Qld’s 50 best QCup men’s players without a NRL contract
From veterans to rookies, here are 50 Queensland rugby league guns to watch in the 2023 QCup. SEE THE FULL LIST
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Some have tasted NRL action and want more.
Others are desperate for their shot at the big time.
Either way, Queensland’s Hostplus Cup has long been a breeding ground for the national competition and 2023 will be no different.
From veterans to rookies, here are 50 of the state’s best rugby league players without NRL contracts.
The Broncos, Cowboys, Titans and Dolphins all enjoyed Round 1 wins to kick off 2023 but all clubs - including interstate rivals - will want to take note of these names.
Drew Timms (Toowoomba)
The 19-year-old is everything you want to see in a modern day hooker.
Quick around the play the ball he loves to put opposition defences on the back foot.
Brent Woolf (Tweed Seagulls)
A determined hooker who has plenty of family in the game who knows exactly what he is capable of.
Brent Woolf brings plenty of tenacity to the Tweed ruck, registering 54 appearances by age 25.
Injuries limited him to just nine games, however off season shoulder surgery will ideally have him primed for a breakout year. Even with limited time on the field, playing three games off the bench and one at five-eighth, Woolf still managed to average 53 running metres a game while bringing a tackling efficiency of more than 91 per cent.
While the Titans have solidified their hooker rotation with Sam Verrils and Chris Randall, as well as a host of youngsters including Oskar Bryant, Woolf’s father, Ben, is an assistant coach at the St George Illawarra Dragons while his uncle Kristian will inevitably take over the Dolphins once Wayne Bennett decides to move on.
Sean Mullany (Mackay Cutters)
A member of the squad since 2021 the New Zealand native has been enormous for this squad heading into his third season as a Cutter.
Playing the hooker position Mullany has consistently been one of the side’s best players each week and at just 23 sits right in the prime age for a chance at the highest level.
Darryn Schonig (Toowoomba)
The Clydesdales skipper is an old school front rower who tucks the ball under his arm and makes the hard runs his team needs.
The 26-year-old has a high work rate and the lessons he learned during a brief stint with the Melbourne Storm will be invaluable to the team.
Sam Coster (Burleigh)
The Bears lock was named the club’s best forward in 2022, and will now be out to back up that form.
Coster has proven to be a handy hooker in the past, however his move to lock has coincided with his career best form.
While he may be 29, his defensive workhorse mentality has never wavered, averaging 29 tackles a game from his 20 appearances in 2022 at an efficiency of 97 per cent. Throw in 97 running metres with each outing and his output proved crucial in guiding the Bears to the preliminary finals and minor premiership.
So often NRL clubs will hunt the youngsters and next big thing for their forward packs, but a mobile and resilient figure like Coster could come into any side and do a job – his 110 QCup appearances ensuring he would not be overawed.
Jordan Kenworthy (Townsville Blackhawks)
Kenworthy, 26, returned from a second knee reconstruction in 2022 but unfortunately played only one match for the Townsville Blackhawks after re-injuring his knee after his Round 5 comeback.
The “beastlike” middle forward has had big wraps on him since his days in the North Queensland Cowboys Under-20s program, but his development has been hampered by injuries and a 16-month ban after returning a sample that detected the presence of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, in 2019.
Kane Jackson (Sunshine Coast Falcons)
The Townsville and Kawana junior made 11 appearances for the Falcons in 2022, earning him a pre-season with the Melbourne Storm earlier this year.
The talented centre was also a part of the under 20s Falcons premiership in 2019. His coach said he was extremely fast and a balanced runner that plays with a high footy IQ. His defence is also a key attribute with Jackson only conceding two tries against him in his 13 appearances.
Guy Hamilton (Burleigh)
The halfback returns from a pre-season stint with the Sydney Roosters; could that taste be the fuel he needs to follow in the footsteps of another seasoned former Bear?
Hamilton was one of the masterminds behind Burleigh’s strong 2022 campaign, topping the competition for try assists with 28 from 22 clashes as well as 23 linebreak assists.
However perhaps most impressive was his running game, managing to average 89m a game despite still being tasked with the game manager responsibilities.
A veteran of 113 QCup games, Hamilton’s partner in crime Josh Rogers will not be there this year to continue their combination – with the five-eighth taking up a chance at the Brisbane Broncos.
Their 2022 fullback Taine Tuaupiki has also left for the Warriors, however if Hamilton can inspire a similar season without his key assets it will go a long way to impressing NRL outfits across the competition.
