Meninga Cup players of the season: Who were best at your club in 2021

Who were your club’s best players in the Meninga Cup this season? Ahead of Saturday’s grand final between Tweed Heads Seagulls and Blackhawks, we reveal the players of the season.

As Tweed Heads Seagulls and the Townsville Blackhawks prepare for Saturday’s Meninga Cup grand final, we ask the respective club coaches for their best players from the competition.

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GRAND FINALISTS DECIDED AFTER SEMI-FINALS

Broncos contracted player Xavier Va'a, of St Mary’s College, shone with Mustangs.Picture: Kevin Farmer

MUSTANGS

The Darling Downs is renowned for unearthing quality league talent and 2021 was no different, with prop Xavier Va’a prop leading from the front, supported by Kelly Shadlow and interchange forward Declan Ryan.

According to his coach, team captain and Sunshine Coast Falcons representative Harry Dwyer is in the "perfect" position as lock. Picture: Sharon Collins

SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS

Rugby league rich Falcons had some eye-catching talent in the ranks, but none were better than No.13 Harry Dwyer, prop and captain Blake Woodford, crafty dummy half Oska Boyd and try scoring machine Mason Puet.

Josiah Pahulu of the Jets.Picture: Nev Madsen

IPSWICH JETS

The Ipswich Jets campaign was spearheaded by middle forward Josiah Pahulu along with Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. “They had the largest work rates and impacted each game by being the most consistent,’’ praised Jets coach Michael Armstrong. Pahulu has been signed by the Titans while Finefeuiaki is off to the Cowboys after he finishes school at Ipswich SHS this year.

Tweed Heads Tom Weaver. Picture: Scott Powick Newscorp

TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS

The favourites to win the Meninga Cup grand final on Saturday, Tweed Heads has been led around the park by halfback Tom Weaver who pulls the strings in a slick outfit. Around him centre Kaleb Ngamanu and edge forward JT Manuofetoa were powerhouse on the fringe of the field.

Ezra Mam. Picture, John Gass

SOUTHS LOGAN

Hulking prop Herman Tofeaono tried to inspire his forwards throughout the Meninga Cup campaign, matching it with the best big men in the competition. Behind him Ezra Mam was class at halfback and also a strong defender, while centre Prinston Esera displayed his sheer class.

Carsen Patu (Burleigh Bears) on the move. Picture Scott Powick Newscorp

BURLEIGH BEARS

Halfback Jye Grey was so impressive, that he was nominated by his coach as one of the players of the season despite only being available for two games due to injury. Centre Del Wigmore, prop Carsen Patu prop and dummy half Caleb Gould-Waiariki were among the best in the competition after getting coach Michael Witt’s tick of approval.

Seth McGilvary, left and Ethan Roberts after Saturday’s semi-final. McGilvary was among his team’s best this season.

CQ CAPRAS

The Capras outstanding Meninga Cup campaign was spearheaded by centre Coby Williamson, hooker Jye Hansen, halfback Peyton Jenkins who was always among the points, props Tane Kiriona and Tom Powell, inspiring No.13 Riley Hall, edge backrower Tyler Conroy and five-eighth Seth McGilvray.

Easts player Zack Lamont takes on the line. Picture, John Gass

BRISBANE TIGERS

Courageous prop Jackson Barling and talented halfback Zack Lamont got top billing from Tigers coach Isaac Kauufmann after the season.

Kirwan State High School defeated St Patrick's College 26-0 in their Aaron Payne Cup encounter at Leprechaun Park in Mackay. St Pat's Ethan Sweet runs the ball. Photo: Callum Dick

MACKAY CUTTERS

Captain Ethan Sweet was enormous on the fringe for the Cutters while prop Paul Bryan ran the tough lines and centre Arthur Miller-Stephens rewarded his forwards with some enterprise out wide.

Luke Jack playing in the Payne Cup. Picture: Alix Sweeney

BLACKHAWKS

The 2021 grand finalists have been a powerhouse across the field. but six players earned special praise from coach Steve Sheppard. The versatile Baira-Gela, No.13 Luke Jack and edge running forward Will Latu were tremendous for Blackhawks, while across the backs centres Xaiver Chatfield-Mooka and Dudley Doti and fullback Ragarive Wavik were electric.

Norths Damascus Neemia in the thick of the action. Picture, John Gass

NORTHS

The Devils were laden with talent, but top of the three was Damascus Neemia, impressive centre Isaiah Iongi who always seemed to either score a try or generate momentum for his team to cross, and outstanding rookie forward Junior Taungatua.

REDCLIFFE

Dummy half Drew Timms glued the Dolphins campaign together in the true tradition of a hard working dummy half. Around him No.13 Tuhii Ratana-Leef gave Redcliffe plenty of thrust while on the edge of the ruck Jonathan Maller tried to get his side moving from five-eight.

Ruben Broome earlier in his career.

WIDE BAY

The Bulls brave campaign against the odds was led by centre Ruben Broome, hooker Joel Cox, prop Folau Havili while winger Tallis Murray showed some exciting potential.

Wynnum player Kienan Tempest in Saturday’s Mal Meninga Cup semi-finals. Picture, John Gass

WYNNUM MANLY

The best Brisbane-based team in the competition, there was none better for the Seagulls than inspiring prop John Radel, coaches dream Kienan Tempest (No.13), the enterprising dummy half Shaun Packer, discovery halfback Cassius Cowley and towering centre Nathaniel Tangimataititi.