Deadly talents: Meet the 40+ junior boys and girls, and women to shine at the Koori Knockout
The junior and women’s divisions continue to grow at the Koori Knockout as they prepare for their biggest year to date. We look at the 40+ players who are set to shine in these divisions.
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We’re finally here. It’s time for the Koori Knockout.
Teams and players from all across the state will descend on The Central Coast Regional Sport and Recreation Complex in Tuggerah for the four-day carnival starting on Friday.
While a big focus is on the open men and who will earn hosting rights for next year, the junior and women’s divisions continue to grow.
We take a look at the 40+ players set to shine in the junior and women’s divisions.
BROCK TIGHE (GODFREY SWAN MEMORIAL - U17s)
Utility back
A Palm Beach Currumbin student who has trialled with the North Coast Bulldogs and Northern Rivers Titans. Amazing talent like the team hasn’t seen before and is destined to make the big league. Whenever he gets the ball something special can happen.
JAHLEEL DUNCAN (GODFREY SWAN MEMORIAL - U17s)
Centre/second row
Played with Moree in U18s league and union this year and tried out for the Northern Tigers in junior reps. Plays with his heart on his sleeve and plenty of passion. Whenever he puts his head down and sprints, he’s a hard man to catch.
RONALD SWAN (GODFREY SWAN MEMORIAL - U17s)
Five-eighth/second row
Another with Moree and trialled with the Northern Tigers. Can play a number of positions and has a massive boot on him with an accurate kicking game. A solid ballplayer who can read the game well. Loves the game, gives his all and is always super supportive of his teammates.
QUADE HAMBLEY (WOLLUMBIN BROTHERS - U13s)
Centre/lock
Quade loves playing football and putting in extra training to get the best end results, as well as playing for his culture. Chosen in a Queensland U12s team to take on Samoa and won a Murri Carnival with the Southern Dingoes.
DEJAY DALEY (WOLLUMBIN BROTHERS - U13s)
Halfback
Dejay believes one of the best parts of this carnival is representing his mob and creating memories with his teammates and brothers. Also coming into this on the back of a Murri win with the Dingoes.
KOBY STONE (WOLLUMBIN BROTHERS - U13s)
Centre/second row
A hard player to bring down with his speed and attacking flair. Puts a lot of hard work and dedication into his game and it’s a sport he loves.
JOSH DONOVAN (BUNDJALUNG BAYGAL WARRIORS - U17s)
Five-eighth/fullback
Josh currently attends the acclaimed football school Palm Beach Currumbin and is a classy runner of the ball with some great skills.
AJ HICKLING (BUNDJALUNG BAYGAL WARRIORS - U17s)
Second row
AJ was part of the Northern Rivers side in the Laurie Daley Cup and made his A-grade debut this season. A rangy edge-forward with plenty of speed and power.
PRESTON SMALLWOOD (BUNDJALUNG BAYGAL WARRIORS - U17s)
Centre
Preston is very agile with speed to burn. He currently attends St Gregory’s College and just signed with the Canberra Raiders Harold Matthews squad for next season.
TALLIS VEA VEA (LA PEROUSE PANTHERS - U13s)
Front Row
Tallis is a damaging forward who will lead his forward pack by example. He has some great footwork at the line.
BROOKLYN BELL (LA PEROUSE PANTHERS - U13s)
Halfback
Brooklyn is the captain in our team. He leads by example with his great ball playing skills in a key position for the side.
ASHTON ROOKE (LA PEROUSE PANTHERS - U13s)
Five-eighth
Ashton is the vice-captain. He has a great kicking game and leads hiss team around the field, forming a good partnership with Brooklyn.
ROBBIE SIMMS (LA PEROUSE PANTHERS - U15s)
Fullback
A very strong and powerful runner of the football and has speed to burn. Gives them an attacking edge at the back.
LOGAN LONGBOTTOM (LA PEROUSE PANTHERS - U15s)
Lock
Currently representing the NSWCHS at the ASSRL Championhips. He runs hard and tackles harder with all the ball skills of a halfback.
JAYDEN ROOKE (LA PEROUSE PANTHERS - U15s)
Halfback
Has a great kicking game and is at his best when he runs the football. He had a great year at club football and can take it to the next level over the weekend.
HARRISON ROOKE (LA PEROUSE PANTHERS - U17s)
Lock
Harrison leads the forwards around the park and has a big voice in the team, consider him a leader of the squad.
LACHLAN MOSES (LA PEROUSE PANTHERS - U17s)
Second Row
Lachlan has a great footy brain, can play anywhere from lock to halfback, great ball skills and very light on his feet.
DWAYNE LYONS (LA PEROUSE PANTHERS - U17s)
Fullback
Dwayne has speed to burn, great in defence, and doesn’t shy away from contact. Great voice at the back.
KOBE LITTLE (DINDIMA - U15s)
Second row
Little by name, towering by nature. Kobe is a gifted backrower blessed with height and subtle ball skills.
Proud to be named in Dindima’s first under-15 side at the Knockout, he’s expected to light up the division with his power game and punishing defence.
ZAYD WILLIAMS (DINDIMA - U15s)
Five-eighth
Dindima’s little general, Zayd is a passionate playmaker and the side’s voice in attack.
When he’s not organising the troops, he’s often causing havoc at full throttle with the ball tucked under his arm.
