Southport Tigers — Brock Hamill

With his big red hair and showstopping performances on the edge, Brock Hamill has become one of the most recognisable figures in Gold Coast rugby league.

Hamill’s ability to bounce back from life-changing moments have endeared him to the public, his return from testicular cancer just as he was beginning to make an impression at the Canterbury Bulldogs perhaps his most notable.

As a player, the man knows no fear and has felt his game reach even greater heights playing alongside the likes of Greg Bird and Sione Katoa at Southport.

“He (Bird) has had a massive influence on my game. Greg Bird was one of my idols growing up and I was always watching him play for New South Wales, so it’s very special to have him in the team and to learn off him,” Hamill said earlier this May.

“He was such a physical and aggressive player, and I wanted to try and turn my game into that; be a bit more physical and aggressive.

“Learning from him will be good this year and hopefully many years to come.”

Burleigh Bears — Jeff Lynch

When fully fit he is a mainstay in Burleigh’s Queensland Cup outfit, leading the charge through the middle and taking several would-be defenders with him.

However now he stands as one of the Bears’ A-grade trainers, plotting his comeback to the field before the year is out.

Jeff Lynch has endured a horror run with injuries, undergoing three knee reconstructions throughout his time with the Canberra Raiders, Gold Coast Titans and Burleigh Bears.

But what has made the prop such a renowned man in the region’s rugby league circles is the way he has vowed to get back on the field.

Lynch is currently sidelined with the third of those ACL tears, and yet somehow he has found a way to be more than optimistic in the face of such adversity.

Now he is determined to ensure his battle back from the brink could be used to inspire young players coming through the ranks that no matter how tough a situation they could be in, there was always a way forward.

“To be honest I’d always said if I had three (knee reconstructions) that I would call it a day — if anything was there to happen and I’d go under the knife,” Lynch said in April.

“The weird thing was as soon as I had that phone call I had a massive energy go through me and excitement about just a new challenge.

“I was so intrigued and excited and had never been more ready to prove, not only the people that you can come back from three ACLs, but myself and it’s been a really exciting time.”

Currumbin Eagles — Pele Peletelese

It is hard to miss Pele Peletelese, as he sits on the Currumbin bench just waiting for his chance to take the field.

The impact forward comes with plenty of esteem, having played for the Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup as well as one NRL appearance for the Parramatta Eels.

At 37 Peletelese still packs a punch, and Eagles coach Matt Geyer said that each time the ball was in his hands the crowd would find a few extra decibels to scream.

He said the way he played often brought spectators to their feet, with each collision echoing throughout the Gold Coast’s rugby league grounds.

“When he gets on the field you really know he’s on there. He gives us great impact, we don’t lose momentum when he comes on the field,” Geyer said.

“He’s a lot more notable being about 10 foot and runs into a brick wall like it’s not there.”

Tugun Seahawks — Michael Burgess and Samiu Latu

Keebra Park coach Peter Norman just had to rat out his best mate. But given the way Michael Burgess has played this year, it is a warranted nomination.

Burgess has pulled the strings at halfback for the Seahawks for years, having previously been a regular member of the Tweed Seagulls Queensland Cup line up.

Norman likened the club stalwart to James Maloney — a crafty number seven who, even up against much bigger rivals, would never take a backwards step.

But for the Seahawks we had to go with an extra player who fails to never catch the eye.

Samiu Latu is one powerful winger. His Round 1 showing in particular against Mudgeeraba showcased that.

In scoring his double on that day, it was his second try that perhaps stood out the most; running a hard unders line and charging over the top of would-be defenders.

Time after time he takes numerous defenders to bring down, but not before dragging them for several extra metres in the process.

Sit up in the Tugun announcer’s stand at a home game and listen to the cries when either of these men get the ball. That will tell you all you need about how popular the pair are at the Seahawks clubhouse.

Helensvale Hornets — Jay Blazek

There was a moment in his side’s loss to Ormeau in Round 8 that typified the heart Jay Blazek wears on his sleeve each time he takes the field.

