Bolts from the blue: South East Queensland’s school sport revelations of 2024 named
Which South East Queensland schoolboy and schoolgirl sporting revelations upped the ante in 2024? The journeys of more than 100 bolts from the blue across rugby, league, swimming, basketball, Aussie rules, football and more sports are highlighted here.
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Here’s the bolt from the blue schoolboy and schoolgirl young guns who crept up on us in 2024 before making a big splash in various sports.
From the footy codes to BMX, swimming to track and field, these are the revelation players who we did not know anything about before this year - but we do now.
They are the sporting high achievers who excelled, and excelled some more, in 2024.
JUMP TO: Rugby and rugby league, cricket, Aussie rules, football.
SCHOOL SPORT REVELATIONS OF 2024 - THAT WE SAW
Noah Kirk (Basketball)
A Cairns product now honing his skills at Churchie, National Performance Program (NPP) member Noah Kirk was a Queensland state selection capable of anything on the court.
Fast, agile and efficient from three point land, Kirk has basketball in his blood and was a huge addition to Churchie’s First V.
The team went on to win the GPS premiership undefeated and Kirk’s plucky defence and ability to score at will was key.
Raj Gill (Basketball)
A towering athlete, Gill moved mountains for Brisbane State High in the GPS basketball competition.
He was his team’s prime mover, first option and most potent when in transition.
The long-limbed Queensland South under-18s state representative would have drawn up plays in time-outs if needed.
Angus Kearney (Basketball)
Kearney was a three-point specialist for the biggest improvers in the GPS First V basketball competition, Brisbane Grammar.
Kearney gave coach Dan George an extra weapon in his arsenal with his jump-shooting prowess mesmerising at times.
Despite being streaky, Kearney was all-important in Brisbane Grammar’s dramatic leap from second last (2023) to second place (2024) in the nine-team GPS competition.
Luca Anderson (Basketball)
From Gregory Terrace, Year 10 hooper Luca Anderson announced himself as a gem of the future in GPS First V basketball.
With Logan Siolo and Corey Laffan key players as well, Anderson relished plenty of responsibility and made the most of the shots he was afforded for Terrace The Brave.
Against players older than him, the sharp shooting Anderson was special at times.
Keahn Tuakura (Basketball)
Three years ago the Toowoomba Grammar enforcer was packing down in the scrum as a vicious No. 8 or front rower.
In 2024, Keahn Tuakura was one of the more ferocious big men in GPS First V basketball and at a national level where he represented the Queensland North under-18s.
A former Trinity College student from Gladstone, Tuakura was Elite with a capital E working his magic in the paint.
Thomas Booth (Swimming)
Booth helped Australia to a 4x100m freestyle gold medal at the hotly contested 2024 Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships earlier in the year.
He linked with fellow Queenslander Joshua Conias, who we see each GPS swimming championship representing BSHS, and two interstate swimmers in snaring the medal.
Having recently graduated from Citipointe Christian College, Booth was one of the swimmers of the meet at the Australian Age Nationals.
Jake Tysoe (Clairvaux MacKillop, swimming)
Tysoe won the 200m butterfly at the Oceania Championships and was second in the 100m. Entering Year 12 next season, Tysoe is a rookie on the rise from Clairvaux MacKillop College who gained tremendous race experience by swimming at the Olympic trials.
Eloise McLellan (Swimming)
McLellan continued her prolific medal winning performances when, at the Australian All Age Championships in April, she won gold in both the 14-years 200m Freestyle and 400m Freestyle.
She continued on to claim silver in the 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke, 200m IM and the 400 IM.
Then for good measure, she made it seven podium finishes with bronze in the 200m Backstroke.
Mia Nguyen (Athletics and volleyball)
Nguyen had a remarkable vertical leap which was put to good use in both athletics and on the volleyball court.
At state level Nguyen was a triple jump champion and bronze medallist in long jump, while in volleyball is a member of both the QAS under-17 squad and the under-16 Queensland Indoor Volleyball Queensland team.
Astride Thomas (Rowing, Brisbane Girls’ Grammar Schools)
A Brisbane Girls’ Grammar old girl, Thomas was one of the best we came across in youth sport this season.
She represented Australia at the World Rowing Beach Sprint Championships in Genoa, and broke the 2009 Brisbane Schoolgirl Rowing Association record by 12 seconds earlier this year - previously held by Olympian Jess Hall. Thomas was also selected to represent Australia at the 2024 World Beach Sprint Championships in Italy.
She concentrated on rowing after a fine junior career in water polo.
Will Greene (Volleyball)
The Brisbane Grammar Year 9 student was the youngest member of the BGS First VI volleyball team in history this year.
Not long after his selection in the First VI, Greene was picked to represent Australia in Thailand as part of a bumper under-16s outfit.
He has been a member of Queensland’s under-15s and under-16s state teams over the past two years and is of course a member of the Volleyball Australia National Pathway Program.
