Maroons next generation Origin heroes on action on Thursday
Here is an in depth look at the baby Maroons, Queensland’s next Origin heroes - where they have come from and fearless predictions about their futures.
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Queensland’s up-and-coming Maroons will be glimpsed on Thursday against New South Wales in the Under 19 State of Origin clash at Redcliffe’s Kayo Stadium.
So who are these young guns, where have they come from and where will they end up?
Revealed here.
THE TEAM
1. Mutua Brown Central Queensland Capras/North Queensland Cowboys
What type of player is he: Blink and you might miss him. For years the best player in his age group across central Queensland, Brown is confirmed as one of the finest in the land after making the Australian schoolboys side. He is a thrilling fullback with that splash of x-factor.
Where he came from: He is from the high class FNQ catchment, originally from Townsville but who grew up in Innisfail, playing for the famous Innisfail Brothers. He currently boards at The Cathedral College in Rockhampton.
Prediction: With such natural ability, it is hard not seeing Brown earmarked as the Cowboys next generation NRL fullback. We are terribly excited about this kid’s potential - watch this space.
2. Israel Leota Souths Logan Magpies/Brisbane Broncos
Leota, a Logan product who attended GPS school Ipswich Grammar School. The towering Leota has an eye-catching vertical leap which allows him to make Israel-Folau-like catches off his wing. He is a thrilling athletic prospect who can play in the centres or on the wing.
Where he came from: Leota came from that hotbed rugby league region - Logan City, south of Brisbane. He played Australian football for the Park Ridge Pirates growing up, and rugby union for IGS, but league is his sport. Along the way he was coached by ex-Test fullback, Broncos champion Karmichael Hunt at Souths-Logan.
Prediction: He will play NRL - he is too athletic not to.
3. Caleb Jackson Redcliffe Dolphins/The Dolphins
Jackson was one of the Langer Trophy’s best centres last season for the Nation’s No. 1 schoolboy team Ipswich SHS. He was a genuine try scorer, such a big improver that the Redcliffe Dolphins moved to sign him.
Where he came from: Jackson has come out of that famous league heartland - Ipswich.
Past legends like Allan Langer, Dud Beattie, Noel Kelly, Rod and Des Morris, Gary Purcell, the Walters boys - and modern day wonders like Ali Brigginshaw - came from the region.
Prediction: Jackson has been a stunning improver over the last 12 months. He always had ability, but few would have predicted him playing 2023 Hostplus Cup senior football with Redcliffe ahead of 2022 Australian schoolboy Michael Roberts.
With that rate of improvement, an NRL match is not beyond him. We’ll back him in.
4. Mitchell Jennings Sunshine Coast Falcons, Melbourne Storm
Jennings is the full package. He has pace and plenty of it, but is also a strong defender. Teammates love playing beside him. He broke into representative football as a 16-year-old schoolboy and first placed senior football for the Doggies Beerwah Hotel A Grade side.
Where he came from: Jennings comes from Australia Zoo country - Beerwah in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
Prediction: When the Melbourne Storm sign someone, you sit up and take notice. And they have made a beeline for this centre young gun - say no more. They don’t bother with any Tom, Dick or Harry.
5. Tim Sielaff-Burns Penrith Panthers
Sielaff-Burns is a real wildcard. A fullback or winger who can kick goals, Sielaff-Burns is a long-striding outside back not unlike former Cronulla Sharks champion David Peachey. He was a member of Karmichael Hunt’s under 18 club premiership winning side (Souths Logan) and the fact Penrith bothered to sign him given the vast number of juniors at their disposals, says plenty about his ability.
Where he came from: Tim Sielaff-Burns is from the talent rich northern Gold Coast catchment. He originally went to school in rural Logan City where he attended Emmaus College, Jimboomba, but finished at Coombabah SHS. He is a loyal kid. Rather than abandon the ship and play with a stronger school league team in the Langer Trophy, he stuck solid with his mates during Coombabah’s winless 2022.
Prediction: Like Mutua Brown, Tim Sielaff-Burns is so talented you can’t right him off playing NRL. This kid can really play - trust us.
