Meninga Cup Team of the Season following a bumper 2023
Our Meninga Cup Team of the Year includes gun signings made by the Broncos, Titans, Cowboys and Dolphins. See the squad here, along with 2023’s best rookies on the rise and blue-collar workers.
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Our Meninga Cup Team of the Season can be revealed after another cracking few months of elite under 18 schoolboy action.
Most of the boys named below have earned NRL contracts, the latest being Wynnum Manly centre Kylem Vunipola.
PICTURE GALLERY FROM SEMI-FINAL DAY
The Broncos’ have signed Vunipola, one of four Brisbane contracted players from Wynnum in Team of the Year top 17. The others were Seagulls halfback Coby Black, edge forward Jett Bryce and goal kicking hooker Cameron Bukowski.
Kylem Vunipola was snared by the Broncos earlier this month after leaving his home town of Palmerston North, in the deep south of New Zealand’s North Island, where he was slightly out of sight, out of mind.
He had a nibble from another NRL club, but missed a junior contract, only to have Brisbane come knocking two weeks ago which made his sacrifice worthwhile.
Aside from the four Broncos contracted players, Queensland’s other three NRL clubs were well represented in our Team of the Season: Cowboys: Mutua Brown, Kaiden Lahrs, Jaxon Purdie, Tekelu Mene; Titans: Alex Leapai, Sam Stephenson; Dolphins: John Fineanganofo, Zac Garton, Elijah Rasmussen.
Garton, an edge forward, is a Caloundra SHS product who captained the Sunshine Coast Falcons last season. But he signed with the Dolphins NRL academy, prompting his move to the Redcliffe Dolphins Meninga Cup squad this season. More on him below.
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TEAM OF THE SEASON
1. Mutua Brown (Capras)
I don’t know what is in the water when it comes to the FNQ town of Innisfail, but the sugarcane hamlet sure can produce a footballer. Ron Tait, Lionel Williamson, Ian Boustead, Kerry Boustead, Ty Williams and Billy Slater, just to name a few, hail from the town and now another exciting talent is making waves – Mutua Brown.
We named Brown, who played with CQ Capras and who has come through The Cathedral College, as our No.1.
2. Alton Naiyep (Ipswich)
He played centre all season for the Jets but to get the best players into our Team of the Season, we move Naiyep one position wider to the wing where he played much of last season anyway. He is an absolutely fearless runner whose deeds must give teammates confidence. Recently he was signed by Manly.
3. Sam Stephenson (Burleigh Bears)
The rangy Gold Coast Titans signing has been somewhat of a schoolboy prodigy and he continues to enhance his reputation the more he steps up in class. The son of former Sharks and Sea Eagles NRL player Paul, Sam stood up splendidly against the best in the business.
4. Kylem Vunipola (Wynnum Manly)
The Marsden SHS centre – who arrived last year via New Zealand’s Palmerston North – has flourished under an ocean of opportunities presented to him by teammates playing an exciting, expansive game.
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5. Tekelu Mene (Blackhawks)
A telling dummy half runner and elite finisher who, in one game this season, almost run a marathon for the Blackhawks – so many metres did he eat up. He can finish like the best of them, but it is those hard yard runs from the defensive end which are so impressive. An Ignatius Park product, he has been in the bosom of North Queensland since entering the Cowboys House aged just 13.
6. John Fineanganofo (Redcliffe)
Fineanganofo was one of the best utility players in the competition, transitioning from back row to five-eight. Signed by the Dolphins, the Redcliffe SHS alumni gave Redcliffe defensive and ball running clout on the edge, as with nice ball play to release his talented backline. He could have played No. 13, second row or five-eight and probably hooker with ease.
7. Coby Black (Wynnum Manly)
Magic man Black relished a full season in the Meninga Cup after an ankle injury ruined his 2022 campaign. He garnished his creative play with a killer kicking game and with more experience, knowledge and maturity, has gone up a gear from last year.
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8. Alex Leapai (Souths Logan)
A man mountain, the Gold Coast Titans signing was a middle forward wonder for Souths Logan. With the hard working Arthur Folau as his lieutenant, Leapai did it all for the Magpies with metre eating efforts, unloads and even tries.
9. Cameron Bukowski (Wynnum Manly)
Rugby league has changed a lot over the years but Bukowski’s dummy half play would have been a winner in any era. He has impeccable service, both vision and pace to impact the ruck with his own darts that created the most line breaks or tries than any hooker in the competition. He was also a tackling machine. Signed by the Broncos, he even kicks goals.
10. Kaiden Lahrs (Blackhawks)
The Cowboys signed and the son of former international Tom, Lahrs formed part of the Blackhawks’ Holy Trinity – himself, fellow prop Jamal Shibasaki and No. 13 Tevita Penaia Te’o. The kid is really starting to come into his own as he gathers more experience playing against young men.