Luka Tripkovic (Tennis, basketball, volleyball)
You know those freakishly talented sports people who excel in more than one sport? That is Luka Tripkovic, an outstanding tennis player and also a highly regarded volleyballer and basketballer who represents Ipswich Grammar’s Firsts teams in all three sports.
Each term Tripkovic was enhancing his reputation, but it’s tennis where he is known for being one of the best in the GPS competition.
The First IV tennis captain has represented Queensland in tennis, but scores buckets so effortlessly that he was picked as a shadow player earlier this year for the Met West basketball team.
Tripkovic is Ipswich Grammar’s 2025 school captain.
RUGBY, RUGBY LEAGUE
Fa’agase Tupuola-Palale (Rugby 7s)
Gase Tupuola-Palale, A Year 12 student from the fertile rugby grounds of Kings Christian College, had a year to remember in 2024.
The imposing and powerful outside back was Ms Consistent for three-peat Premier Women premiers Bond University and as such was picked in Queensland’s squad for their Next Gen 7s campaign.
The Queensland Reds newcomer scored a team-high seven tries across the tournament, equal with fellow Kings product Amahli Hala who was a silky game-changer in bright pink headgear.
Maddison Pomerenke (Rugby 7s)
The Gympie gun is like a pocket-rocket that could detonate at any time.
A QAS member, Pomerenke is a scrumhalf dynamo in rugby where she has been a game-changer for the Sunshine Coast Stingrays.
The humble Pomerenke has made the Australian Schoolgirls Rugby 7s squad two years running and was part of the Queensland Reds team that went hammer and tongs with the Waratahs in the Next Gen 7s competition.
She is currently in New Zealand contesting the Australian Youth 7s titles.
Torah Luadaka (Rugby league)
Like Marsden SHS outside back Nikeisha Ngaru, Keebra Park SHS playmaker Torah Luadaka was a revelation in 2024 in both rugby league and rugby.
Luadaka started the year with a bang setting a high standard for her peers at Tweed in the Harvey Norman under-17s league competition. She shifted from the halves into fullback for the school season where she was impressive again.
Along the way, Luadaka was a Queensland Schoolgirls league representative who could have earnt a maroon jersey or even green and gold jersey in rugby had the national championships for both codes not clashed.
Angus Tagicakibau (Rugby, rugby league)
The Brisbane State High livewire was a weapon in both codes this year before a making a dazzling display in the rugby 7s arena to finish the year on a high note.
Flashback to March and Tagicakibau was mopping up tackles and bursting through the line for Norths in the Connell Cup. Come winter he was one of the best attacking fullbacks in GPS First XV rugby.
In the spring Tagicakibau was eye-catching for both Sunnybank and Brisbane State High playing in various rugby 7s tournaments.
Cyrus Suniala (Rugby)
Brisbane State High Year 11 student Cyrus Suniala was too young in 2023 to capture our attention covering local sport but in 2024 he sure did.
The powerful hooker moved mountains in the GPS First XV season. This followed a short but impressive campaign representing Sunnybank in the Colts 1 competition.
In that under-20s competition, the 16-year-old made a thud in the scrums and in pick-and-drive play.
He maintained the rage for big improvers Brisbane State High in the school rugby season.
Adrian de Klerk (Rugby)
Powerhouse hooker de Klerk continued the rich rugby tradition at Sunshine Coast Grammar when he made the Queensland Reds under-16s side.
School mate Rohan Nichol (playmaker) also featured after SCGS products Finn Prass, Luke Aiken and Matt Brice, among others, were also picked in Reds’ junior teams.
De Klerk staved off fierce internal competition for the Reds’ No. 2 jersey after the Noosa Dolphin had dug deep at the Emerging Reds Cup staged at Ballymore Stadium.
His tenacity, scrummaging and accurate throwing at that tournament ensured his selection in the squad, and in the Australian Under-16s squad.
Jackson Hill (Rugby)
Jackson Hill burst onto the scene playing GPS First XV rugby for Brisbane State High as their reliable, light-footed winger seemingly positioned in all the right spots.
He scored tries often and then came into his own playing Rugby 7s where he was so slippery that he was selected in the Australian Under-18s team currently in Auckland contesting the Global Youth Sevens competition.
The other Queenslanders named in the boys team were: Charlie Bird (BBC), Angus Tagicakibau (BSHS), Jacob Johnson (Nudgee College), Wallace Charlie (St Peters), Myles Rosemond (TGS) and Tom Howard (Marist Ashgrove).
In the girls team, Queenslanders Tekainga Enkera-Raveora (Stretton SC), Kaelyn Passi (Kings), Madison Pomerenke (Gympie), Gase Tupuola-Palale (Kings) and Rhani Hagan (St Aidan’s) were picked.
Adam Davis (Rugby)
Toowoomba Grammar had plenty of backline firepower in Ili Baravilala (flyhalf), Trace Beattie (centre), Rhymen Tusi (centre), Myles Rosemond (fullback) Azariah Toko-Mautairi (centre) and Ben Burgess (wing).
One of the most potent was winger Adam Davis, a player who, each week, gathered more confidence and impacted games in more ways than just scoring tries.
