Winner: QLD’s best women’s first-grade rugby league player poll results
The state’s best women’s first-grade rugby league player has been decided from a list of 59 nominees. Discover the winner and see the full results here.
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WITH a family tree featuring a two-time BRL premiership winning grandfather and a two-time Q-Cup title winning father, it is little wonder Lilly Green had the pedigree to be crowned Queensland’s top women’s club rugby league player.
Green, fullback with the 2022 Wests Panthers in BMD SEQ premiership, was voted by you, our readers, as the No.1 club player not involved in the NRLW.
Green said it was “awesome’’ to be recognised by her peers and the general public.
SEE THE TOP 11 BELOW
Green, 21, made her debut aged 17 as a winger when she switched to the Panthers from seven-a-side rugby.
“I started as a winger but as I got more comfortable with the contact and gained more confidence, I moved to fullback,’’ she said.
“I love having the ball in hand and getting more opportunities at the back.’’
Lilly’s grandfather, Bob, was captain of the Panthers when Wests won the 1975-76 Brisbane Rugby League premierships played before capacity crowds at Lang Park (now Suncorp Stadium).
Bob Green played prop and led a side which had the charisma of glamour NRL sides like the Roosters and Penrith.
Then her father, Craig, followed in his dad’s footsteps by winning the 1992 Q-Cup grand final for Wests and also the 1993 premiership.
Unlike front rower Bob Green, Craig played fullback and five-eighth.
And like her dad and grandfather, Lilly was also a premiership winner for Wests Panthers (2019).
“It was really special to do that as a woman,’’ Green said.
“It is important to have that (premiership) history in my family, but it is important to also do it for women of the past who may not have been able to play rugby league,’’ Green said.
“Because when I was a little girl I did not think it (playing rugby league and following in dad’s footsteps) would be an option for me.’’
Green, who will switch in the off-season from Wests to Wynnum-Manly after the Panthers were omitted from the 2023 competition, said it was still a “lifelong dream’’ to play in the NRLW.
Her first aim was to earn the respect of her new teammates at the Seagulls and win a starting position.
“But of course the NRLW is my biggest goal. I really hope I can make that one day,’’ Green said.
TOP 11
Lilly Green (Wests Panthers - 17%)
Patrice Chambers (Wynnum-Manly - 9%)
Paige Horvat (Herbert River - 7%)
Jairel Martin-Savage (Western Lions - 5%)
Akayla McQuire (Fitzroy/Gracemere - 5%)
Tarnysha Costelloe (Yeppoon - 4%)
Stephanie Monday (Burdekin - 3%)
Jasmine Walters (Rockhampton Brothers - 3%)
Ta’ Steere (Yeppoon - 3%)
Portia Bourke (Valleys Diehards - 3%)
Hayley O’Keefe (Charters Towers - 3%)
NOMINEES
Cairns District
Indianna Tillett (Kangaroos): The junior touch footy sensation was reportedly a bit apprehensive about playing league but she shone in her debut season for Kangaroos. The flyer, who starred at centre, finished level with Kaiyla Ward for top try scorer with 11 tries in the regular season, and had four in the qualifying final. Outstanding talent with the footy in hand, Tillett claimed the Dep Gallop Medal for rookie of the year.
Kaiyla Ward (Kangaroos): A Cowboys Academy member, Ward has been on the cusp of the North Queensland Gold Stars and higher honours for some time. A game-breaking forward who can play just about any role for her club side, Ward received the Rebecca Bowie Memorial Shield for Player of the Year in the CDRL.
Montana Mook-Kusu (Kangaroos): Mook-Kusu has just come off a dream year highlighted by selection in Queensland’s under-19s Origin side. The dynamic back-rower is one of the brightest young talents coming out of the Far North, and with a work ethic which matches the potential, don’t be surprised if she’s banging on the door for either the QRLW or NRLW in the next few years.
