IT WAS another spectacular year of schoolboy football throughout Queensland in 2019 and with all the action done and dusted, The Courier-Mail has gone back through the footage to analyse 50 of the best players throughout the state.
Nic Darveniza, Andrew Dawson, and Lachlan Grey were on the ground throughout the year for the likes of the Langer Cup, the GPS Rugby, and the AIC Rugby League, and had a sideline view of some of our best teenage talents.
Their experience coupled with couriermail.com.au’s exclusive livestream replays has resulted in this list of our future footballing stars.
But it’s important to note – this list is not the gospel truth of which students are going to make it and which players will not.
The top 10 will be ranked, but the other 40 players are not in order and while they currently look like they have the best shot to play professionally, there are hundreds of teenagers unlucky to miss out.
We will be revealing a new list each day before concluding with the top 10 on Sunday.
In the meantime, here’s the next 10 players who made a mark in 2019.
XAVIER SAVAGE
(Palm Beach Currumbin)
● THE Canberra Raiders-bound Savage might just become the fastest league in Australia, if early reports are any indication. A sprinting sensation who won the 100m Queensland junior athletics championships last year in a time of 10.95sec, Savage doubles up as a gun winger and scored a hat-trick in Queensland Secondary School’s win over NSW in July.
MAX PLATH
(Iona College)
● THE son of former Bronco John Plath has endured his fair share of injuries this year but Max’s pedigree continues to shine through. Comfortable anywhere in the backline across both codes, Plath’s strength lies in contact and a deft short passing game. Iona College’s best union prospect since injury-plagued Rebel Brad Wilkin but his links to Wynnum-Manly mean he’ll be another cross-code contender.
GLEN VAIHU
(St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace)
● HIS school had a down year but the sublime play of Glen Vaihu kept Gregory Terrace in the fight for longer than they might have deserved. The speedy centre crossed for a try per match and beats a defender on two-thirds of his carries.
BRENDAN PIAKURA
(Palm Beach Currumbin)
● ANOTHER rising Broncos second rower with plenty of ticker. The Brisbane-contracted Piakura made his QLD SOO under 18 debut this year and caused havoc at school and club level with his left edge surges. Newcastle born but Helensvale raised, the Titans would do well to try to lure this young gun back home.
TREZMAN BANJO
(St Joseph’s Nudgee College)
● PLAYED in the shadow of Cronulla Sharks winger Jangala Bennett last year but has burst into the spotlight with 10 tries in six matches. Hails from Mareeba, west of Cairns and has spent time in the Cowboys development system
FLOYD AUBREY
(Marist College Ashgrove)
● KURTLEY Beale 2.0. Aubrey’s dazzling footwork and acceleration were on show for all codes as the Marist College Ashgrove fullback steered his school to undefeated union and league premierships in the AIC competition. Pretty handy off the tee as well but will need to find a bit more bulk to have the same impact at senior level. Sounds like Beale in a nutshell.
LUKAS RIPLEY
(Brisbane Boys College)
● THE Mackay-born, former Maroons Under-16s five-eighth is also an ex-State discus champ. Ripley scored eight tries and assisted on seven as a run-first playmaker for BBC.
GEORGE GIBSON
(Brisbane Boys College)
● GIBSON packed on 15 kgs over the offseason to compete at a fit 100kg to lead second-placed Brisbane Boys’ college in carries and tackles. Started for the Reds Academy.
KEENAN TIMU
(Marsden SHS)
● GET ready for a cross-code war over this guy. Younger brother to Wallaby Caleb, Timu is equally adept in union and league but harbours hopes of one day taking on his sibling to “rough him up a bit”. A Queensland representative in the 15-man code this year, Timu also starred for Marsden SHS in their Allan Langer Cup and NRL Schoolboys Cup campaigns.
TYRONE SA’U
(Marsden SHS)
● CLEVER wide five-eight or fullback with beautiful hands and a damaging step which makes him a danger to retreating defensive lines. Sa’U has been a regular in junior representative sides and led Marsden SHS to the NRL Schoolboys Cup QLD decider. Punches well above his weight defensively as well. Currently linked to Brisbane.
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