Queensland’s next generation Origin Maroons includings Roosters foursome
Could these gun juniors – signed by the Dolphins, Broncos, Titans and Cowboys – be Queensland’s next-generation Origin Maroons? We also uncover four ripper Roosters.
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The Roosters have their hooks into Queensland league talent, with four young Maroons from the 30 Emerging Origin squad signed with the glamour Sydney club.
The young Maroons will be under the direction of Queensland Under 19 head coach Matt Ballin.
The list of Emerging Origin players includes Queensland’s best schoolboy players from 2023, and others who got the job done in club land playing in Meninga Cup.
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There is white hot natural talent like Cowboys fullback Mutua Brown, wingers Tyreece Tait (Roosters), Israel Leota (Broncos), centre Sam Stephenson (Titans), halves Coby Black (Broncos) and Jaxon Purdue (Cowboys).
But forward hard heads also abound, including Cooper Bai, Harry Armstong, Loka Toia, Jett Bryce, Zac Garton, Michael Waqa and co.
The squad includes four Roosters players - gun North Queensland raised half Reece Foley, brilliant former Queensland schoolboys winger Tyreece Tait and two grand middle forward prospects - Aholoka Toia (Redcliffe SHS) and De La Salle Va’a (St Mary;s Toowoomba).
More about them below.
THE SQUAD
Beni Allen (Wynnum Manly)
A Broncos contracted youngster, Allen is from the sporting rich pastures of Logan City where he has plied his trade as a No.13. He attended John Paul College and was also wanted by the Titans.
Harry Armstrong (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
A relatively unsung back rower from the Wide Bay region, he was one of the quiet achievers in the Meninga Cup last season.
Cooper Bai (Burleigh Bears)
The son of former Storm premiership winner Marcus, Cooper is a rip ‘n’tear No.13 from Marymount College on the Gold Coast where he has been mentored by Matt Gryer, the ex-Origin and Melbourne player.
Coby Black (Burleigh Bears)
A player of considerable talent, the Broncos-signed halfback was the 2023 Queensland schoolboys halfback. He is already on the Broncos development contract list. Watch this space.
Mutua Brown (Mackay Cutters)
A super fullback prospect from Central Queensland, Brown was the Queensland schoolboys’ best player last season, and made the Australian schoolboys. He is Cowboys signed.
Jett Bryce (Burleigh Bears)
Bryce is another Brisbane Broncos-signing, an energetic back rower who goes and goes all day. He is one for the little black book, that’s for sure.
Cameron Bukowski (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
The Brisbane Broncos’ signed hooker hails from Villanova College. He was last year’s Queensland Schoolboys No.9 who has excellent ball skills, strong running and defence.
Jett Elich (Melbourne Storm)
A Sunshine Coast young gun edge forward who played his way into the Storm system. He is a kid who has no fear.
Reece Foley (Sydney Roosters)
A Townsville product, Foley is a young gun half whose presence in this squad will surprise no one.
Zac Garton (Redcliffe Dolphins)
A robust back rower, Garton is exactly the type of kid who will work his way through age group football and come out the other side in the big league.
Stanley Huen (Melbourne Storm)
Huen has been on the Storm’s books for reasons. He is an Ipswich product who plays in the halves, is tough and clever.
Xavier Kerrisk (Mackay Cutters)
Kerrisk has been one of the great improvers in age group football over the last two years, and played his way into the state schoolboys side last year as the first choice hooker.
Mason Kira (Northern Pride)
A robust tight forward with agility and athletic ability, Kira is a grand prospect.
Israel Leota (Souths Logan Magpies)
Broncos’ fans, watch for this tall, athletic winger to break into the NRL sometime this season. He grew up in Logan playing a variety of sport, and attended Ipswich Grammar School where his volleyball, of all things, blossomed.
Alton Naiyep (Manly Sea Eagles)
A more courageous dummy half runner you would never see in a day’s march. An Ipswich SHS, he played for Queensland schoolboys last season.
LJ Nonu (Redcliffe Dolphins)
Nonu shone like a beacon in last year’s Langer finals’ and it was no surprise the astute Dolphins’ scouts move to sign him. He plays centre.
Jaxon Purdue (Mackay Cutters)
Xavier Kerrisk’s partner in crime at the Cutters, Purdue is a naturally skilled No.6, a young gun prospect signed by the Cowboys.
Isaiah Scanlan (Penrith Panthers)
Scanlan is an uncompromising, hard working prop who has been the cornerstone of Palm Beach Currumbin SHS’s success in recent seasons.
Jamal Shibasaki (Mackay Cutters)
Shibasaki is a promising edge forward prospects you simply can’t help but be impressed with.
Larry Siala (Redcliffe Dolphins)
A towering talent from Ipswich’s St Edmund’s College, Siala, was a member of Scott Tronc’s premiership winning Meninga Cup side last season.
Kai Simon (Mackay Cutters)
Another big improver from the Mackay region, the winger or centre has a high work ethic and selection here is reward for his effort.
Bud Smith (Canterbury Bulldogs)
The son of a gun - his dad Jason played Origin and Test football - Bud is a Darling Downs little ripper who plays at the Bulls.
Sam Stephenson (Tweed Seagulls)
The most impressive schoolboy player in SEQ last year, the tall, long striding centre is under lock and key at the Gold Coast Titans.
Lewis Symonds (Redcliffe Dolphins)
Symonds is a prized schoolboy signing for Dolphins from Marsden SHS. He is an athletic No.13 who, believe it or not, has been a prolific medal winner in field events at national track and field championships over the years.
Tariq Tanner (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
Another excellent prospect, Tanner will look to advance his development another few strides with Wynnum this season in the Meninga Cup.
Tyreece Tait (Sydney Roosters)
A speed demon winger who has pace and plenty of it. Good judges see a little of a young Darius Boyd (Origin champion, premiership winner) in Tait.
Aholoka Toia (Sydney Roosters)
His brother is a gun centre (Rob), but Loka is satisfied to stay in the middle third and do plenty of grunt work. He was Queensland’s best forward at the schoolboy championships last season.
De La Salle Va’a (Sydney Roosters)
You may soon see his brother Xavier playing NRL for the Roosters, and this young front row giant also has the goods. He hails from Carl Webb country - Dalby - and attended St Mary’s Toowoomba.
Michael Waqa (Redcliffe Dolphins)
A schoolboy prodigy, once Waqa played himself into condition, he also played himself into a Dolphins contract. The Wavell SHS past student was a member of Redcliffe’s 2023 Meninga Cup premiership side. He plays prop.
Matthew Watts (Mackay Cutters)
Another high achiever from the fertile lands around Mackay, Watts deserves his place in this company.
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