As Helensvale attack the Shearers line, a wayward short kick landed in the arms of centre Jack Jeffress, who charged away for a length of the field try.

However there was no chance for him to improve the position for the conversation from bang on the right hand corner because of Blazek's efforts.

The young lock, equipped with a ponytail and black headband, charged from his position in the centre of the field to nearly catch the Ormeau centre, gaining on him with every stride and earning a hand shake from NRL legend and Shearers maestro Issac Luke.

It is not the first time Blazek has performed these one percenters. He does so every week.

No wonder Hornets coach Clinton Toopi said at the start of the season that he “loved everything” about the blossoming talent.

Ormeau Shearers — Issac Luke and James Tutuila

Ormeau coach Stuart Wilkins said it was hard to pinpoint who resembled cult hero status at the club, given they are only just returning to the competition.

However he said a pair of key recruits had quickly caught the eye.

Former NRL champion Issac Luke has been focal to the Shearers’ rebuild, not only for his influence on the field but for what he does around the club.

Wilkins said whenever a junior player was about to make their first appearance, Luke would leave them a message — congratulating them on their imminent debut and keeping an eye out for how they went.

Alongside Luke is James Tutuila, the big prop who has shown a knack for scoring tries with six for the season.

In fact only two more players have crossed the white line more times than he has — Burleigh centre Conor Carey (8), and Southport winger Malachi Morgan (7).

“It would probably be Issac, but it’s a bit difficult coming into the Ormeau program and not having a lot of the locals. Issac would probably be our go-to director or leader, James and Issac,” Wilkins said.

“James loves scoring a try, he brings energy on and off the field so he’s engaged and has bought right in. He’s part of the culture, and hopefully he will be here again next year.

“You’ve got Jack Rogers who comes from a great pedigree as well, so we’ve got some good footballers.

“The couple of those blokes who have come over from Burleigh — Dylan Pelo and Lorenzo — are really strong cultural ambassadors for their group and nationality and the football side as well.”

Mudgeeraba Redbacks — Joshua Bukowski

Sometimes, according to Redbacks coach Martin Griese, Joshua Bukowski could be so quiet “you wouldn’t even know he was there”. That is until he takes it upon himself to sprint away for a length of the field try.

The Mudgeeraba winger has been in fine form throughout 2022, earning himself selection in the Gold Coast Vikings squad courtesy of his guts coming out of his own end and ability to finish a try with some flare.

A schoolteacher by day, Griese said as the flyer quietly went about his business he was simply plotting an opportunity to strike, and when he did the crowd lifted and found an even greater voice.

“He’s actually quite quiet, sometimes you wouldn’t even know he was there,” Griese laughed.

“But he seems to have a knack for a long distance try; a scoot for a big 90m run.”

Runaway Bay Seagulls — Tyler Han and Doryaan Hape Apiata

They may both be young, but Tyler Han and Doryaan Hape Apiata have become notable figures of the Runaway Bay Seagulls.

For Han, his story of young, exciting prospect to Papua New Guinea Hunters representative has been one of sacrifice and determination, having stopped his commitment with the Tweed Seagulls to be closer to his mum — who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis.

He is even helping renovate her house while travel to and from Brisbane to train with his club, and his efforts were rewarded with a try-scoring Queensland Cup debut for the country of his family’s heritage.

His Seagulls teammate Hape Apiata is on the cusp of replicating those feats.

The damaging forward has been named to make his Burleigh Bears debut already this year, only for Gold Coast Titans players to come back from the NRL squad and delay his maiden appearance.

However it is perhaps more so his efforts away from the his exploits for Runaway Bay that have caught the eye throughout the years.

In 2021 he lined up in the Gold Coast District Rugby Union competition for the Palm Beach Currumbin Alleygators, in addition to his rugby league commitments.

And for his time with the Seagulls, in 2020 he wore a special jersey, one with his cousin Javarn Nofoagatotoa’s name etched on its back following his tragic death in 2019.

When on the field, both these young men bring plenty of excitement, and when they truly click into gear the raptures from the crowd are evident of that.

nick.wright@news.com.au