Langer Trophy live stream 2023: Loko Toia, John Fineanganofo among 30 players to watch

Many already have links with NRL clubs, including all four Queensland clubs. These guys are the best in the business and we get to see them all for the first time this season on Tuesday.

The Langer Trophy starts on Tuesday and features many of the best schoolboy players in Queensland.

Eight teams - Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Keebra Park SHS, Marsden SHS, Mabel Park SHS, Ipswich SHS, Wavell SHS, Redcliffe SHS and new side Caloundra SHS - will feature, each brimming with exciting new talent.

See the round one draw below.

The Courier-Mail, along with News Corp affiliates, will stream every match from the opens division this season on the KommunityTV platform. Round 1 is Tuesday.

So, who will be some of the key players to watch this season? We name 30 players, many of whom have affiliations with NRL clubs, including the four Queensland clubs.

Redcliffe SHS

Players to watch

John Fineanganofo: Fineanganofo was one of the most influential players in the Meninga Cup under 18 competition this season, helping Redcliffe win the club premiership.

John Fineanganofo comes into the competition in top form.

The Dolphins academy signed rookie plays five-eight or No. 13, but can easily play on the edge and is a noted ball playing, creative footballer. “He is outstanding, the player of the Meninga Cup,’’ declared Redcliffe SHS coach Jay Wilkinson. “I am just super excited for what his future brings for him. He's a great kid.’’

Loko Toia: Toia is a local junior who started playing for North Lakes Kangaroos. His brother is schoolboy sensation Rob Toia, a centre who played First XV with Nudgee College and who is signed by the Roosters

Loka Toia and John Fineanganofo of Redcliffe SHS.

Unlike his big brother, Toia is a middle forward who came through the school of hard knocks last season, only to blossom this year playing in the Meninga Cup and in trials for Redcliffe. “If he plays well, Redcliffe can be successful,’’ said coach Jay Wilkinson.

Burleigh Player Sam Stephenson: Pic Mike Batterham

Palm Beach Currumbin SHS

Sam Stephenson: PBC SHS coach Tim Maccan best describes Stephenson when he says he is “big, fast and agile’’. “Sam is only in year 11 and he’s going to be powerful on the left edge. Titans’ signed, Stephenson is a kid who has risen as the standard improves around him. He gained valuable Langer experience last year in two games, and played strongly for Burleigh Bears in the Meninga Cup this year.

Zane Harrison from Palm Beach Currumbin State High School - Picture: Richard Walker

Zane Harrison: Harrison is as proud as punch to be the PBC captain. Last season he learnt on the run playing second fiddle to Queensland schoolboys half Joshua Lynn. Although Lynn was the dominant play maker, Harrison was prepared to back himself with attacking kicks in the air or along the ground, and short side plays. He is match hardened and ready for business.

Ipswich SHS

Anton Naiyep

Dom Sandow

Kane Self

Tyler Peckham-Harris

A mighty mite, Peckham-Harris was a fullback dynamo last season but switched to hooker for both his club (Ipswich SHS) and his school (Ipswich SHS) for this season.

Tyler Pedeham-Harris Met West Picture: Evan Morgan

He made our News Corp Meninga Team of the Year squad both last year and this year - despite the positional switch. He is electric around the ruck and brave in defence.

David Leota: Leota has achieved a lot in his young career - GPS First XV with Ipswich Grammar School, winning the Harold Matthews Shield with Canterbury Bulldogs under 16s and making the 2021 Queensland schoolboys in league. Now the powerful middle forward can tick off playing Langer Trophy after moving to Ipswich SHS this season.

Oliva Iaulualo

The big block is a prime mover, a wide running edge forward who can also played middle. Indeed he enters the season with plenty of miles in his legs, match hardened from playing prop in Canterbury’s Harold Matthews premiership win in Sydney during the summer. He will captain Ipswich and big a big handful both with his power game, but also his ability to keep the ball alive.

Oliva Iaulualo Ipswich SHS Thursday May 11, 2023. Picture, John Gass

Wavell SHS

Players to watch

Lauloto Salei: The No. 13 will lead the way with his effort and talk. “He is the leader among the group, someone who has been outstanding all year,’’ said coach Paul Stanley. “He makes everyone comfortable.’’ Salei played edge last season, but has successfully shifted to the middle.

Lauloto Salei from Wavell State High School. Picture: Richard Walker

Jye Camilleri: He played well last year but had an off-season with a difference, focusing on school work and playing Grid Iron. But a freshened up Camilleri played well in the Met North trials and now NRL clubs have shown interest. “That door is not closed,’’ said his coach Paul Stanley.

Harrison Hill: We were mightily impressed with Hill playing Meninga Cup hooker for the Norths Devils and he will add a dimension to the team’s attack this season. Watch for Hill and Camilleri to successfully interchange and liven things up for Wavell. They’ll go well together,’’ Stanley said.

