The 2024 Langer Trophy Team of the Season
Langer Trophy Team of the Season has been revealed here. See if your NRL club has picked up the top talent from this year’s elite schoolboy league competition.
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A new breed of outstanding schoolboy talent which swept across the Langer Trophy competition has been captured and placed into our annual Team of the Season.
Future NRL players left, right and centre made the team ahead of tomorrow’s Phil Hall State Cup Final involving the Langer Trophy champions Palm Beach Currumbin SHS.
WATCH PHIL HALL CUP LIVE STREAM HERE
There are four notable omissions due to long standing injuries - Zac Garton (Caloundra SHS, Dolphins contracted), Javon Andrews (Marsden SHS, Titans contracted), Cody Starr (Redcliffe SHS, Dolphins contracted) and Cooper Clarke (Caloundra SHS, Storm contracted).
WALTERS CUP TEAM OF THE SEASON
LANGER RESERVES TEAM OF THE SEASON
SCHOOLGIRLS TEAM OF THE SEASON
That awesome foursome could not be named in the side simply because they did not play enough matches because of injury.
But all are tremendous young prospects who would be genuine NRL prospects at their respective clubs.
TEAM OF THE SEASON
1. Mason Barber (Keebra Park)
Signed by the North Queensland Cowboys, Barber played more matches at five-eighth than he did at No.1 but to fit the very best of the best into the side he is named at No.1.
He is smart at fullback where he performed with distinction for the Queensland schoolboys.
Selected as an Australian schoolboy, Barber at times looks like former Canberra champion Brett Mullins and this season had the sprinkle of x-factor Keebra Park SHS needed challenge for the Langer Trophy.
2. Chris Simpson (Ipswich SHS)
A Cherboug young gun, Ipswich SHS was a home away from home for prolific right centre Chris Simpson whose contentment shone through every time he took the field.
Simpson had an uncanny nose for the try line and either out played or gained parity with almost every opponent he confronted.
His anticipation and physicality was top notch for Ipswich SHS.
3. Sam Stephenson (PBC SHS)
One of three Queenslanders to be named in the Australian schoolboys side, the explosive centre cut an imposing figure every time he took off from dummy half or came storming onto the ball at the attacking end of the ground.
With his size and strength, Gold Coast Titans’ supporters can pencil him in as a genuine NRL prospect.
4. Joseph Tupuse (Keebra Park SHS)
Damaging left centre Joey Tupuse produced one of the most impressive individual performances of the 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.
5. Keyarn Pene (Wavell SHS)
Keyarn Pene played right centre but was so good he had to be in the starting XIII.
The Wavell SHS school captain was as good as any edge defender in the competition where, on the wider channel at centre, he’d quell attacks with good reads and contact.
For example not even the competition’s best edge forward, Australian schoolboy Zac Garton, would put it over him.
Earlier in the year he played five-eighth for Norths so he is versatile.
While he is currently unsigned by an NRL club, there are several interested in signing the talented 17-year-old prospect.
6. Hayden Watson (Marsden SHS)
Utility back Hayden Watson was instrumental in delivering the running game that complemented Marsden SHS and ultimately paved the way for the team’s five week surge to make the grand final.
An outstanding representative hooker who is signed by the Melbourne Storm, Queensland Schoolboy select Watson displayed his versatility when he slipped into the halves for the second half of the season and looked at home.
7. Zane Harrison (PBC SHS)
The Langer Trophy’s maestro held the whip hand again when he guided PBC SHS to a second successive premiership last week.
No one in the competition can control a match like Harrison, a born winner who has already played in 11 club or school grand finals.
The Gold Coast Titans have a good one signed here in Harrison, who is also an outstanding goal kicker.
He was the joint Justin Hodges Medal Player of the Season alongside Wavell’s Charlie Dickson and really hit his straps at the business end of the season.
8. Kanaan Magele (Ipswich SHS)
Kanaan Magele was a dynamic hard man who spearheaded Ipswich SHS to eight successive victories.
The 18-year-old New Zealand born brute had the leg speed, strength and ability to win contact either carrying the ball or in defence and that earnt him selection in the hotly contested Queensland schoolboys front row.
