PLAYER PROFILES: Meet the schoolboys stars of the 2024 Kirwan Bears
The Kirwan Bears are ready for their biggest game of the year when they take on the might of PBC in the grand final of the Phil Hall Cup. Find out more about every player here.
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The Kirwan Bears are ready for their biggest game of the year on Thursday when they take on the might of Palm Beach Currumbin State High School in the grand final of the Phil Hall Cup.
It has been an incredible campaign in 2024 and it’s no surprise that this year’s squad is stacked with some of the best schoolboys talent in the state.
But as well as the 19 players profiled, Kirwan couldn’t have achieved what it has on the field without the background support of four injured stars.
Ben Roebuck, Cooper Cox, Lucas Liddicoat and Lascolm Tugai have all been sidelined this year with long-term injuries but coach Todd Wilson their contribution had still bee invaluable.
“They’ve all contributed massively throughout the year. Benny (Roebuck) has been injured long-term but through his rehab he has come back and been a part of the team,” Wilson said.
“We’ve kept them all pretty close to the squad and involved in what’s going on so they’ve contributed positively.
“Understanding the processes that we go through, the preparation for games and the way we train – what we focus on, sitting in on video sessions and review sessions – has been useful for them.
“Then just being a positive influence, being able to come to games where they get to experience that and be part of it, which helps them and their development going forward.”
But on the flipside to ever devastating injury is the opportunity it provides for the next player up.
When Townsville Blackhawks under-17s player of the year Cooper Cox went down in the first minute of Kirwan’s second Aaron Payne Cup game, it opened the door for utility Jay Whaley to claim the No.9 jersey and excel.
Wilson said Whaley’s unexpected rise to becoming the Payne Cup hooker of the season was testament to his dedication.
“Jay adapted really well to that, and he’s done a great job,” Wilson said.
“That’s the game and injuries are a part of it, as tough as it is for the guys, but those injured players will still get a lot of opportunities going forward.”
KIRWAN BEARS PLAYER PROFILES
LOGAN BROOKES
Nickname: Brookesy
Year: 12
Highest Representative Honours: U18 NQ Schoolboys, U19 Townsville Blackhawks, Australian Oztag
NRL Contracted Club: N/A
Position: Fullback
Favourite Food: Sushi
Hobby: Woodworking with Pop
Other Sports Played: Oztag, Touch, Netball, AFL
Future Goal: Own my own electrical business
HEATH BETHEL
Nickname: n/a
Year: 12
Highest Representative Honours: U18 NQ Schoolboys, U17 Townsville Blackhawks
NRL Contract Club: n/a
Position: Winger
Favourite Food: Chicken Parmi
Hobby: Camping
Other Sports Played: Rugby Union
Future Goals: Be a social worker
COHEN DITTMANN
Nickname: Dittmann
Year: 12
Highest Representative Honours: U17 QLD Emerging Origin Squad, U15 QLD Schoolboys
NRL Contracted Club: Sydney Roosters
Position: Centre
Favourite Food: Steak
Hobby: Water Skiing
Other Sports Played: Athletics
Future Goal: Run my own business
TAAKOI BENIONI
Nickname: TK
Year: 12
Highest Representative Honours: U17 QLD Emerging Origin Squad
NRL Contracted Club: North Queensland Cowboys
Position: Centre
Favourite Food: Snack pack
Hobby: Fishing
Other Sports Played: Rugby Union
Future Goal: Electrician
DAVIDSON BENIONI
Nickname: Davo
Year: 12
Highest Representative Honours: NQ Schoolboys U18, U19 Townsville Blackhawks
NRL Contracted Club: North Queensland Cowboys
Position: Wing, Centre
Favourite Food: Steak
Hobby: Golf
Other Sports Played: AFL
Future Goal: Become a youth worker
MARLEY PROCTOR
Nickname: n/a
Year: 12
Highest Representative Honours: U17 Townsville Blackhawks, U18 NQ Schoolboys
NRL Contracted Club: n/a