He was arguably the discovery player of the season in GPS First XV rugby in his first year and will likely feature in the Western Clydesdales’ Meninga Cup outfit in the new year.
Tai Taka (Rugby)
From Brisbane Boys’ College, rugby outside centre Tai Taka made his mark in the GPS First XV competition and then the Super Rugby Under-16 competition for grand finalists Queensland.
Signed by the Reds, Taka hit hard on defence, got away offloads and looked a genuine outside centre which is more rare than you think.
There were whispers in 2023 of Taka coming through the ranks and he finished the 2024 season with a bang for the Reds.
Tyrece Herniman (Rugby)
Herniman stormed onto the representative rugby scene in 2024 from Brisbane State High and entering 2025, he is in Souths Logan’s Connell Cup representative under-17s squad.
As a Year 11 student, loosehead prop Herniman matched it with the best in the GPS First XV competition.
He was a prolific tryscoring threat from in close and skilful running the ball in the wider channels.
Fononga Tuitahi (Rugby, rugby league)
Fononga Tuitahi was indeed a revelation in 2024, playing as a hooker for Iona College’s First XV before playing as a prop for the school’s premiership winning First XIII in the AIC competition.
He was no middle forward giant, but his mobility around the ruck and speed at which he played was a point of difference.
We had not heard of Tuitahi in 2023.
Chris Simpson (Rugby league)
A Murgan Mustangs young gun from the South Burnett region, Simpson found a home away from home at Ipswich SHS where, at right centre, he played his way into a Dolphins contract.
Simpson had an uncanny nose for the try line and could play just about anywhere in the backline.
His anticipation and physicality was top notch for Ipswich SHS after moving from Murgon State High for his final year of schooling.
Joey Tupuse (Rugby league)
Damaging left centre Joey Tupuse produced one of the most impressive individual performances of the school league season in Keebra Park SHS’s quarterfinal win that announced to the wider community why the Brisbane Broncos have invested in his future.
He can beat an opponent with strength or pace, and makes his presence felt in defence.
The Keebra Park school leaver has been training with the Souths Logan Hostplus Cup side and looks right at home, partly because of his build and partly because of his talent.
Timahna Tandy (Rugby league)
A Year 11 student at Wavell SHS, Timahna Tandy played above his weight and did not get rattled by big bodies chasing him off the ruck in the elite Langer Trophy competition.
At five-eighth, he displayed shrewd judgment and was the best goal kicker in the competition. This followed a strong club season for the Norths Devils under-17s.
The Dolphins have the southern Darling Downs product on their academy list and each game this year he looked more and more comfortable.
Disharne Tonihi (Rugby league)
The towering Marsden SHS centre was a rangy but strong body for the Makos who could finish tries with his eyes blindfolded.
The prolific Burleigh Bears centre was front and centre during the club season prior to the school season and when he wasn’t scoring he went looking for work on both sides of the ball.
Tom Millard (Rugby, league)
This time last year we knew nothing of Tom Millard and in 2024 he turned out to be one of Marist College Ashgrove’s most influential figures in both rugby and league.
A league boy at heart, the gutsy Millard moved mountains at outside centre playing rugby where he was arguably the best outside centre in AIC First XV rugby.
He just knew how to find the tryline and win the contact and when it got to term 3 he was in his element for First XIII runners up Ashgrove.
Jack Calleja (Rugby)
Another rugby weapon who shone bright in 2024 was Innisfail product Jack Calleja, a rock in the second row for Ipswich Grammar’s First XV.
The towering Year 10 student played seven of eight games in the GPS season where he warmed his engines for a bumper Super Rugby campaign with the Queensland Reds under-16s.
There is so much more to come from the imposing lineout disrupter who was somewhat of a man among boys in his age group.
Harvey Smith (Rugby league)
From a hotbed region of rugby league, Smith made a name for himself as Keebra Park SHS’s goalkicking halfback supremo who steered the side to a Walters Cup premiership.
A good chance of playing in the Langer Trophy team as a Year 11 next year, Smith played through injury in the Year 10 finals and still muscled up on defence where he is a terrier.
In attack, his pinpoint cross field kicking unlocked Keebra’s emerging outside backs wonderfully.
Isaac Fidock (Rugby league, rugby)
A teammate of Smith’s at the Burleigh Bears, Fidock raised eyebrows in rugby as a fullback or wing.
A playmaker in league, Fidock’s fine form for the APS premiership winning Somerset College First XV flowed over to the Reds under-16s where he was the most capable of creating something out of nothing.
The little livewire was entertainment-plus with his deadly off-the-whim playmaking producing plenty of highlight reel moments.
Agapetos Lote-Felo (Rugby, rugby league)
Rugby enthusiasts would already be familiar with young No. 8 Agapetos Lote-Felo, the TSS brute who captained the Reds under-16s to the grand final.
TSS rugby director Mike Wallace sung his praises during the GPS First XV season, saying Lote-Felo just worked and worked, and worked some more. But he did it quietly, without looking for reward.
