Langer Trophy: John-Paul Donevski among wildcard players to keep an eye on; see the round 2 teams

They may not be well known at the moment, but that could well change after this week’s round two action. Read on for the players the coaches are tipping to get tongues wagging. See the round two teams.

Every year they raise eyebrows and get tongues wagging in the Langer Trophy.

They are the wildcard players predicted by their coaches to come from out of sight to make an impact.

Ahead of the second round of matches, which starts on Tuesday, the Langer coaches reveal their wildcard players of the season – along with what the key to them succeeding will be.

See the full round two schedule below

Below we asked the respective coaches for their wildcard players of the season – but before that, we have one of our own.

John-Paul Donevski is a name new to Langer Trophy subscribers, but he will make an impact for Wavell SHS.

John-Paul Donevski.

Donevski was recruited by the Dolphins NRL squad from the Penrith Panthers junior system.

He is a tall, athletic centre, winger or fullback and is a rookie with enormous potential.

He played in the Redcliffe Meninga Cup premiership-winning side this season.

Wildcard Watch

Redcliffe SHS

Coach Jay Wilkinson: “We have a young fella from Western Australia, Lincoln Kemp. A backrower for us, he is a competitive kid who is eager to learn.

“We are excited to see him and the good news is he is only Year 11.’

“Pene Risale, afullback or a centre, is another. He’s just got x-factor. Pene’s ball running is something else.”

What is the key to Redcliffe SHS playing well this season: “Just playing Redcliffe footy,’’ Wilkinson said.

“The way we want to play and the way rugby league should be played. Just showing what Redcliffe is all about. If we do that we will be good – it will be high skill, high tempo, moving the ball around footy.’’

Ryan McCann of Logan Brothers.

Mabel Park SHS

Mabel Park coach Ben Weston said versatile outside back Ryan McCann was his wildcard player: “Ryan has come up from Coombabah SHS and will play fullback for us. He has got wheels.’’

In round 1 we saw the safe as houses McCann at fullback where his cover tackling stood out.

What is the key to Mabel Park playing well: “Our discipline,’’ Weston said. “We can’t afford to make silly errors and give away silly penalties and be on the backfoot. And we have to be good in effort areas.’’

Keebra Park SHS

Keebra Park SHS coach Peter Norman said his wildcard player was Cowboys signed Mason Barber.

“He played in our Walters (Year 10) team last year and played in the middle, but we are looking to run him at fullback. He had a really decent Mal Meninga season for the Tweed Seagulls and has come along in leaps and bounds. We are not expecting the world from him, but in terms of last year to this year, he is a wildcard.’’

What is the key to Keebra Park playing well: “We want to play high percentage footy and back our defence, and if we can kick to the corners, put some pressure on we should be scoring points. Keebra Park teams scoring points is not usually an issue. So it is a big defensive focus for us this year.’’

Langer Trophy: Caloundra vs Mountain Creek: Fullback Brooklenn Mundraby-Grogan. Picture: Matty Holdsworth

Caloundra SHS

Coach Toby Poole’s wildcard player will be outside back Brooklenn Mundraby-Grogan: “He is coming back off a shoulder reconstruction last year. And Austin Maxwell-Smith will give us impact off the bench. Austin can play through the middle.’’

What is the key to Caloundra SHS playing well: “Completing is No. 1,’’ said coach Poole.

“And we will promote the ball. We are not going to be a big side, we are not going to bash them down through the front door. So we will be looking to play with shape and not be afraid.’’

Caloundra SHS's Brooklenn Mundraby-Grogan and Zac Garton.

Marsden SHS

Marsden SHS coach Matthew Hartigan said new player Siu Lua was his wildcard.

He is new to the competition, a middle forward looking to challenge himself in the best school competition in the land.

What is the key to Marsden playing well: “Defence,’’ Hartigan said.

Kobi, in the background, leaves the field for Brisbane Tigers.

Wavell SHS

Wavell coach Paul Stanley said a 16-year-old called Keoki Koraba, who played in the Queensland White’s team as a centre last year, would be a wildcard player.

“He is a guy who has trained really hard, someone who has some real upside about him.

Another was a big prop called Kobi Floro who gained more experience playing Connell Challenge for the Brisbane Tigers. “Floro is ahead of where we thought he was going to be.’’

What is the key to your side playing well: “Staying injury free. Also being consistent with what they do, both at training and in the classroom. It is a long season and they’ve already played in the Meninga Cup. So just being consistent with everything will help our success.’’

Ipswich SHS

Coach Joshua Bretherton said his wildcard players were Junior Saifiti and Jack Laing: “Junior will play as an outside back. He’s new to this level, and he wouldn’t be on everyone’s radar. He’s a very fast, an aggressive mover who does good things. He will do the kicking for us. He practices a lot and is very good.

Ipswich SHS's Jack Laing in action. Picture: Jerad Williams

“And Jack Laing. He’s vitally important to what we do and we will need him to have another good year.’’

What is the key to your side playing well: “How well we move defensively. The nature of this competition with the threats, the big thing to get right is defence. We are pushing our boys on that, how well we move with speed and defensive movements. If we use that as a foundation we can build on that.’’