Rashaun Denny (Northern Pride)
The tough and powerful outside back is a new face at the Northern Pride after lighting up the Norths’ flanks for the past two years.
Denny brings plenty of power and speed to the end of the Pride’s offensive line, though the 185cm, 94kg flyer is no slouch on defence.
A Queensland Universities representative in 2022, he was part of the Norths squad which won back-to-back Hostplus Cup premierships (but didn’t feature in either decider) and scored a try Ty Williams has been impressed by the way Denny has thrown himself into pre-season, and it’s fully expected he’ll add to his 13 tries in 24 Hostplus Cup appearances to date.
Jayden Hodges (Townsville Blackhawks)
Hodges, 29, made his NRL debut with the North Queensland Cowboys in 2013, playing No.14 in the team’s final three games of the season including the infamous ‘seventh-tackle try’ qualifying final with the Sharks.
He then moved to Manly where he played 11 NRL games over two seasons while impressing in the NSW Cup before returning to Queensland in 2017.
Hodges played for the Cowboys again last year in a pre-season fixture against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Cairns but is not currently contracted to the club.
Jayden Corrigan (Toowoomba)
A general in the backfield. The 26-year-old fullback is great communicator who expertly helps set the team’s defensive structures.
Lined up for the Storm in the NRL trials and will fancy his chances of catching the eye of scouts.
Jeff Lynch (Burleigh)
Could the mightiest of comebacks be complete? Jeff Lynch will make his long awaited return to the field having overcome yet another ACL injury.
It is the third time the 29-year-old prop has undergone a knee reconstruction, which could well mean clubs would be hesitant to call on someone with that history and age against him.
Nevertheless, Lynch has plenty of experience in NRL systems with Canberra and the Gold Coast and would provide plenty of punch and experience to any youthful forward pack.
His last season, 2021, produced 22 tackles and 110 running metres a game despite spending much of the year unknowingly playing with his knee injury.
Since the ordeal Lynch has spoken of his reinvigorated mindset, and in a Burleigh pack without breakout star Tristan Powell (Storm) and Blake Leary (retirement) he will be primed for a huge season.
Melino Fineanganofo (Toowoomba)
The 23-year-old is a strong ball runner and absolutely unforgiving in defence.
With the Clydesdales back in the competition and determined to make a name for themselves, Fineanganofo is the sort of talent who will be hoping to catch the eye of NRL rosters.
Sam Burns (Sunshine Coast Falcons)
After relocating from Hervey Bay to the Bulldogs SG ball side, Burns has also played for the Falcons and Melbourne Storm U20’s sides.
Burns first debuted for the Falcons senior team in 2016 as a hooker and has since progressed to becoming a ball playing middle forward. The tough and skilful player is a key leader on the field and is a huge influence on the playing group as well as a great ally for the coaching staff.
Brandon Finnegan (Mackay Cutters)
The halfback has been one of the Cutters’ best kept secrets.
At 25 Finnegan has what it takes to be back around the top level of rugby league and given the Cutters’ 3-0 start to pre-season he could prove to be useful for clubs looking to bolster their stocks with experience and age to their advantage.
Kyle Laybutt (Townsville Blackhawks)
The Townsville Blackhawks’ most capped player, 27-year-old playmaker Laybutt has made 87 first grade appearances for the club over six seasons and was named player’s player in 2022.
Laybutt played back-to-back NRL games for the North Queensland Cowboys in 2016 and starred for Papua New Guinea in the Rugby League World Cup last year, scoring two tries in their impressive run to the qualifying final.
Kaleb Sutton (Sunshine Coast Falcons)
Sutton, a damaging big and mobile prop, made his debut in 2022 after progressing through the Falcons U21’s system.
The former Kawana Dolphins player hits the line extremely hard in both attack and defence and has a very good skill set for a big man. Many around the league are expecting big things from Sutton in 2023.
Heath Gibbs (Burleigh)
The winger has made the move from Newcastle in search of a chance. Can he take it?
Speedy winger Gibbs joins the Bears after his hopes of cracking the Knights squad fell through.
The good news for him is that outside of young guns Jojo Fifita and Alofiana Khan-Pereira, the Titans are not stacked with wing options given Phil Sami’s likely inclusion at centre. The man Gibbs replaces on the Bears flank, Khan-Pereira, went on to score a whopping 25 tries last year to force Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook’s hand this year. Burleigh love to attack, and with young fullback Keano Kini set to take the number one jersey over from Taine Tuaupiki Gibbs could have every chance to showcase his worth on the flank.