Stephanie Mooka (Edmonton): The former Maroons Origin and Indigenous All Stars representative was monumental for Edmonton throughout the campaign. Her size, speed, skill, and vision allowed the Storm to start her at lock and gradually move her to fullback, the outside backs, or elsewhere in the forwards – utility value which came in handy more than once. A kicking game built on the back of years of Aussie rules footy was showcased in her dominant grand final performance, when she was Player of the Match.
Etuina Suavai (Edmonton): Another rising talent, if you can get ball into the classy hooker-halfback’s hands, there’s a fair chance magic might occur. She was among the on-field leaders when Edmonton stormed to the CDRL Women’s grand final, steering the Storm around the park with the poise of a playmaker much more her senior. Knocking on the door of the next level.
Elianna Suluvale (Edmonton): The Far North’s dual-code representative sensation is among best in the business in this part of the country. In league, she captained the Cairns Foley Shield team and was a key figure in Edmonton’s line-up. In rugby union, she captained Far North Queensland, represented Queensland Country and made her international debut for Samoa. Can play anywhere in the forwards or centres.
Aerielle Hobbler (Tablelands): Hobbler has made a name for herself as another young talent to watch, thriving in schools footy to earn her way to an Australian team. A second-rower with great footwork, agility, and a work ethic praised by her coaches across multiple levels, Hobbler scored a try for Queensland’s schoolgirls in their big win against NSW earlier this year.
Priya Deshong (Tablelands): Centre, wing, five-eighth – wherever you put her, Deshong will get the job done. It’s why she’s been so heavily lauded through her junior years, whether that’s playing in the CDRL or FNQ Rugby competitions. Another budding cross-code talent, having represented Australian Indigenous under-17s in rugby, Deshong is an all-round talent worth watching.
Caitlin Mossman (Yarrabah): A focus on rugby league took Mossman from nowhere to among the best in the CDRL as she led Yarrabah from the front in 2022. The second-rower put more time and effort into her craft this year and it showed on the field, as she was regarded as one of the most consistent and talented performers in the competition.
Jarketta Smith (Yarrabah): Hard work and a no frills approach to her work in the forwards has placed Smith among the talents to watch into the future. A Northern Pride player, Smith made the move from Edmonton to Yarrabah in the CDRL this year and shone with consistent performances, so much so she was a finalist for the Player of the Year.
Townsville District
Jairel Martin-Savage (Western Lions): Martin-Savage is an up-and-coming livewire who can play dummy half or in the halves. She has the ability to play eyes-up attacking football and she can turn a game in an instant with her blistering pace and knack for finding space. She is also a great defender who can bring down much larger players.
Mary-Jane ‘MJ’ Waia (Western Lions): Waia is a strong, skilfully gifted fullback with an immense running game. She can find the try line in attack and can also defend her own extremely well. A player with a great football brain, Waia is the complete rugby league package.
Samara Luta (Centrals): One of the North Queensland Gold Stars players who came back to the team this year, Luta’s efforts on the field are always above and beyond what is asked of her. The 25-year-old five-eighth also helps out with all the junior players coming through and she’s great support for everyone at the club off the field.
Sera Sadrata (Centrals): Sadrata was one of the newcomers to the Tigers this year and in her first year at the club she was the team’s go-forward, leading the team in carries from the front row. She can always be relied on to do her job on the field and is a great trainer.
Jodie Tilse (Herbert River): A 60-minute player who gives her all each and every game. It doesn’t matter if Tilse is playing at lock or hooker, she always has a big impact on the game.
Paige Horvat (Herbert River): The Crushers’ fullback and captain, Horvat leads by example and is dangerous every time she returns the ball from kicks.
Hayley O’Keefe (Charters Towers): O’Keefe was crowned the Townsville competition’s best back after a breakout season with the Miners. The 17-year-old centre regularly beats defenders with her stunning turn of pace, and has great hands that make her a constant threat in attack.
Shirika Toby (Charters Towers): Toby was named the club’s best forward at the end of the season and she’s a really good all-rounder. Her versatility allows her to play in the second row or at lock, and she is a leader in the Charters Towers’ playing group.
