Todd Carney among Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League key players
The Northern Rivers’ best rugby league teams are back in training to light up the 2022 season. We spoke to all 13 clubs to find out who their key players would be. See the list.
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It’s set to be one of the biggest Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League seasons yet.
Last year’s finals were scuppered by Covid-19 restrictions but the disappointment has only fuelled the ambition of the Northern Rivers’ strongest rugby league clubs.
This season promises to entertain and thrill with former NRL stars and North Coast young guns strutting their stuff.
Here are the players to watch.
Mullumbimby Giants
Mullumbimby are making a massive statement to lift themselves off the bottom of the table.
The Giants have announced a massive coup by signing last year’s top scorer Luke Simpson to their side.
Former Gold Coast Titans and Parramatta Eels player Cody Nelson is at his home town club looking to usher in a new era of prosperity.
Key Player
Luke Simpson - Forward
Luke Simpson topped the charts with 22 tries in 2021 and is coming to the rescue of a Mullumbimby Giants team that was out of luck and ideas last season.
Simpson has the capacity to boost the morale of a team that is looking to cause an upset in 2022.
As well as adding a quality player, they’ve taken a massive asset off Ballina Seagulls at the top end of the table.
Lower Clarence Magpies
Lower Clarence Magpies scored the least and conceded the most last season with a points difference of -418.
It’s an unenviable position for coach Carl Press to take hold of, but he backs himself to make the Magpies a winning side.
“I would admit at the start we were unfit, they were wondering who the new coach was, once they settled into that situation and came on board, we got some momentum,” he said.
Key Player
Craig Mercy-Bushell - Fullback
Carl Press saves his highest praise for his fullback.
Craig Mercy-Bushell has shown quality in the Magpies most important position for Yambora Roos in the Northern Rivers Three Nations League.
If he is fit and firing then so will the Magpies.
Marist Rams Lismore
Marist Rams Lismore were on the brink of another major victory when they were set to face Ballina in the semi-finals before lockdown stopped their progress.
Their young head coach Will Bugden speaks highly of his players but knows that individual quality won’t be enough to get the Rams into the finals again.
Bugden has been keeping former head coach Mark Sivewright close and using him as a sounding board.
“I wouldn’t be taking this job if I didn’t want to make the grand final,” he said.
“Maintaining connection with Mark the previous coach, he wanted to stay involved and I’m happy to keep him involved.”
Key players
Paul O’Neill Jnr. - Halfback
“We wouldn’t be Marist Brothers without Paul O’Neill Junior,” Bugden said.
He said O’Neill Jnr was the most tenacious player on the field despite his small stature and could slot into lock when needed.
Isaac Lee - Back Row
This is the last man you want running at you in the 75th minute of a close match.
Still in his early 20s, Lee has the potential to be an exceptional back rower at regional level.
Bugden said Lee’s consistency was the most impressive part of his game.
He said Lee’s positioning was always spot on and he’d heard he’d matured with a few extra kilos this year.
Kyogle Turkeys
Last season was an opportunity for Kyogle Turkeys to build foundations to improve in the future.
After a second last-placed finish in 2021, the only place left to go is up the table.
“We came back into the comp last year and we want to build on what we have already put in place,” head coach Michael Wood said.
Key Player
Blake Skinner - Halfback
Blake Skinner is a young lad but he was arguably one of Kyogle’s most important players in a bleak season last year.
He finished 15th on the top points ladder for the 2021 season, giving him and his team a much-needed boost.
Asked what his best three attributes were as a player, he was quick to respond.
“My talk on the field, my kicking game and my tackling,” he said.
Tweed Coast Raiders
Tweed Coast Raiders fell agonisingly short of a finals place last season thanks to losses to Marist Rams and Byron Bay.
They won four matches scoring more than 50 points last season to show they have the ability to blow teams away.
But leaky defence has kept them from reaching the zenith of Northern Rivers rugby league.
Their head coach this season will be Guy Lanston, their 2018 premiership winning captain.
Key players
Dan Willoughby - Hooker
Dan Willoughby proved he was an important player for Tweed Coast last year.
His experience provides calm for the Raiders but he has an extra gear this season if they can unlock his potential.
Ethan Brouwer - Hooker
Ethan Brouwer is a coach’s dream.
The 24-year old can play almost anywhere on the field.
Ten years ago the teenager won the Country League player of the week as a 14-year old.
He’s still a young gun with many experienced players explaining he works well in the forward pack and puts together good combinations.
Ballina Seagulls
Ballina Seagulls are always one of the favourites in the season but they have a Luke Douglas-sized hole to fill.
The former Cronulla Sharks and Gold Coast Titans stalwart has moved on with new coach Justin Stewart left to ensure the Seagulls meet their lofty expectations.
Stewart has experience in NRL setups having been a coach at the Newcastle Knights and Manly Sea Eagles, but he’ll need to lean on his experienced players to get Yobbo’s Hill on their feet.
Key Players
Ant Colman and Michael Dwane
Ant Colman has the mammoth task of pushing Ballina Seagulls further into the grand final alongside Michael Dwane.
They are Ballina’s most important players this season with a wealth of experience and talent including years of coaching in the NRL system.
Colman spent two years with Gold Coast Titans 20s and Dwane with Manly Sea Eagles and Tweed Seagulls to boot.
Their head coach has singled them out as the players who can win Ballina Seagulls a match whenever they are on their game.
Casino RSM Cougars
Casino Cougars are on the march to lift themselves off the bottom half of the table.
The Cougars have recruited acclaimed administrator and coach Jamie Dowse from Norths Devils and are in talks to boost their stocks with NRL talent.
Dowse has noted that his efforts to improve their performances on the field must start off it.
“We are a club, no-one is separate. We are a whole club,” he said.
