Queensland rugby: Colts 1 players to watch in 2025 club season
Queensland’s premier under-20 rugby competition is just around the corner with the best teen talent in the Sunshine State revving their engines for battle. See who the Colts 1 players to watch are from all nine clubs here.
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Queensland’s brightest rugby teens will be out to impress when the Colts 1 club rugby competition kicks off on Saturday, March 29.
Reigning premiers Souths defeated Wests in last year’s decider, avenging a grand final loss to Brothers the year before. The year before that, Easts shared the premiership with University, who were led on by current Reds playmaker Tom Lynagh.
Who will win it all this year? All nine Queensland Premier Rugby clubs have a case of their own and only time will tell when the 18-round season rolls around in nine sleeps time.
The www.couriermail.com.au will again provide editorial coverage of the elite under-20s competition, which acts as a segway into the StoreLocal Hospital Cup (first grade).
So which players are set to make a big impact for their team? 30 players to watch brimming with talent are named below ahead of the season opener.
ROUND 1 FIXTURES
Wests versus Bond University
Easts versus Norths
Souths versus Sunnybank
University versus GPS
COLTS 1 PLAYERS TO WATCH THIS SEASON
HARRY NEWNHAM (SOUTHS MAGPIES)
Souths will be completely new look team in 2025. Newnham, who missed most of last season through injury, is back for seconds and looking to make up for lost time.
A rangy centre from up on the range (Toowoomba), Newnham accelerates onto the ball and has the skill, communication and natural ability to be among the best backs in the competition.
TRENT PICOT (SOUTHS MAGPIES)
Without putting too much pressure on him, Picot looms large as the competition’s premier on-ball flanker.
A jackling gem from Brisbane State High, Picot gives any team he plays for a leg-up with his work at the breakdown.
A product of Souths, Picot was a very good rugby league edge forward who has the tools to give Souths a big boost.
FINN MACKAY (SOUTHS MAGPIES)
Goalkicking top gun Mackay, another product of Souths, is one of Australia’s best teen playmakers and there is little doubt he will show his class despite being tender in age (born in 2007).
He was blooded into colts as a schoolboy last year at St Laurence’s and was arguably the Reds’ most impressive in their 50-33 loss to the Waratahs on Saturday.
You’ll see what the fuss is all about.
PJ SU’A (EASTS TIGERS)
The beast is back!
Mobile big man PJ Su’a will bolster Easts backrow stocks in 2025 after a stint in France which has served him well.
Last year he was a back row strongman who spearheaded Easts in more ways than one. He is primed to make a roaring impact again.
JOE STODDART (EASTS TIGERS)
The Tigers won’t have three-year flanker Joe Liddy but boy do they have a good replacement in Joe Stoddart.
The Churchie product bided his time in colts 2 before showing he was a colts 1 calibre player at the back end of last season.
He enters this season as arguably Easts’ fittest and most agile flanker. The Easts No. 7 will stand out because he works harder than most in games.
CADEN GRIFFITHS (EASTS TIGERS)
Just watch the involvement, business and reliability of Easts’ backline utility Caden Griffiths.
A steady improver since graduating Villanova College in 2023, Griffiths can play just about anywhere in the backs - including halfback - and is the type of trusted performer who coach Jack Richards and teammates will value in a long, gruelling colts season.
JOHN GRENFELL (UNIVERSITY RED HEAVIES)
The kid is impressive.
A Cap Coast Crocs Junior Rugby Union product, Grenfell is like a wild bull when he carries the ball. Absolutely no fear and has the footwork, leg power and body height to make a palpable difference for University.
He is a good footballer with a smattering of former Wallaby Brendan Cannon, who transferred from No. 8 to become a Wallaby hooker, about him.
TOM HOWARD (UNIVERSITY RED HEAVIES)
His great grandfather Cyril Towers, a Wallaby legend and captain, his grandfather Jake (Wallaby prop) and father Pat (Wallabies flyhalf) all played with distinction, and now it’s Tom’s turn.
A player of considerable potential, Howard has flair, fast feet and a good rugby brain and will be right at home with the Red Heavies given the Howard family’s association with the University club.
Tom was carefully mentored by former Reds coach Richard Graham during his time at Marist Ashgrove and can play No.10 through to fullback.
ANGUS KELLY (UNIVERSITY RED HEAVIES)
Rough diamond Angus Kelly could be a revelation this season after his 2024 campaign was severely hindered by injury.
A Queensland Reds Under-18s early last year, Kelly has set a high standard for his peers in pre-season training and is fully fit to fire - at outside centre or even flanker.
Is a handful to bring down.
CALLUM REIDY (NORTHS EAGLES)
The heart and soul of Norths’ colts last season, Reidy did everything in his power to get the Eagles to the finals.
They missed out narrowly but Reidy’s deeds from scrumhalf were no less impressive because of it.
He is a smart, highly-skilled player who previously excelled as a cricketer at St Laurence’s College. He will make a difference with his boot and captaincy.
SAM DICKIE (NORTHS EAGLES)
Sam Dickie has what you can’t coach and that is speed.
He is a quicksilver winger who his inside men will look to tap into. He was a big improver throughout 2024 which culminated in Queensland Reds under-19s squad selection.
He will be aiming to go out with a bang in what is his final year of colts footy.
BEN KLUCK (NORTHS EAGLES)
Every team needs a bloke like Ben Kluck.
He grafts away at a high level, produces big plays when it matters and is the type of player you want on your side.
If his first season of colts (2024) is anything to go by then the flame-haired flanker from Nudgee is in for a big year.
