The 24 players to watch in ladies league tag, U18s, reserves and first grade on NRRRL grand final day
The Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League is gearing up for a blockbuster grand final day. See our list of 24 players to watch.
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After a season disrupted by rain and floods, the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League season is set for a spectacular finish on Sunday, with a quadruple-header of grand finals across the ladies league tag, under 18s, reserve grade and first grade competitions taking place at the Bilambil East Sports Field.
Here are 24 players to keep an eye on.
Ladies League Tag
Lilly Patston (Marist Brothers Ramettes)
One of the key players behind the team’s success, Patston marshals the troops around the field.
“She’s a great ball player and really controls the game through the middle,” said Ramettes’ captain Alyssa Goode.
Sienna Smith (Marist Brothers Ramettes)
Still just 16, Smith has been a revelation in her first season of ladies league tag.
“She’s a bit of a weapon try-scorer and is very talented with the ball,” says Goode.
Hayley McAnelly (Marist Brothers Ramettes)
On the other end of the spectrum is former Australian Oztag representative McAnelly, who brings a wealth of experience to the team.
“She’s always in control of the game and is cool, calm and collected at all times. She’s just exceptional.”
Maggie Butler (Cudgen Hornets)
With her constant work through the middle of the park, the Hornets’ captain has been one of the star players in the team’s minor premiership-winning season.
“She just consistently pushes onto the ball, she’s always there when anything’s happening – she seizes the big moments,” says coach Wayne Montford.
Tarnii Price (Cudgen Hornets)
A crafty half, Price is a great ball distributor and plays a key role in steering the team around the paddock.
“She’s a very smart footballer, very clever, very wily and she reads the game very well,” says Montford.
Grace Sleba (Cudgen Hornets)
The definition of playing ‘eyes-up’ footy, Montford has praised Sleba’s skill, along with her work rate.
“Gracie can break the line and she pushes up on the ball all day.”
Under 18s
Jett Forbes (Cudgen Hornets)
A prolific tryscorer, Cudgen’s centre is one of the most potent attacking weapons in the under 18 competition.
“He’s just elusive, he’s quite quick when he gets into space and he can beat any number of players at any time,” says coach Chris Moase. “He’ll be hard to stop if he gets away.”
Stevie O’Connor (Cudgen Hornets)
Still young enough to play under 18s again next year, the fullback has really improved throughout the season and gained a lot of confidence playing in the team.
“He’s been one of our best consistently at the back, his kick returns are unreal and he’s a great voice in defence for us,” says Moase.
Ty Kilpatrick (Cudgen Hornets)
It was a flip of a coin to choose between Kilpatrick and his front-row partner Caleb George, who has also been outstanding for the Hornets this year.
“Both our front-rowers are quite good. They just don’t stop – all game,” says Moase. “Ty’s been massive for us in the middle, he plays well above his weight. He’s a non-stop workhorse and I’d be expecting him to lead the way again.”
Lachlan Offley (Ballina Seagulls)
Safe under the high ball and with strong carries out from his own end, the fullback has been a key part of the Seagulls’ success during the team’s run through three sudden-death finals games.
“He’s very safe under the high ball, and he just pops up at all the right times,” says coach Ant Colman. “But his biggest strength is that he’s such a strong ball-runner, he’s like an extra forward coming out of trouble.”
George Campbell (Ballina Seagulls)
A real leader, the front-rower and captain rolls up his sleeves and leads by example every week.
“Really hard working, never stops going forward for us, goes through a mountain of work every game,” says Colman.
Tristan Kelly (Ballina Seagulls)
One of the Seagulls’ main strike weapons, the second-rower is a dangerous edge runner and key to the team’s attack.
“He’s a strong ball-runner, good defender and can do a bit of ball-playing as well.”
Reserve Grade
Mark O’Grady (Cudgen Hornets)
A seasoned veteran, the Hornets’ halfback has plenty of experience in the big games, famously setting up the winning try in the Wentworthville Magpies’ epic extra-time victory against the Newtown Jets in the 2008 NSW Cup grand final.
“His experience and footy smarts has got us into some good positions throughout the year and got us to where we are,” says coach Mitch Armour.
