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NRL schoolboy signings: Where the top teens were going in 2024

NRL signings: From the Cowboys to Rabbitohs, where Queensland’s top schoolboys were going in 2024, including a remarkable Titans recruit who’s comeback from a broken neck.

NRL clubs have swooped to snap up Queensland schoolboys, with the Gold Coast Titans, Brisbane Broncos most active in the Langer Trophy and Dolphins and Cowboys leading the charge in Dolphins and Payne Cups respectively.

And south of the border, Canterbury and South Sydney were the most active NSW-based clubs, as was The Raiders, when it came to snapping up Queensland schoolboy talent from the Langer Trophy, Payne and Dolphins’ Cup.

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The latest signed was Mabel SHS unsung hero Lachlan Buchbach (five-eight) who recently penned a deal with the Dolphins, while the best unsigned player would be Langer Trophy Justin Hodges Medallist Bailey McConnell (PBC SHS).

McConnell played five-eight while the best forward in the Langer this season was Keebra Park’s Jett Bryce who is signed by the Broncos.

The Dolphins were working in the Bundaberg to Rockhampton catchment, signing six players, but the Cowboys have the No.1 teen from that region - Queensland schoolboys fullback Mutua Brown.

North Queensland also had the best Queensland country forward in their keeping - Kirwan SHS’s Kaiden Lahrs who captained the Maroons’ schoolboys this season and who has made the Australian schoolboys side.

The Broncos picked up arguably the best player from the Bundaberg region in centre Tom Morcom.

Not surprisingly the Cowboys have North Queensland under lock and key, although a handful were signed elsewhere - Kirwan SHS trio Preston Cassidy (Broncos), Elijah Tapau-Taylor (Parramatta) and Cohen Dittman (Roosters), for example.

The list of players signed by NRL clubs from the Langer Trophy includes Marsden SHS five-eight Javon Andrews who two years ago was almost confined to a wheelchair. Yet he recent signed with the Gold Coast Titans.

Andrews, 16, was “millimetres” from never walking again after fracturing his C4 and C5 vertebrae during a football accidentin 2021.

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He was playing club league for Logan Brothers against Souths Acacia at the Magpies ground when he was tackled into the goalpost while attempting to score a try.

At first a dazed and blooded Andrews did not realise the serious nature of his injury and actually walked from the field.

“I broke through the line, stepped the fullback and got tackled into the goalposts,’’ Andrews said.

“I saw blood coming out, so I walked off but once I got to the sideline my neck started feeling worse. At first I thoughtit was just a cut head.

“All the medical people told me to sit down, then the ambulance came.’’

He spent three weeks in hospital, then wore a halo for months after he was released.

Andrews was initially told he would never play again, and last year played touch football to keep fit.

But his desire to play rugby league never wavered and he sought more medical advice, and was eventually cleared to returnthis year.

His comeback match was in a Met East trial earlier this year at Leo Williams Field, Carina.

“I felt confident after the game and I had no doubts. I was confident in myself,’’ Andrews said.

“But I was relieved. I was so happy to be back.

“My parents gave me a hug after the match. And every game since I have got better.’’

So well did Andrews comeback this season, the Titans made their move to sign him last month. “That was very exciting,’’ said Andrews, who said Gold Coast forward David Fifita, Warriors half Shaun Johnson and Wests Tigers great Benji Marshall ranked as hisfavourite players.

WHERE THE 2023 SCHOOLBOYS WERE HEADED:

PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN SHS

Name: Ray Puru

NRL club: Titans

Position: Fullback

Name: Sunny Kama

NRL club: Titans

Position: Wing

Name: Sam Stephenson

NRL club: Titans

Position: Centre

Name: Zane Harrison

NRL club: Titans

Position: Halfback

Name: Jac Finigan

NRL club: Titans

Position: Second row

Name: Will Saunders

School: PBC SHS

NRL club: Cronulla

Position: Hooker

Name: Jett Jackson

NRL club: Manly

Position: Prop

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IPSWICH SHS

Name: Anton Naiyep

NRL club: Manly

Position: Wing

Name: David Leota

NRL club: Bulldogs

Position: Prop

Name: Mahonri Tiotala

NRL club: Raiders

Position: Forward

Name: Tyler Peckham Harris

NRL club: Dragons

Position: Utility

Name: Shaye Faa’aoga

NRL club: Bulldogs

Position: Second row

Name: Kane Self

NRL club: Newcastle

Position: Second

Name: Oliva Iaulualo

NRL club: Bulldogs

Position: Second row/prop

Name: Kesia Su’a

NRL club: Raiders

Position: Centre

Name: LJ Nonu

NRL club: Dolphins

Position: Centre

Name: Sam Martin

NRL club: Broncos

Position: Hooker

Name: Cooper Cracknell.