“They’ve been divided in the past in some way with all the first grade training on a different field.
“I don’t work like that so Tuesday nights will be club night where we break into three or four groups so we do skills, speed, agility and conditioning.”
Key Player
Taine Fraser - Front Row
Taine Fraser bleeds Casino RSM Cougars.
The experienced Cougar has a history dating back almost a decade at the club and his passion for the team, according to his new coach, is second to none.
An intimidating figure, Fraser is a leader on and off the field.
“Taine has had a couple of years off, he’s pretty keen to get back into playing,” Dowse said.
“He’s nice and aggressive so he’ll bring the boys together.”
Byron Bay Devils
Byron Bay Red Devils pulled off incredible results against the odds last season but need to put more runs on the board early if they want to take the next step to the finals.
From their first seven matches they won two and lost five.
Head coach and former NRL star Todd Carney said while he would like to add any players that were available, he had his eye on some Tweed Coast Raiders juniors who could find a home at Byron Bay.
“I’m worried about building our the base,” Carney said.
“I’m not too worries about any more additions.”
Key Players
Todd Carney - five eighth
At 35 years of age Carney is in as good a shape as ever to take Byron Bay to the next level.
His first session of the season in late January showcased his fitness and drive to push his squad.
“Pick up the pace!” he constantly shouted at his puffed out side.
If he can get his side as fit as he is, Byron are a chance for the finals this season.
Blake Steele - Centre
Blake Steele was Byron Bay’s leading scorer at the end of the 2021 season with nine tries.
Steel’s head coach believes he has what it takes to add more points to their tally.
“Blake’s adapted to what we are about at Byron, we are tight knit group and he came from Newcastle a year and a half ago,” Carney said.
“He’s been a really good asset, he started all year, great defensively, a strong ball runner, he is a good character to have around the club and was one of our better players last year.”
Evans Head Bombers
Trevor Bolt spearheaded Evans Head to sixth place in 2021 and now they want to go a step further.
Evans Head are sticking with their experienced squad giving them much needed continuity while eyeing talent from Casino to boost their defensive stocks.
Bolt makes no bones about wanting to be in the top three at the end of the season and his new additions just might deliver it for him.
Key Players
Josh Beach - Front Row
Josh Beach is as tough as they come.
With the motor he has, Evans Head have an asset on their team which can run over any opposition.
He has a big frame and is sure to show up on a biggest hits highlights video sometime this season.
Roy Bell - Five eighth/halfback
Trevor Bolt puts a lot of faith into Roy Bell who he played with at Casino in the semi-final a few years ago.
“He’s a good talker and a good leader on the field, he’ll be playing five-eighth or halfback,” Bolt said.
Bell brings professional NRL experience from South Sydney Rabbitohs and premiership wins with South Grafton in Group 2.
Northern United Rugby League Club
Northern United’s Allan Mckenzie took charge to rack up some massive victories for Northern United last season, but there are other players ready to step up in 2022.
Christopher Binge will take on the task to lead United passed ninth position and build on the four wins of last season.
Key Players
Calum Duncan - Hooker
Calum Duncan is returning for Northern United and 2022 is tipped to be the year that he shines.
For a few seasons Duncan’s potential has been touted as Northern United’s gun hooker.
Now is the season for him to make a name for himself.
Clarence Kelly - Centre
When Clarence Kelly is on his game he is absolutely unstoppable.
His record speaks for itself.
In 2009 he became the first player in three years from the Northern Rivers to make the Country NSW side and over 10 years later he is still just as influential for Northern United.
He is the perfect player for United to lean on.
Cudgen
The 2021 premiers are back for another shot at the title.
They had an invincible season winning 12 and drawing three of 15 matches.
No-one can deny that Cudgen have the skill and backbone to charge through to pole position again after the majority of their premiership squad returned for 2022.
“The boys are pretty loyal and the boys feel like they have unfinished business so they all left on a ‘what if’,” head coach Bryce Poisel said.
Key Player
Jake Sands - Forward
The third highest try scorer in last year’s competition is returning for another season.
His 16 tries last time out set the expectations high for one of the most prolific scorers in the competition.
“He was unbelievable, he was always in the right spot at the right time, he’s super fit and fast and capitalises on everything,” Poisel said.
Bilambil Jets
Arwin Marcus is taking Bilambil Jets for another season after they finished eighth in 2021.
His biggest challenge is to balance out his team’s defensive issues and boost their scoring stocks.
Bilambil had a goal difference of +9, barely scoring more points than conceding.
“We are seeing this as a fresh season and new ground for us,” Marcus said.
Key Players
Carne Rhodes - Halfback
Carne Rhodes was a reliable and experienced player for Bilambil last season.
His 72 points put him in the top 10 players across the competition.
Alex Fitzhugh - Fullback
Bilambil have pulled off a coup by bringing in Cudgen’s Alex Fitzhugh.
Fitzhugh returns to Bilambil having performed exceptionally in many positions for the Jets when they were part of the Gold Coast League.
He can also put in a shift at hooker if his side needs cover.
Murwillumbah Mustangs
Murwillumbah will have a tough task on their hands to keep their spot in the top four in 2022.
They finished four points ahead of Tweed Coast Raiders in fourth place but will be relying on most of their players from last season with few additions.
That poses benefits and problems for head coach Brendan Hills.
“We’d like to get a bit more involved in the defensive side and fitness side that’s one thing we will be concentrating on most in pre-season,” he said.
Key Players
Joe Besgrove - Defensive line
Joe Besgrove is returning as captain of Murwillumbah Mustangs.
Besgrove is a strong leader and is one of the best defenders in the competition.
His fitness is also top notch with his head coach backing him to play the full 80 minutes.
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