JASMIN MORRISSEY (BUNDJALUNG TIDDAS - WOMEN)
Fullback/five-eighth
A proud Bundjalung woman, Jasmin’s whirlwind rise through the ranks could well be the talk of the Knockout.
In her first season of rugby league, after representing Currumbin Eagles and the Northern Rivers Titans, the speedster was called up to the Australian Women’s Prime Minister’s XIII that recently played in Papua New Guinea.
ALINTA LAURIE (BUNDJALUNG TIDDAS - WOMEN)
Utility forward
A rugby league diehard, Alinta has been a Knockout regular for many seasons.
Plays her weekly footy for South Grafton Rebels and gets as much enjoyment supporting her friends and family.
ELI MCEWEN (BLACKTOWN RED BELLY WARRIORS - U13s)
Halfback
Made the Hunter rugby league primary school team and is a talented halfback who boasts leadership qualities.
TYRELL RYAN (BLACKTOWN RED BELLY WARRIORS - U13s)
Five-eighth
A prominent scorer and running half for the North West Magpies in the Penrith comp, tallying up 17 tries for the season.
CORDELL ARAMA (BLACKTOWN RED BELLY WARRIORS - U15s)
Front row
Coming off a strong season with Windsor in the front row and winning a grand final, including scoring 17 tries for the year.
CHARLIE XUEREB (BLACKTOWN RED BELLY WARRIORS - U15s)
Lock
Another try-scoring machine in this side from Colyton and has the experience of winning a Knockout with the U13s last year.
TARNAYA SMITH (BLACKTOWN RED BELLY WARRIORS - U15s GIRLS)
Fullback
Was the leading scorer in the Penrith U13s competition with 24 for the Western City Tigers. Classy fullback who will be one of the stars of the weekend.
LEILANI TRINDALL (BLACKTOWN RED BELLY WARRIORS - U15s GIRLS)
Halfback
Crafty organiser who knows how to get quality ball to her outside players. A OzTag background makes her an agile player to bring down.
CAMERON BAMBLETT (BLACKTOWN RED BELLY WARRIORS - U17s)
Five-eighth
The Brothers Penrith talent is coming off selection in the NSWCCC side last year, and is a scoring half who looks set for bigger things.
MATTY MCEWEN (BLACKTOWN RED BELLY WARRIORS - U17s)
Five-eighth
An up and coming talent with Wests in Newcastle, and also had the benefit of an Andrew Johns Cup campaign with the Newcastle Maitland Region Knights.
MAHALIA MURPHY (WIRADJURI ABORIGINAL RIVERS - WOMEN)
Centre
Done it all in the women’s game, representing the Indigenous All Stars, Australia and New South Wales. A dual-international who is shaping as one of the best women’s players in the tournament.
JANELLE WILLIAMS (WIRADJURI ABORIGINAL RIVERS - WOMEN)
Front row
Coming off an appearance for the Prime Ministers XIII in PNG, the Mounties prop and Raiders NRLW squad member gives plenty of punch up forward for WAR.
SARAH FIELD (WIRADJURI ABORIGINAL RIVERS - WOMEN)
Five-eighth
A talented young half on the verge of breaking into the NRLW, the Indigenous All Star started her journey with the Rabbitohs in the HNWP and is now with the CQ Capras.
TYRIEK POWELL (KOORI WARRIORS - U15)
Utility forward or centre
A great team leader, Tyriek is well mannered, respectful and an inspiration to his teammates. Just loves playing footy, and gives 110 per cent every second he’s on the field.
ISAAC ALLISON (KOORI WARRIORS - U15)
Second-row or centre
Isaac is a quality all-round sportsman. A natural athlete, everything he touches turns to gold. Ambitious and respectful, don’t be surprised if he flips a game or two on its head with his unbelievable brilliance.
MADELINE DONOVAN-LARDNER (CAMPBELLTOWN GHOSTS - WOMEN)
Front-row/Lock
A busy utility forward, off the park Madeline revels in the Knockout’s ability to bring people, families and the community together. When she’s not helping her teammates, she enjoys watching great footy and the competition’s talented stars.
KATRINA PHIPPEN (CAMPBELLTOWN GHOSTS - WOMEN)
Fullback
There’s more to being away with teammates than running rings around the opposition for this proud Indigenous fullback. After growing up without a direct connection to her culture, Katrina uses the Knockout to play catch-up, meeting family and making new friends in an all inclusive environment.
JAKOBI EBSWORTH (CAMPBELLTOWN GHOSTS - U13s)
Halfback
With a stack of hard work and dedication, Jakobi’s game has come along in leaps and bounds. And with a host of support on the sidelines, don’t be surprised if the classy half lifts his game another notch.
TYE ATKINSON (CAMPBELLTOWN GHOSTS - U13s)
Second-row/Lock
This rising forward arrives with a clear head and is primed for a big Knockout. Loves strapping on the boots to help his team, and can’t wait to get amongst the action to represent his mob.
ORLANDO WRIGHT (CAMPBELLTOWN GHOSTS - U15s)
Second-row
Respectful and caring, Orlando hasn’t lost the passion for becoming a better player since his nan watched him run out in his first ever match. Strong and mobile, he is inspired to represent his family.
JONAH FUSI (CAMPBELLTOWN GHOSTS - U15s)
Utility
Jonah follows in the footsteps of his father who also grew up playing for the Campbelltown Ghosts. Talented in attack and defence, he is driven by the opportunity to represent his family and culture.
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