6. Stanley Huen Melbourne Storm
Huen is a strong, dependable half who has long impressed the Storm. They love his toughness, his defence, but he also has subtle ball skills and plenty of pace, making this Ipswich Grammar School old boy the complete package. He was a member of Souths Logan’s 2022 Meninga Cup winning squad.
Where he came from: Huen hails from the cradle of the Ipswich Hornets junior and is another high class junior from that famous league region.
Prediction: He can tackle, is a strong runner and reads the game well. The Storm have long had a high opinion of this youngster and his selection in the Queensland side is evidence his star has not faded in one of the top three NRL systems in the land. They brought him into the club’s SG Ball and Jersey Flegg teams this year. Storm like their halves tough and playing direct - he fits the profile.
7. Zack Lamont Townsville Blackhawks/North Queensland Cowboys
Lamont is a highly skilled half with a killer kicking game who has been in the Cowboys system for several years. A 15 years Queensland schoolboy representative, he has benefited this season playing among the men in the colts and Q-Cup Blackhawks team.
Where he came from: For a young man, Lamont has been a journeyman. The Maroochydore Swans, Kawana Dolphins when he attended Mountain Creek SHS, the Easts Tigers, and rugby union stronghold Churchie in Brisbane have also benefited from his elite skills. Last year he moved into the bosom of Cowboys country and played with the Blackhawks.
Prediction. The goalkicking half has a great kicking game and can really get his side going with the ball. He has the goods to go all the way.
8. Ryan Jackson Redcliffe Dolphins/The Dolphins
Jackson was one of the Dolphins’ first youth signings. The Wynnum-Manly junior is a tight forward in league who will be lapping up being surrounded by the Bromwich boys, Tom Gilbert, Jarrod Wallace, Mark Nichols, the Bromich boys and co. With tutoring from them, he can’t go wrong.
Where he came from: He is a Seagulls junior to the core, but interestingly he did play rugby union. He was a 2021 premiership winner with the St Laurence’s College First XV where his ball running was put to good use in rugby as a lock.
Prediction: A terrific worker, he will play NRL.
9. Blake Mozer Souths Logan Magpies/Brisbane Broncos
Mozer is the ants, pants of this group. From Keebra Park SHS, the Southport Tigers junior is a tall, gifted hooker with size, vision and pace. He reads the game amazingly and we love his hit and stick defence around the ball - a little like Cameron Smith. the Broncos have a good one here.
Where he came from: He is a Gold Coast kid, through and through.
Prediction: He will play NRL. We’re surprised he has not already made his debut.
10. Ben Te Kura Souths Logan Magpies/Brisbane Broncos
Big Ben is a man mountain, a towering human from the Redcliffe region who went to school at Wavell SHS. A middle forward, he has plenty of agility and mobility for a big man and is a great athlete.
Where he came from: The big middle forward came from Wavell SHS. Think Greg Inglis, David Wright (Qld, Australia 1970s), Bob Cock (Qld 1970s), Origin players like Ash Harrison and Francis Molo, and Kiwi Test footballers such as Adam Blair and Kodi Nikorima. They all went to Wavell SHS and so did Big Ben.
Prediction: At 205cm in height, we think he will play NRL. That build is just made for the big league.
11. Wil Sullivan Townsville Blackhawks/North Queensland Cowboys
The Cowboys Academy player is fitting snugly into the North Queensland system. They must love his no frills work ethic, his one percent plays and effort runs, and so must the Queensland selectors. A tall forward, he is growing into his frame after representing Queensland country under 17s two years ago.
Where he came from: Sullivan comes from the Lockyer Valley. Sullivan is a Laidley District State School past student who attended Ipswich Grammar School where he rose to play First XV rugby. He was also a GPS field athletic champion.
Prediction: It’s a big tick from us.
12. Angus Hinchey Melbourne Storm
Angus Hinchey is a player every side needs. Understated, he is someone teammates like lining up with because of his desire, work rate and aggression. He really must be a dream to coach.
Where he came from: Ashgrove State School then the Gap SHS, Hinchey has grown up admiring Roosters thunderbolt forward Victory Radley and it will surprise no one if he plays against his hero one day. He is the son of former Redcliffe premiership winner James Hinchey
Hinchey came through the famous Wests Mitchelton network which delivered past champions like John Rhodes, John Ribot and Paul Vautin, among others.
