Players to Watch: BRL A Grade’s aces revealed here

BRL Preview: Who were the Brisbane Rugby League’s heavyweight hitters entering season 2024? Here are 40 fabulous players, along with a list of gains and losses.

The face of a leader - Redcliffe Dolphins' Tauaalo Vaipulu. Image courtesy of the QRL.

A prop from England going to the aptly named Hounds, young guns from the now defunct colts competition and the inclusion of Redcliffe were just some of the off season highlights as the time-honoured Brisbane Rugby League competition prepares for take off on Saturday.

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HARVEY 17s TEAM OF THE SEASON HERE

In this story we feature 40 key Players to Watch, along with some of the key gains and losses and a key observation about your club side ahead of round 1 which will feature:

Carina Juniors v Normanby Hounds;

Bulimba Bulldogs v West Brisbane;

Brighton Roosters v Valleys;

Redcliffe Juniors v Souths Juniors;

Wynnum Manly Juniors v Beenleigh Pride.

Wynnum Manly

Players to Watch

Teiron Ross and Zaen Edmonds

Both boys have come across from the Seagulls colts system with a burning desire to keep representing their district by playing in the Wynnum-Manly jersey. The pair will give the side plenty of youthful energy.

James Robinson and Kelepi Faukafa

The experienced hard men were the cornerstone of Wynnum’s premiership winning effort last season, and aim to saddle up again in 2024. Vice-captain Kelepi Faukafa will be a beast again on the edge as a second rower. 

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Ethan Malt

A product from that great bayside league nursery of Iona College, middle forward Malt spent the off-season training with the club’s top squad and will be a contender for the Hostplus Cup side as the season progresses.

Would Wynnum swap Trevor Monaei any anyone? We don't think so. Image courtesy of the QRL.

Trevor Moniea

Would Wynnum Manly swap this strong running, robust defending centre for any other in the competition? We doubt it. Watch for more collisions from the PNG ace this season.

Lachlan Lee

Lee is a rugged prop who once played in the Canterbury Bulldogs under 20 system.

Toby Westcott

Threading it all together for the Seagulls will be halfback Westcott who is a tremendous organiser.

Gains: Teiron Ross, Zaen Edmonds (both colts)

Lost: Willie Malala (Wests), Luke Maddaford (Ipswich Jets), Savaan Tahere (Souths Juniors), Jalen Reweti (Norths), Tim Tupou (Caboolture)

Coach: Jason Harris

Key observation: It looks like a case of more of the same for Wynnum who, by in large, have the same squad while adding key local boys who add to the squad’s depth.

Will Armstrong will be a strike weapon out side. Image courtesy of the QRL.

Beenleigh

Players to Watch

Brad Frith

He will touch the ball more than anyone in the side and the Pride could not be in better hands.

Tyler Han

Han will add a dimension to Beenleigh’s attack with his midfield incursions from fullback and support play.

Hayden O’Hara

Every club needs a game manager and one of the best in the business is O’Hara, while out wide centre William Armstrong is a noted runner who has the respect of rival clubs.

Gains or key retentions: Will Armstrong, Jamie Zaghini, Sam Mataora, Will Armstrong, LJ Waddups, Andrew Petaia.

Lost: Sharmah Kendrick, David Quinlan

Coach: Ian Frame

Key observation: Beenleigh have depth to carry them deep into the season while Hayden O’Hara’s game management outside his hooker Frith gives the side a sturdy foundation before the edge forwards come into play.

Souths Juniors

Players to Watch

Savan Tahere

The electric hooker has come across from Wynnum where his dynamic dummy half running will spark his team’s attack.

Following a pre-season under Karmichael Hunt with the Souths Logan Hostplus Cup team, the youngster will be well equipped for another big year, this time in new colours.

Adam Tuimavave-Gerrad

Souths’ prop powerhouse has been given leadership duties this year as a reward for his loyalty to the club and there were no better blokes to lead the side into the fray.

A big, barnstorming prop who was a hot commodity over the off season, veteran Tuimavave-Gerrad’s will be crucial – with his leadership and his experience.

Gains or key retentions: Ryan Franks (Wynnum Manly Juniors), Travis Turnbull (Brothers Ipswich), Savaan Tahere (Wynnum Manly Juniors), Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard (retained), Wilson Maliaga (Redbank Plains Bears)

Lost: Izzy Ignatius (NSW Group 20), Hayden Bartlett (Sunshine Coast), Owen McCarron (Whitehaven, UK), Hayden O’Hara (Beenleigh Pride), Benaia Bowie (retired).

Coach: Wayne Barnett

Key observation: The addition of Adam Tuimavave-Gerrad is a boon for Souths Juniors.