Alicia Foord (Brothers): Foord is a very elusive halfback that played for Brothers as well as the North Queensland Gold Stars. She has a great mind for the game and is a master of spotting weaknesses in defensive lines. Foord has a strong kicking game, and her quickness off the mark constantly catches defenders slacking off.
Prue Peters (Brothers): Peters is an up-and-coming player at Brothers whose knowledge of the game far surpasses her age. Peters plays at lock for the under-19s Townsville Blackhawks, but plays at five-eighth for her club. As well as being a very tough defender, she possesses a complete range of skills including a great pass and a talent for putting her teammates into space.
Stephanie Monday (Burdekin): Monday led the competition with 25 tries, 12 more than second-placed Ieysha Dempsey. The goal-kicking halfback was named the Townsville competition’s Player of the Year, and she was the club’s clear standout player.
Tahleah Backo (Burdekin): Backo is a physical front rower that is still very young. She is a consistent performer and has all the skills to be a complete player. Backo was named the Burdekin Hens’ best forward for 2022.
Maddy Hegarty (Norths): Hegarty is a skilful second rower that has the ability to organise and ball play like a half. She scored five tries this year in a norths team that struggled.
Lisa Wellington (Norths): Wellington is a strong-running second rower who is also a really solid defender.
Rockhampton
Jasmine Walters (Rockhampton Brothers): The talented number nine played a key role in Rockhampton Brothers’ premiership win. Incredibly crafty out of dummy half, she is dangerous close to the line, either scoring the try or throwing the pass that results in a four-pointer. A born leader, her organisational skills are outstanding, as is her aggression in defence. Walters was Brothers women’s Player of the Year in season 2022.
Layne Ivey (Rockhampton Brothers): The gun fullback always has her team on the front foot with her outstanding kick return and ability to gain valuable metres from her jinking runs. As well as her flair in attack, her talk and direction from the back are integral in defence. A player with plenty of potential, Ivey was voted Brothers’ Best Back this year.
Samartha Leisha (Emu Park): The barnstorming second rower made a successful transition to halfback in season 2022. She excelled in her new position, displaying great ball skills and her damaging runs made her virtually unstoppable near the line. Leisha won the Rockhampton Rugby League’s Women’s Player of the Year. She also captained the Rockhampton Rustlers representative team to the grand final at the 47th Battalion.
Ihndara McLeod (Emu Park): A young gun with the world at her feet. A damaging running back rower with a huge work rate, McLeod was instrumental in the success of the Emu Park team who were runners-up in the Rockhampton Rugby League women’s competition this year. She was a member of the Rockhampton Rustlers women’s team that made the 47th Battalion grand final and was also part of the CQ Capras under-19 team.
Delaney Claridge (Wallabys): Claridge proved a revelation for Wallabys in the front row after joining the team later in the season. The hard-working forward makes a number of runs in a set and is a hard-hitter in defence who keeps opposition players on their toes. Delaney was named the team’s Best Forward after a standout season.
Antonia Ratima-Hendry (Wallabys): An exciting lock whose ability to chime into the play is excellent. Her superior ball-handling skills effectively give her team an extra half in the play. Her defence is solid with an astute ability to read the play and shut down opposition attacking moves. Ratima-Hendry was on top of the try-scoring list for the league at the end of the regular season and she received the Wallabys’ Player of the Year trophy.
Akayla McQuire (Fitzroy/Gracemere): One of the most influential players in the Rockhampton Rugby League competition, McGuire leads by example. She has established herself as one of the best defensive players in the competition but also has the ability to turn a game with her attacking ability.
Keysha Baker (Fitzroy/Gracemere): Small in stature with the heart of a lion, Baker is a versatile player who can cover any position from wing to fullback, halfback to hooker and never complained if asked to line up in the forwards. She wore the number one jersey for a number of games for the CQ Capras in the 2022 BMD Premiership season.