Zac Herdegen: Zac Herdegen has been a name on the lips of many as he worked his way through the schoolboy and junior system. From the Bribie Island region, Herdegen played so well during the club season this year, the Knights moved to sign him. “He will control the play,’’ said coach Paul Stanley.

Peter Benjamin Uini. Picture, John Gass

Ben Uini: Fancied so highly by the Roosters that they fly him down for the Harold Matthews, Uini is a quiet achiever who goes through his work and doesn’t say much. “He will be a rock through the middle,’’ Stanley said.

Caloundra SHS's Zac Garton.

Caloundra SHS

Zac Garton: The Dolphins signed backrower from Caloundra SHS is a left edge dynamo with the ball who can also unload in a tackle. But he is also a defensive brute who ball carriers will want to steer clear of. “When something needs to be done, he will do it,’’ said his coach Toby Poole. “And he does not do it because he is a hog, he just backs his ability and the boys follow up.

Tully McLellan: Originally a Gympie junior, McLellan has been a leader playing in the young age groups at Caloundra SHS either at fullback or the halves. “The way he reads the game and how much time he has impresses me. And he makes good decisions,’’ said his coach Toby Poole. McLellan is signed by the Storm.

Tyrell Hopkins: Caloundra coach Toby Poole describes Hopkins as a no-nonsense back rower with “great leg speed’’. “He understands football well and sticks to systems really well.’’

Tully McLellan from Caloundra State High School - Picture: Richard Walker

Mabel Park SHS

Alex Leapai: Leapai is a big boy - 114kg, 193cm - but he is a footballer as well. More explosive and agile this season, he has strong leg drive in contact and an ability to free his arms to pass in a tackle.

Alex Leapai from Mabel Park State High School Picture: Richard Walker

Leapai is wise, having played the two previous seasons in the Langer. “He is a great kid, and is a great leader. All the boys respect him,’’ Mabel Park coach Ben Weston said.

Jaycob Kingston-Francis. Picture, John Gass

Jaycob Kingston-Francis: Kingston-Francis’ game has gone up a gear after moving from lock to centre. He made our News Corp Meninga Cup Team of the Season and will give Mabel defensive grunt, and attacking thrust on the edge. “I am really impressed with his work ethic and he has been rewarded,’’ coach Weston said. He is signed by Canberra.

Queensland player Duquan Talaepa 2022. Picture, John Gass

Duquan Talaepa: Talaepa has been a leading junior player coming through the ranks at Mabel Park SHS. An edge forward or No. 13, he earned selection in the Queensland under 15 schoolboys last season and will be looking to step up in his first season of senior school league. “He is a competitor who wants to win. He has that fight in him that not too many people have,’’ coach Weston said. He is signed by Canterbury.

Marsden SHS

Coby Black. The Broncos-signed Black will be just that little bit wiser for his experiences of 2022 as a Year 11 student. “Obviously he has all the skills, but now he is mature and I am looking forward to him being a second year Langer Trophy player,’’ said Marsden SHS coach Matt Hartigan of his No. 7 ace.

Lewis Symonds at Marsden SHS Thursday April 27, 2023. Picture, John Gass

Lewis Symonds: A tremendous athlete, Symonds learned on the run playing for Coombabah SHS as a Langer Trophy rookie. Now with Marsden, the No. 13 or edge forward from the Broncos academy is match hardened after a Meninga Cup season for Souths Logan. “He played well for Souths Logan Magpies and is building nicely,’’ coach Hartigan said.

Elijah LEATIGAGA: He was the player of the year as a part of a powerful Walters Cup side in 2021 but who suffered a setback last year when injured. A Marsden SHS student since Year 7, the middle forward is fighting fit and ready to make up for some lost time.

Coby Black at Marsden SHS. Picture, John Gass

Keebra Park SHS

Ryder Williams: He will be the Keebra Park SHS halfback after being the Walters Cup No. 7 last season. Williams played for Burleigh Bears in the Meninga Cup and “is not afraid of anything’’. “He likes the big moments and is not afraid to play eyes up footy,’’ said his coach Peter Norman.

Jett Bryce: The Broncos signed edge forward had a whale of a season with the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the under 18 Meninga Cup competition and is making progress. “He is probably the fittest in the team and has that x-factor about him,’’ coach Peter Norman said.

Dorian Lotaki: The explosive South Coast representative will be rotated this season between hooker and lock - after impressing as a centre last season. “He has a strong build, tough defender but plenty of ruck speed,’’ said coach Norman. “He will be one to watch.’’

Break for school holidays and the national championship, with the competition resuming on July 13.

Mabel’s Jaycob Kingston-Francis playing for Wynnum. Picture: Liam Kidston.