Meninga Cup’s 17 most underrated players revealed

Meninga Cup’s most underrated players revealed here, 17 unheralded rookies who helped their star power teammates shine in 2022.

The Meninga Cup is a competition which will deliver the NRL - and Queensland - its next crop of players.

Star power like Damon Marshall (Blackhawks), Blake Mozer (Seagulls), Karl Oloapu (Norths), Josiah Pahulu (Burleigh), Devonte Vaivela (Souths), Ben Te Kura (Norths), Tekelu Mene (Blackhawks) and Zack Lamont (Blackhawks) are players to monitor over the next few years.

But who are some of the players who have helped them shine without getting the headlines in 2022?

Tahrell Feaveai playing last season for Wavell SHS. Picture: Kevin Farmer

TAHRELL FEAVEAI, Norths Devils

The Wavell SHS product was outstanding this season for his local club team, the Norths Devils.

In a high class side featuring a number of thrilling potential NRL players, the front rower flew under the radar with his work rate and steady approach to the task.

The underrated tag is just made for someone like Feaveai.

“He has been very consistent and has improved and developed over the last year and is one of the first guys selected every week,’’ said Norths coach Shane Boyd.

Tait Coghlan as a lower secondary student at Malanda SHS. PHOTO: Lea Coghlan

TAIT COGHLAN, Northern Pride

They breed them tough on the Tablelands, don’t worry about that.

Malanda SHS product Tait Coghlan was an unheralded member of the squad at the start of the season, but he turned into coach Steve Lesina’s most dependable sergeant.

“He is 60kg but if you asked him to play front row, he’d play front row,’’ his coach praised.

He played hooker for Lesina and although “no one knew who he was or where he came from before the start of the season’’, they know now.

“He keeps going, he listens to feedback and will play anywhere.

“He’s a typical country kid from the Tablelands - the Malanda Eels. They are bred tough out that way.’’

Some of Wynnum Manly's Meninga Cup squad.

AYDEN HOAD, Wynnum Manly

Hoad has been a busy boy during the last three months.

He has played hooker, centre, wing and lock for his coach Jesse Maclean.

And Maclean says the best is yet to come. “He is going to be a real threat as his confidence builds. He is going to be a good footballer,’’ Maclean said.

WILL GLETHING, Mackay Cutters

If the season had gone another month then the emerging Mackay Cutters would certainly have been in the mix for a finals’ berth, such was their improvement. Indeed the North Queensland Cowboys recognised the team’s development and signed several teens on development contracts.

One of the quiet achievers of the Cutters’ recovery from a poor start was Will Glething.

CQ Capras' under-18 player Carter Wight.

CARTER WIGHT, CALLAN CAMPBELL, Capras

In a class field, Capras hooker Carter Wight was one of his team’s best, week in, week out. No matter the circumstances, coach RJ Stewart knew what he would get out of the Rockhampton Grammar School product in the middle both with the ball and in defence. Ditto half Callan Campbell.

CQ Capras' under-18 player Callan Campbell.

When the Blackhawks were rolling or the Mackay forwards were coming at the Capras, playing half is not easy but Campbell was very much one of the competition’s most underrated players.

WADE JONSSON, Blackhawks

In one of the two best teams in the competition, edge backrower Wade Jonsson gets coach Roy Baira’s nod as his team’s most underrated.

“He has been consistent each week and played full minutes in all six (regular season) games,’’ Baira said of the Ignatius Park College alumni.

Aaron Payne Cup; Ignatius Park College v The Cathedral College at Ignatius Park College. Wade Jonsson. Picture: Alix Sweeney

KYLE KNIGHT, Wide Bay Bulls

The Wide Bay Bulls captain, Knight must have been a pleasure for coach Antonio Kaufusi to coach.

The mobile middle forward was simply outstanding for his work ethic. Wide Bay were gallant and battled away regardless and front and centre for the side was Knight.