NRL club: Souths

Position: Prop

MARSDEN SHS

Name: Saxon Innes

NRL club: Broncos

Position: Fullback

Name: Kylem Vunipola

NRL club: Broncos

Position: Centre/fullback

Name: Coby Black

NRL club: Broncos

Position: Halfback

Name: Will Semu

NRL club: Storm

Position: Centre

Name: Javon Andrews

NRL club: Titans

Position: Five-eight

Name: Lui Lee

NRL club: Roosters

Position: Centre

Name: Mace Andrew

NRL club: Souths

Position: Prop-second row

Name: Lewis Symonds

Club: Broncos

Position: Lock

Name: Taylon To’a

NRL club: Titans

Position: Second row

Name: Cory Pearse

NRL club: Titans

Position: Hooker

Name: Patrick Kailahi

NRL club: Dolphins

Position: Second row

Name: Cairo Ruri

Club: Roosters

Position: Second row

Name: Braden Teuila

NRL club: South

Position: Second row

Name: Mark Nosa

Club: Souths

Position: Halves

Name: Jacob Tinsley

NRL club: Souths

Position: Hooker

Name: Izayah Petricevich

NRL club: Raiders

Position: Wing

KEEBRA SHS

Name: Mason Barber

NRL club: Cowboys

Position: Fullback

Name: Jett Bryce

NRL club: Broncos

Position: Second row

Name: Joseph Tupusu

NRL club: Broncos

Position: Centre

Name: Ryder Williams

NRL club: Titans

Position: Halfback

Name: Jack Scmidt

NRL club: Titans

Position: Prop

Name: Zac Kumbamong

NRL club: Titans

Position: Prop

Name: Presley Folau

NRL club: Broncos

Position: Second row

Name: Wailer Whaiapu

NRL club: Newcastle Knights

Position: Back row

Name: Taylor Withington

NRL club: Canberra

Position: Prop

Name: Jeremiah Havea

NRL club: Dolphins

Position: Wing

Name: Jesse Soric

NRL club: Warriors

Position: Halfback

Name: Tom Summer

NRL club: Warriors

Position: Prop

Name: Isopo Taunuu

NRL clubs: Bulldogs

Position: Prop

Name: Ryan Hutchinson

NRL club: Bulldogs

Position: Forward

MABEL PARK SHS

Name: Tyrese Tovao

NRL club: Dolphins

Position: Centre-wing

Name: Alex Leapai

NRL club: Titans

Position: Prop

Name: Jaycob Kingston-Francis

NRL club: Raiders

Position: Centre

Name: Lachlan Buchbach

NRL club: Dolphins

Position: Five-eight

WAVELL SHS

Name: Mereki Warradoo

NRL club: Dolphins

Position: Fullback

Name: Keyarn Pene

NRL club: Raiders

Position: Centre

Name: Charlie Dickson

NRL club: Dolphins

Position: Back row

Name: Jakob Horne:

NRL club: Broncos

Position: Second row

Name: Zac Herdegen

NRL club: Knights

Position: Halfback

Name: Ben Uini

NRL club: Roosters

Position: Prop

Name: Kobi Floro

NRL club: Storm

Position: Prop

Name: Robertson Tusi-Tofu

NRL club: Broncos

Position: Winger

Name: Keoki Koraba

NRL club: Storm

Position: Centre

Name: Nazareth Taua

NRL club: South Sydney

Position: Second row

Name: Mason Phillips

NRL club: Canterbury

Position: Hooker

CALOUNDRA SHS

Name: Zac Garton

NRL club: Dolphins

Position: Second row

Name: Tully McLellan

NRL club: Storm

Position: Halfback

Name: Chase Paterson

NRL club: Storm

Position: Prop-second row

Name: Brooklenn Mundraby-Grogan

NRL club: Bulldogs

Position: Centre

Jack Philp:

NRL club: Bulldogs

Position: Utility back

REDCLIFFE SHS

Name: Loka Toia

NRL club: Roosters

Position: Prop

Name: John Fineanganofo

NRL club: Dolphins

Position: Lock Redcliffe

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

Name: Braithen Scott

NRL club: Broncos:

Position: Halfback

Name: Jett Day

NRL club: Bulldogs

Position: Second row

Name: Bodhi Sharpley

NRL club: Titans

Position: Second row

Name: Jake Durie

NRL club: Bulldogs

Position: Halves

Footnote: Queensland schoolboys outside back John-Paul Donevski, who played some matches in the Langer Trophy for Wavell SHS, is also signed by the Dolphins.

