NRRRL top footy players from Ballina, Cudgen, Northern United and Turkeys

There are some tough and talented players ready to put their skin in the game when the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League season returns. SEE THE LIST

Ballina Seagulls full back is among the top players in the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League competition.

The Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League is regarded as one of them most formidable country football competitions in the state.

Comprising a substantial and talented mix of former National Rugby League stars, emerging young talent and local heroes, The Northern Star has compiled a list of some of the established and up and coming players to watch.

See which players will grab headlines from three of the clubs looking forward to getting back on the field.

Ballina

The 2021 premiership team has a gold mine of top talent according to club president Alan Perry,

He said the following Ballina Seagulls players represent the best of what the club has to offer in regards to talent, experience, ability, dedication and approach to the game.

Oliver Regan – Full Back

The 28-year-old is regarded as the perfect all-rounder,

“Oliver’s been with the club since he was junior,” Perry said.

“He went to Redcliffe (Queensland) as his apprenticeship and came back to the Burleigh Bears for a couple of seasons, before he returned to Ballina to play with his mates.

“Oliver’s the highest point scorer in the competition, he’s our number one goal kicker and point scorer.”

Ballina Seagulls full back Oliver Regan is the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League’s highest point score at the moment.

Matt Koellner – Front Rower

Perry said the 22 year old could play as a front or second rower with finesse.

“Matt was the man of the match when the team won the grand final in 2020,” Perry said.

“He’s one of the best forwards in the whole competition.

“He played with the Tweed Seagulls in the state league competition and he’s dual registered with us because of the borders.

“Matt has very good ball skills, he is a great all rounder and a very good player.”

Ballina Seagulls front rower Matt Koellner has as much talent and ability as he does loyalty to the club.

Michael Dwane – Hooker

Known as “Mr Versatile”, Dwane can play as hooker or lock forward and has also excelled at centre and wing.

Perry said Dwane had been with the club since he started playing in the U7s.

“Dwane is a great player and he was voted man of the match in the 2019 grand final,” he said.

“Dwane is super fast at dummy half.

“And he is a very good defender it the middle of the ruck.”

Ballina Seagulls hooker Michael Dwane is highly regarded for his talent and versatility.

Cudgen

Cudgen Hornets chairman Mick Channells said the senior men’s team had a lot of talent.

“Caleb Ziebell and his brother, Connor, provide the platform for much of our attack with Sam Grant organising pretty much everything the team does,” he said.

“And Jake Sands is an absolute legend around the club and would be a standout in any team.

“Caleb, Sam and Myles Donnelly played together consistently as junior footballers so have a great understanding of each other plays.”

Caleb Ziebell – Lock

Known a “Buddha”, this 26-year-old is a footballer with all the skills. He is a hard running, strong tackling player with short and long passing games and he’s an excellent kicker to boot. Most opposition teams spend time planning how to contain him. They rarely do for the whole game.

Cudgen lock Caleb Ziebell is considered player with all the skills needed to succeed in short and long passing games and he's an excellent kicker to boot.

Connor Ziebell – Front row

Considered a no-nonsense player who is a damaging runner and punishing tackler, Connor, 23, is known for regularly ensuring the team is moving forward at the start of a set of six.

Versatile and dedicated, he applies himself equally at both ends of the field putting his hand up to take the toughest runs.

Cudgen's Connor Ziebell is regarded as a no-nonsense front rower.

Sam Grant – Halfback

Co-Captain of the side, Grant, 26, possess an outstanding ability to read the game.

Experience means he can steer the team around the park and calls the plays.

Grant constantly watches what the opposition defence is doing to exploit any weaknesses to Cudgen’s advantage.

Cudgen's halfback Sam Grant is able to read the game and exploit any weaknesses he spots in the opposition.

Jake Sands – Fullback

Sands, 28, has a well-developed ability to read the flow of a game and this, coupled with his speed, makes him not only a threat to defences in his own right but a great support player as well. The former captain relishes his senior role in the team, is a potent runner and a leading try scorer. In defence he talks non-stop to the rest of the team positioning the front line to contain the opposition’s attack. An excellent kicker.

Cudgen fullback Jake Sands can read the game flow and use his speed and kicking skills to get his team ahead.

Myles Donnelly – Hooker

A non-stop defender who constantly brings much bigger players to the ground, this clever dummy half provides great service to his ball players.

Donnelly, 26, is known for his ability to catch the opposition defence napping with his quick darts.

Cudgen hooker Myles Donnelly is a standout defender.

Kyogle

A Grade coach Michael Woods said the while the Kyogle Turkeys were an incredibly talented and solidly focused team, there were players he expected to shine when they returned to the ground.

Woods said the club was proud of all its players at all levels.

However, he said the following players deserved special recognition.

Deon Bianchetti – Front rower

This very hard working front rower, 25, has been backbone of the A Grade team due to consistency of his performance in a tough season.

Bianchetti has had been a remarkable player for past few years.

Joe Olive – Five-eighth / Half back

The versatile and talented half has grown in confidence this season and has been steering the team around the field.

At just 21 years, Olive is known for possessing a good kicking game.

Notable mentions

Woods said top players Sam Nicholson and Jai Slater, who each suffered season ending ACL injuries, had continued to maintain their club presence and commitment by coaching juniors and cheering on their mates at games.

“The club hopes to see both back for the next season,” he said.

“Nicholson is hoping to have surgery and back in 2022 and back rower Slater underwent his surgery earlier this year.”

Northern United

Since 2009, this talented Aboriginal Rugby League Club based in Bundjalung Country (Lismore) has been a significant member of the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League.

Northern United president Djaan Jarrett said the Dirrawongs (Bundjalung for goanna) were improving.

“We are quite excited and positive for all our teams this coming season,” he said.

“Good news for our senior men is we have just signed on our current coach, Chris Binge, for 2022, which means a lot for consistency in our coaching ranks.

“And our U18 side played for the first time in five years which means we will have more great players coming through.”

Fred Pitt

A seasoned player in the competition and a valued senior player in the Northern United, Pitt brings a high level of experience to the team and also provides a mentor role to a number of younger players in the club.

Pitt also offers through his skill and abilities and speed to break a game open which makes him a danger every week.

Northern United player Fred Pitt is known as a speedy powerhouse on the ground and as a dedicated mentor to younger players coming through the club.

Ihaka Savage – Front rower

A young emerging front rower in Northern United, Savage’s progression through the club to first grade has been impressive.

His hard work ethics and willingness to learn under guidance from experienced coaches in the Northern United system has allowed his progression to place him as a leading first grade front rowers in the Dirrawongs and also in the competition.

Northern United player Ihaka Savage has made his mark as a highly effective front rower through dedication to training and improvement.

Calum Duncan – Hooker

A young emerging player at Northern United, who even with his slight build plays with his heart on his sleeve.

Duncan has a very difficult and crucial position playing hooker against bigger and more experienced and seasoned forwards in the competition.

Northern United hooker Calum Duncan is recognised as an emerging talent who is prepared to take on larger and more experienced players.

He is regarded as an integral part of the club’s future and his development and eagerness to improve also place him as an emerging talent in the competition.

Every Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League club was invited to be a part of the list.