He is signed by the Roosters and had a stellar school season that followed an equally impressive club season with the Ipswich Jets.
It is fair to say he loved playing on the North Ipswich Reserve turf.
9. Amare Wynyard (Redcliffe SHS)
The Redcliffe SHS captain did a mighty job down in the northern end of the Peninsula with his cunning dummy half runs, fast moving defence and boundless energy.
All this, despite his impact being curtailed by the long term absence of Redcliffe’s best two ruck winning forwards, Cody Starr and Nate Berrigan.
He is a Dolphins signing, a workhorse Year 11 student who will lead the side again in 2025 after taking the baton from Hayden Potts this season in style.
10. Elijah Keung (Mabel Park SHS)
Along with Ipswich SHS prop Magele, Keung was the best new face in the competition.
He arrived on the scene like a bolt from the blue to make News Corp’s Meninga Cup Team of the Season, and continued that form into the Langer Trophy.
Along the way he earned a South Sydney contract and was a wrecking ball metre-eater who Mabel Park SHS could trust to make a dent.
11. Tupou Francis (Marsden SHS)
A Year 11 student, Tupou Francis displayed leadership beyond his years to help revive Marsden SHS’s season.
With unsurpassed aggressiveness both carrying the ball and in defence, Francis was arguably the most influential player in the competition during a three week spurt late in the season.
The Brisbane Broncos will be pleased with their investment in Francis, the younger brother of Gold Coast Titans young gun winger Tony Francis.
12. Jac Finigan (PBC SHS)
Jac Finigan was a defensive henchman on the edge who made a truck load of tackles, winning 90 per cent of the collisions.
With the ball few ran harder than Finigan, whose consistency at this level over the last two seasons earned him a late call up into the Queensland schoolboys side.
Recently he earned a Dolphins academy contract.
13. Charlie Dickson (Wavell SHS)
Lock Charlie Dickson was absolutely elite, so good the Dolphins NRL organisation swooped to upgrade the Moreton Bay Raiders junior and place him on a full time four year contract.
A contest winning defender, No.13 Dickson cleverly mixes the angle of his runs with the ball and if cornered close to the line, he twists and turns and is never easily subdued.
He was the joint Justin Hodges Medallist for Langer Trophy Player of the Season which followed a great season scoring tries for fun in Redcliffe’s Under-17s Connell Cup team.
14. Ezra Leota (Mabel Park SHS)
Diminutive hooker Ezra Leota was the Mr Consistency of Mabel Park SHS.
The biggest compliment you can pay him is that his influence on the side was profound when he returned from injury and with him on the field, Mabel Park SHS were a different unit.
He brought boundless energy with him and his scheming runs, footwork and turn of foot allowed him to take advantage of tired defenders.
15. David Bryenton (Keebra Park SHS)
Signed by the Brisbane Broncos, Kiwi hot-stepper David Bryenton had sharp footwork, blinding speed and swerve that gave him a point of difference and ensured he was on every opposition coach’s tip sheet.
Off the back of a quick play the ball, from anywhere on the field, Bryenton could pierce the armour of opposition defences.
Scooping up opposition attacking kicks, there was an expectation he would be able to pull off something impressive in the in-goal area.
16. Xzavier Timoteo (Ipswich SHS)
Local middle forward enforcer Xzavier Timoteo was absolutely fearless, a prop who’d run off the back fence - then back up and do it all again.
With light footwork, unrivalled physicality and a thirst for contact, Timoteo was a key attacking threat close to the line where he mixed his strength and angled running to deliver countless blows.
The Sydney Roosters have picked up Timoteo, the humble Ipswich Rangers junior and Queensland Schoolboys select.
17. Benji Quinlan (Marsden SHS)
Big Benji Quinlan had the heart of a lion and the toughness of a Rhino’s hide.
He started the season on the interchange bench, but became his team’s premier middle forward alongside young Tupou Francis when Mace Andrew was injured in the second half of the season.
The ferocious prop was a part of Marsden’s bruise brothers club which included Francis, Levin Rusin, Cody Goulter and Cooper Young.