Lachlan Hubner (CQ Capras)
With the departure of Jamie Hill from the club, the Capras will be looking to 23-year-old lock Hubner to take on that role in the middle of the field.
Hubner, who has just completed a pre-season with the Dolphins, was a standout in their trial against the North Queensland Cowboys with a try and try assist.
Harrison McIndoe (Redcliffe)
The son of the famous Emerald Express – former Queensland State of Origin winger Alan McIndoe – Harrison is a centre who is pressing hard for the top team spot after a great pre-season.
Aaron Moore (CQ Capras)
Returning home to Rockhampton after spending some time at the NQ Cowboys and Townsville Blackhawks, 22-year-old half Moore will be a welcome addition to the CQ Capras.
He is a very crafty player and his combination with Jack Madden and his older brother Blake Moore is something Capras’ fans will look forward to in 2023.
Patrick Kaufusi (Townsville Blackhawks)
Kaufusi, 28, played 22 games for the Cowboys between 2015 and 2017 before short stints in the NRL at Melbourne and the Dragons.
The powerful forward has represented Tonga on two occasions and featured prominently for the Blackhawks last year in the Hostplus Cup, leading to him being named the team’s player of the year for 2022.
Mitch Watson (Toowoomba)
The former Warwick Cowboys flyer knows how to find the try line.
Watson, 23, has great hands and is hard to stop close to the line. A top notch winger who always poses an attacking threat. Has the talent to make it at a higher level.
Tom Steadman (Burleigh)
A quiet season last year, but could he re-find his form of 2021 and impress clubs around the country?
Tom Steadman has steadily found his feet in the Queensland Cup over the past two years, enjoying a breakout season two years ago fresh off his move to the Northern Pride after stints in Roosters and Bulldogs systems.
He impressed from the get go, with 18 try assists from his opening 17 games. However last year he did not quite reach those heights, credited with just two try assists from 10 appearances.
Injuries – namely his shoulder – has plagued him in the past, but so often a change of scenery is just what is needed for a young player searching greater opportunities.
The 23-year-old five-eighth looms as a likely partner for Guy Hamilton, with the latter’s composure and experience sure to be a valuable asset to allow Steadman to thrive.
William Samuel (Brisbane Tigers)
The prop will be looking to repeat his efforts of 2021 when he claimed the club’s player of the year award.
At just 25 and 108kg, Samuel has the frame to match it with the big boys in the NRL and with the club’s association with the Melbourne Storm, he will be eyeing a deal – one way or another.
Nixon Putt (CQ Capras)
Second-rower Putt, 26, had a year to remember in 2022.
The PNG international was instrumental in the Capras’ success, was selected in the Hostplus Team of the Year and played in the World Cup in the United Kingdom.
Putt has said he wants the Capras to improve on last year and the hard-running backrower will be looking to another big year in 2023.
Ben King (Redcliffe)
A local junior, King has come through the system, impressing coach Ben Te’o with his “great attitude’’. “I like him as a front rower,’’ Te’o said.
Larsen Dale-Doyle (CQ Capras)
Another player returning home to the Capras in 2023, 21-year-old centre Dale-Doyle made his debut for the Capras in 2021 before he was signed by the Canterbury Bulldogs.
He is a powerful runner of the football and a very solid defender.
After an injury-plagued 2022, Dale-Doyle has been one of the best performers throughout pre-season and has trialled well.
Jack Ahearn (Norths Devils)
They don’t get much better in the Hostplus Cup competition than Ahearn, 30, the Devils champion who playing in the halves or at fullback is instinctive as a player. “He is a leader, cares for the club and teammates, is selfless and has a tremendous work ethic,’’ praised coach David Elliott.
Will Brimson (Tweed Seagulls)
A versatile player who has ambitions to assume the five-eighth job long term, Will Brimson comes with plenty of pedigree. A former Brisbane Broncos under-20s player, the brother of Titans star AJ Brimson took some time away from the game after falling out of love with it. However he returned and linked up with Tweed and has been a regular fixture ever since, plying his trade in the halves and at centre, while he is also capable of doing a job at fullback.
At just 26, even with an extended break away from the game, he has still brought up 52 QCup appearances.
Last season he donned the Seagulls colours on 18 occasions; scoring eight tries, assisting 10 and contributing 12 line break assists. His versatility and flair could make him a valuable utility at a club in need of spark and coverage.
