The 2024 AIC rugby Team of the Season
AIC First XV rugby Team of the Season announced here featuring a squad with all the trimmings - pace, power, courage. See who made it here, along with our list of best Next New Faces, Unsung Heroes and Blue Collar Workers.
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Some of Queensland rugby’s finest juniors came out to play in the AIC First season, leading to the selection of our annual Team of the Season.
Old hard heads from last season, withering new talents from this season, and some tried and tested representative players have made it into the squad after a stunning finale to the competition last Saturday at Runcorn.
AIC RUGBY’S 2023 TEAM OF THE SEASON
AIC RUGBY: PREMIERSHIP DECIDER
Just look at the names who didn’t make the top squad and you get an idea of the type of talent that was on display - and why selecting this team was so difficult.
TEAM OF THE SEASON
1. Luka Smith (St Laurence’s)
Smith was St Laurence’s forward battleship who’d take the hits but just keep ploughing on. Supreme in the scrum, magnificent in the rolling maul, almost unstoppable in pick and drive, Smith also carried the ball like his life depended on it.
After ripping and tearing in 2023 with Rylan Lock and Byron Murphy, Smith went up a level in another terrific front row trio consisting of himself, Huw Griffiths and Preston O’Brien.
2. Manaaki Bateman (St Patrick’s)
The 2023 Australian schoolboys hooker Bateman was like a one-man band who’d take on opposition packs on his own if he could. Not once, not twice but three times, yes three times he scored three tries in games. Remarkable. He will do damage at Colts level with Brothers next year.
3. Hopo Leota (Iona)
A remarkable tight-head, the French-bound Australian schoolboys and Reds under-19s prop was a colossus in the scrum, a dynamic wide runner or an immovable object in the rolling maul.
Fitter, faster, stronger and smarter this season on the back of some great representative experience late last year, Leota improved with each game to meet expectations and finish as the best prop in the competition.
4. Will Ross (Padua)
Traditional tall timber, Australian Under-16s selection Will Ross was a ball winning ace at lock - but someone who bit down hard on his mouthguard when a tackle needed to be made or a tough carry taken. He is also developing his ball carrying game, which holds him in good stead heading into his final year of schooling in 2025.
5. Ben Caughley (Ashgrove)
We are living in the past by putting Caughley at lock - he was Marist’s second rower in 2023 - but Caughley earns his place in the side after an elite season at flanker. We just had to find a place for him, didn’t we?
After missing the first game, the athletic breakaway made a huge impact for Ashgrove with the ball in hand, his drive and determination.
6. Jackson Connor (Villanova)
Tall and athletic, Connor would be a cross code whiz in Australian football, rugby league, rugby union or any contact sport.
He could play No.8, blind flanker, lock or inside centre with ease but he was stationed at No.8 this season where with seven tireless 70 minutes performances. He put Villanova on his shoulders and led them into the fray.
7. Jack Breuer (St Edmund’s)
Breuer was consistently Eddies’ best despite playing out of position on many occasions.
He was an inspiring leader both through his actions and words. He could not care less what the score was, all that mattered to him was ripping in for his teammates and the crest on his jersey.
8. Ben Davis (St Laurence’s)
An old rugby head on young shoulders, Davis was a man for all seasons who never dropped his standard when St Laurence’s were under most pressure against Iona and Ashgrove.
With the footwork of an outside back and the hands of a halfback or fly half, Davis was the full package who exceeded expectations in his third and final season of First XV rugby after debuting as a Year 10 student.
9. Brock Dillon (Padua)
If you ever wonder why Padua tactical kicking ace Damon Humphrys seems to have time on his hands, then look no further than the service provided by Dillon.
It would surprise if he missed a tackle this season and his rise after missing most of last season through injury has been one of the highlights of Padua’s season. He was a super star in last Saturday’s grand final.
10. Finn Mackay (St Laurence’s)
Chosen as a reserve Team of the Season reserve last season, Mackay had another stellar season, which surprised no one.
The Australian Under-16s playmaker (2023) had the biggest boot in the competition, but offered plenty more with his running game which improved drastically this season.
11. Campbell Rolfe (Iona)
He is a league player but Iona coach Paul Davey would love him to concentrate on playing fullback in rugby.