The humble, softly spoken 16-year-old was one of the more influential forwards in the Super Rugby under-16s competition, leading Queensland’s charge by carrying the ball often, breaking tackles and hitting as hard as any in defence.
Lote-Felo, who played club rugby league earlier this year, has been signed by the Roosters.
Kaelyn Passi (Rugby league, rugby)
A multi-sport gem from Kings Christian College, Kaelyn Passi was a passionate, tough and skilful outside back first glimpsed by us playing for the Burleigh Bears during the club rugby league season.
She took things up a notch in the 15-a-side game where she was picked in the Australian Schoolgirls Rugby 7s side after last year making the Australian Under-16s Schoolgirls and Queensland Schoolgirls representative teams.
Despite being in Year 11, Passi was picked for the Queensland Reds Next Gen 7s team.
Nikeisha Ngaru (Rugby)
Nikeisha Ngaru made waves in rugby league (Marsden SHS), rugby union (Sunnybank) and Rugby 7s (Australian Schoolgirls) in a whirlwind season.
The slick outside back, signed by the Broncos, rarely made mistakes and was a fine cover defender. In attack, she could score tries with a blindfold on.
The diminutive speedster was arguably the top rugby revelation of the year.
Nazlyn Waaka-Rhind (Rugby league)
Waaka-Rhind, a Canterbury Bulldogs junior representative, is originally from the Wavell SHS community from which she was named in the under-15 Queensland merit side in 2021.
She hails from New Zealand where her junior club was Otahuhu, but upon moving to Brisbane her ground came courtesy of Aspley.
She has been making representative teams in SEQ since reaching Met North standard at under-12 level and was a Ms Reliable for Mabel Park SHS’s Schoolgirl Cup team.
Elijah Keung (Rugby league)
Keung was the discovery player of the season after making the News Corp Meninga Cup Team of the Season from the Brisbane Tigers before firing on all cylinders for Mabel Park SHS in the Langer Trophy.
Along the way, South Sydney noticed the middle forward’s potential.
Watch this space.
Cooper Clarke (Rugby league)
Like Keung, Clarke was a bolt from the blue - Sydney’s western suburbs to be accurate.
Clarke quickly built a huge reputation playing for Sunshine Coast in the under-19 Meninga Cup competition.
He carried that form on in the Langer Trophy and earnt Queensland schoolboys selection before being injured.
Kanaan Magele (Rugby league)
Big Magele was a front row colossus, a big man with power and mobility who made the Queensland 16-18 years schoolboys side.
Despite being more than 110kg, the Roosters-signed prop is nimble and always making post contact metres, a little like a young Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys).
Enah Desic (Rugby league)
The Queensland schoolgirls league team had a grand dummyhalf in Desic, a Warrigal Road State School alumni who had a mighty club season for the Brisbane Tigers earlier in the season.
A goal kicker, she has a clever running game when needed but importantly has bedded down her service from the ruck and tackling technique.
Evelyn Roberts (Rugby league)
A whiz kid from New Zealand, Roberts made an impact playing in the Lisa Fiaola Cup under-17s competition. She was named player of the finals, helping Canterbury surge to a premiership win in the NSWRL pathways competition.
Her cousin, centre Leilani Taofinuu, was also a revelation for the Marsden Makos this season.
Lilliana Nati (Rugby league)
Queensland Under-17 City selection Lilliana Nati was an outside back with untapped potential.
The energetic Redcliffe Dolphins fullback was a cool and composed customer, with a sprinkle of x-factor. During the club season, the Wavell SHS outside back mixed her speed and power to make half breaks and get her Dolphins onto the front foot.
Mia Byrnes (Rugby league)
Darling Downs rookie Mia Byrnes, a real wildcard in both codes, was a classy customer this club league season playing either hooker or fullback.
A Glennie School ace, Byrnes caught our attention playing a starring role for the Western Clydesdales under-17s and under-19s league sides before making the Queensland Country representative team.
Jayden Solien (Rugby, rugby league)
The exciting Padua old boy made News Corp’s Meninga Cup (Under-19s league) and AIC First XV rugby Teams of the Season this year, after playing a key role in the respective Souths Logan (league) and Padua (rugby) outfits.
A lock in rugby league and fullback in union, Solien is just a natural talent who gave eventual premiers Padua College the edge throughout the rugby season with his speed, footwork and vision.
Sky-yvette Faimalie (Rugby, rugby league)
Faimalie was a high achieving rugby and rugby league player, one of the better front row forwards in the Premier Women club rugby competition – despite still being in school.
A Queensland City Under-17s league selection, Brisbane Tigers middle forward powerhouse Faimalie plays as a prop in rugby league and anywhere in the forwards in rugby union where she is in the Reds’ Super W squad.
She is good enough to one day represent the Wallaroos as a prop and was also good enough to progress into the NRLW, having been selected in the Gold Coast Titans Academy.
