his league career took hold as he started to excel in the Payne Cup.
Laumatia also honed his craft as a schoolboy playing for Cairns Brothers and his best is now being brought to the Magpies nest where on Saturday he shone most when it mattered.
In a thriller with Redcliffe at Davies Park, Laumatia scored his team’s first try after the visitors found the scoreboard quickly. He then delivered a knockout blow in the 68th minute scoring a try to give David Bryenton the chance to win the game on the hooter.
Bryenton made no mistake and Souths were home, 28-26.
When Souths had a penalty 10m out with the clock dwindling down, they gave the ball to Laumatia and said go win us the game. He charged through two defenders, slammed the ball down and Souths had their first win of the season.
Charlie Dickson (Norths Devils)
Still glowing from his NRL Dolphins pre-season camp call-up, Dickson showed why he is a class above in his side’s 40-22 victory over the Falcons in round 5.
The crafty lock-forward, who has also been named in the Queensland under-19 emerging origin squad, finished alongside Zane Harrison as the 2024 Langer Trophy Player of the Season. He has maintained the rage for his new club Norths (formally Redcliffe).
Over the weekend he played a direct style of footy, keeping the Falcons pack on the back foot before tucking the ball and going himself or dishing to his speedsters out wide.
His work in defence was also notable, getting up early and shutting down any open space or sliding laterally with positive communication.
Harrison Hill (Ipswich Jets)
Hooker Harrison Hill has been a journeyman since leaving Wavell SHS and the Norths Devils, and aren’t members of the Ipswich Jets Meninga Cup squad happy he has ended up with the club.
Signed by the Gold Coast Titans, the elite hooker was originally with the Storm. He was removed from the Melbourne list last season despite winning the club’s SG Ball best forward award after the Storm opted to invest in fellow Queenslander, Gabrial Satrick.
The Titans were quick to have him back under their noses, the former Titans academy ace now delivering the goods on a consistent basis for the Jets.
On Saturday up on the range, the unpredictable Hill scored another try from dummyhalf and both his passing and decision making was on point.
Saxon Innes (Bears)
From the famous Helensvale Hornets catchment, Innes was signed by the Broncos from Marsden SHS where he played Langer Trophy with distinction. Since leaving school in 2023, he has been on a steady improvement plying his trade at Red Hill.
Pace has always been his point of difference, particularly over the first 40m, but it was his passing game on both sides of the field which added a dimension to the Burleigh attack at the weekend.
Innes entered the backline beautifully and passed beautifully to three-try winger Disharne Tonihi.
Jack Thorburn (Cutters)
Thorburn is always circling around Team of the Week selection and special mention notice, and finally he gets the recognition he deserves after a leading role in the Mackay win at the weekend.
A Magpies’ junior, Thorburn has given blood, sweat and tears to the Mackay Connell Cup and Meninga Cup jerseys over the years. He is talented and has an ability to unload the ball in traffic.
Noah Fien (Redcliffe Dolphins)
Fien was simply fantastic for the Dolphins.
Almost the hat-trick hero in a thriller, Fien scored 18 of the 26 points produced by his team against an amped-up Magpies outfit chasing its first win of the season.
Everyone knows Fien can be a very good goal kicker and game-managing halfback but he has reminded one and all his running game cannot be taken lightly.
In the last two games he has crossed the chalk six times. On Saturday, his footwork and quick thinking paved the way for his second-straight hattrick and he was also key in the lead up to an important Elijah McKay try in the game’s final quarter.
MENINGA CUP TEAM OF THE WEEK
1. Saxon Innes (Bears)
2. Quinn Timperon (Tigers)
3. Brian Pouniu (Dolphins)
4. Robertson Tusi Tofu (Devils)
5. Dylan Watkins (Tweed)
6. David Bryenton (Magpies)
7. Noah Fien (Dolphins)
8. Tavita Panai (Cutters)
9. Harrison Hill (Jets)
10. Kaiden Lahrs (Pride)
11. Elsiyah Laumatia (Magpies)
12. Jack Thorburn (Cutters)
13. Charlie Dickson (Devils)
14. Curtis Seierup (Capras)
15. Torino Jackson (Tweed)
16. Jabiri Mack (Jets)
17. Terence Mosby (Blackhawks)
18. Henry Kallquist (Jets)
19. Zane Harrison (Tweed)
20. Lachie Buchbach (Dolphins)
Special mentions: Dom Ierome (Tigers), Keyarn Pene (Devils), Marley Igasan (Bears), Dallas Ingram (Bears), Lehi Thomas (Magpies), Adaquix Luke (Devils), Will Graham (Falcons), Ryder Williams (Jets), Karlos Iraia (Blackhawks), Michael Hunnisett (Devils), Mafiou Cherif (Pride), Nathan Fraser (Jets), Duquan Talaepa (Devils), Hilarney Lavender (Bears), Disharne Tonihi (Bears), Hadley Smith (Tweed), Saia Poese (Magpies), Finn Kendall (Magpies), Noah Blooranta (Devils).