Cooper-Page Wilson (Wynnum-Manly)
A tall, strong front rower, Wilson is a powerful carrier of the ball. “He can also offload and has a fast play the ball,’’ noted new Seagulls coach Mat Head.
Rory Ferguson (Souths Logan)
He is fit, has a high work rate, good acceleration and excellent top end speed for a big man – traits which gives him a point of difference over other middle forwards.
“He’s really worked hard over the pre-season to develop his ball playing ability,’’ said Souths Logan coach Karmichael Hunt.
“I’m excited to see where he gets to with his footy this season.’’
Jaron Purcell (Tweed Seagulls)
A former Newcastle Knight squad member, Purcell has moved to Tweed in his quest to crack the NRL.
The lock has been training with the Titans in a bid to impress throughout 2023 and earn a deal come 2024. A defensive workhorse with enough size to cause some damage,
Purcell found himself on the cusp of an NRL in Newcastle, named on the extended bench at times.
Tweed have lost the likes of lock Charlie Murray to a chance at the Storm, so the 22-year-old has every opportunity to cement a place at the Seagulls and push for higher honours.
Rhys Jacks (Ipswich Jets)
Jacks is a Canadian international rugby league footballer who has previously played for the Sheffield Eagles in the Kingstone Press Championship in 2016, for the Toronto Wolfpack during their inaugural season in 2017 and also for the Brisbane Tigers.
He will play in the halves or at No.9 for the Jets this season.
Solomona Faataape (Brisbane Tigers)
An Easts junior, the 2022 Q Cup Rookie of the Year is coming off a pre-season with Melbourne Storm. But he remains unsigned and is back with the Brisbane Tigers full-time. “He is an explosive centre who we think will have a strong season for us,’’ said Tigers coach Matt Church.
Lloyd Perrett (Tweed Seagulls)
Bringing with him 56 games of NRL experience, Lloyd Perrett looms as a key cog in the Seagulls premiership charge.
The 28-year-old prop has linked up with new coach Dave Penna in a bid to have one final crack at the big time, having impressed at times in his stints with Manly and the Bulldogs.
Tipping the scales at 115kg, Perrett helped the Norths Devils lift the QCup trophy last year and will be eager to carry on his winning form at his new club.
Julian Christian (Northern Pride)
This is Julian Christian’s make or break year.
He realised a boyhood dream when he wore a Cowboys jersey for the first time in a trial against the Dolphins, but the utility back is desperate and driven to earn an NRL debut.
A star schoolboy who won the Peter Sterling Medal, Christian enjoyed stints at the Broncos under-20s and Ipswich Jets but couldn’t crack the NRL.
He returned to FNQ in 2021 with little intention of playing, but he joined Innisfail and took them to a FNQRL grand final.
But the biggest change came when he signed for the Pride.
A lifelong halfback, Christian was urged to give fullback a crack – and that uncovered the absolute best version of the 25-year-old we’ve seen, and earned him a pre-season campaign with the Cowboys.
“The way the game is getting played now, he’ll definitely be close,” Williams said.
“We’re going to see the best of Jules moving forward. It’s just the start.”
Max Lehmann (Wynnum-Manly)
A New South Wales junior representative through the 16s, 18s and 20s age groups, Lehmann has not played NRL although he was in the Eels NSW Cup feeder team last season. “He is a very quick winger or centre who we think is a great addition to our club,’’ said coach Matt Church.
Ash Little (Northern Pride)
The hardworking utility forward might be the man in the engine room best suited to the way the game has changed.
Little was a state league staple during his stint at the Tigers until 2018, but injury and opportunity meant he made his first Cup appearance in four years while at the Pride in 2022.
He started as a bench weapon but locked down the starting lock jersey, grabbing a first career-double on his way to six unexpected tries.
He’s fit, strong, and hits like a ton of bricks in defence, and Williams said despite his age could adapt to the pace of the game brilliantly.
“The way the game is going, the fast, mobile front-rower who can play big minutes – that’s him to a tee,” Williams said.
Chris Ostwald (Northern Pride)
Since the moment Chris Ostwald walked into Northern Pride HQ, he’s understood the club, its purpose, and become a genuine leader on and off the field.
A tough, gritty hooker who leads by example, Ostwald has co-captained the Pride for the past two seasons and will assume sole responsibility of the role in 2023.
He’s got good vision, a quality pass from dummy half and is as tough as they come on both sides of the ball.
Williams said his leadership, along with an unmatched work ethic, makes him places him among the best Hostplus Cup talents without a contract.
