NRL signings: Knights swoop on schoolboy, Cowboys circle CQ
The Newcastle Knights have signed a Brisbane bayside schoolboy, while the Cowboys have swooped to sign six of the best teenager talents from CQ country league heartland.
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The Newcastle Knights have grabbed another young Queensland talent - Iona College Year 12 student Jeremy Trappett.
Trappett, a Wynnum Manly junior and 2022 Meninga Cup No.1, will join the NRL club steeped in history around Queensland fullbacks.
With Kalyn Ponga their captain, and with Robbie O’Davis (1992–04, eight Tests) one of their greatest old boys, Queensland has been a happy hunting ground for the Knights when it comes to fullbacks.
Also a capable centre, Trappett’s recruitment follows his front row teammate Ryan Jackson signing with the Dolphins for 2023.
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The Wynnum Manly Seagulls junior district continues to harbour outstanding young players, some of which are under contract to the Broncos.
The Brisbane signed players at the bayside club include:
Cameron Bukowski: A Broncos contracted hooker who has moved to the bayside feeder club. He has exceptional skill level and game awareness - and is also a First XI cricketer at Villanova College.
Felix Faatili: The towering front rower with speed and skill, Faatili played himself into last season’s Queensland 16-18 schoolboys side. When he and Ryan Jackson (Dolphins) went forward, Wynnum looked a different Meninga Cup side.
Coby Black: The Marsden SHS halfback will be pushing hard for Langer Trophy selection this season. He is a Logan Brothers junior who joined Wynnum Manly as a Broncos contracted player.
Frankie Goldsbrough: He is a hard working back rower from the Simon Mannering play book. He is a Wynnum junior who is Broncos contracted.
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The North Queensland Cowboys were also ensuring the rugby league rich central Queensland region remains their territory ahead of the Dolphins’ emergence, having recently signed Mackay Cutters late bloomers Xavier Kerrisk and Jaxon Purdue.
Kerrisk, a dummy half, had a big Meninga Cup campaign, playing himself into the Queensland under 19s Queensland State of Origin squad while No.6 Purdue also had a strong season for the Cutters.
Already North Queensland has a host of players from the Rockhampton and Mackay regions under lock and key, most of which will be seen at this weekend’s QRSSL state schoolboy championships (see story here - https://bit.ly/3Ng6C9B).
They include:
Mutua Brown: A lightning fast fullback. Originally from Cairns, he attends boarding school in Rockhampton.
Kurt Fisher: The 199cm tall The Cathedral College edge backrower is signed with the Cowboys for three years. He was 199cm in height
Matt Watts: The front rower from St Patrick’s Mackay is big, strong and mobile
Liam Doherty: Another edge backrower from St Patrick’s Mackay
The savvy Melbourne Storm also have an interest in the CQ region, with impressive St Brendan’s College outside back Matt Hill and winger Mack Nixon linked to Melbourne.
Further south, Melbourne have Caloundra SHS back rower Jayden Smith on their books while Tully McLellan, the Caloundra SHS halfback, is also on the Storm’s radar.
One young gun who may be without an NRL development contract is Capras workhorse lock Bailey Cavanough who will be out to impress at the QRSSL championship.
Cavanough was consistently among the Capras best in the Meninga Cup season.
At the QRSSL championships, several Brisbane Broncos rookies will be running around.
They include
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