Tarnysha Costelloe (Yeppoon): The versatile rookie cemented herself as one of Yeppoon’s best in her first season, with her courageous runs able to swing the momentum of a game. The skilful lock’s footwork and speed at the line made her dangerous attacking in the middle, while her plays out wide meant she regularly found the tryline.
Ta’ Steere (Yeppoon): A hard-working middle forward who epitomises the term “punching above one’s weight”. Her work rate in defence is second to none, with undoubtedly one of the highest tackle rates in the comp. In attack, she always puts her hand up for hard work, taking the first two hit-ups with tough carries and managing to back up with support play. Steere’s ability to find an offload and play off the cuff makes her a danger in attack. After being named the CQ Capras Rookie of the Year, her future looks bright.
Krystal Sulter (Tannum): An incredible role model, Sulter has had a positive influence on the younger brigade in the Tannum women’s line-up. Whether playing at fullback or hooker, the pocket rocket gives 100 per cent and inspires those around her. Her enthusiasm at training is something she always carries onto the park and she never leaves anything in the tank with her tireless efforts. Was a key member of the CQ Capras’ women’s team who were runners-up in the BMD Premiership in 2022.
Jessica Rogers (Tannum): A deserving recipient of Tannum’s Best and Fairest this year, Rogers is an inspirational player, She has an incredible work ethic; she never misses a training and gives everything every time she takes the field. She has a great footy brain and can read the game incredibly well which makes her one of the most promising prospects in women’s rugby league now.
Nataliah Backo (Norths): A hard-hitting and hard-running forward, Backo combines speed and strength with aggression. A member of the CQ Capras Harvey Norman under-19 women‘s side, she was awarded Norths’ Best and Fairest for the second year in a row.
Sariro Comollatti (Norths): Comollatti’s move to Norths had an immediate effect on the playing group as she brought experience and leadership to a young, fresh roster. A great line runner with an uncanny ability to sniff out a try led to her receiving Best Forward for her club.
Sunshine Coast and Gympie
Makayla Henry (Caloundra Sharks): The black and gold fullback took her game to a new level in 2022, helping her team to the premiership, taking out the best back award and becoming a complete player in both attack and defence. Her skill under the high ball, paired with her ‘x-factor’, allows her to always finish amongst the top of the competition‘s try scoring ranks.
Ella-J Harris (Caloundra Sharks): The Sharks’ captain and fierce lock forward always leads from the front, giving 110 percent on both sides of the ball. Harris has become an established player in the women‘s competition and was an easy pick for this list.
Shanae Gray (Beerwah Bulldogs): The damaging second row forward is the complete competitor. Gray took home Beerwah’s Best and Fairest and Woman of Steel awards in 2022. She tackles hard and is a great edge forward for her team.
Jordan Jackson (Beerwah Bulldogs): The crafty hooker really stamped her mark on the women’s competition in 2022 with standout performances across the board. It’s clear the 18 year old has plenty of potential with her eye-catching long ball, her work in and around the ruck and her credibility in the defensive line.
Tamzin Taumafai (Caboolture Snakes): The Caboolture captain has instilled a never-say-die attitude in her teammates and is always willing to go the extra mile both on and off the field.
Grace Giampino (Caboolture Snakes): The all-round positional player is a rampaging ball runner said to run like a freight train. Her work at back row or in the centres makes her extremely hard to stop and she has the footy IQ to always put the opposition defensive line in two minds.
Nicola Bradford (Noosa Pirates): The 2022 Sunshine Coast player of year and Noosa fullback is all class on the field. She’s an explosive player who demands plenty of respect and caution when she‘s on the ball. Bradford holds a duffle bag full of skills and attributes for her team and holds her own off the ball just as well.
Makayla Matt-West (Noosa Pirates): The consistent and hard-working forward creates havoc when she gets her hands on the ball and knows how to hit a gap from anywhere on the park. Her relentless work ethic in attack and defence helps her perform as one of Noosa’s best week-in, week-out.