11. Zac Garton (Redcliffe)
A product of the Caloundra SHS rugby league program, Garton switched from the Falcons to the Peninsula during the off-season after signing with the Dolphins NRL Academy. He is an edge forward, but a versatile type who can handle the ball or play No. 13. He had big run metres numbers this season.
12. Jett Bryce (Wynnum Manly)
A Keebra Park SHS product, Bryce and his edge forward partner in crime Harry Armstrong were like peas in a pod, driving forces on either side of the ruck during Wynnum Manly sweep through the competition. Bryce’s fan club includes the Brisbane Broncos recruitment team who signed him to the club.
13. Jamal Shibasaki (Blackhawks)
The Blackhawks have been blessed to have him in their system. A wonderful leader, Shibasaki is almost the perfect modern day middle forward wrapped in one, with his toughness and work ethic complementing his mobility and agility.
14. Tyler Peckham-Harris (Ipswich)
This mighty mite from Ipswich SHS made our Meninga Team of the Season last year as a fullback – and he is back again this year making our side as the No. 14 after transitioning from fullback to dummy half. He again proved himself a tough little rooster, very rarely missing a tackle.
15. Tevita Penaia Te’o (Blackhawks)
Injury cost Penaia a place in last Saturday’s semi-finals which was a blow because the big block has been a defensive power keg and a dynamic ball carrier.
16. Jason Hallie (Northern Pride)
The big fella was a metre making machine, the best in the competition for yardage. He also worked hard in defence and throughly deserves his place in this high class field.
17. Elijah Rasmussen (Redcliffe)
This rugby union convert from the Auckland Blues’ 15-a-side catchment will love learning from NRL middle forward veterans the Bromwich brothers, Nicholls, Wallace and fellow rising young forwards Tom Gilbert and Ryan Jackson in the Dolphins NRL system this off-season. Injury curtailed his season, but what a finish to the year he had.
Emergencies
Jaxon Purdue (Cutters)
Purdue came to the attention of the North Queensland Cowboys last season and he backed up that effort with another stellar season as captain and pivot for the Mackay side. From the famous St Patrick’s College stronghold, he, elite hooker Xavier Kerrisk and centre Kai Simon led the way this season, with Kerrisk particularly unlucky to miss our top 17.
Lauloto Salei (Norths)
Salei is an I’ve Been Everywhere Man whose journey into the premier under 18 competition started in New Zealand as a child, continued at Alice Springs and then in Cairns before he enjoyed last year at Wavell SHS playing in the Meninga Cup. A No. 13 who also has an edge forward running game in him, he captained the Devils.
Beni Allen (Wynnum Manly)
From the rugby league hotbed of Logan City, Allen is an athletic middle forward who has stepped up in class after graduating from John Paul College last season. The Titans wanted him, but it was the Broncos who snared this high class prospect.
TEAM OF THE SEASON – Mark II
1. Mason Barber (Tweed)
2. Matt Barrow (Tweed)
3. Joe Meikle (Falcons)
4. Sunny Kama (Bears)
5. John-Paul Donevski (Dolphins)
6. Xavier Hellyer (Blackhawks)
7. Fletcher Prendergast (Bulls)
8. Baylee Meilland (Capras)
9. Harrison Hill (Norths)
10. Arthur Folau (Souths Logan)
11. Harry Armstrong (Wynnum)
12. Mason Kira (Falcons)
13. Bud Smith (Clydesdales)
14. Baylen Donald (Tweed)
15. Nazareth Taua (Norths)
16. Jett Elich (Falcons)
17. Will Lane (Wynnum)
18: Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu (Bears)
19: Xavier Kerrisk (Cutters)
20. Jett Day (Clydesdales)
Most improved
Xavier Hellyer (Blackhawks)
What a season he has had. He had big shoes to fill after the star power of the Blackhawks’s 2022 side and has just got better and better with each match.
Gabriel Tunimakubu (Pride)
Of Fijian decent, Tunimakubu was arguably the discovery player of the season. In his first season playing rugby league, he stood up to the rigours remarkably well and will only get better from the experience.
Harry Armstrong (Wynnum Manly)
Armstrong hails from the rugby league rich Wide Bay district after proudly representing his home district, the Bulls, last season. But he has come into his own this season, rising with the tide as an edge forward as the Seagulls ramped up its premiership campaign
Rookies on the rise:
John-Paul Donevski (Redcliffe)
He had a season disrupted early injury and then by suspension, but this bloke is class and we can’t wait to see him progress in the Dolphins NRL system after being recruited from Sydney. He plays fullback
Prestyn Laine-Sietu (Redcliffe)
He was one of the babies of the Meninga Cup and you can he brims with ability. Laine-Sietu is a versatile kid who could easily play No. 13 or edge, although he spent this season at centre. Watch this space.