Jye Barton (Cudgen Hornets)
Still in his early twenties, this up-and-coming fullback has already played a far bit of first grade over the past couple of years, and has been a key member of the Hornets’ team in 2022.
“He’s a player on the rise and you’ll definitely see him in first grade in the coming years,” says Armour. “His kick returns have got us into some good field position to start our sets off well.”
Corey Kirkham (Cudgen Hornets)
The 24-year-old back-rower, who has also spent some time in the top grade, has proven to be one of Cudgen’s most dangerous players going forward throughout the season.
“His size and speed out wide gives us a bit of strike in attack. He hits the edges well and is coming off a two-try game in the semi-final against Bilambil,” says Armour.
Ethan Kane (Murwillumbah Mustangs)
If it wasn’t for the Mustangs’ depth across all grades, Kane could well have found himself playing in the top grade. A halfback with a good kicking game and game-management skills, he’s been key to the team’s success this year.
“He’s a really smart little footballer, he’s very important to us,” says coach Troy McLean.
Brandon Ewing (Murwillumbah Mustangs)
The versatile local junior returned to the Mustangs in the early part of the season after a couple of years with Burleigh in the Q Cup and has proved his value for his hometown club.
“He can play 9, he can play 7, but he’s very much our ball-playing lock,” says McLean.
Blake Davies (Murwillumbah Mustangs)
It’s not often that the bench rotation forwards get to see their name in lights, but McLean can’t speak highly enough of Davies’ energy and work coming off the bench.
“He’s not just a big body, but a really good ball-playing front-rower. He’s a big cog in our wheel, that’s for sure.”
First grade
Hayden Hansen (Bilambil Jets)
The Jets’ lock has played every minute of football for his side this season. He brings a wealth of experience, having previously played for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Q Cup and in the second-tier in England.
“Hayden is every coach’s dream player,” says coach Arwin Marcus. “He’s just an ultimate competitor, the experience he has got is second to none. He’s the kind of guy that when we need picking up, he’s the one that will do it for us.”
Thomas Rowles (Bilambil Jets)
A Bilambil junior, Rowles is another one with Q Cup experience. The Jets’ dummy-half and captain will be hoping to add to the premiership he won with the club as a 17-year-old back in 2011.
“He’s our general-manager in the middle, and steers our team around the paddock,” says Marcus. “He plays big minutes and he’s such a competitor. He’s just a guy that doesn’t let his teammates down.”
Oliver Regan (Bilambil Jets)
One of the standout performers of the season, Marcus says Regan’s safe hands at the back and hard work coming out from his own end have been crucial to Bilambil’s success.
“He leads our hit-ups every week and just keeps busy. He loves to help the forwards out and his chat from behind is tremendous as well.”
Michael Roberts (Evans Head Bombers)
One of the standout players of the season, the 18-year-old Australian schoolboy representative will line up at fullback alongside brother Trevor Bolt in what will be his last game in the NRRRL before linking up with new NRL club the Dolphins next year.
“He’s the talk of the team, and he’s only just turned 18,” said coach Dave Turner. “His goal kicking and his speed are key, he’s definitely one to watch in the future.”
Justin Shillingsworth (Evans Head Bombers)
A back-row enforcer who usually goes close to winning the metres and tackle count every week, the 32-year-old has earned the ultimate praise from his coach.
“He’s been our best player this year by far,” says Turner.
Zacharia Roberts (Evans Head Bombers)
Another young gun in the backline, the 19-year-old has gone from strength to strength this season. While his metres from dummy-half are important, Turner says it’s his attacking prowess that reminds him of an NRL superstar.
“The way he gets up in the air for Trevor Bolt’s kicks is amazing. He gets up and over everyone all the time. I call him junior Cobbo – that’s who he reminds of. He’s a freak.”
Grand final times, venues
All games to be played on Sunday at the Bilambil East Sports Field.
Ladies League Tag: Marist Brothers Ramettes v Cudgen Hornets, 9:45am
Under 18s: Cudgen Hornets v Ballina Seagulls, 11:15am
Reserve grade: Cudgen Hornets v Murwillumbah Mustangs, 1pm
First grade: Bilambil Jets v Evans Head Bombers, 2:50pm
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