Bailey McConnell lauded as the Cup’s best unsigned NRL talent

Meninga Cup’s best unsigned NRL players include the son of a former NRL player. Read about this terrific trio who remain without NRL deals ahead of Saturday’s Meninga Cup grand final.

Bailey McConnell running onto the ball earlier in the season.

Burleigh Bears five-eighth Bailey McConnell was the undisputed best player in the Meninga Cup yet to be signed by an NRL club entering Saturday’s mouth watering grand final against Tweed Seagulls at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe.

Bears coach Ben Linde said McConnell, whose dad Brent played three NRL games for the Cowboys in 2006, was the best player he had seen this season not contracted.

MENINGA CUP TEAM OF THE SEASON

Linde said McConnell’s “leadership and his run-first mentality’’ stood him out from the pack.

With his halves partner, Broncos’ signed Coby Black, doing the tactical kicking, McConnell is one of the form players in the competition with his own running game and support play around the tackled player.

Bailey McConnell kicking for touch - in the background was Cooper Bai.

Named the 2023 Justin Hodges Medallist, an award which recognises the Langer Trophy player of the season, the Palm Beach Currumbin alumni has been supreme running the ball from pivot. McConnell was recently in News Corp’s Meninga Cup Team of the Season.

McConnell’s front row teammate Brady Turner and Tweed Seagulls’ utility Jake Lateo were other elite players entering Saturday’s decider without NRL contracts.

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Burleigh coach Linde said the raw boned, tall prop Turner was someone “I really admire his worth ethic’’. “He is a tough footballer who does what is required,’’ said Linde.

Tweed Seagulls coach Sam Meskell said his utility back Lateo was “the ultimate professional and team player’’.

“He has played almost every position for us this season,’’ Meskell said. “I think his best footy is ahead of him.’’

PBC front rower Brady Turner as a schoolboy last year for Palm Beach Currumbin. Picture: Matthew Elkerton

Aside from McConnell, Turner and Lateo, other key players to watch in the grand final included:

+ brilliant Bears fullback Ray Puru who’s runs around the ruck and ability to unload in a tackle will be dangerous;

+ Tweed No. 1 and Cowboys contracted fullback Mason Barber whose long striding deeds were akin to former NRL champion Brett Mullins;

+ Burleigh’s giant left edge of Amare Milford and Phillip Coates;

+ Giant Tweed centre Sam Stephenson, the Titans contracted edge player;

+ the Broncos contracted right edge forward Jett Bryce (Bears) who has boundless energy in attack and defence;

Zane Harrison. Picture: Bailey Sands Media/ Tweed Seagulls Media.

+ big game halfback Zane Harrison (Tweed) who has won grand finals for fun during a decorated junior career;

+ hooker Hayden Watson who’s running game since earning promotion from the under-17s has been a revelation;

+ Zac Kumbamong (Tweed), the representative prop who changed the momentum of the semi-final in his two burts against the Ipswich Jets.

Entering Saturday’s final the Seagulls have two wins behind them, 38-6 and 40-22, but the teams have not clashed since April 1 and the Bears have improved greatly since then.

Originally published as Bailey McConnell lauded as the Cup’s best unsigned NRL talent