18. Isaac Harrison (PBC SHS)
Workaholic forward Isaac Harrison was the glue of the Langer Trophy premiership winning pack.
Harrison was always in the top two for tackles and also carries where his hit and spin often led to PBC SHS momentum from the ruck.
He was the best mop up man in the competition who will play in his 13th club or junior grand final tomorrow when the Reds confront the Kirwan Bears.
19. Zac Kumbamong (Keebra Park SHS)
The Queensland schoolboys representative had a huge club season with Tweed where he won the premiership (Tweed Seagulls) and made the News Corp Meninga Cup Team of the Season.
Shortly after, the Papua New Guinean powerhouse was doing the tough stuff for Keebra Park SHS where he played his role to perfect in the middle third of the field.
Contracted for the next three seasons by the Gold Coast Titans, he then earned Queensland schoolboys selection and gave Keebra Park SHS forward thrust alongside his mate Isopo Taunu’u who also moved mountains this season.
20. Tom Parker (Ipswich SHS)
The 17-year-old excitement machine added to his repertoire during the club season by playing five-eighth wonderfully and that experience no doubt added to the Parker package during a stellar school campaign.
Featuring blinding pace, anticipation and high IQ, Parker was one of the competition’s ace strike players.
His performance against Redcliffe SHS at Norths in the semi-final was exceptional, but well before that he was running amok for high achievers Ipswich SHS as one of their most prolific tryscorers.
PLAYERS WE’D LOVE MOST TO HAVE FOUND ROOM FOR
Ellyjah Birve (Caloundra SHS)
Year 11 utility back Ellyjah Birve was arguably Caloundra SHS’s best player this season, creating plenty of spark in attack from anywhere on the field.
Birve is a rising SEQ prodigy that can play five-eighth, halfback, fullback or dummyhalf and he has x-factor.
After playing in the Walters Cup and Langer Trophy last year as a Year 10 student, Birve rose to the occasion this year to be the important spine player the Seahawks needed.
Jared Horne (Wavell SHS)
The elite Brisbane Broncos signed second rower was in his second Langer season after making his debut as a Year 10 student last year.
His fledgling career gained ominous pace when he made the Queensland schoolboys and did a top job.
He is a smart ballplayer, an exciting Wynnum Manly junior representative who is furious in defence and smart with his decisions.
Taufa Taulani (Redcliffe SHS)
The big fellow missed out on selection by the width of a tissue paper because he had a huge season for Redcliffe SHS.
When two of the Eagles’ three forward spearheads (Cody Starr and Nate Berrigan) were unavailable, Taulani grew a leg in support of Jarius Halahala and was an influential middle forward against any opposition.
Chaev Kolone (Mabel Park SHS)
The tireless Mabel Park SHS senior revved up his big motor and got through a mountain of work in the middle alongside big Elijah Keung.
He was a defensive linchpin and worked himself to a standstill to wrestle momentum away from the opposition with or without the ball.
He is the type of player whose work at times goes unnoticed, but regularly he would rack up upwards of 25 tackles in a match and that is a luxury for his teammates.
Reeco Kirk (Ipswich SHS)
An unsung link man, an extra piece of the classy five-eighth’s attack was his towering bombs that placed pressure on opposition back three players.
He had the off the whim ability to use his short kicking game to get his outside backs into the match and it was rare he would make a mistake.
He was Sharp with a capital S.
Adaquix-Jeramiah Watts-Luke (Marsden SHS)
You sense the best is yet to come from the explosive fullback.
As Marsden SHS’s forwards got better, so did tough fullback Luke whose electrifying pace was brought into the game either around the ruck or on a left or right back’s ball movement. Throw in his footy smarts and it adds up to a footballer of considerable potential for the Dolphins.
Sunny Kama (PBC SHS SHS)
Mr Reliable and a trusted finisher, Sunny Kama was a back field work horse who urgently got to dummy half to take a run out of defence.
He was also rock solid in defence and safe as a bank in attack.
Signed by the Gold Coast Titans, he is the type of player who can easily be taken for granted - but not by his teammates.