Expect the Magpies players to back their skills – but only after competing set for set with their rivals and gaining a foundation.

Valleys

Players to Watch

Eddie Tautali

With almost 100 matches of Queensland Cup behind him, the premiership winning outside back is one of the best in the business. He also has experience from the Melbourne Storm system and the elite centre is one of the best in the business.

Connor Miller

Fullback and captain Miller is a thorough professional, an experienced hand who is a wonderful leader and great communicator. As a player he is highly skilled and won’t be taken for granted by opposition sides.

Titan Sega

Here is a wildcard player for the season. A schoolboy rugby union prodigy who had a reputation for his pace, power and precision, Sega switched to rugby league last year. Aged just 21, he is still wet behind the ears for a prop forward, but you just need to glance at him to know he has potential.

Joshua Fauid is the Fortitude Valleys vice-captain - image courtesy of the QRL.

Gains or key retentions: Isaac Nokes (Ipswich Jets), Faafetai Vaavale and Eddie Tautali (from Wests), Cody Payne, Mose and Esera Esera Esera

Player losses: Kenneth Taviri (Tweed Seagulls), Dylan Briggs (Brighton Roosters), James Antonio (rugby union), Levi Moger (Beenleigh), Benton Leme Pyako (Beenleigh)

Coach: Nathan Hughes and Jason Di Lizio

Key observation: Defence has been an off-season focus and how effectively the squad defends will decide if 2024 was a pass mark or not. But expect the Diehards to also use the ball released by old pro, Joshua Fauid.

Bulimba Valleys

Players to Watch

Brad Russell

Can Brad Russell follow up from his breakout season from last year? It is a big yes from us. He mounted an argument as best No. 6 in the competition and, wiser and more experienced, we don’t expect the second year syndrome to strike him.

Brock Ashton

Remember Trevor Gillmeister? Well Ashton is a little like the Queensland State of Origin legend in that he is not tall, but cuts blokes in half for fun. Like Gillmeister, Ashton also has a heart the size of a full moon.

Riley Leota

Going forward first and foremost for Bulimba will be middle forward Leota.

After losing his love of the code, Leota is on the comeback trail and we expect him to be one of the best forwards in Brisbane rugby league this season.

Gains or key retentions: Brock Ashton (Brisbane Tigers), Dan Smith (Carina Tigers), Rhys Sparey (Normanby/Souths Logan), Junior Teroi (Wests Brisbane Panthers), Nic Flocas (Ipswich Jets)

Lost: Harry Blake (Valleys), Mark Hubner (retired), Jack Stafford (Wynnum Manly Juniors), Connor Miller (Valleys), Anthony Cheng (retired).

Coach: Mitch Edwards

Key observation: Grand finalists Bulimba Valleys will have a rugged and reliable pack and off the back of them, the club has high hopes of repeating its effort of last season.

Normanby Hounds

Edward Donning-Brown

The Hounds have a good one here. From a touch footy background, Donning-Brown is absolutely electric as either a fullback or running half. It is his third year out of Souths Logan colts and he is looking to earn a Cup placement later in his career. He is super competitive and pre-season looks in great conditions. Watch this space.

Riccardo Evanis

Awarded Souths Logan’s colts Best and Fairest winner last season, second rower Evanis is strong on the ball, an attacking weapon while also being an aggressive defender on the edge.

He has a great work rate.

Harry Medicott

The English front rower comes to the Hounds after being recommended by Norths former Cup premiership winning coach and current Leeds reserves coach Rohan Smith. A tough, no nonsense prop, Medicott hopes to use the BRL as a stepping stone toward playing in the Souths Magpies Cup squad.

Gains or key retentions: Jacob Voysey-McGrath, David Tamarua, Kyle Amer, Wilson Flegler

Lost: Connor Williams (Western Clydesdales), Brad Campbell (Mackay Brothers), Tyrone Harding (Tweed Seagulls), Thomas McNulty (Mackay Cutters)

Coach: Paul Srama

Key observations: Expect the side to try and use its fleet-a-foot players by playing an open style of rugby league after securing quick ruck ball.

Carina

Players to Watch

Brayden Torpy

Is Brayden Torpy ever out of a Tigers jersey. He was an Easts Tigers ace and has moved suburbs where he plays five-eight for the Carina Tigers. Torpy is like a captain-coach, such was his influence.

Brayden Torpy is like a captain-coach - image courtesy of the QRL.

Cameron Torpy

The other half of the Torpy clan, Cameron Torpy knows his way around the field. He has good leg drive and speed approaching contact, while he also possesses a great tackle technique away from the ball. The foundation of his game was also his work ethic.