Position: Five-eighth
Favourite Food: Chicken Curry
Hobby: Hunting
Other Sports Played: Touch
Future Goal: Electrician or mechanic
RILEY CARBONE
Nickname: Carby
Year: 11
Highest Representative Honours: U15 QLD Schoolboys
NRL Contract Club: North Queensland Cowboys
Position: Halfback
Favourite Food: Steak
Hobby: Golf
Other Sports Played: Touch
Future Goals: Boilermaker
ENELIKO SAVELIO
Nickname: Liko
Year: 11
Highest Representative Honours: U15 QLD Schoolboys
NRL Contract Club: North Queensland Cowboys
Position: Front row
Favourite Food: Carbonara
Hobby: Camping
Other Sports Played: Rugby Union
Future Goals: Electrician
JAY WHALEY
Nickname: Jay
Year: 12
Highest Representative Honours: Kirwan Bears
NRL Contract Club: n/a
Position: Hooker
Favourite Food: Carbonara
Hobby: Motorbikes
Other Sports Played: Motocross
Future Goals: Plumber
ROELOF (BRYCE) FINCHAM
Nickname: Finchy
Year: 12
Highest Representative Honours: U19 Townsville Blackhawks
NRL Contract Club: n/a
Position: Front row
Favourite Food: Crumb Steak
Hobby: Socialising with family and friends
Other Sports Played: Cricket
Future Goals: Be an electrician
WIL HOPE
Nickname: n/a
Year: 12
Highest Representative Honours: U19 Townsville Blackhawks, U18 NQ Schoolboys
NRL Contract Club: Newcastle Knights
Position: Second row
Favourite Food: Pulled pork
Hobby: Camping
Other Sports Played: Rugby Union, Baseball
Future Goals: Sport and exercise scientist
ZANE BETHEL
Nickname: Bethel
Year: 12
Highest Representative Honours: U18 NQ Schoolboys, U17 Townsville Blackhawks
NRL Contracted Club: n/a
Position: Second row
Favourite Food: Beef stroganoff
Hobby: Fishing, Hunting
Other Sports Played: Motocross, Athletics, Touch
Future Goal: Pro fisherman, support worker, social worker
KYLE BADER
Nickname: Bader
Year: 12
Highest Representative Honours: U19 Townsville Blackhawks, U18 NQ Schoolboys
NRL Contract Club: n/a
Position: Lock
Favourite Food: BBQ chicken
Hobby: Gym
Other Sports Played: Rugby Union, Touch, AFL, Judo
Future Goals: Study sports coaching at university
RYAN VAN ZANDEN
Nickname: Ears
Year: 12
Highest Representative Honours: U15 QLD Schoolboys
NRL Contract Club: n/a
Position: Utility
Favourite Food: Nachos
Hobby: Gold
Other Sports Played: Touch
Future Goals: Dual Trade: Refrigeration mechanic and electrician
DIESEL TAYLOR
Nickname: D-Train
Year: 12
Highest Representative Honours: U15 QLD Schoolboys,
NRL Contracted Club: n/a
Position: Lock, Forward
Favourite Food: Steak
Hobby: Fishing, Hunting
Other Sports Played: n/a
Future Goal: Mine worker
DANE RANSOM
Nickname: Dane’o
Year: 12
Highest Representative Honours: U18 NQ Schoolboys, U17 Townsville Blackhawks
NRL Contracted Club: n/a
Position: Front row
Favourite Food: Mum’s cooking
Hobby: Playing Guitar, Barbering
Other Sports Played: Boxing, Rugby Union
Future Goal: Own my own barbershop, sports science degree
QUENTIN OFAHULU
Nickname: Tintin or Q
Year: 11
Highest Representative Honours: U17 Townsville Blackhawks
NRL Contract Club: n/a
Position: Front row
Favourite Food: Chicken carbonara
Hobby: Swimming
Other Sports Played: Rugby Union, Volleyball
Future Goals: Engineer
KEES ANDERSON
Nickname: N/A
Year: 11
Highest Representative Honours: U17 Townsville Blackhawks
NRL Contract Club: North Queensland Cowboys
Position: Centre/Fullback
Favourite Food: Butter chicken
Hobby: Drawing Moko
Other Sports Played: Touch
Future Goals: Maori tattoo artist
ANTHONY VAIGAFA
Nickname: Lisi
Year: 11
Highest Representative Honours: U18 NQ Schoolboys, U17 Townsville Blackhawks
NRL Contracted Club: n/a
Position: Front row
Favourite Food: Raw fish
Hobby: Socialising with friends and family, gaming
Other Sports Played: Soccor, Golf, Basketball, Oztag, Netball
Future Goal: Become the best version of myself
Originally published as PLAYER PROFILES: Meet the schoolboys stars of the 2024 Kirwan Bears
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