Prediction: He is exactly the type of kid to work his way through the system.
13. Damon Marshall Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
One of our favourite players across the Meninga Cup in recent years, Marshell is the real deal. He is a mobile middle forward with plenty of grunt both carrying the ball and in the defensive line. Marshall won the cherished No.13 jersey from a host of challengers which was a tremendous tick of approval.
Where he came from: A Brothers Townsville junior, he attended Ignatius College.
Prediction: The Bulldogs’ Queensland recruitment is notoriously spot on. We think they are on the money with his fellow.
14. Gabriel Satrick Melbourne Storm
With explosive speed Satrick lit up the schoolboy scene last season after arriving at Ipswich SHS in 2021. An unknown in south east Queensland leading into 2022, Satrick’s haul of achievements included winning the Player of the Match when Queensland schoolboys won the national championship and Australian Schoolboys selection. And of course he was a sensation for Ipswich SHS through its unbeaten 2022 season.
Where he came from: Yarrabah, near Cairns.
Prediction: Satrick has that ex-factor about him. If he continues to improve like he did from 2021 to 2022, the sky’s the limit.
15. Chris Faagutu Wests Tigers
Another 2022 Queensland and Australian schoolboy, Faagutu capped a grand season by making his senior Q-Cup rugby league debut for Souths Logan in 2022 - when he scored a try. Another Meninga Cup premiership winner from Souths Logan, he is a No. 13 with the footwork, pace and power of an edge forward. He is a fine leader and played three years of Langer Trophy with Marsden SHS.
Where he came from: He hails from the famous Logan Brothers club - and Marsden SHS - both exceptional finishing schools when it comes to rugby league
Prediction: When Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens refers to the most exciting crop of young players he has seen at the NRL club, there is no doubt Faagutu is one of the youngsters in his thoughts.
16. Michael Waqa Redcliffe Dolphins/The Dolphins
Has there been a more improved forward in his age group in Queensland over the last 12 months? He always had ability, but with added fitness his game has gone from promising to consistently outstanding. Signed by the Dolphins NRL Academy, Waqa was one of the three best players on the field in the Meninga Cup grand final.
Where he hails from: The Albany Creek Crushers junior attended Wavell SHS.
Prediction: He had a huge reputation as a junior, flattened off a bit, and then found full fitness to shine for Wavell in last year’s Langer Trophy. He really took his game to another level this season in the Meninga Cup. The sky’s the limit.
17. Jamal Shibasaki Townsville Blackhawks/North Queensland Cowboys
Shibasaki is an elite middle forward in his age group, strong and mobile who is a threat with every carry. A fine leader, he would have been among the first players chosen in this squad and we are surprised he has not played for Queensland sooner.
Where he hails from: Currjong State School, right in the heart of Townsville, and then famous Ignatius Park College.
Prediction: We love his mobility. He plays No. 13, but could play on the edge in a heartbeat. This kid could play in the NRL for sure.
18. Mason Kira Sunshine Coast Falcons/North Queensland Cowboys
Kira was the Falcon’s No. 1 forward this season, a prop or edge player whose deeds must have been inspiring to his teammates. He deservedly earned Queensland schoolboys selection this year. His aggression and strong defensive efforts helped Queensland Country under 17s beat City last season and this month earned him Queensland schoolboys selection.
Where he came from: Currently a Mountain Creek SHS student via Chancellor State College, Kira was originally from New Zealand and arrived in 2012 with his family.
Prediction: The selective Cowboys only sign a handful of kids from the south east Queensland area, and it says a lot about what they think about Kira that they want him.
19. Kai Simon Mackay Cutters/North Queensland Cowboys
Simon is an outside back workhorse and an elite finisher who plays centre or wing. The biggest compliment you can pay him is that he was a marked man in every Meninga Cup match this season even though his side was not setting the world on fire.
Where he came from: Simon is from that famous rugby league nursery of Mackay. He is a St Patrick’s College, Mackay, old boy.
Prediction: You can’t write him off. This position in the Queensland squad was hotly contested, and his selection is a huge compliment. With a work ethic like he has, we back him in.
Originally published as Maroons next generation Origin heroes on action on Thursday
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