He had a killer kicking game and knew how and when to run the ball.
Rock solid in defence, he was also sound under the high ball with a knack for sending the ball over the black dot.
12. Damon Humphrys (Padua)
There was no way in the world we were going to leave either Finn Mackay (St Laurence’s) or Humphrys out of this side so we had to move one to the inside centre position.
Humphrys had a magnificent short kicking game, was an underrated runner and put his body on the line in defence.
The pacy playmaker’s grubber kicks and deceiving ball skills had many in awe at certain times across the season.
13. Tom Millard (Ashgrove)
There was intense competition from the Padua centres for this position but Millard thoroughly deserves his place, with his strong running, finishing prowess and excellent defence the full package.
He began the season in style over Villanova and somehow got better every game to finish the season as the best inside centre, with countless tries, line breaks and try assists the proof.
14. Jayden Solien (Padua)
Solien was a revelation for Padua with his stunning running game capable of picking apart the best defenders.
He displayed his self belief with a chip and chase effort to create a try in traffic against Iona when he lobbed his kick in a narrow gap between defenders. Solien and adapted well from his duties as a middle player in the rugby league Meninga Cup to become a dangerous fullback. Amazing he made the Meninga Cup league Team of the Season as a forward.
15. Tom Howard (Ashgrove)
A brilliant game breaking runner who could score or create tries no others in the competition could.
But there was also plenty of substance to his game - he had an iron will, big heart in contact and plenty of rugby smarts about him. You were always intrigued as to what option he would take when fielding an clearing kick from the opposition.
RESERVES
16. Fononga Tuitahi (Iona)
An extremely mobile hooker who gets around the park like a flanker, but who carries with the intensity of a tight forward.
He gets into position to make important tackles as well as having off the mark acceleration like no other front rower in the competition.
17. Huw Griffiths (St Laurence’s)
A big reason for Laurie’s successful season again was this hooker who ticked boxes in all departments in the set pieces, while being a prime mover with the ball.
After a season in the centres for the Seconds last year, Griffiths was a destructive right edge raider who finished tries as well as created momentum with his bursts.
18. Samuel Binney (Villanova)
A courageous prop, Binney worked his backside off and never, ever stopped no matter the size of the opponent in the fight.
His prop buddy Harry Higgins was also superb, and Higgins is recognised later in our story.
19. Liam O’Callaghan (St Laurence’s)
O’Callaghan was the type of player you build a premiership defence around.
He had the will and he found a way, especially when pilfering at the breakdown.
That was his calling card.
20. Will Tozer (Padua)
Padua’s captain courageous who replaced his cricket whites, bat and ball for a mouth guard and the First XV jersey.
From No.8 he spearheaded his team’s glorious tilt at the premiership and his name will forever be etched as an AIC First XV premiership winning captain.
It is rare air.
21. Ned Dore (Iona)
Iona captain and lock Dore was strongly considered for the top spot after building on an impressive 2023 season.
His work rate and line out work could not be faulted, his yellow headgear one of the most notorious and noticeable on Saturday’s across the season.
22. Lachie McCall (Ashgrove)
It was a toss of the coin who made the actual starting XV - McCall or Brock Dillon. McCall was a tenacious but skilled halfback who deservedly made multiple Team of the Week squads this season.
Prolific tryscorer McCall wasn’t your ordinary halfback, he was a capable passer who got in his opponent’s head, ran hard and fast in support and was not afraid to go himself.
23. Nate Clark (Padua)
Clark was a defensive henchman at inside centre, someone who put his opponent under lock and key and who would chase his five-eight’s tactical kicks like his life depended on it. But he was also a forceful runner who scored a rollicking try in Saturday’s finals. He will be one of Padua’s leader in 2025. He added nice balance to the premiership winners.
24. Matt Doherty (Iona)
There was hot competition for the outside back positions, but Doherty, a centre capable of playing elsewhere in the backline, had his nose in front of other contenders. Doherty’s crash running laid a nice platform for Blaze Mohi, Jack Pascoe, Rolfe and wingers Lachie Smith and Connor Quinn to pounce.
He was very consistent.