Tyla Mitchell (Kawana Dolphins): Mitchell finished the season as the competition‘s leading try scorer with 24, despite missing a handful of games due to her Central Queensland Capras’ commitments. After a pre-season tap on the shoulder and keen backing from Kawana head coach Rob Brough, Mitchell gained a starting front row spot for the Capras, helping her team compete in the grand final. She returned to the Coast and her skills of leg speed, defensive nature, toughness and attacking flair proved too much for plenty of opposing teams.
Maarire Puketapu (Kawana Dolphins): The dual centre and lock forward was a reliable weapon for the Dolphins all season. She hurt players when she ran at them and it was the same result when she was on the defensive end. Her powerful playing style, great attitude and promising future allows her to stand tall amongst the competition‘s best.
Amy Atkinson (Gympie Devils): The elusive outside back has a willingness to improve her game in any area, from any point of the match. Atkinson is a highly competitive player who takes every opportunity with both hands.
Carita Parker (Gympie Devils): Despite her small stature the flair-filled fullback punches above her weight in defence and always gives her all to the game.
A‘Eisha Jeffs (Nambour Crushers): Voted the 2021 best women’s rugby league player, Jeffs further improved in 2022 transitioning from hooker to five-eight to gain more control and direction over her team. The Crushers’ captain is by far the team’s most consistent player and is highly respected by opposition players and coaches.
Brodie Capstick (Nambour Crushers): The electric, highly skilled Capstick is a dominant all-round player. She finished runner-up in the Sunshine Coast 2022 best and fairest voting after almost playing every single position for her side. Her dedication to her team and the sport is a joy to watch.
South-East Queensland
Portia Bourke (Valleys Diehards): Bourke was outstanding for the Diehards in the SEQW Premiership. She played centre throughout the year and her efforts helped Valleys win the minor premiership. She has followed in the footsteps of her dad, David Bourke, who played fullback for a strong Valleys squad in the 80s.
Bridget Smith (Goodna Eagles): It was always going to take a special effort to prevent Valleys from winning the SEQW Premiership, and it was a Bridget Smith-inspired Goodna who prevailed. As she had done all season, Smith, a halfback, had her finger on the trigger, organising her side and challenging the Valleys’ defence with her own dynamic, powerful ball running. Smith is a worthy contender for best women’s club player in the state.
Lana Sheedy (Wests Panthers): Playing for the mighty Panthers in the BMD Premiership, Sheedy was one of the very best non-NRLW players in the competition. A halfback, Sheedy displayed all the skills - a kicking game, game management as well as being a goal kicker.
Lilly Green (Wests Panthers): Like Sheedy, Green is another top flight footballer from the BMD Premiership not in the NRLW. A fullback or winger, Green is a smart footballer, which is little surprise given both her father Craig (1990s) and grandfather Bob (1070s) were Wests Panthers’ premiership winners. Green also displayed good communication and game awareness.
Patrice Chambers (Wynnum-Manly): Another non-NRLW player worthy of the best club player mantle, Chambers was a crafty little dummy half who knew her way around the field. She was on the tip sheet of every opposition coach.
Jonel Lavender (Ormeau Shearers): Lavender is unquestionably one of the most consistent, committed and dedicated players. She always goes the extra mile, turning up her for team week-in, week out. One of the most experienced players, Lavender has played 50 open women’s games for the Shearers and took out the club’s new team award, the 2022 Woman of Steel. She has made a number of rep teams, including the Queensland Maoris.
Jean-Shannel ‘Jeasha’ Robati (Ormeau Shearers): Robati had an amazing year and was a deserving winner of the Shearers’ Best and Fairest in season 2022. A passionate player who thrives on a challenge, she gave her all every time she set foot on the field. Her versatility was an added bonus; she could ably fill a range of positions from second row to centre, prop to hooker.
Originally published as Winner: QLD’s best women’s first-grade rugby league player poll results
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