In this series, to be rolled out 10 per day in an online exclusive, we rank the very finest efforts of the year.

Rankings aren’t necessarily on who played at the highest level but who performed the best in their respective level, meaning, for example, a Rugby League Gold Coast talent could be rated higher than an NRL Titans player.

50. BECKY KAY

The 20-year-old ended a successful amateur career and took the plunge into the professional ranks in September after successfully advancing to the second stage of the LPGA Tour’s Q-school in August.

Kay is guaranteed at the very worst a number of starts on the LPGA’s developmental tour, the Symetra Tour in 2020, with the prospect of starting the 2020 season with an LPGA Tour Card.

49. DION SAMUELA

The Southport School’s Australian Schoolboys fullback has earned comparisons to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Shaun Johnson but made headlines by rejecting the NRL to pursue his Wallabies dream. The hot-stepping fullback has the skills to get there, too.

48. JACK McVEIGH

At the start of the 2018 QBL season Gold Coast Rollers coach Mick Conlon predicted McVeigh would star in the NBL. Sure enough the TSS product inked a deal with Adelaide and earlier this year made his Boomers debut in an NBL-only line-up at the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

47. BREE MASTERS

The reigning national beach sprint champion in surf lifesaving also came third at the Stawell Gift. With a swag of medals across a variety of state and national competitions Masters ensured she won a place in the top 50.

46. ASHLEIGH GENTLE

The two-time Commonwealth and Olympic Games triathlete put aside a tough year to claim a record seventh Noosa Triathlon title. In doing so, the Gold Coaster surpassed former coach and Bond University coach Craig Walton who has six to his name.

45. DAN GRIFFIN

The successful hoop won his ninth Gold Coast jockeys premiership in the 2018-19 season after tallying 42 wins.

It was a stunning achievement given the undisputed King of the Coast had to overcome a broken neck.

Griffin has always dreamt of winning 10 premierships and that goal is now within reach.

44. GRETEL TIPPETT

A somewhat polarising netballer given her combative style, the one-time basketballer proved a sharpshooter for the Queensland Firebirds in Super Netball and won a ticket to July’s World Cup with the Diamonds squad.

43. OSKAR DILLON

A goalscorer in the Gold Coast Knights’ grand final win over Olympic in September, the 20-year-old was a defensive rock throughout the club’s maiden NPL campaign.

Tipped by many for an A-League career in the years ahead, Dillon capped his dream season with the NPL Young Player of the Year gong in November.

42. JOCK CAMPBELL

The ultimate accidental hero, climbing from the TSS ‘B’ team in rugby to playing for the Reds. Not only that, the 24-year-old winger went on to record a blinding year that now has experts predicting even more success to come.

41. STEPHANIE GILMORE

Ranked fifth in the WSL Championship Tour with one event left. Had a win at Keramas, Bali for Corona Protected Pro and scored the perfect 10 in the final. Had a strong year but wasn’t able to defend her world crown.

40. ANDREW BOSTON

The midfielder won his second Doc Mackenzie Medal after strong 2019 season.

Boston, who played 16 AFL games for the Suns, enjoyed another strong season for the Sharks, chalking up 20 games of the regular season and all of the club’s finals matches.

The 25-year-old Boston ave¬raged 27 disposals despite being routinely tagged against opposition sides because of his impact on the game. Boston was also named the Gerry Carmody best player in the finals for Southport.

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39. XAVIER BARTLETT

Having overcome a third bout of stress fractures in his back, Bartlett has emerged as one of Queensland’s most promising fast bowlers.

At just 20, the Gold Coast Dolphins star was chosen for a Sheffield Shield debut in October and made an immediate mark with second-innings figures of 3-33.

38. COREY NORMAN

After a decade in the NRL the Keebra Park product had somewhat of a breakout year, finally winning a debut for Queensland in the State of Origin decider. While his Dragons were underwhelming the playmaker grew his reputation.

37. KIM BIRRELL

Coast tennis starlet enjoyed a breakout year to reach the third round of the Australian Open in January. That catapulted the 21-year-old on to the fringes of the national Fed Cup team and while now ranked 157th, she’d be content with her 2019 efforts.

36. JARROD WITTS

The Suns ruckman was crowned Gold Coast’s club champion following the 2019 season.

Witts has missed just four games over the past three seasons, playing every game in 2018 and 2019 and going to a new level this year on the back of the added responsibility the captaincy title brings. The 26-year-old set a new record (1007) for most hit-outs in the home and away season while leading from the front for the struggling club.

Witts polled an unprecedented 553 votes in the club champion count, 136 ahead of runner-up and fellow co-captain and midfielder David Swallow (417). Darcy MacPherson (368) was third.

35. JEFF LLOYD

The South African-born Gold Coaster won a fourth straight Racing Queensland metropolitan premiership this year before retiring from riding.

Lloyd’s career spawned more than 5000 winners, including 94 at Group 1 level.