JACKSON HILL (BROTHERS)
Brothers will be armed with a mighty mite finisher in winger Jackson Hill.
The Kiwi dynamo is coming off a bumper 2024 where his speed and skill was key in Brisbane State High’s unbeaten ride to an unnoficial grand final with Nudgee College. He was also one of six Queenslanders picked in the Australian Under-18s side which won the Global Youth Sevens in New Zealand. The other players were: Myles Rosemond (TGS), Wallace Charlie (Western Force), Jacob Johnson (Brumbies) Angus Tagicakibau (BSHS) and Charlie Bird (Wynnum Manly Meninga Cup).
TATE CONNORS (BROTHERS)
Connors warmed his engines in colts 2 last season but is shaping up to be Brothers’ first-choice outside centre.
The son of 134-cap Queensland Red backrower Mark Connors, Tate has speed to burn and looks set to be a key attacking figure in Brothers’ backline.
Ironically, Tate’s cousin Lachie Connors (University first grade backrower) is built much more like his old man.
TOM BAILEY (BROTHERS)
Brothers will usher in a new-look colts side and a reliable new face they will look to when the going gets tough is Tom Bailey.
A Mr Fix It from Toowoomba Grammar, Bailey brings a mixed bag at lock, flanker or No. 8 where he is a trusted performer with toughness and skill.
CHARLIE COOKE (WESTS BULLDOGS)
A Queensland Reds Under-20s select, Cooke was cooking with gas in 2024 on his way to being the competition’s premier openside flanker.
The same can be expected this season. He is a year wiser, stronger and will should feel bulletproof after a big 12 months of club and representative rugby.
JAMES ALEXANDER (WESTS BULLDOGS)
Watch for the creativity, attacking spark and goalkicking of Jamie Alexander in his final year of colts footy.
An unflappable character, Alexander played both scrumhalf and flyhalf with distinction last season for the grand finalists. He will be a fixture at scrumhalf who can give Wests and edge with his boot and general game sense.
NICK CONWAY (WESTS BULLDOGS)
Wests are sure to be in the running again with excitement machine Nick Conway starting the counter-attack from fullback or wing.
The slick Nudgee College product has the footwork and speed other players would love but the reason he is elite is his work off the ball.
Watch for the busy Conway to wind up places most wouldn’t.
JACK LEO (GPS GALLOPERS)
There is reason to be exited about the progression of bayside brute Jack Leo.
He was a standout in GPS’ pre-season training and with the learnings of last year, the abrasive flanker looks primed to make a telling impact.
The Iona College product is no flash dan but he hits hard and often, gives 110 per cent and has both passion and power.
TOM HANSSON (GPS GALLOPERS)
GPS are set to benefit from the services of a rugby league strongman, big second rower Tom Hansson.
The hardened GPS First XV campaigner, who was a part of Nudgee’s 2023 premiership side, played as an edge forward for the Norths Devils in last year’s Mal Meninga Cup competition.
He will play lock for the Gallopers and has made his presence felt in a short time at Yoku road.
SPENCER ALCOCK (GPS GALLOPERS)
GPS will be in safe hands with Byron Bay product Spencer Alock returning for another season.
A schoolboy high-achiever at The Southport School, Alock brings a crafty play style and a deft long and short kicking game.
Last year his soft touch off of the right boot paved the way for plenty of points for his outside backs.
CALLUM SIMPSON (BOND UNIVERSITY)
Simpson was a staple at flyhalf for Bond last season. The side ruffled plenty of feathers on their way to the semi-finals.
Simpson, who played the entire season while in Year 12 at Somerset College in Mudgeeraba, will be better for that long, successful season.
Watch for the booming exit kicks and developing running game of the big-bodied Palm Beach Currumbin Alleygators product.
SPENCER COTI (BOND UNIVERSITY)
Fresh off a promising trial performance against the Hunter Wildfires, Coti has cemented himself a wing spot for his first season down under.
An athletic Canadian, Coti has made the move to get stuck in on the field and in the class room.
He has a big frame, wheels and a willingness to get involved on both sides of the ball.
CHARLIE WAKE (BOND UNIVERSITY)
Bond have welcomed a new addition from Melbourne, openside flanker Charlie Wake, who is bringing some much needed toughness to the backrow.
He is the typical scrappy flanker who is hard over the ball and often in everything.
Wake hails from Melbourne Grammar School and Melbourne Rugby Club (The Unicorns).
NETANI LESIMAIKIMATUKU (SUNNYBANK DRAGONS)
Sunnybank were again capable of beating any team on their day and the presence of utility back Netani Lesimaikimatuku will be key if they want to make a push for the finals.
A sniper off the kicking tee, Lesimaikimatuku is a triple threat who can create for himself and others.
Opposition defenders must tread carefully when he gets the ball with room to rove.
MATTIAS AGENT (SUNNYBANK DRAGONS)
Last season forward utility Mattias Agent was a standout with his precision, consistency and leadership.
The Brisbane State High product will look to build on those strong foundations to be a forward leader again for the ‘Bank.
It would not surprise to see Agent feature in first grade sooner rather than later. He has potential.
DANIEL MALUM (SUNNYBANK DRAGONS)
Malum sent a ripple across the competition in the first round of games last season, impressing allies and enemies with his speed, power and spidey-senses predicting play.
His fine form on the wing culminated in Reds under-19s selection and he showed in the Super Rugby competition his colts form was no flash in the pan.
The illustrious outside back is the real deal.
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