He has been one of the top tryscorers over the last two seasons in the Langer Trophy.
Timahna Tandy (Wavell SHS)
A Year 11 student, Timahna Tandy played above his weight and did not get rattled by big bodies chasing him off the ruck.
For someone of his age, he displayed shrewd judgment and was the best goal kicker in the competition.
The Dolphins have the southern Darling Downs product on their academy list and each game this year he looked more and more comfortable.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Ray Puru (PBC SHS)
The best little man in the competition, Ray Puru was an electric fullback capable of cracking a match wide open.
The livewire is unsigned by an NRL club at the moment, but he has a potential option looming.
Watch this space.
Zac Herdegen (Wavell SHS)
Passionate playmaker Zac Herdegen was one of the competition’s best with his control, kicking game and ability to seize a chance down a blindside.
The fact Herdegen is not in the starting side shows the competitiveness of the Langer Trophy and his performances this season at halfback demanded respect.
The silky smooth Bribie Island pivot is signed by the Newcastle Knights.
Dean Tauaa (Mabel Park SHS)
An emerging left centre, Tauaa was is explosive with the ball and a strong defender on the edge.
It has been a real breakthrough season for Tauaa who was also outstanding in the Connell Cup playing for Wynnum.
Watch out again for those Mabel Park SHS boys next season when Tauaa and his teammates Maje Peachey, Tawa Simpkins and Dom Ierome are in Year 12.
Jett Ryan (Caloundra SHS)
Jett Ryan, a bottom age student, was quick to shadow the teachings of his captain Zac Garton and it showed as he stepped up to fill that role as Caloundra’s left edge weapon.
His communication and effort plays stood out like a sore thumb for the Seahawks and he is back next season.
Sam Martin (Ipswich SHS)
It is little wonder Ipswich SHS had an eight game winning streak when you have someone like this born and bred local handling the ball first from the ruck.
Also a tough terror in defence, the representative hooker signed by the Brisbane Broncos is one of the best teenage No.9 prospects in the country.
His performance in a wet weather semi-final skirmish against Marsden SHS was stirring.
Jarius Halahala (Redcliffe SHS)
No middle forward in the competition had better footwork than Halahala, a mobile middle with untapped potential.
He is on the Dolphins’ books and when he was on the field, Redcliffe SHS packed a punch in the middle third.
Jai Bilish (PBC SHS)
Although everyone knew he was coming through the ranks after previously playing Walters Cup with Keebra Park SHS, his transition into the Langer Trophy was one of the highlights of the season.
The headgear wearing rake is extremely athletic and while his defensive is strong, the strongpoint of his game is that running game where on countless occasions he scored tries.
He oozed class and picked up right where Will Saunders (PBC, 2023) left off last season.
Disharne Tonihi (Marsden SHS)
The towering Tonihi was a rangy but strong body for the Marsden Makos who made a physical presence with his carries.
The prolific Burleigh Bears centre was again front and centre for Marsden and when he wasn’t, he went looking for work on both sides of the ball.
Saifiti Junior Saifiti (Ipswich SHS)
A thunderous runner who overflows with courage, Saifiti has been signed by the Dragons and at the end of the season will reunite with Brandon Tikinau, Loko Pasifiki Tonga and Tyler Peckham-Harris in Wollongong.
Although he missed a handful of games through injury, Saifiti’s energy was felt and when he returned the ball, a dent was left in opposition defensive lines.
SUCCESS STORIES OF THE SEASON
Tayshon Foley (Ipswich SHS)
A Centenary Panthers junior whose summer weekends were spent as a child at the Forest Lake Little Athletics club, Foley first joined Ipswich SHS as a Year 10 student - but had to wait until round 1 this year to make his debut because of a shoulder injury.
He was outstanding at centre this season, leaping high to reel in crossfield kicks and running hard and fast into the defence.
He maintained the rage for Ipswich SHS after a bumper Ipswich Jets Meninga Cup campaign that got him ready and raring to make an impact at left centre.
Andrew Bryce (Redcliffe SHS)
Andrew Bryce, a five-eighth, was one of these kids who rose to the occasion and shone when handed an opportunity during the Eagles injury crisis.