Super 11 We’d Love To Have Found Space For In Our Side
Adam Kelly (Iona)
Kelly was the most outstanding player to miss the top XV. He was an open side flanker in the Chris Roche, Jeff Miller, David Croft mould - speedy to the breakdown, courageous, effective.
His athletics and hustle was missed by Iona in last Saturday’s enthralling bayside derby game against Villanova.
Joel Drew (Ashgrove)
Drew was a sprinter in a rugby jersey - which is not surprising because he is the 400m hurdles national bronze medallist.
He put his body on the line in the biggest match of the season against Lauries, and also scored one of the tries of the season against the same opposition.
No one scored more than Drew.
Cohen Taylor (St Patrick’s)
An undersized No.8, Taylor courageously played above his weight and his height to take on opposition packs. He was so reliable, and once his mistake rate dried up early in the season, Taylor was always one of the best players on the field. He thoroughly deserved his Doubles Daley Medal against Ashgrove and then against Iona in the last round.
Flynn Dalton (Padua)
Now here’s bloke who deserves a wrap. The boundless open side flanker was an unsung hero of Padua’s premiership campaign but we are delighted to put him up in lights right here, right now.
His bumper campaign followed a top notch season for the Norths Devils in the Connell Cup representative rugby league competition.
Will Gallagher (Villanova)
Gallagher was another tigress open side flanker who’d put his body on the line - then got up and did it all over again minute after minute.
Villanova were lucky to have him.
Sebastian Gardner (Ashgrove)
Here he is - Mr Consistency. The Ashgrove flanker who left nothing in the tank and who was seriously considered for the top squad. Gardner was a tradesman who knew his role back to front, a breakaway who would have been either in or on the cusp of 3-2-1 votes each week.
Jasper Barry (Ashgrove)
He’s a very good player who only missed the top side due to missing two games to injury.
Callum Rooney (Padua)
He was no giant, but no one pushed him around. Hardened from the 2023 season, Rooney was a rugby boy who became a rugby man this season. He was so consistent. The Padua prop formed an underrated front row combination with hooker Noone and Upchurch.
Connor Quinn (Iona)
A classy finisher who picked up a Doubles Daley Medal for his efforts against Padua - no less. He’s quick, he does not shy away from contact, and worked hard off the ball.
Connor Quinn had finesse and the speed to pile on points or mop up tackles.
Nigel Sherriff (St Peters)
Without their ace outside back Wallace Charlie, St Peters were without their most potent attacking weapon.
Despite this, fearless lock Nigel Sherriff and his band of bash bros, Paul Deeb, Alex Brown and Solomone Koroi were terrific.
The rangy, headgear wearing Sherriff was tremendous through the middle third of the field and was a high intensity player regardless of who he was running at.
Tom Nadenic (St Laurence’s)
The captain and lock was like St Laurence’s Rock of Gibraltar, a pillar in the set pieces and a willing participant in Laurie’s pick and drive and rolling maul attack.
The big man continued the Nadenic tradition in style after Joe had paved the way in seasons 2021 and 2022.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Xavier Howard (Ashgrove)
Howard has those Howard traits- vision, confidence, natural flair and a competitive edge to get better.
He played outside centre where he scored or helped network some lovely tries.
His sparking of a 95m try from a scrum win against St Laurence’s was one of the season’s highlights and he was good enough to be in the top 25.
Watch for him to impact the competition even more in 2025.
Will Tatt (St Edmund’s)
Another under age First XV player, Tatt was a willing back rower who displayed natural leadership skills. He could play open flanker or No.6. and was tremendously consistent across the season.
Joshua Forrest (Padua)
Forrest was consistently strong at the breakdown, Mr Reliable when carrying the ball, and someone who always seemed to bob up as a support player in the hand to hand combat on either side of the tackled player. He was a grand flanker for the premiership winners.
Oliver O’Regan (Padua)
Like his centre partner Clark, O’Regan was no mug in the defensive line either but had a bit more to his game when it came to attacking play. His wingers would speak very highly of him.
Xavier Santos (St Laurence’s)
An unsung hero in St Laurence’s successful campaign was this crafty fullback with great vision, a lethal step and a strong kicking game.
A Met East representative selection, Santos has been a loyal servant to the school’s First XV and First XI cricket side, an athletic kid who has high IQ in both sports.