Henri Stocks (Mackay Cutters)
At just 20 years old the crafty five-eighth returns for his second season at the Cutters after making five appearances in the senior side in his first year.
Looked to as a leader for the under-21 squad Stocks and the Cutters are ambitious about his ability to step up to the senior side and contribute in a major way which could open the door for an NRL contract with enough opportunity.
Bernard Lewis (Northern Pride)
A knee injury has hampered his past few campaigns in the Far North but Bernard Lewis is set for his best season in years.
Lewis burst onto the scene in 2017, lighting up the NRL 9s when playing for the Roosters.
A year earlier, he was part of the Roosters team which won the National Youth Championship, alongside now NRL regulars Joey Manu, Victor Radley, Sitili Tupouniua, Paul Momirovski and Nat Butcher.
The one-time PNG flyer has been at the Pride for the past few years but failed to recapture his best form, but with his knee injury taken care of could be set for a major campaign.
“We’ll see the best of him this year,” Williams said.
“He had a knee complaint for a few years, but he’s an NRL player for sure.”
Jack Wright (Sunshine Coast Falcons)
A talented half who made his Falcons debut against Souths Logan Magpies in 2021 after playing his junior footy for the Kawana Dolphins. Wright, who has an excellent kicking game and game control, won the under 20s premiership with the Falcons in 2019.
In his debut season in the Queensland Cup, Wright was the Falcons rookie of the year. In 2022 he led the Falcons in try assists despite only playing 11 matches due to Melbourne Storm allocations. He has recently been named a part of the leadership group for the 2023 season.
Lindon McGrady (Tweed Seagulls)
This could be one that is more out of the way given his age of 29.
However, QCup try scoring freak Jono Reuben proved last year that age was no barrier when he debuted for the Dragons at the same age.
McGrady will go down in Seagulls folklore, the inspirational skipper bringing up his 100th cap last year.
Capable of playing in the halves and at fullback, McGrady made 21 appearances in 2022 – accumulating 19 try assists and 20 line break assists while kicking 63 goals. Defensively he was also rock solid with an efficiency of 87.5 per cent.
While a long term NRL career may be beyond him at 29, McGrady is not the type of player to be overawed by an occasion and could seamlessly slot into a club’s backline and ensure a coach would know exactly what they would get out of him.
Jaylan To’o (Mackay Cutters)
Formerly playing with Tweed as part of the Gold Coast Titans system, the 22-year-old from Penrith will look to have a big season for the Cutters.
Having been inside the NRL ranks before To’o will look at his experience and drive to put his name back in contention for an NRL outfit in 2023.
Playing in the centre position, To’o will be one to watch.
Josh Chudleigh (Townsville Blackhawks)
Hooker Chudleigh, 28, played one NRL game for the North Queensland Cowboys in 2016 before a dreadful run of injuries saw him spend the majority of his career in the Queensland Cup – though he pulled on Cowboys colours again in 2022 for a trial against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The popular dummy half joined the Townsville Blackhawks in 2019 after three years at the Mackay Cutters, and he has played 43 games at each club.
Garrett Smith (Mackay Cutters)
Garrett Smith is a key signing for season 2023. A former Mackay junior, Garrett has gained invaluable experience within NRL systems at the Newcastle Knights and the NZ Warriors before returning home.
Although he is still only 22, we expect Garrett to be a leader among our forward pack throughout the season ahead.
Bailey Butler (CQ Capras)
A big part of the Capras’ success in 2022 was down to the front row pairing of 25-year-old Bailey Butler and Tyler Szepanowski.
Butler is an old school front rower who likes to be physical through the middle.
After a pre-season with the Dolphins and representing the Indigenous All Stars, Butler will be looking to build his form from 2022.
Jack Gibbons (Sunshine Coast Falcons)
Gibbons, who is in his second season with the Falcons after a very impressive debut year, has had past stints with the Cronulla Sharks and the Sydney Roosters junior representative sides. He first burst onto the scene in 2016 with the Bulldogs U20s side, before playing in the Ron Massey and NSW Cup and later relocating to the CQ Capras in 2021.
Following a horror injury run Gibbons added another dimension to the Falcons attack in 2022 and after a pre-season camp with the Melbourne Storm, Gibbons is expected to improve again in 2023.
Tony Pellow (Easts Tigers)
A late bloomer, the fullback only made his Hostplus Cup debut in March 2022 but went on to impress for the Tigers.
The club may have finished mid-table but will look to 26-year-old Pellow for improvements this year, which could deliver both team and individual honours.
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