Palm Beach Currumbin SHS

PBC SHS coach Tim Maccan said Barney Litadamu was his wildcard player: “He is a centre who played a couple games last year, but played really well in the Meninga Cup competition.

“He could be a strong performer for us this year after having a small taste last year and a good season with the Tweed Seagulls.’’

What is the key to PBC SHS playing well: “The key is sticking to our game plans. Everyone's going to have strike power but the key to us is sticking to us,’’ Maccan said.

“And absorbing the most and delivering the most pressure.’’

Saifiti Junior Saifiti kicks for Jets. Under 18 men, Western Clydesdales vs Ipswich Jets, rugby league. Saturday, March 4, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

ROUND 2 TEAMS

WAVELL SHS V MABEL PARK SHS

WAVELL SHS:

1 John-Paul Donevski

2 Will Nati

3 Robertson Tusi-Tofu

4 Keyarn Pene

5 Mereki Warradoo

6 Jai Camilleri

7 Zac Herdegen

8 Ben Uini

9 Harrison Hill

10 Nazareth Taua

11 Jared Horne

12 Maddox Goodwin

13 Lauloto Salei ©

14 Kobi Floro

15 Christian Taula

16 Jayden Butt

17 George Taualai

18 Keoki Koraba

19 Riley Jenkins

20 Beau Lucien

MABEL PARK SHS:

1 Ryan McCann

2Tyrese Tovao

3 Lehi Thomas

4 Jaycob Kingston-Francis

5 Elijah Tagiilima

6 Lachlan Buchbach

7 Jackson Howe

8 Alexanda Leapai

9 Jordan Kake

10 Neziah Patuua

11 Orlando Levi

12 Benjamin Quinlan

13 Xyon Purcell

14 Braxton Wilson-Clune

15 Cooper Day

16 -

17 Duquan Talaepa

PALM BEACH CURRRUMBIN SHS V CALOUNDRA SHS

PBC

1 Ray Puru

2 Sunny Kama

3 Tyson Ploegsma

4 Barney Litidamu

5 Bailey Simpson

6 Bailey McConnell

7 Jake Lateo

8 Brady Turner

9 Will Saunders

10 Jett Jackson

11 Baylen Donald

12 Zac Finigan

17 Jaylen Taewa

13 Kaleb Smith

14 Jace Williams

15 Aaron Singh-Goesel

16 Hiawe King

CALOUNDRA:

1 Toby Irvine

2. Kaden Humphris

3. Jaelym Hohaia

4. Boedy White

5. Tristan Roselt

6. Jack Philp

7. Tully McLennan

8. Tyrell Hopkins

9. Teina Maoate

10. Brad Higgins

11. Ben Hunter

12. Zac Garton

13. Chase Paterson

14. Caiden Ahsee

15. Austin Maxwell-Smith

16. Brodie Halpin

17. Douglas Snell

MARSDEN SHS V KEEBRA PARK SHS

MARSDEN

1 Kylem Vunipola

2 Saxon Innes

3 Will Semu

4 Mark Nosa

5 Lui Lee

6 Javon Andrews

7 Coby Black

8 Sione Suilua

9 Jacob Tinsley

10 Elijah Leatigaga

11 Cairo Ruri

12 Patrick Kailahi

13 Lewis Symonds

14 Cory Pearse

15 Jury Taewa

16 Braden Teuila

17 Dylan Gallagher

18 Xavier Atoa

19 Korbin Skelton

20 Taylan To’a

KEEBRA PARK:

1 Mason Barber

2 Jeremiah Havea

3 Joseph Tupuse

4 Xavier Tauaifaiga

5 Zyroam Herlihy

6 Jack Hudson

7 Ryder Williams

8 Jack Schmidt

9 Isaiah Fagalilo

10 Zac Kumbamong

11 Jett Bryce

12 Presley Folau

13 Taylor Withington

14 Dorian Lotaki

15 Tom Summer

16 Ryan Hutchison

17 Austin Marsters

18 Tyrel Laban

IPSWICH SHS V REDCLIFFE SHS (subject to changes)

IPSWICH SHS:

1 Dom Sandow

2 Xavier Kirk

3 LJ Nonu

4 Keisaia Su’A

5 Alton Naiyep

6 Brandon Tikinau

7 Izaiah Mafi

8 Iosefa Kolio

9 Tyler Peckham-Harris

10 David Leota

11 Mahonri Tiotala

12 Oliva Iaulualo

13 Jack Laing

15 Lesayne Tuiasau

16 Mafiou Cherif

17 Cayleb Johnson

18 Kane Self

REDCLIFFE SHS:

1 Bailin Haji

2

3 Patrick Cathcart

4

5 Makaia Duggan

6 John Fineanganofo

7 Jayden Evans

8 Harrison Hunt

9 Hayden Potts

10 Troy Ennion

11 Cravin Poutai

12

13 Loka Toia

14 Hamish Roshan

15 Henry Sologinkin

16 Alec Schuster

17 Logan Hudson