34. GEORGIA REDMAYNE

Crowned the WNCL Captain’s MVP in February after starring for Tasmania, Redmayne has since switched to the Queensland Fire and made every post a winner.

A wicketkeeper-batter, the 25-year-old has been a revelation for the Gold Coast Dolphins since joining the club at the start of 2018-19, steering them to appearances in the Katherine Raymont Shield’s one-day and T20 finals last season.

She will again be one to watch in this season’s WBBL, where she will play for the Perth Scorchers.

33. JAYE PATON

A former Queensland Premier Rugby standout with Bond University, the Griffith Uni Knights captain was a dominant force through the 2019 club rugby season. Paton took out the inaugural Bob Sinclair medal for the competition’s player of the year.

32. RONA PETERS

Left Burleigh for start-up club Runaway Bay and was a member of the Broncos’ NRLW side which claimed a second straight grand final. Also lined up for Queensland in the women’s Origin match.

31. JAMES SLIPPER

Left the Reds in controversial circumstances but the rugby prop fought his way back into the Wallabies’ World Cup squad. Slipper was part of Super Rugby’s best front row at the Brumbies to ensure the TSS graduate’s career didn’t fade away at age 30.

30. MATT BEVILACQUA

Despite finishing seventh in the 2018-19 Nutri-Grain series, Bevilacqua’s start to this summer couldn’t have gone much more to plan. After winning his fifth Molokai 2 Oahu board title in July, Bevilacqua went on to take out the Coolangatta Gold in Ocotber and get 20 points on the Nutri-Grain series board early.

29. JENAN WEDDERBURN-PARRISH

Runaway Bay star claimed the Rugby League Gold Coast player of the year award, though it wasn’t enough to help his side to the grand final. Has long been hailed as a star on the rise.

28. JAI ARROW & AJ BRIMSON

While injury restricted Titans star Arrow in 2019, he continued his emergence as one of the game’s best forwards.After adding a fourth Queensland Origin appearance to his resume, the 24-year-old went on to play for the Australia Prime Minister’s XIII and the Kangaroos’ victorious World Cup Nines side. Brimson, meanwhile, was a standout in the backline and also earnt a Nines spot.

27. ISABELLA NICHOLS

Gold Coast-adopted surfer who surged on to the 2020 WSL main tour after a strong season on the Championship Tour. Could not have done much more at the second-tier level and will eye big things next year.

26. BLAKE WOTHERSPOON

The 22-year-old has been a consistent threat across the pitch for the Tigerstix and has earnt a lot of external recognition. So far in 2019, he has been named in Hockey Australia’s development squad, he won the Super League’s most valuable player award after helping the South Coast Sharks take out the tournament and also won the man of the match honours in Labrador’s memorial cup win. He missed Labrador’s premiership win playing for Klein Zwitserland in the Dutch Hoofdklasse league (Netherlands) but featured in the Brisbane Blaze’s Hockey One grand final loss.

25. KATIE HAYWARD

Emerged as one of the Coast’s genuine Olympic hopes after a breakout year in race-walking. Shocked many with scorching times across a range of events to mark herself as a star on the rise.

24. TAZMIN GRAY

Joined her brother, NRL star Jordan Rapan, in lining up on grand final day. After switching from the Roosters Gray went on to help Brisbane win the NRLW title, adding to her state and club honours from earlier in the season.

23. AMBER PILLEY

Lined up for Queensland in the women’s Origin match and was part of the Broncos’ side which won the NRLW crown. Earlier in the season featured for Burleigh as their bid for a fifth straight SEQ women’s crown ended with grand final defeat.

22. PHIL TUNNICLIFFE

The Coomera-Hope Island cricket allrounder proved to be the star of the Kookaburra Cup last season. The Kiwi-born Tunnicliffe dominated with bat and ball to be crowned the competition’s best player.

21. TALLISHA HARDEN

Ended a five-year wait to earn a second Test cap for the Jillaroos, one which came after another strong campaign for the Roosters in the NRLW. Also helped the Bears to another Queensland grand final.

20. ROSIE MALONE

After missing out on the chance to compete in her home Commonwealth Games in 2018, Malone has gone from strength to strength in 2019. The forward has become a consistent starter for the Hockeyroos and played a major role in Australia qualifying for the 2020 Olympics. The 21-year-old also won a premiership with the Westside Wolves in the WA hockey grand final as well as helping the Brisbane Blaze to the Hockey One title with a player of the match effort.

19. EMMA McKEON

With an impressive World Championships, McKeon won gold medals in the 100m and 200m freestyle relays and was part of the team that set the world record in the 4x200m freestyle relay.

18. DELISSA KIMMINCE

The 30-year-old continued her career renaissance in July-August, helping Australia retain the Women’s Ashes on their hugely-successful tour of the UK.

That victory followed the Brisbane Heat’s title-winning WBBL campaign in January, with Kimmince and Gold Coast Dolphins teammate Sammy-Jo Johnson key pillars in their maiden triumph.

