Revealed: GPS First XI football Squad of the Season
The GPS First XI football Squad of the Season revealed here, featuring boom Brisbane Roar rookies, a Year 10 revelation from Ipswich Grammar and a dynamic duo from big improvers The Southport School. See the full squad here.
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What a finale to the GPS First XI football season this is, the naming of a bumper 25 player squad who shone brightest.
In a thrilling competition which saw Churchie prevail over Nudgee and giant killing The Southport School who stormed from the near last in 2023 to threaten for the title.
In the end it was Churchie, with the father-son combination Scott MacNicol (coach) and Quinn (player) leading the charge for Churchie.
But there was a rich vein of player talent scattered across the competition, and all nine college’s have players who had their thumb print all over the competition.
SQUAD OF THE SEASON
Josh Tanner (Churchie)
The unsung hero of this year’s side, Josh Tanner conceded just four goals in eight games this season.
With uncanny anticipation, an acute understanding of the game and first class communication, Tanner’s catlike reflexes impacted every game with his heroics in goal.
Lucas Herrington (Churchie)
Afro-haired young gun Herrington was another key cog in the premiership winning side, a tower of strength at the back who would win anything and everything in the air.
Composed on the ball and clinical on set-piece plays, the physical Herrington reminded us a bit of 2019 premiership winning centre Jordan Courtney-Perkins.
Zane North (Churchie)
The glue of he side, centre defensive mid North displayed a V8 engine and superb tackling ability.
But on attack he was at his best, orchestrating Churchie’s attack.
Quinn MacNicol (Churchie)
Boom Roar teen Quinn MacNicol shone ever so bright under the watching eye of head coach and dad Scott, who had to have known he had a special group this year.
With plenty of talent across the park, 17-year-old junior prodigy MacNicol lived up the expectation and helped deliver Churchie their first outright premiership since 2019, their second in the competition’s 34 year history.
The dangerous winger had a hand in everything and Churchie old boys knew when the youngster arrived at the school that a premiership was in store when he reached Year 12.
Jackson O’Reilly (Nudgee)
Nudgee were spearheaded excellently this season by defensive menace Jackson O’Reilly, whose defensive positioning and awareness saw him dominate in the air.
Calm in possession and a beast in one-on-one situations, O’Reilly’s ability to pick a pass was to the fore as the season went on, helping Nudgee counter-attack.
His work ethic and willingness to improve was a real highlight,” praised Nudgee head of football Luke Condon.
Declan Warnes (Nudgee)
When you see the level of confidence and creativity Declan Warnes plays with it would surprise to know he is still just in Year 11.
His willingness to get his side out of tough positions and his immense work rate off the ball was key to Nudgee’s successful season.
Warnes was at his inventive best in round 1 against Ipswich Grammar when he whipped in a stunning long range against and in the final round against Brisbane State High when a sublime individual run and pass set up his teammate brilliantly.
Archie Mitchell (Nudgee)
Every year there is a couple of exciting young guns blooded into the First XI. This season, it was Year 10 ace Archie Mitchell, who played an all important role down the left of Nudgee’s backline.
Despite being 15, Mitchell had a thirst for the physical battle and rarely came away second best.
His ability to put Nudgee on the front foot was on show for all this season and his willingness to overcome challenges holds him in great steading moving into his final two years of schooling.
Jamie Waddington (Nudgee)
Nudgee captain Waddington, playing his third successive year in the Nudgee 1st XI, was dominant. It isn’t by coincidence that defenders Jackson O’Reilly and Archie Mitchell had standout seasons, as they were guided around the park by the skipper.
Waddington’s influence both on and off the ball cannot be underestimated.
His ability to move into a midfield position coming out of defense showcased his versatility and awareness, whilst you’d be hard pressed to find a header he didn’t win.
He was a constant threat in both 18 yard areas and a vocal presence throughout the GPS season.
Hunter Hotko (The Southport School)
The sharp left footed midfielder deservedly took out the Player of the Year title at the school’s awards night after an inspired season.
A bloke who “never stopped working”, Hotko covered every blade of glass like a man possessed and linked the attack to defence like a seasoned veteran.
Hugh Macleod (The Southport School)
What a farewell tour this elite left footed midfielder had.
A Year 12 student, Hugh Macleod scored a whopping five goals from the depghts of midfield.
Cole Fenton and Max Peereboom (The Southport School)
The TSS pair just had to be named together because there was no better centreback partnership.