CONNELL CUP SUPER SIX
Kalani Patu (Tweed)
The Gold Coast Titans are backing the right horse by extending big Patu out to a four-year contract. If they had not done that, other NRL clubs would be mustering resources in a bid to poach him.
The Keebra Park SHS edge forward was Dynamic with a capital D last weekend - and not for the first time this season either.
He is a Gold Coast kid from tip to toe, having played his junior league at the Southport Tigers.
His older brother Carsen terrorised front rowers for The Southport School in the GPS rugby competition earlier this decade and it appears the baton has been passed to his padawan Kalani.
Innocent Baruani (Ipswich)
Big Baruani’s silky catch and pass skills were the difference in a match won 20-18 by Ipswich over the Clydesdales.
Tall and athletic, the Goodna Eagles product has the perfect build for an edge forward. But the teenager who grew up admiring the greatest rugby league half this decade, Johnathan Thurston, also possesses the hands of a five-eight.
The towering Year 11 student has been forced to go against the grain playing as a forward. His older brothers Kulu, Munga and Velonte were all outside backs. That’s why he is like an extra right centre at times, tipping the ball onto his wingers with precision.
Adam McSherry (Cutters)
A Brothers Mackay junior, McSherry grew up playing league in the winter and doing nippers on the beaches of Mackay in the summer.
A product of St Patrick’s College, McSherry was originally a half, then shone at fullback and now finds himself back in the hub as a running sixth forward.
The 2024 Team of the Season selection at fullback, McSherry has found another home at lock this season.
Footnote: Signed by the Broncos, to squeeze him into our top 2F0 this week we named him at his old position of fullback.
Mikaere Barnes (Tigers)
He didn’t make the starting 13 and was not a world beater, but if you are defended on an edge and finish a match against Tweed Seagulls with your reputation intact, it is a victory.
Barnes was brave to the core at the weekend, as the big Tweed pack rumbled at pace in his direction. He saw plenty of traffic but defended well and more than earned Super Six recognition this week.
Riley Carbone (Blackhawks)
In a side which was beaten, the kid from Kirwan SHS was outstanding. From sugarcane country, Ingham, north of Townsville, the young halfback’s control with his kicking game kept the Townsville squad in the match. He also held up in defence, while also playing a role in the Blackhawks generating enough chances to win the game.
Carbone is a former Queensland 14-15 years representative who grew up playing footy, touch and also enjoying little athletics.
Sonny Hewitt (Dolphins)
There is a mistake or two in him but wow. The Dolphins have a real bobby dazzler in Hewitt.
He is a highlight waiting to happen.
On Saturday he was busy as a bee mopping up tackles, returning the ball and with his general involvement and communication from fullback.
Under the high ball he was also a safe bet.
There is plenty to like about the slick Peninsula young gun.
CONNELL CUP TEAM OF THE WEEK
1. Adam McSherry (Played No.13, but a ex-No.1 who had the make the side)
2. Sonny Hewitt (Dolphins)
3. Kyron Arthy (Dolphins)
4. Kingston Seve (Bears)
5. Fynn Laffranchi (Bears)
6. Riley Carbone (Blackhawks)
7. Grange Womal (Cutters)
8. Ranel Filipine (Magpies)
9. Jai Bilish (Tweed)
10. Koby McGarrity (Wynnum Meanly)
11. Kalani Patu (Tweed)
12. Innocent Baruani (Jets)
13. Tupou Francis (Bears)
14. Walt Lanson (Capras)
15. Tyrell Schwenke (Bears)
16. Reco Naitini (Dolphins)
17. Mikaere Barnes (Tigers)
18. Jyah White (Tweed)
19. Thomas McDonald (Clydesdales)
20. Lane Edmonds (Jets)
Special mentions: Semuela Naleba (Magpies), Axel Friend (Bears), Jay Marsh (Capras),
Al Bollinger (Cutters), Eli Cookson (Cutters), Tomasi Vaitai (Jets), Alastair MacLachlan (Clydesdales), Charlie Barnes (Clydesdales), Lachlan Anderson (Capras), Jake Armstrong (Capras), Laythan Potter (Clydesdales), Max Murphy (Clydesdales), Hanipale Sosene (Dolphins), Malakaih Beals (Magpies), Cohen Cochran (Dolphins), Hudson Bishop (Tigers), arrison Vidler (Jets), Ashyr Kelso (Falcons), Taj Kuhl (Falcons), Edward Mackay (Wide Bay Bulls), Samuel Adcock (Wide Bay Bulls), Harvey Smith (Bears).
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