17. ELLIE BEER

At just 16 and 268 days became the youngest female to compete for Australia (in the women’s 4x400m relay) at the IAAF world athletics championships in Doha. Also claimed the Bulletin’s Local Sports Star award on the back of her Brisbane Track Classic win, among many others.

16. JAMAL FOGARTY

Creative playmaker led Burleigh to the Intrust Super Cup crown and narrowly missed out on gaining the NRL State Championship too. Fogarty also claimed the ISC player of the year and at 26 has been linked with a move to Newcastle in the NRL.

15. ALI DAY

Day added a second Nutri-Grain series win to his swag of accolades in 2019 months after winning a record sixth Coolangatta Gold crown. An incredible athlete who we hope to see more of this summer despite breaking both wrists in July.

14. MICHAEL NESER

An unused member of Australia’s Ashes touring party, the Gold Coast Dolphins quick has been steadily building his case for a Test debut.

Stuck behind a long line of talented Aussie fast bowlers, the 29-year-old has been a standout for Queensland in the first four games of this season’s Sheffield Shield.

13. GEORGIA GODWIN

Is already off to the 2020 Olympic Games after helping Australia to strong results on the world stage in gymnastics. Godwin, who won three medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, has seen her stocks steadily rising.

12. ARON SHERRIFF

Helensvale bowler regarded as one of the best in the world had another sublime year which included winning two Asia Pacific Gold Medals, Australian Open Singles and Pairs titles. He finished 2019 as the No.1 ranked male bowler in Australia and was voted the International Bowler of the Year by his Australian Jackaroo peers.

11. ZAHARA TEMARA

The versatile code-hopper, 22, lined up for the Queensland Reds in the Super W in recent seasons and backed it up with even better returns in women’s rugby league. Locked in a place in the Jillaroos line-up, played for Queensland in the Origin, featured for the Roosters in the NRLW and helped Burleigh to a runner-up finish in the SEQ competition.

10. DAYNE ZORKO

Broadbeach junior was controversially left out of the All-Australian squad despite leading the Brisbane Lions to a stunning rise up the AFL ladder. Captain and midfielder played a key role in the underdog reaching the finals.

9. HAYLEY RASO

Floored by a broken back late last year, the Palm Beach junior completed a remarkable comeback in June when she made her World Cup debut for the Matildas.

While Australia’s cup run came to an end with a heartbreaking Round of 16 exit, Raso continues to make her mark with American NWSL club Portland Thorns and the W-League’s Brisbane Roar.

8. DAVID FIFITA

A former teammate of Haas at Keebra Park, Fifita traversed a similar path with the Broncos this year, making his Origin debut for Queensland before dominating October’s World Cup Nines. The 19-year-old backrower is now one of the most in-demand players in the game.

7. GEORGIA MILLER

A Coolangatta Gold crown (in 2018), a Nutri-Grain series win, and an Aussies ironwoman title later and Miller cemented her place in surf lifesaving folklore. The treble crown winner capped off the perfect first season in Northcliffe colours after making the move up from Sydney before the 18/19 summer season. The 23-year-old was near unstoppable and looks to be one to beat again this year.

6. MINNA ATHERTON

Bond University teenager did the unthinkable and become the first woman to go sub 55 seconds in the 100m backstroke, by setting a new shortcourse world record at the International Swimming League meet. The 19-year-old then proved it was no fluke by almost breaking the 200m record in November.

5. MAT BELCHER

Australia’s most successful Olympic gold and silver medallist in sailing and favourite for Tokyo 2020, Belcher had a year to savour. Teamed with Will Ryan, the 470 dinghy skipper helped the duo win the World Cup, the world championships, the European titles and the Olympic test event. These four big titles were surrounded by numerous other victories.

4. TOBY PRICE

Riding with a broken wrist, Coast-based Price won the 2019 Dakar Rally and was awarded the inaugural Ronald J Walker Award for Excellence by the Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame in March. In October he returned to the Stadium Super Trucks for the GC600 weekend.

3. PAYNE HAAS

The hulking 20-year-old had long been earmarked as a star of the future and he lived up to the hype in his first full season of NRL with the Broncos.

The Keebra Park product’s breakout campaign was highlighted NSW State of Origin selection in July, Dally M Rookie of the Year honours and a Test debut in October.

2. SCOTT McLAUGHLIN

McLaughlin sealed a second consecutive Supercars Championship for DJR Team Penske.

The Ford Mustang driver and former Saint Stephen’s College student dominated the 2019 series to finish well ahead of rivals.

1. MILLIE BOYLE

Achieved just about everything possible across two codes. Represented the Wallaroos in women’s rugby, played for the Reds in the Super W and starred for Bond in the Aon sevens series. In between lined up for the Jillaroos in rugby league, won the women’s Origin match with NSW and won the NRLW premiership with the Broncos. Oh, and played nines for Australia in league as well. Oh, and helped Burleigh to second in the SEQ competition.