DOLPHINS CUP

EMMAUS COLLEGE

Name: Seth Carpenter

School: Emmaus College

NRL club: Dolphins

Position: Fullback

THE CATHEDRAL COLLEGE

Name: Mutua Brown

School: The Cathedral College

NRL club: North Queensland Cowboys

Position: Fullback

Name: Jack Biles

School: The Cathedral College

NRL club: Dolphins

Position: Backrower

Name: Eli McKay

School: The Cathedral College

NRL club: Dolphins

Position: Centre

Name: Zac Bateman

School: The Cathedral College

NRL club: North Queensland Cowboys

Position: Backrower

ST BRENDAN’S COLLEGE

Name: Carter Ford

School: St Brendan’s College

NRL club: Dolphins

Position: Middle forward

Name: Braelan Marsh

School: St Brendan’s College

NRL club: Dolphins

Position: Dummy half

Name: Connor Hinds

School: St Brendan’s College

NRL club: Dolphins

Position: Second row

Name: Tyler Melrose

School: St Brendan’s College

NRL club: North Queensland Cowboys

Position: Halfback

SHALOM COLLEGE

Name: Tom Morcom

School: Shalom College

NRL club: Brisbane Broncos

Position: Centre

PAYNE CUP

KIRWAN STATE HIGH SCHOOL

Name: Kaiden Lahrs

School: Kirwan SHS

NRL club: Cowboys

Position: Middle forward

Name: Kanye Pua’avase

School: Kirwan SHS

NRL club: Cowboys

Position: Middle forward

Name: Tavita Penaia

School: Kirwan SHS

NRL club: Cowboys

Position: Middle forward

Name: Eneliko Savelio

School: Kirwan SHS

NRL club: Cowboys

Position: Edge

Name: Braith Dowson

School: Kirwan SHS

NRL club: Cowboys

Position: Hooker

Name: Eparama Kikau

School: Kirwan SHS

NRL club: Cowboys

Position: Centre

Name: Aisake Manna

School: Kirwan SHS

NRL club: Cowboys

Position: Winger

Kirwan's Cohen Dittman. Picture: Evan Morgan
Kirwan's Cohen Dittman. Picture: Evan Morgan

Name: Cohen Dittmann

School: Kirwan SHS

NRL club: Roosters

Position: Centre / fullback

Name: Marley Helion

School: Kirwan SHS

NRL club: Cowboys

Position: Utility forward

Name: Preston Cassidy

School: Kirwan SHS

NRL club: Broncos

Position: Halfback

Name: Elijah Tapau-Taylor

School: Kirwan SHS

NRL club: Parramatta

Position: Edge

IGNATIUS PARK COLLEGE

Name: Jonah Raidaveta

School: Ignatius Park College

NRL club: Cowboys

Position: Edge

Name: Wyatt Lourigan

School: Ignatius Park College

NRL club: Cowboys

Position: Middle forward

Name: Sitiveni Afu

School: Ignatius Park College

NRL club: Cowboys

Position: Middle / edge

ST PATRICK’S MACKAY

Name: Jaxon Purdue

School: St Patrick’s Mackay

NRL club: Cowboys

Position: Halves

Name: Xavier Kerrisk

School: St Patrick’s Mackay

NRL club: Cowboys

Position: Hooker

Name: Bailey Anderson

School: St Patrick’s College

NRL club: Melbourne Storm

Position: Winger

Name: Cohen Jackson

School: St Patrick’s College

NRL club: Brisbane Broncos

Position: Front-row

Name: Kayne Smith

School: St Patrick’s College

NRL club: North Queensland Cowboys

Position: Lock

Name: Jake Bryan

School: St Patrick’s College

NRL club: Newcastle Knights

Position: Second-row

Name: Will Shears

School: St Patrick’s College

NRL club: North Queensland Cowboys

Position: Centre/fullback

FOOTNOTE: The list was correct at the time of publication but it is known handful of the schoolboys named were likely to swap clubs before December.

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/sport/nrl-schoolboy-signings-where-the-top-teens-were-going-in-2023/news-story/68c4f2804c03eacb2fd539fc8d864987