Like two peas in a pod these two were inseparable, they were simply “amazing” according to head of football Owen Baker.
Mistake free type players, Fenton and Peereboom instilled confidence in their teammates because they could be counted on to win their headers and tackles, while being almost impenetrable.
The side conceded eight goals in eight games and always seemed to fire.
George Plusnin (Gregory Terrace)
It would be hard to find a better goalkeeper in this competition than this Year 11 Brisbane Roar Youth rookie George Plusnin who was Brilliant with a Capital B.
He produced save after save to rescue Terrace the Brave. Gregory Terrace has a great starting point for next year’s team with Plusnin returning.
Sani Logoro (Gregory Terrace)
The picture of effort, stand in captain Sani Logoro was a terrific leader who led with his actions on the field.
After Eddie Ince was ruled out with injury from round one, young veteran Logoro rose to the plate and was inspiring at striker or attacking mid. The a seasoned campaigner, his relentless work rate led the charge for his side who were missing their main man Ince.
Kingston Vaitusi (Gregory Terrace)
Mr Consistent, Year 11 student Kingston Vaitusi played all eight games at centre back and his efforts across the season earned him a call up into the Samoan Under-19s football team who will compete at the upcoming Oceania Nations Cup Championship.
In a turbulent season where the First XI was ever changing, Vaitusi’s output could always be relied on at centre back.
“His availability and consistency throughout the season were a blessing,” praised Gregory Terrace head of football Mitch Edwards.
Nelson Deng (Ipswich Grammar)
After being blooded as a fierce Year 10 in last year’s competition, Ipswich Grammar’s ultra-competitive central defender Nelson Deng hit sixth gear with his defensive effort this season.
Watch for IGS’ driving force to be even more prominent in next year’s side as a Year 12 leader.
Emmett Shaw (Ipswich Grammar)
A grade 10 attacking weapon, Emmett Shaw took the competition by storm as an elite attacking midfielder.
He is a versatile player, capable of covering various positions and his sheer will and desire to win and compete made life difficult for his rivals.
He could find the back of the net as well.
Pranav Vallabh (Ipswich Grammar)
One of the top defenders in the competition, left back or wing Pranav Vallabh used his pace to evade traffic and from there he was a whiz at putting his teammates in scoring positions.
A deceptively quick player, Vallabh’s pinpoint crosses were everything for IGS, as was his ability to escape one-on-one encounters on top.
Josh Zahra (Toowoomba Grammar)
Polished footballer Zahra led the team well where his consistency from game to game set a high standard for his teammates.
Zahra led the side admirably as captain and backed his words up with his actions.
Toowoomba Grammar Head of Sport Steve Fryer said he admired his consistent play across the season.
Tdonson Hammond (Toowoomba Grammar)
A regular in our Team of the Weeks, emerging Toowoomba youngster Tdonson Hammond has raw talent and showed it this season.
A player with untapped potential, Hammond is sure to provide plenty of highlights in 2025.
Max Lomas (Toowoomba Grammar)
He saved his side plenty of times this season with brilliance in goals.
A goalkeeper who was consistently strong, Lomas was somewhat of an unsung hero who was key to Toowoomba’s pursuit of victory.
Evan Msonga (Brisbane Boys’ College)
Townsville Brothers product Evan Msonga was a whiz kid for two years at BBC, finishing his final season on Saturday in style against TGS.
A coaches dream, Msonga was a sponge to feedback and was a force at centre back in a trying season for the school.
D’Arcy Satharasinghe (Brisbane Boys’ College)
High achieving BBC all rounder D’Arcy Satharasinghe was at times a standout for his side in an underwhelming campaign.
A dangerous attacker with a hunger to score, Satharasinghe transitioned from First XI cricket to First XI football with ease and back into cricket again after a net session with Australian leg spinner Adam Zampa who visited the school earlier this week.
Sander Grigg (Brisbane State High)
There aren’t enough words in the dictionary to summarise Sander Grigg’s wonderful campaign.
He was fantastic, clever in tight areas, elite with his first touch, quick and a leader through his performance.
Patrick Griff (Brisbane Grammar School)
Maher was a tremendous goalkeeper, someone who kept Brisbane Grammar School in matches with his ability to absorb pressure. He commanded his box with everything in the air and his shot stopping was arguably the best in the league.
Ted Callaghan (Brisbane Grammar School)
A midfield link, Callaghan was key in everything the side did well. He had the ability to break up play and then was the start of our attack. He has a great future .
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