The local junior player list the Redcliffe Dolphins must look to sign

Meet the Redcliffe juniors NRL new-comers the Dolphins simply must look to sign.

These are some of the Redcliffe catchment juniors NRL new-comers the Dolphins simply must look to sign.

NRL’s 17th team will be looking for several marquee players to parade as their flagship players for season 2023.

But what about their juniors? The region from Albany Creek, Caboolture and west to Dayboro and Kilcoy districts has also been one of the finest junior catchments for Redcliffe, with past champions Petero Civoniceva, Troy Lindsay, Peter Leis, Trevor Benson, Ian Graham and Ken McCrohon just a handful of elite junior old boys.

Redcliffe SHS students Jak Goulding, Matt Bennett and Jack Cameron. Picture, John Gass

Redcliffe SHS alone, for example, has produced Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh McGuire and Civoniceva, while the Bribie Island region has produced Broncos champion Matt Gillett and grand final centre Jack Reed. Can you imagine if they had worn a Dolphins NRL jersey?

So who are some of the young gun Redcliffe juniors of today?

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Kallum Weatherall-Stacey: A winger or fullback, this kid has speed to burn - and plenty of it.

Ben Te Kura: The Broncos have this 200cm tall edge backrower signed - for the moment. The Wavell SHS student is the type of kid Redclffe should get when he is off contract.

Jack Cameron: The Redcliffe SHS hooker has been blooming of late and had a tremendous Gee Cup campaign. Keep a close watch on this rookie.

Michael Waqa as a junior playing for Albany Creek (AAP Image/Regi Varghese)

Michael Waqa: Now here’s a wildcard name for you. Big, strong, mobile forward who remains unsigned - for now.

Mitchell Rogers: An extremely talented dummy half who is on the Bulldogs raider.

Karl Oloapu: Possibly the best out of the lot of them. A Redcliffe junior, Oloapu is a brilliant half or five-eight who had a strong season for Wavell SHS in the Langer Trophy where he made the Team of the Year.

Redcliffe SHS hooker Jack Cameron, centre, and his skipper Matt Bennett, right.

Matthew Bennett: Redcliffe SHS captain courageous, Bennett is a no frills front rower with a big motor who does the simple things right. He also has a handy front row partner in Sefo Faatuono.

Jacob Taulani: A raw, left edge ball runner who will have talent scouts opening their match day programs to double check the spelling of his name.

Joseph Pouniu is originally from North Lakes Kangaroos (AAP Image/Regi Varghese)

Joseph and Brian Pouniu: Joseph is a towering, 195cm tall front row and backrower who has been courted by the Titans, while his brother is an equally exciting prospect - but too young (14 years) to be signed to the NRL for the moment.

Dre Pakeho and Ben Uini. Pakeho played 16s in 2021 and Uini in the under 15s. Both are big talents who have talent scouts watching closely.

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Thomas Lunney: Another outstanding backrow talent from the region.

Mason Kira: Kira is a tough as teak lock originally from the Sunshine Coast.

William Sologinkin: Speaking of tough, did someone say Sologinkin’s name? He played up an age group for Redcliffe and is one tough cookie.

Karl Oloapu playing Cyril Connell Challenge. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Arthur Fitness: Fitness is another prospect in the under 16s. The son of former Queensland cricket wicket keeper Gavin Fitness - who is the personal batting coach of Chris Lynn - Fitness is a national playmaker with vision. He is developing under the eye of ex-Redcliffe grand final hero Mick Roberts at Wavell SHS.

Also keep a watch on Jaedon Wellington (front row), Sebastyan Jack (half), Tuhii Ratana-Leef (No.13), Jonathan Maller (five-eight), Jak Goulding and tackling machine Drew Timms, a coaches dream who works hard, then works even harder in the next set of six tackles.

Redcliffe state high school students Jak Goulding, Matt Bennett and Jack Cameron at the Redcliffe Dolphins home ground in Redcliffe. Thursday October 7, 2021. Picture, John Gass

Redcliffe Dolphins junior and Redcliffe SHS student Jak Goulding said the Dolphins elevation into the NRL would allow local kids to remain local while aspiring to play NRL.

“Those boys who have come through the club since under 7s, and for boys like myself coming to the club and seeing the strong culture and what it means to wear the jersey, it’s certainly a great opportunity to be able to stay here for longer and do what we all want to do at this club,’’ said junior Jak Goulding.

Redcliffe junior Ben Te Kura, signed by the Broncos, is the type of talent the Dolphins produce.

Current Redcliffe SHS captain and Dolphins Meninga Cup prop Matthew Bennett added. “Seeing what Redcliffe Dolphins can provide for many kids passionate about footy and has provided for existing players, it will definitely inspire more kids to want to play for Redcliffe and be apart of the experience.’’

Meanwhile, the passion of the Redcliffe Dolphins supporters has been evident in many ways over the last 72 hours, including with the creation of a Dolphins NRL Inc Facebook page - born following NRL confirmation of the club’s promotion.