KADEN BUHSE, COBY TIMMS, Clydesdales

The Clydesdales had plenty of good players in 2022 and two of the best were Kaden Buhse and Cobey Timms who were bench players that maintained the standard when the starting players were given a spell. Underrated by some, but not by their coach Brendan Wilson.

WILL TAYLOR, Tweed Seagulls

Have we unearthed the surprise packet player of the season? The northern NSW product was an eye-catching performer from start to finish playing on the edge for Tweed. “He is a goer,’’ said Tweed coach Tim Maccan.

“He did his ACL last year and was out of footy for 12 months, and although I knew he would come good, I don’t think the competition knew he would be this good.’’

Tigers’ Asukulu Baruani. Picture, John Gass

KARAURIA STOKES-MAHARA, Burleigh Bears

The outside back was outstanding for what was a very talented Bears outfit. Anyone who popped in to watch an afternoon of footy at Kougari Oval when Wynnum played Burleigh would have seen Karauria Stokes-Mahara at his best from fullback.

“Karauria Stokes has been outstanding,’’ said coach Michael Witt said,

“He came into the squad as a half however we used him at fullback. I think he’s found his spot there.’’

ASUKULU BARUANI and CALEB COLLIS, Brisbane Tigers

Winger Baruani was a thumping ball runner taking pressure off his forwards while Caleb Collis was a little ripper around the ruck for Tigers with his scheming runs and work rate.

“Asukulu was our most improved and I think Caleb Colls is both underrated and improved,’’ said Tigers coach Isaac Kauufman.

Ahmani Leilua is the Magpies captain. Picture: Jerad Williams

AHMANI LEILUA, Souths Logan

When you have the firepower around you of Jye Gray, Blake Mozer, Tim Sielaff-Burns, Israel Leota and Devonte Vaivela, players like Ahmani Leilua are worth their weight in gold.

He was both the front rower and captain of Souths Logan and could not have been more impressive.

“He just goes about his work without fuss or complaint but does not grab the headlines,’’ coach Karmichael Hunt said.

“He is also our skipper and continues to play big minutes as a prop and hasn’t missed a game.

He leads from the front at training and in games.’’

Ipsich Jets player Regan Payne. PICTURE; Ipswich Jets Media.

REGAN PAYNE, Ipswich Jets

Did anyone make bigger strides across the Meninga Cup competition than Regan Payne. He, Pride’s Tait Coglan and Tweeds’ Will Taylor would arguably be the discoveries of the season.

Certainly Payne was unheralded in the pre-season slog.

“When the pre-season started he wasn’t in my predicted 17,’’ said Jets’ coach Shane Harris.

“I really did not know much about him

“But as the pre-season went on he started to stand out to the entire coaching staff.

Ipswich utility Regan Payne. Picture: Ipswich Jets Media.

“He was reliable, his effort was great and he was clearly listening to the feedback

“He was making great improvements in a wide range of skills.

“For example he struggled to spiral pass right to left and now can confidently hit his target.

“He also became the best tackler in my team.

“His ability to wrap the ball and put the attacker on their back was very impressive, especially considering his size.

“His reliability and improvement earned him a spot on the bench in round 1 and he soon became a regular starter.

“Throughout the season he has played lock, second row and filled in at centre in one of the games, rarely making a mistake and constantly being solid in defence.

“Regan was a big reason why we had a strong finish to the season.

“He would have gone unnoticed by a lot of our opponents. But I have valued and appreciated everything he has done.’’

Jayden Afefio will be a member of the Redcliffe SHS side.

JAYDEN ALEFAIO, Redcliffe Dolphins

Jayden Afefio was fantastic as a winger or centre for Redcliffe, but look for him to play No. 13 when the Redcliffe SHS side hit the Langer Trophy season this year.

“He has played strongly all season,’’ said Dolphins coach Jamie Floss.

“He has great feet, is a strong defender and you will see a lot of him in the Langer Trophy. He can play five-eight or lock. He is always in everything.’’