Bryce kept it simple, stuck to the game plan and ticked off a personal milestone by playing for Redcliffe SHS with distinction in the Langer Trophy.
Khan Turnbull (Redcliffe)
Redcliffe SHS outside back Khan Turnbull was one of two inaugural recipients of the Liam Hampson Scholarship.
An outstanding wing talent, Turnbull battled back from an injury sustained last season to win a starting position in the Langer Trophy.
He displayed great dedication to travel down from Caboolture daily and his hard work translated onto the field.
Grady Payne (Redcliffe SHS)
Every day Payne would spend five hours travelling to and from his home on the southern Gold Coast to Redcliffe SHS.
Why? In the hope he would play Langer Trophy.
He not only played Langer Trophy, but he played and made a difference.
Indeed the deft attacking kicker had one of the success stories of the season.
PLAYERS WE’D LOVE TO HAVE SEEN MORE OF
Cody Starr (Redcliffe SHS)
Signed by the Dolphins, prop Cody Starr made a huge difference when he got on the field with his thrust and ability to win the ruck.
A towering Year 11 forward, Starr will be out to send a ripple through next year’s competition.
Zac Garton (Caloundra SHS)
Just an absolute weapon.
After playing just 25 minutes across the opening four rounds, the Caloundra captain was finally back to full strength in round five and quickly made his mark.
Australian Schoolboy Garton will head into an NRL pre-season camp with the Dolphins at the end of the season and will be a name to keep tabs on in the coming years.
Cooper Clarke (Caloundra)
After a huge effort for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Mal Meninga Cup, The Melbourne Storm-signed Clarke was one of the most dominant middle forwards in the Langer Trophy until being injured (ankle) in round 4.
He was rewarded with Queensland schoolboy honours, but never played due to injury. Unfortunately, Caloundra SHS never saw Clarke and Garton share the field this season which would’ve made a huge difference to their ladder position.
Javon Andrews (Marsden SHS)
Direct Five-eighth Javon Andrews played early, then missed the majority of the season before making a stunning return in Marsden’s quarterfinal performance.
Signed by the Gold Coast Titans, Andrews is a player of considerable potential.
Mace Andrews (Marsden SHS)
Year 11 student Mace Andrew had a huge season at both club (Souths Logan) and school (Marsden SHS), but an achilles injury shut him out of the Langer Trophy in a four week block.
Signed by South Sydney, Andrew is a mobile middle forward with a huge motor and will form a nice pairing with Tupou Francis in 2025.
Ethan Yarrow (Redcliffe SHS)
Redcliffe never had their full side on the paddock once this season, and another long term absentee was outstanding second rower Ethan Yarrow (broken thumb).
He was a match hardened campaigner from two seasons in the Sunshine Coast Meninga Cup squad.
Brave to the core boys
Malakye Blow (Caloundra SHS)
After missing out on the competition in 2023, Blow made the most of his opportunities this season after being named vice-captain in the absence of his second row partner Zac Garton.
Blow had an ability to “put his body where most others will not’’, according to his coach Toby Poole and showed his skills with the footy every chance he got.
Cody Goulter and Levi Rusin (Marsden SHS)
These two left absolutely nothing out on the field.
Edge forward Goulter and middle man Rusin would attack with their defence and when in possession, charge with the ball as if they were taking one last ruck before being interchanged.
Henry Sologinkin (Redcliffe SHS)
The big fella would load up and go again into the teeth of the opposition ruck, often winning an advantage for his side.
He also delivered nice tip on plays around his courageous charges - but he won most admirers for his barnstorming carries.
BEST NEW FACES
Noah Noke (Caloundra SHS)
Noah Noke was a workhorse all season for Caloundra SHS, coming up against some massive opposition forward packs.
He started the season at No.13 before shifting to prop when Clarke was sidelined with his ankle injury.
The performances of the tireless middle forward reminded the Caloundra SHS community of 2023 graduate Brad Higgins who picked up an Academy contract with the Melbourne Storm following his efforts in the Langer Trophy competition.