Dominika Baleinagasau (Ipswich SHS)
A block busting talent in either code, Baleinagasau has the power and leg drive to play flanker in rugby and the deft hands to make an outstanding utility player of tremendous value in rugby league. She is a genuine utility.
In both codes Baleinagasau was a rock solid defender who locked down her area of the field and was both clever and powerful for Wests (rugby) and Ipswich State High (league).
Kayliss and Jontaye Brown (Rugby league)
The Brown boys, Jontaye and Kayliss, were named in the 16-18 Years Boys Queensland Representative School Sport Touch Football Team.
Older brother Kayliss, a hooker, was the school’s rugby league captain and led by example while younger brother Jontaye, a playmaker, showed plenty of ability with his ability to create for his backs.
In Rugby 7s tournaments late in the year, the Brown boys were at the peak of their powers.
Lachlan McCall (Rugby, rugby league)
Over the last decade, Marist College Ashgrove had churned out halfbacks who played plenty of First XV rugby. GPS Hospital Cup newcomer Jaz Day played three seasons (2015-17) of First XV rugby, Sam Stephens (2018-19) two seasons and then Charlie Condon three seasons (2021-23), before Lachie McCall took charge in fine fashion for the 2024 season.
The plucky scrumhalf was at the epicentre of Ashgrove’s attack with his running game the most dangerous in the competition.
He had plenty of tenacity on defence as well, McCall playing every game of the First XV and First XIII league season for his school.
Manaia-Rose Afuie (Rugby, rugby league)
Her older sister Ana (Sunnybank halfback) has been the best player in the StoreLocal Premier Women club rugby competition for two years straight and this year we saw the emergence of Manaia-Rose for the Dragons and in league for Marsden SHS.
Rising stars like Amaani Misa, Nkeisha Ngaru and Mercedez Taulelei-Siala were all young gems of Sunnybank’s minor premiership squad and the versatility and improvement of scrumhalf Manaia-Rose was a highlight for head coach Tui Nofoaiga.
In the school rugby league season Manaia-Rose came into her own as a playmaker for Marsden SHS.
Hooker Enah Desic and playmakers Evelyn Roberts and Lili Lewis were also revelations themselves who left their mark in 2024.
Savannah Roberts-Hickling and Phoenix-Raine Hippi (Rugby league)
2024 was a special year for Ballina State High duo Roberts-Hickling and Hippi. They had the distinction of making the Australian schoolgirls in rugby and league respectively.
Hippi was the Australian Schoolgirls (league) starting centre and Roberts-Hickling an automatic inclusion in the Australian Schoolgirls Rugby 7s side that featured fellow Queenslanders Shalom Sauaso, Madison Pomerenke, Billie Backus, Passi, Ngaru, Tekainga Enkera-Raveora and Evie Sampson.
Their 2024 season started with a bang when their tryscoring prowess and presence helped deliver a Harvey Norman under-19s league premiership to the Tweed Seagulls.
Charli Nikola (Rugby 7s)
It takes a serious athlete to mix it with Australian 7s superstars Charlotte Caslick, Maddison Levi, Isabella Nasser and their band of Olympic bound teammates.
Charli Nikola, an Australian School Sport Touch selection from Moreton Bay College, was doing just that earlier this year as a wider squad member in the Australian 7s set-up.
The Queensland Reds Next Gen rugby 7s ace is an athlete, with power and finesse, who also excelled in touch football for Queensland this season.
Ned Godwin (Rugby)
Godwin was a First XI cricketer, First XVIII footy and First XV rugby player, a whippy ruck rover playing Aussie rules and a quick stepping centre in the 15-a-side code.
His performance in his debut season of footy(Friday nights) was more remarkable when you consider he also played First XI cricket on a Saturday morning.
He threw himself into his work this season, giving his all for his school across all sports.
Ned’s older brother Gus is a lightning fast outside back from the Easts Tigers.
Conor Quinn (Rugby)
A tall, athletic winger in rugby and centre in league, Quinn played strongly in both codes for Iona College.
He has plenty of pace, but was more than just a finisher. His work off the ball and well judged defence held firm in terms two (union) and three (league).
Oliver Rauchle (Rugby, cricket)
The high-achieving St Paul’s Year 11 student hit boundaries for fun in the summer and then turned his attention to the scrum when he played First XV TAS rugby in the winter.
The towering all-rounder and No. 8 was someone who used his size to his advantage to make a difference for the St Paul’s Pumas.
Terrell Thorne (Athletics)
Yes, the name had been uttered before. But Gout Gout hype buried him from the media gaze. Now everyone knows about the St Laurence’s College product who ran a national record time of 45.64 seconds in the 400m on Sunday at the All Schools Athletics Championships.
The performance broke the previous under-18 national record by Olympian Paul Greene (45.96 seconds) in 1989.
He is a speed demon over the 200m as well, but Gout Gout has that field covered.
Amaya Mearns (Athletics)
Coached by Andrew Iselin at Mayne Harriers since she was 10-years-old, Mearns is an upcoming 100m and 200m specialist.