Matt Condon (St Patrick’s)
Outside back Matt Condon had limited opportunities but seemed to have that sixth sense knowing when to pass, what type of option to take or when to run the ball.
He looks a very good player with the ball - and someone who was prepared to take pride in the defensive line.
He had a pinch of x-factor as well.
Max Downie (Villanova)
For seasons AIC First XV teams have been built around blokes like Downie, a no frills, working class lock who just does his best every week. More power to him.
Riley Horn (St Patrick’s)
You can see there is a footballer in this wily five-eight, a three season veteran who showed plenty despite limited opportunities he had behind an often beaten Paddies’ pack.
He had a touch of class and could slice through the line himself with a turn of pace and quick change of direction.
Adam Burnell (Ashgrove)
Burnell was a Mr Fix-it for Ashgrove, coming into the squad twice - once for No.8 Jasper Barry and another time for lock Pat Anderson. He filled in magnificently on both occasions, especially against St Laurence’s after playing a full game in the Second XV.
Johnny Nona (St Peters)
Young veteran Johnny Nona, the Fijian boarder had a stellar season at outside centre where he defended courageously, carried strong and unloaded well in contact.
A second-year player, Nona stepped up with Fijian running mate Wallace Charlie sidelined.
EXCITING NEW FACES
Keanu Bothma (Iona)
The rookie of the season - he is only in Year 10 - halfback Bothma displayed maturity beyond his years.
The fast tracking of this No.9 was an inspired decision by the Iona coaching staff.
Nate Pearce (St Edmund’s)
Another babe of the competition, the Year 10 back rower entered the fray in every match this season from the bench. He will be a Player to Watch for Eddies in 2025 and 2026.
Max Rakitovszky (Villanova)
Villanova blooded a shifty outside back in Max Rakitovszky in what was a rebuilding year for the school.
Classy with great footwork and ticker, Rakitovszky played like it was his final season representing the Green Machine and we suspect he will have a much more prominent role next season.
Josh Heinrich (Ashgrove)
One of the finds of the season who rose to win the Doubles Daley Medal for his performance in round 5 against St Patrick’s.
A baby-faced Year 11 hooker, he will be a forward leader in 2025.
Oh, did we mention he kicks goals as well.
Harrison Vidler (St Edmund’s)
Vidler is another young player from Eddies’ who will be just that bit better again next season. He missed some matches through injury, but when he returned his presence made a difference.
Paul Deeb (St Peters)
Year 11 St Peters student Paul Deeb, a tight-head, made a wonderful impact at the set piece and got better as the season went on.
The lineout thrower, Deeb fronted up and gave 110 per cent in every game.
Koda Cuthbert (St Edmund’s)
St Edmund’s had plenty of pace in their outside backs Ryder Rundell, Lochlan Perry and Conrad Browne and in centre field loomed an even bigger threat, Koda Cuthbert.
Fast and full of effort, Cuthbert ran brilliant lines and chased kicks until the final whistle.
Blaze Mohi (Iona)
Blaze was an elite young play making five-eight. Young and raw, he could pass a mile on both sides and will be back next year for another season.
EXCITING RAW TALENT AWARD
Jack Boland (St Patrick’s)
Another explosive talent, Boland twice scored possibly the best two individual tries of the season in rounds against Padua and Villanova.
He’s a big tick from us who will come to life even more when the First XIII rugby league season rolls around next term.
Tiger Campbell (St Edmund’s)
A roaring league talent, Campbell had an explosive running game who had some daring adventure in his game.
He will be even better next season once he learns to play the 15-a-man game, he certainly has the talent. Also put a watch on his teammate Conrad Browne.
BLUE COLLAR BOYS
Dan Casey (St Edmund’s)
Casey was the old man of the pack, a reliable war horse lock who showed the young bucks the way around a First XV rugby field. The benefits of his season this year may not be seen until next season.
Connor Gane (Ashgrove)
Small for a tight-head, Gane put everything into his performances for Ashgrove - and then some.
The front three of Gane, Heinrich and Downs was up there with the best in the competition, who held up well against the imposing St Laurence’s pack.