Torina Jackson (PBC SHS)
As mentioned earlier in the story, Mabel Park’s Elijah Keung and Ipswich SHS’s Kannan Magele were the best new faces in the competition, but this New Zealand-raised prop was pretty impressive also.
He was powerful with plenty of agility for a big boy.
Marley McLaren (PBC SHS)
He was always going to be a success with the ball playing in the PBC SHS system, but the recently signed St George Illawarra Dragons No.6 worked hard to get his defensive water tight.
He was handed the responsibility of running the PBC SHS backline in the Phil Hall Cup final after an injury to captain Zane Harrison and he provivded ample energy, a dangerous running game and a deft short kicking game from five-eighth this year.
Nixon Pasese (Wavell SHS)
The junior representative forward signed by the Dolphins came over from a private school to play schoolboy rugby - and it was worth the journey.
He is an exciting mobile forward prospect who got better with each match.
Antonio Okusitino (Marsden SHS)
With Queensland schoolboys selection Lui Lee poised to play Langer, who knew we’d even get a chance to see Okusitino play this season.
Lee went down with a season-ending knee injury and Okusitino stepped in and the amped up Year 11 student made a difference.
UNSUNG HEROES
Kurt Jones (Wavell SHS)
A rangy winger with good pace and anticipation, Jones was super reliable for the Warriors.
The long striding left wing scored a bunch of tries this season, manned up on defence and applied plenty of pressure off Herdegen’s kicks.
Maddox Goodwin (Wavell SHS)
The Cowboys signed Maddox Goodwin, Wavell’s captain, was a good all around edge forward who bedded down his side defensively and who ran strongly.
He made the Queensland schoolboys and did his job perfectly.
Quentin Teuila (Marsden SHS)
The team lost their strike back, Lui Lee, and their best forward, Patrick Kailahi, before the start of the season, and then endured an endless number of injuries.
But through it all this little halfback and then hooker kept his head above water and in the end flourished as the side got stronger.
Cooper Young (Marsden SHS)
Nicknamed Bam Bam, Young was another of the Marsden forwards who gathered confidence the further the season progressed.
Anton Whaiapu (Keebra Park SHS)
Whaiapu was an edge forward you can easily take for granted, an honest toiler who wore the Keebra Park SHS jersey with pride.
Emanuel Asomoua (Marsden SHS)
A big man with a big heart, the local front row junior played with effort and passion whether his side was in front or behind.
In the finals, the imposing middle forward took things up a notch.
Jaycob Kingston-Francis (Mabel SHS)
Jaycob Kingston-Francis was a reliable centre who locked down an edge and carried strongly from the defensive end of the field.
His impressive campaign flew under the radar.
Jack Schmidt (PBC SHS)
Schmidt was PBC SHS’s middle man muscle, a rock in the ruck who gave the Reds a bigger body presence. His mates Hiawe King and Roko Bilish were also a part of this unsung, middle of the field PBC SHS machine which just pures along, no matter the personnal.
MR VERSATILE
Natu Leota (Mabel Park SHS)
Natu Leota could wing effortlessly between five-eight and lock and did both with distinction. A youngster who spent the off-season playing in the Parramatta Eels junior representative system, Leota was an accomplished professional.
Callum Bowles (PBC SHS)
He swung between a variety of positions across the season and although he finished the season as 18th man in the Phil Hall Cup decider, he was the most versatile player in the championship winning squad.
WATCH THIS SPACE
DJ Talaepa (Mabel Park SHS)
Second rower Talepa, signed by the Dolphins, led by example as captain and played it tough carrying the ball.
The dynamic edge forward didn’t miss his mark in defence.
PLAYERS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN SEASON 2025
Taylan To’A (Marsden SHS)
Ruben Webb (Wavell SHS)
Tawa Simpkins (Mabel SHS)
Kaleb Smith (PBC SHS)
Majah Peachey (Mabel Park SHS)
RAW TALENTS
Sangster Figota (Wavell SHS)
Xavier Kirk (Ipswich SHS)
Originally published as The 2024 Langer Trophy Team of the Season
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