A former St Paul’s College student now at St Peters, Mearns was not in our eye sight last year.
She is now after her All Schools Athletics Championships exploits. Last Saturday Mearns moved past her idol, Olympian Torrie Lewis, as the second fastest under-18 athlete in Australian history when she ran the 200m in just 23.15 seconds.
Her 200m time of 23.15 surpassed her previous PB was 23.56 and followed Friday’s silver-medal-winning 100m time of 11.49 seconds - down from her previous best of 11.61 seconds.
Thewbelle Philp (Athletics)
A Mudgeeraba Little Athletics club junior, Philp was another whose name had been overheard last year, but it was not until this year that she really stepped into the media spotlight.
Her speed off the mark is amazing. She is absolutely explosive over the first 15m and it is where she wins her 100m dashes.
At last weekend’s All Schools Australia Athletics championships, Philp ran an remarkable 11.38 seconds for the 100m, an incredible achievement for the Year 11 Palm Beach Currumbin SHS student.
She is also brisk over the 200m distance (23.40 seconds).
Maggie Grey (Diving)
Queensland schoolgirl Maggie Grey made a splash last month when she won a gold medal at the World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships in Brazil.
Grey, 14, finished atop the podium after a dazzling performance in the 10m platform event.
It was a stunning effort by the Queensland Academy of Sport athlete from Faith Lutheran College. It was one of two medals earned by Grey.
Also keep an eye on Mt St Michael’s student Emily Francis and Cleveland District SHS’s Archie Forsyth, who both competed at the World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships in Brazil.
Teya Rufus (BMX)
Maryborough’s Teya Rufus earlier this year won the gold medal at the BMX Racing World Cup in Tulsa, and then won the UCI BMX Junior Women’s Championships.
Aged 17, the youngster was inspired to start in the sport after watching her brothers ride. She was just aged three at the time, and when her mother was not looking, she leapt onto the bike and started to ride at her first attempt.
Now the QAS supported athlete plans to make the most of the AusCycling Action and Acceleration Centre of Excellence moving to Brisbane by training with the best senior and junior BMX athletes.
Sara Connors (UQ Barras water polo)
Connors is an outstanding left driver, highly skilled and with speed to burn.
An All Hallows’ School student, she is potent down the left side of the pool who shone in 2024.
Connors comes from a sporting blood stock. Dad Mark was a Wallaby and Mum Jodie is a coach and former high-class player herself.
CRICKET
Roman Dunne (Cricket, league)
It is no secret the Bayside is home to some seriously talented athletes and Dunne is one of those that excels in more than one sport.
The Villanova College ace started 2024 scoring runs at the top order for the First XI and come spring, he was captaining his school’s First XIII rugby league team from the halves.
He sure is a handy playmaker, but it was his temperament and determination under pressure during the cricket season that was most impressive.
Theo Bacalakis (Cricket)
Bacalakis burst into the limelight with a pre-season century playing for Terrace in the GPS First XI competition but it was not until the end of this year, playing club cricket at University, that we saw him at his brilliant best.
He finished the Taverners under-17 season with 492 runs at 49.20, Bacalakis hitting 43 fours or sixes.
He was also be a trusty bowling option with his leg spin, taking eight wickets this season.
Sohaan Sharma (Cricket)
Ipswich Grammar’s Sohaan Sharma was an automatic inclusion. He was the rookie of the season in GPS cricket. In clubland he was equally as impressive as Wests’ top order batting ace.
He could bat time, milking the strike for his partner, but was at his best taking on the game.
Sharma is a part of the Queensland under 16s pathways program.
Malakai Pearce (Cricket)
The Glasshouse Mountains junior was a prolific wicket taker all season in the Taverners competition while also averaging more than 20 with the bat.
The Queensland Under-15s select was an inspiring leader for the Sunshine Coast Scorchers with his sheer consistency.
He featured for the Scorchers in 2023 but in 2024 Pearce was a man on a mission when it came to taking wickets, scoring runs and setting the field for the grand finalists.
Hayden Hamilton (Cricket)
Arguably the breakout player of the year in the Taverners competition, all-rounder Hayden Hamilton scored runs for fun in the under-17s and in third grade club cricket.
In the Taverners competition he surged to 565 runs at an average of 62.78 and delivered more often than not with bat and ball.
Jaxson Davies (Gold Coast, TSS, cricket)
Davies was a boy wonder in the GPS First XI competition at the start of the season, and continued his outstanding form in the Taverners club competition for the Gold Coast.
He is a thrilling player who earlier this year scored a GPS First XI century on debut (101, 63 balls) against Nudgee College.
Runs followed in abundance.
Spencer Green (Nudgee College, cricket)
Green came to notice when he made his First XI debut for Nudgee in GPS cricket. He
15 wickets across the season and bowled the second most over in the competition.
Then playing Tav’s for Toombul, he took 18 wickets at just 18.83 playing leg-spin.
Joshua Ritchie (Iona College, cricket)
The Year 11 Iona College student and a Wynnum Manly junior made 431 runs at an average of 39.18 in school cricket playing First XI. His 135 (130 balls) was the second highest score of the AIC First XI season.
