25+ names: Standouts of Rugby League Gold Coast junior grand finals revealed
There’s no doubt, rugby league is booming on the Gold Coast and flocks of young talent are making their way through the ranks. As the curtain closes on another star-studded season, we reveal the top players who took to the field in RLGC junior grand finals.
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There’s no doubt, rugby league is booming on the Gold Coast and flocks of young talent are making their way through the ranks.
Jimboomba Thunder hosted the 2024 RLGC grand finals on Saturday September 7, seven clubs walking away with a trophy (or two) in-tow).
Burleigh Bears kick started the day with a 14 point win over coast rivals Currumbin before claiming their second premiership, in the under-15s division 1, over Runaway Bay.
The club were halted in the under-15 division 2, under-16 division 1 and under-18 division 2 shows.
Beaudesert Kingfishers were the only other club to win more than one premiership, taking out the under-14 division 1 tier 2 and under-16 division 2 big dances.
The weekend’s biggest win was showcased between Runaway Bay and Burleigh, the latter walking away on top 34-10, followed by Ormeau Shearer’s 22-0 victory over Jimboomba in the under-13 division 1 tier 2 final.
As the curtain closes on another star-studded season, we reveal the top players who took to the field last weekend.
UNDER 13 Division 1 Tier 1 - Burleigh v Currumbin
Burleigh win 26-12
Jasiah IOANE
Burleigh Bears
A brick-like front rower putting himself in the front line at a high work rate, Ioane was a consistent tackle-maker causing havoc for Currumbin’s offensive efforts, managing to also go over for Burleigh’s first try.
Antonio River
Burleigh Bears
May not have been the most involved at all times, but River kept with the game plan and proved his team-first mentality in trusting his coach and players. Playing wide on the wings, he was instrumental in preventing tries sneaking through in the corner.
Darius Mallie
Burleigh Bears
Animated on the field, Mallie is a big-talking fullback who isn’t afraid to be a loud leader from the back. He went over for Burleigh’s final hoorah in the second half.
Jesse BLACK
Currumbin Eagles
Boasted crafty handling to facilitate the play and was selfless with the ball. Black was a class act in the big dance and played understandably big minutes in the clash at half back.
Roc DAMRO
Currumbin Eagles
An impact interchange player who featured heavily in the all-important second half. Damro was composed under pressure and made took some impressive tackles for his size
UNDER 13 Division 1 Tier 2 - Jimboomba v Ormeau
Ormeau win 22-0
Joey MARSHALL
Ormeau Shearers
First try scorer for the side in the opening minutes, Marshall showed off his speed and craft on the wing early.
Cordell MALATI
Ormeau Shearers
Awarded man of the match for his performance, Malati was a force to be reckoned with, breaking through defence with ease and found himself on the try scorers list - one of five to do so in Ormeau’s 22-0 blitzing.
UNDER 14 Division 1 Tier 1 - Coomera v Runaway Bay
Coomera win 24-14
Paris Wright
Coomera Cutters
Was the first player to find the line, miraculously off the first set. Wright was impossible to catch once he made his break and continually proved himself a valuable ball handling centre on Coomera’s trek to a third straight premiership.
Ayvree Watere
Coomera Cutters
Took no mercy in boasting his crafty footwork on the wing, picking up a loose carry off a fortunate bounce and blitzing past three defenders to find the line for Coomera’s second.
Blaine Adams
Comera Cutters
An agile and athletic full back who racked up considerable minutes and distance when Coomera were left with 12 players following a send-off in the first half. Adams worked at 110% the entire game and took his fair share of tackles off a kick chase.
Harry Rice
Runaway Bay Seagulls
Coming off the bench for interchange, Rice brought fresh legs in an effort to get the Seagulls on the scoreboard. It worked, with one try coming of it, but his big presence and tackle-taking wasn’t quite enough to conjure a comeback.
Nixon Mattthewson
Runaway Bay Seagulls
Playing above his size in hooker, Matthewson was a standout for both performance and effort in the Runaway Bay colours. He was engaged in every set, taking and making tackles while still playing his role in the spine efficiently under fatigue. Scored a try to top it off.
Jake PEREZ-GRINSTEAD
Runaway Bay Seagulls
A textbook winger with speed, patience and smarts, Perez-Grinstead was the Seagulls’ second try scorer.
UNDER 14 Division 1 Tier 2 - Beaudesert v Helensvale
Beaudesert win 24-16
Xavier Pember
Beaudesert Kingfishers
Finding the line twice in Beauy’s 24-16 feat, the zippy winger Pember was awarded Man of the Match.
UNDER 15 Division 2 - Jimboomba v Burleigh
Jimboomba win 20-4
Kaden Griffiths
Jimboomba Thunder
A crowd favourite for his first (and second) try-scorer status, Griffiths’ sleek footwork and read-of-the-play abilities arguably broke the game open with just 11 minutes on the clock in the first half.
Tane Robertson
Jimboomba Thunder
Playing off the bench, Robertson asserted himself as a monster in the front row. He made big tackles which rattled Burleigh early in their sets and was smart with his play of the ball when Jimboomba held possession.
Daniel McKinnon
A play-making half back who wasn’t afraid to take a hard tackle. McKinnon was equally invested in the side’s offensive sets and defensive efforts.
UNDER 15 Division 1 - Runaway Bay v Burleigh
Burleigh win 34-10
Murphy Phillips
Burleigh Bears
Awarded: Man of the match
A classy playmaker in the halves who knows not only his own forte, but how to capitalise on the skills of his teammates. On top of running the ball and playing big minutes, Phillips was able to convert 2 of 3 attempts to push the Burleigh buffer out by 14 at half time before finding the line twice himself in the second.
Jackson Mott
Runaway Bay Seagulls
A big body prop who’s tackling efficiency shone when it mattered most.
Jada Rahiri
Burleigh Bears
The perfect combination of silly footwork and speed in the number 9 jersey afforded Rahiri to stand out as a playmaking sensation, seemingly with eyes in the back of his head to know where his fellow Bears were at all times.
UNDER 16 Division 2 - Ormeau v Beaudesert
Beaudesert win 24-14
Cruz Reneke
Ormeau Shearers
The athletic second rower proved himself invaluable for Ormeau, converted 2 of 2 and playing a consistent two halves of footy.
Cooper Iselin
Beaudesert Kingfishers
Kept his side in the game as Beaudesert’s first try scorer thanks to class footwork and speed on the wing. Backed up his early performance with an impressive run
Ilijah Farleigh
Beaudesert Kingfishers
Awarded: Man of the Match
Skipper and half back for the Kingfishers, Farleigh lived up to his leadership most prominently in the second half.
Clancy Hardy
Beaudesert Kingfishers
Wrapped by three defenders, the crafty fullback found the line which, once converted, gave Beaudesert their first lead of the match and arguably broke it open.
UNDER 16 Division 1 - Helensvale v Burleigh
Helensvale win 26-20
Jyah White
Helensvale Hornets
A very good game reader and organiser, While allows the team to play off his great running and kicking game. His defense was consistently strong and kept Burleigh at bay. Played lock.
Troy Ellis
Helensvale Hornets
A work horse playing in the middle for the whole game with very solid defense and strong carries with the ball. Ellis was also rewarded with a try.
Both boys played the whole game to lead the team from up front. Very consistent for both boys for the whole season
UNDER 18 Division 2 - Burleigh v Runaway Bay
Runaway Bay win 14-10
Zane Platt
Runaway Bay Seagulls
Awarded: Man of the Match
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