2024 Cyril Connell Cup season preview: Every club previewed ahead of U17s boys season

The Cyril Connell Cup serves as the first major rep experience for the most talented U17s boys in the state. We preview all clubs ahead of the new season, today featuring the Redcliffe Dolphins.

Cyril Connell Redcliffe Dolphins. Picture, Nick Tucker.

The Redcliffe Dolphins will again be bristling with talent when the Cyril Connell Cup U17s boys competition starts on February 10.

Named after former Queensland and Australian halfback and Broncos recruitment ace Cyril Connell, it serves as the key pathway to the U19s Meninga Cup as the young men chase their dreams.

Check back regularly as we progressively roll out our season preview of all clubs competing in this year’s Cyril Connell Cup. Today we feature Brisbane Tigers.

Redcliffe player Noah Fien is back in the Connell ranks. Picture, John Gass

Captain: TBA

Coach: Larry Dickson

Last season: 1st (6-0)

Why they will be competitive: The key for us to being competitive in this competition is to keep turning up and working hard for each other and try and stay as injury free as possible,’’ said coach Larry Dickson.

Key fixture: Without getting too far ahead of ourselves, the two away games against Gold Coast teams Burleigh Bears (Game No.2) and Tweed Seagulls (Game No.4) will be challenging given they are down the M1 against teams which have built up nicely during the off-season.

Cyril Connell Redcliffe Dolphins. Picture, Nick Tucker.

Players to watch:Carter Welfare, originally a Yeppoon talent identified by the Dolphins recruitment team, will play five-eight while exciting local fullback Mereki Warradoo will aim to advance his game.

Brian Pouniu, an exciting age group talent, will play on the edge as a second rower or centre, while Duquan Tevi will be a tough defender on the edge and a strong runner.

Final squad: Tylah Akai, Dustin Appo, Marley Baker, Nate Berrigan, Shannon Bishop, Braedyn Bonanno, Bradley Bond, Jake Carsburg, Kaden Civoniceva, Cohen Cochran, Kaiden Cooper, Charlie Dickson, Bailey Dinham, Sonny Herdegen, Noah Fien, Dean Giffin, Jarius Halahla, Logan Hudson, Lincoln Kemp, Archie Maddocks, Benson Masoe, Archie Merritz, Dural Peterson-Walford, Brian Pouniu, Jahzius Schuster-Oloapu, Henry Sologinkin, Cody Starr, Duquan Tevi, Taufa Taulani, Ryan Tronc, Mereki Warradoo, Jett Walker, Carter Welfare, William Whitlock, Amare Wynyard.