Eli Brain (Cricket)
The Queensland under-17 cricket squad member from Brisbane Grammar School had a bumper Taverners season.
With the bat he scored 528 runs at 58.67, while also taking 12 wickets at 22.75.
Brain’s batting blitz included a round 4 score of 113 not out from a team total of 219, while his effort with bat (60) and ball (4-22) in round 10 catapulted Norths toward victory.
With the ball Brain got through a mountain of work, bowling 80 overs and conceding 3.41 runs per over around his wicket taking deliveries.
He is a fine prospect.
Harry DeSouza (Cricket)
DeSouza scored more runs this season than any other player in the Taverners competition.
In 11 matches he was a revelation scoring 594 runs at an average of 66.
The Gregory Terrace batting all-rounder, whose right arm fast deliveries can also deliver the goods, produced scores of 88, 60, 124 not out, 66 and 122 not out in the final five fixtures in an impressive attempt to squeeze Norths into the finals picture.
Eddie Leslie (Cricket)
A fast outswing bowler, Leslie has been fast-tracked through the grades at a rapid rate which has advanced his development significantly.
In 2023 he was playing first grade at the club, despite being eligible for under-17s.
He wanted to take the harder route. The kid has untapped potential and in 2024 we have seen what the all-rounder is capable of.
Mia Croucamp (Cricket)
Despite being a 15-year-old, Croucamp is by no means not out of place in the Queensland Premier Cricket first grade women's competition.
The Queensland under-16 and under-19 squad selection was a fine batting all-rounder for the Sandgate-Redcliffe Gators, where she scored runs and snared wickets at an efficient clip.
Lilli Hamilton (Cricket)
Hamilton was outstanding from start to finish for the Queensland Maroons at the under-19 national championships, taking 14 wickets at just 8.92.
The off spin bowler was at her best in the grand final, bowling 10-1-33-2 on a day when the NSW Metro batters were brutal in attacking the Queenslanders.
Impressively, the Fairholme College Year 11 student was in the Brisbane Heat WBBL squad this season as a 16-year-old.
Astrid Muniandy (Wynnum Manly, cricket)
There is fierce internal competition within the Muniandy household for who has more cherries on the bat. Astrid’s brother Clancy is also a fine cricketer who attends Iona College.
2024 was a breakout year for the fast-scoring Astrid Muniandy who was both a part of the Wynnum Manly Sea Eagles leadership team and Queensland under-16 squad that is gearing up for the National Championships in January.
AUSSIE RULES
Troydan Ross (Australian football)
From the remote community of Yuendumu, northwest of Alice Springs, and then Cairns, Ross made quite the impression in his first year as a student at Marist College Ashgrove.
A fun-loving boarder, Ross showed glimpses of magic playing in the AIC Aussie rules competition where he could score from anywhere with his booming left boot.
A Brisbane Lions Academy member, forward Ross added strike power to help Ashgrove claim their second successive premiership (shared in 2024).
Marty Owens (Redland Sharks, Australian football)
An under-16 All Australian selection, Owens has been a star for the Sharks.
His disposal was elite and he won the Lions academy best and fairest at the under-16 carnival.
Not far behind him at the Sharks was Max Boutlbee and Bailey Burrows who were all tremendously consistent down by the bay.
Oscar Tanks (Morningside, Austrailan football)
Tanks was a under-17 eligible player who shone with the big boys around the ball in the QAFL colts when he helped spearhead a Panthers’ resurgence this footy season.
Ben Morison (Morningside, Australian football)
Another mid field ace and occasional back man, Morison was a hard nosed, under 17 eligible footy player who could really play any position and beat his opponent.
Will Munro (Sherwood, Australian football)
Wingman Munro was outstanding for the powerful Magpies this season.
outfit.
Munro mixed club football with Lions’ commitments, and the Queensland under-17 representative made his presence felt on the wing or at halfback where his composed play was welcomed.
Aston Wilson (Wilston Grange, Padua College, Australian football)
Mr Reliable Wilson was a comfort to his teammates in both club and school footy because he was so trusty down back.
The Padua College student had high skills and a mighty mark in his game which complemented a thrilling run and carry capacity.
Fletcher Callaway (Wilston Grange, Australian football)
Fletcher Callaway was a hard working tall forward in the QAFL colts when the Gorillas swept into the finals. Only aged 17, he has been identified by the Lions.
Jordie Chambers (Padua College, Australian football)
A half back ace and the team’s AIC First XVIII captain, Chambers was a fearless leader who played a roaming role in the back half and was able to cut-off and generate offence for his side.
Tom Waters (Padua College, Australian football)
Waters, Padua’s vice-captain, offered inside mid magic, someone who led from the front with his contested ball. Waters offered clean hands below his knees and displayed a great ability to connect by either hand or foot.
Nate Rowcliffe (Padua College, Australian football)
The Year 11 winger emerged as a leader with a high workrate. He generated great tackle pressure and had a raking right foot kick.