Harry Higgins (Villanova)
Sam Binney’s partner in crime in the engine room for Villanova, prop forward Higgins mirrored his good mate with whole hearted performances from start to finish.
His mammoth performance against Iona eclipsed his excellent season.
Alex Brown (St Peters)
The plucky Saints lock wasn’t the biggest or the most athletic, but he did the little things right, rarely made mistakes and rose to the challenge no matter how daunting.
Rueben Downs (Ashgrove)
A powerhouse prop with strength that belies his size, no one pushed him around this season. He is probably a bit better than the “blue collar’’ category if we are honest.
When push came to shove, he dug deep and delivered for the swarm.
Jacob Moesbergen (Padua)
Unsung Padua lock Moesbergen was someone who worked hard to get into the team, and once there, worked hard to ensure he stayed in the team. His support play was outstanding and he represented everything good about Padua this season.
Cruz Boxsell (St Edmund’s)
Inspiring St Edmund’s loosehead prop Cruz Boxsell was a scrum time marvel who kept his foot on the gas in other set piece areas like the lineout and in the rolling maul.
A highlight of his came in round five when he met the St Laurence’s front row with force and did an outstanding job.
Pat Anderson (Ashgrove)
The words blue collar were invented to describe someone like Anderson. But take note - he produced one of the passes of the season when he freed his arms in a tackle to create a try against Paddies.
The strong Marist Ashgrove senior became a man this season.
BLACK BOOK WATCH ON
Jesse Daly (St Patrick’s)
A bright spark at the base of the St Patrick’s forwards, Daly was an influential halfback.
If you were in charge of recruiting colts players to your club in 2025, I’d find the best contact address for this bloke, a scheming scrumhalf who catches fish off the pier after finding the breadbasket with his passes.
Jack Pascoe (Iona)
The representative midfielder missed a handful of games through injury but when he played Iona were a much more dangerous side.
A kid with wheels and plenty of strength, Pascoe played two seasons of First XV rugby and would be an asset to any Colts side next year.
Sam Hodder (Iona)
Hodder helped form the best scrum front row in the competition, a young giant who will be a leader of the pack in 2025.
As a Year 11 student, Hodder flew under the radar alongside Leota and Tuitahi but was equally as impressive with his consistency.
Christian Kurylewski (Ashgrove)
Every time we cast eyes on a Marist match, this tall lock impressed. He could do with a few steak dinners, but is a raw talent worth watching.
UNDERRATED
George Noone (Padua)
Noone was a tradesman who worked hard at the one per cent plays. He received an A+ for effort and execution and how his big lock Will Ross loved the way he presented him ball in the line out.
Preston O’Brien (St Laurence’s)
Taavi Upchurch (Padua)
A first season rookie alongside Noone and Rooney who took him under their wing, Upchurch was a big body who installed a bit of fear factor in the opposition packs.
Solomone Koroi (St Peters)
The younger brother of 2022 First XV hooker Moe, Solomone flew the flag for the Koroi family and did a tremendous job as a No.8.
He was a fierce defender, threatening ballrunner from the back of the scrum and excelled in the wider channels where he was a great linking forward.
Denzel Savelino (St Patrick’s)
The powerful tighthead prop was superb, start to finish.
Close to the line Savelino was destructive while being effective in the rolling maul and at the breakdown.
Daniel Norris (St Peters)
St Peters’ prime mover would play in the centres or in the forward pack and be a terrific contributor.
He kicked goals, made metres with his booming kicking game and could create for his teammates as well as make a break.
Charlie Hansson (Iona)
Hansson was a true blue forward for Iona, someone the coach would not need to check in on prior to the game because Hansson was sure to be switched up and up for the challenge.
Nate Roberts (Ashgrove)
Roberts started the season in the Second XV but when promoted for round three, his straightening of the attack squared up the backline which released his outside division to strut their stuff - which they did very well.
Liam Inggs (St Patrick’s)
What a season this guy had.
A breakdown masterclass against St Edmund’s was a highlight of his consistent season impacting matches on the defensive end for St Patrick’s.
Tyron Burr and Isaac Boal (Padua)
We loved these two boys who put on pressure on their kick chases. Both were always there just in case, and occasionally impacted matches with their pace - just as Burr did with his hustling, bustling effort in the first half last Saturday.
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