Harrison Hill (Norths)
This jack-in-the-box was outstanding for the Devils. He rarely missed a tackle and was an attacking spark from the ruck whether running himself, to putting teammates into space.
Finn Lawson (Falcons)
Lawson was a jack-in-the-box halfback or fullback who had a dashing season. Around him Jett Elich and Mason Kira lead the charge, while centre Joe Meikle also had a good season, but Lawson wins a place in our top squad for his x-factor talent that can’t be coached.
Mason Barber (Tweed)
Barber really ramped his game up, earning a Cowboys contract. He has been a victim of being too versatile for his own good, too good a player in a number of positions, but found his home at No.1. In any other year he could have pinched a No. 1 Team of the Season birth but it was a high class field comprising Brown (Capras) and Donevski (Redcliffe)
Tyrese Tovao (Brisbane Tigers)
The Dolphins announced their interest in this quicksilver outside back from Mabel Park SHS and will watch his progress carefully during the school season and again next year in the Meninga Cup 2024 season.
Adam Khan (Bulls)
Khan was absolutely electric for Wide Bay despite limited chances. Originally from Fiji, the Fraser Coast flyer played splendidly at centre or wing.
Michael Waqa (Redcliffe)
He was long touted as the next big thing to come out of the north west (Albany Creek), a region awash with rugby league talent. But size and talent only take you so far – and Waqa’s transition from promising junior into a high achieving under 18 player is a credit to his desire and dedication. Dolphins coach Scott Tronc through so highly of prop forward Waqa, he named him captain
Xavier Kerrisk (Cutters)
The dummy half was a high class field and giving the No. 9 department depth is this tall St Patrick’s College product we highly regard. He had line breaks aplenty during the season and several line break assists, while twice put teammates over to score.
Bud Smith (Clydesdales)
He has a famous family bloodline (dad Jason and uncle Darren) but Bud is making his own way in the code. A Canterbury junior signing, he had a bumper season for the Clydesdales playing No. 13, although he performed a variety of roles on the field.
Tyreece Tait (Norths)
We have not forgotten about him, don’t worry. The 2022 Queensland Schoolboys winger remains an outside back ace. He was considered for our Team of the Season, but on pure performance in the Meninga Cup, others shaded him. But he remains one of the state’s top prospects.
Lewis Symonds (Souths Logan)
An athletic edge forward has not lost his mojo and will be one of the prominent players when the schoolboy season swings around in May.
Saxon Innes (Wynnum Manly)
Signed by the Broncos, Innes is a glittering outside back talent with speed to burn. He can play wing, centre or fullback, with his best performance of the season coming in the No. 1 jumper.
Israel Leota (Souths Logan)
The big outside back worked hard to get the Magpies metres and line breaks. That work ethic, coupled with his general athletic ability, makes him a very interesting prospect for the Brisbane Broncos.
Those who should receive overtime bonuses
Isaiah Scanlan (Tweed)
A no frills prop who could easily have made our top Meninga Team of the Season. He is actually the type of player who could go all the way through the Titans system from the Academy squad into the top 30.
Cooper Bai (Bears)
Bai is another with a famous league backstory – his dad Marcus was a Melbourne premiership winner in 1999. Bai can play centre, edge or No. 13 – and no matter what number is on his back, he plays with the same grim determination.
Mikael Ibrahim (Tigers)
I wonder if Ibrahim thinks the tape he drapes around his head is some type of force field which prevents defenders from tackling him. He certainly plays with great gusto and courage and has been a real effort player for the Brisbane Tigers.
Aholoka Toia (Redcliffe)
He made our Langer Trophy Team of the Year story last year not as one of the top 17 players, but as one of the blue collar workers you just can’t help but admire. And here he is again, bobbing up in one of our yarns. Well done to this North Lakes Kangaroos junior.
Kai Simons (Cutters)
Simons is an outside back with a touch of class who is heavily marked in the north. But he is also willing to work hard and we love him for that.
Jeremey Trappett (Wynnum Manly)
The 2022 Queensland schoolboys outside back never, ever throws the towel in. He has pace and class, but a work ethic which must set an example to younger players in the Seagulls junior ranks.
Lyncoln Cliffe (Tigers)
The Brisbane Tigers did not have the best of seasons, but through it all this hard working forward held up his end of the bargain. He sure put some effort into his work.
Arthur Folau (Souths Logan)
Folau frequently had most run metres for the Souths Logan Magpies and never, ever stopped trying. He deserved his lemonade with ice at the end of matches.
Fletcher Prendergast (Bulls)
There was nothing flashy about Prendergast, but playing hooker he got through a mountain of work for Wide Bay, week in, week out. We rewarded his effort with the halfback role in team No.2.
Cain Hastie (Pride)
Northern Pride had one of the best middle forward units in the competition, and Hastie was at his usual high standard across the season.
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