Bailey Rawson (Palm Beach Currumbin)
Rawson was an under-17 eligible player who shine for PBC in QAFL colts. He was clean over the ball and able to go forward and find majors as a small forward.
Edie McCabe (Wests Juniors)
A milestone player who passed 150 matches for the club this season, goal sneak McCabe was outstanding across the under-17 season, polling second most votes to eventual winner, Sherwood’s Ayana Pritchard, in the official SEQ Youth Awards this season. She was also crowned Wests Juniors Best and Fairest winner.
Archie Smith (Volleyball, Aussie rules)
What a sportsman.
Across two sports he is absolutely outstanding.
On the volleyball court he plays the position setter, then on the Australian football field Smith is an elite wing or forward.
Indeed earlier this year he made his senior footy debut for Wilston Grange in the QAFL, and then earned selection in the under-16 Australian volleyball team travelling to Thailand.
He first made the Queensland schoolboys footy side in the under-12s, and progressed to Queensland under-15 side after captaining the Met North side to a grand final.
In volleyball, his team was a gold medal winner in the under 15 age group, helping earn him selection in the Queensland White side which he captained to a bronze medal at nationals.
Earlier this year he was also a member of the under-17 state side which won the gold medal at nationals.
Ryan Fistr (athletics, surf, Aussie rules)
A wonderful multi-sport athlete who is a medallist on the track and field oval in the under-13 age group (800m), and who is a powerhouse member of the Queensland triathlon squad.
In addition, he is a Queensland surf life saving medallist, one of the best cross country runners in his age group and a Level 2 Brisbane Lions Academy member.
How is that for a portfolio?
Rory O’Keeffe (Marist College Ashgrove, Australian football)
O’Keeffe’s presence both on and off the field ensured the team’s cohesion, as well as showing the way to Marist’s next generation of talent.
Bailey Burrows (Chisholm College, Australian football)
A promising young talent in Year 12, Burrows is a Gold Coast Suns Academy player who has been leading the charge in the midfield for the Redland Victoria Point QAFL Colts team.
Despite still being in school, he backed up a bumper 2023 season which saw him contest the AFL National Championships for the Suns with a terrific Colts campaign as captain of his team. His local club is Redland-Victoria Point.
FOOTBALL
Xiana Ludwig (Kelvin Grove SHS, football)
Ludwig played a big role in her team’s drive to the junior girls SPL premiership, including in the grand final when her one touch, left footed marvel delivered Kelvin Grove a goal. Soon after she added a second and her class was evident on grand final day.
A centre mid, Ludwig plays well beyond her age group and is already playing senior women’s NPL at QAS aged just 14. Technically gifted and extremely hard working, Ludwig made the Schools Premier League team of the season.
GPS FIRST XI FOOTBALL’S PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
Hiboki Tomioka (Southport SHS)
One of the best in the business, this creative midfielder is potent off either foot. He earned a reputation for being an unselfish player who gained much joy from helping a teammate find the back of the net. Tomioka captained the South Coast side and was named in the 13-16 Years Queensland School Sports team after an outstanding performance at the championships. He was an easy selection in this side.
Genki Mashima (Southport SHS, football)
Southport’s Genki Mashima was sublime in team’s Schools Premier League intermediate premiership win in October. The remarkable workrate of Mashima was a highlight, with the explosive talent creating chances with his delivery of pass and also his pace and intuition.
Kenta Matsumoto (Southport SHS, football)
The versatile Matsumoto brought pace, power and a great technical ability to matches this season. He was outstanding in the Schools Premier League.
Braxton Young (PBC SHS, football)
PBC SHS goalkeeper Braxton Young was a sudden death penalty shootout hero as the Reds came from behind to pip Chancellor State College in the Junior boys Schools Premier League grand final in October. Young saved two shots in the shootout, the second in sudden death, to give his side victory.
Tayla McMurtrie (Southport SHS)
The midfielder has outstanding first touch skills and is able to quickly manipulate the ball and use her speed. She is technically sound and has excellent leadership qualities.
Katie Sherar (Chancellor State College)
A strong, creative midfielder, Sherar is technically very good and gets in great positions in the final third of the field which makes her a dangerous goal threat. From the Peninsula Power program, she made the Queensland Representative School Sport merit Team of the Season.
Bailey Mazzeo (Cleveland District SHS)
A Redlands FC ace with a habit of putting the ball in the back of the net, Mazzeo was named recently in the Schools Premier League merit team of the season for his age group. He is a striker who has scored 16 goals in six games and is a big presence in front of goal.
Phoebe and Ebony Spreadbury (Aspley SHS)
Ebony, a member of the junior girls Schools Premier League team of the season, defensive midfielder is a great organiser and who contributes on both sides of the ball. She recently trained with the Chelsea FC’s under-15s in England. Sister Phoebe was then outstanding in helping Aspley win its SPL remiership.
Originally published as Bolts from the blue: South East Queensland’s school sport revelations of 2024 named
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