Jack Svendsen

Like Torpy, Svendsen is a Queensland Cup veteran still in demand. The second rower is one of the additions of the off season whose experience is priceless.

Jessy Ioane

Watch for the young legs of centre Ioane. Ioane has had a bumper pre-season having trained with Brisbane Tigers at Langlands Park.

Cole Waaka

Centre Waaka is just slick, a person you desire to get quick ball toward.

Dredin Sorensen

Is there a more versatile player in the competition? While Sorensen will probably start the season at No. 13, he can play centre and second row and even played some Queensland Cup on the wing for the Brisbane Tigers. But he is more than just versatile – he is tough as well.

Gains or key retentions: Brayden Torpy, Cameron Torpy, Dredin Sorensen, Jack Svendsen (Souths), Cole Waaka (Clydesdales)

Coach: Michael Spragg

Key observations: Defence and plenty of it has been a focus over the summer. We just love that Carina have Brayden Torpy whose presence is a tremendous enhancement to the competition.

Kyle Van Klaveren is the co-captain with Sam Collins - image courtesy of the QRL.

West Brisbane

Players to Watch

Cameron Cullen

What this bloke doesn’t know about rugby league, it is not worth knowing. The former Redcliffe Q-Cup ace and NRL player with Manly and the Titans will again pull the strings from halfback.

Samson Graham

A smiling assassin with vast Q-Cup experience, originally with the Capras and then with Redcliffe, Graham will be an inspiring addition to the Panthers side this season playing as a middle forward.

Sam Collins

A back rower of considerable clout, Collins runs hard, competes hard, and has a never-say-die attitude. Sound familiar? That’s because he is the brother of Queensland Origin front row powerhouse Lindsay Collins. He will be co-captain alongside Kyle Van Klaveren.

Gains or retentions: Cameron Cullen (Redcliffe Dolphins), Samson Graham (Brighton), Shane Pumipi, Sam Collins, Kyle Van Klaveren, Nathan Brown (retained)

Lost: Eddie Tautali (Valleys), Toby Westcott (Wynnum Manly Juniors), Tai Vaavale (Valleys), Joe Waqalevu (Valleys).

Coach: Daniel Green

Key observation: West will be prepared to get down and dirty with and without the ball under new coach Daniel Green.

Brighton Roosters

Players to Watch

Mali Lepou

Another ace with Cup experience, Mali is back with the Roosters following the club’s affiliation with Redcliffe. He previously played top flight footy with Norths Devils and Western Clydesdales

Brayden Dee will be an inspiring skipper at the Roosters. Image courtesy of the QRL.

Brayden Dee

The Roosters have a good one here, a natural leader who can play either No. 13 or second row. Dee is the type who will lead by example.

Gains or key retentions: Brayden Dee, Logan Cox, Manu Fatialofa (Auckland) Will Dobson (Redcliffe Dolphins), Dilbert Issac.

Lost: Michael McGrath (Redcliffe Dolphins), Jacek McLaurin (Tweed Seagulls), Samson Graham (Wests), Thomas McKenzie (Wests) , Joe Clarke (injured),

Coach: Andrew Wynyard

Key observation: Brighton’s surging finish to the season – when the Roosters went on a nine match winning streak to reach the finals – could still give them momentum to start the season strongly. Watch for the Roosters to compete hard on the little players, giving them a chance as games unfold. It is great for Michael McGrath he has earned Q Cup promotion with Redcliffe, which is a part of the club’s ethos to help further the careers of their players.

Redcliffe

Players to Watch

Tauaalo Vaipulu

The Dolphins went outside its immediate catchment – but not too far – to sign prop Vaipulu from the Norths Devils. Why? Because he was a “great leader’’ according to coach Chris Little.

Marcus Spence

A Redcliffe Dolphins junior, Spence has prepared himself well following a strong pre-season. He will play centre

Levi Wilson

Another Redcliffe Dolphins junior, Wilson comes to the side with Q Cup experience after making his debut as a second rower last season.

Jordan Davies

Davies hails from Redcliffe’s bayside rivals, Wynnum. A halfback, Davies was known for being a great organising No.7.

Braith Major

Redcliffe locals will know this name well. The local junior has an excellent footy IQ. He will play on the edge.

Gains: Tauaalo Vaipulu (Norths), Braith Major, Marcus Spence, Levi Wilson, (Redcliffe), Jordan Davies (Wynnum Manly Juniors)

Coach: Chris Little

Key observation: Newcomers Redcliffe will be a wildcard side. Expect the Dolphins to be super competitive, because Redcliffe teams always are. They have an experienced, successful youth coach, Chris Little, at the helm.