Meninga Cup 2025: Surprise packet players of the season named ahead of final round
An awesome foursome from the Blackhawks, an unheralded gem from the Cutters, a dashing rugby duo from the Devils and a Mr Natural from Souths were among the Meninga Cup surprise packet players. Read the full list here.
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An awesome foursome of Blackhawks boys were among the best surprise packet players who have burst onto the Meninga Cup rugby league scene with vigour in 2025.
Prop Terence Mosby, edge forward Kyle Bader, right wing Bruce Baudu and interchange ace Jaia Poppi have muscled up magnificently to power the Townsville side toward finals contention.
Last week’s 30-20 loss against the white-hot Souths Logan Magpies meant the Blackhawks have fallen out of contention however the side will enter the final round this Saturday with their heads held high after ruffling plenty of feathers across the season.
They host pool-leaders Redcliffe Dolphins at Jack Manski Oval where Mosby, Bader, Baudu and Poppi were sure to leave no stone unturned.
What other talented teens have come out of the woodwork to make a palpable impact for their respective sides this season? Find out here ahead of round 9 this weekend.
MENINGA CUP’S SURPRISE PACKETS
TERENCE MOSBY (BLACKHAWKS)
A revelation for the Blackhawks, Mosby moved from his home in the Torres Straits to trial for this team. He arrived as an outside back but will finish the season as the team’s prop-forward leader who played close to a full game each week.
Dynamic in every sense of the word, Mosby has played lock, hooker and wing for the Blackhawks but found a home in the middle where his quick movement and trusty front-on defence made him a pleasant surprise packet.
Higher honours beckon.
KYLE BADER (BLACKHAWKS)
A big improver, Bader led the Blackhawks pack with an unrelenting workrate and unique skill set.
Initially a prop or lock, Bader produced his best footy as a right edge backrower where his line running and ballplaying led to considerable success out wide.
Bader has a point of difference given his size and big build and he compliments that by playing with the workrate of a hooker and the soft hands of a Wade Graham-esque backrower.
Stylish and tireless.
BRUCE BAUDU (BLACKHAWKS)
He has crossed the stripe nine times in eight games but saved twice as many tries as he as scored.
Outstanding all season long, Baudu burst onto the scene as an under-aged player and will be back again in 2026 where his speed and natural instinct will be to the fore.
Another Toress Strait sensation delivering the goods for the Blackhawks, Baudu looks likely to make a similar impact in Townsville’s A-Grade competition despite being 18 years old.
JAIA POPPI (BLACKHAWKS)
As fit as they come, Poppi had his first taste of representative footy in 2025 and thrived.
A Herbert River Crushers spark plug from Ingham, Poppi put to use his background in boxing to be a fit and ferocious impact forward for the Blackhawks.
Somewhat of a late bloomer, Poppi maintained the rage after a stunning showing at last year’s Confraternity Carnival (in Townsville) for Gilroy Santa Maria College.
Impressively, Poppi was forced to train in isolation just prior to the season when he could not commute from Ingham for training due to flooding. He returned to the squad ready to rumble and transitioned from the second row to prop where his work rate was sublime.
WILL GRAHAM (FALCONS)
The rugby halfback had a stellar season, switching scrum bases for different a different type of ruck base and succeeding with flying colours.
A St John’s College product from Nambour, Graham offered his halves Koby Brown and Ellyjah Birve pristine service and stood his ground well in the high tempo Meninga Cup competition - a stark difference to some of the rugby he would have been used to.
MYRON TAUPATI-CAMPBELL (FALCONS)
Another player with a decorated rugby background, Taupati-Campbell stood tall as a pillar on the edge of the Falcons line.
A league boy at heart, Taupati-Campbell was one of the best backs this decade in the TAS First XV rugby competition for St Columban’s College and he had similar success at times with the Falcons.
His edge accomplice Malakye Blow was also his trusty self this season.
QUINN TIMPERON (TIGERS)
Timperon’s reliability was a given at the start of the season but he still surprised with his extremely impressive finishing ability in corners.
A spatially-aware winger from Mabel Park State High, Timperon started the season with a bang when he scored what still stands as the try of the year and he has been consistent with his deeds out wide.
JOE MCGAHAN (TIGERS)
A fine rugby fullback, McGahan entered the season good and finished it great after showing his versatility and dependability at the back.
A goalkicker and attacking weapon for Gregory Terrace’s first XV last season, McGahan matched motors with the best of them and showed his utility value playing, and scoring, as a centre in the Tigers’ round 8 win over the Falcons.
On the same day, his twin brother Sam had a steady hand in the Easts Tigers’ titanic 18-14 win over the Wests Bulldogs in round 2 of Colts 1 club rugby.
MATT SCHULTZ (WYNNUM MANLY)
A new face at Kougari this season, Schultz was a dynamic edge player who added variety to the Seagulls pack.
Originally from the Darling Downs where he played for Brothers Toowoomba, Schultz was snapped up by the Broncos late last year and showed his stunning raw potential this year as a starter and as an impact forward.
A tall, pacy big man, Schultz has a big build to grow into but he has a sprinkle of x-factor which holds him in good stead as he develops his game moving forward.
PRESTON CASSIDY (WYNNUM MANLY)
Cassidy, a Townsville teen now on the bayside, couldn’t be left out of the starting team at any stage so good was he.
One of the Seagulls finest over the past fortnight, the Kirwan State High product switched from the halves to hooker when injury hit for his side and was right at home.
He was tough with sharp service and a potent kicking game.
JAKE OBERHARDT AND JOSH NILON (CAPRAS)
A package deal, this tireless duo from Capras country went crash and bang and did it all over again in the toughest competition in Queensland.
Middle men with the toughness of teak, the pair of them rallied against their opposites to give the Capras a platform to attack off and regularly provide respite to their fellow defenders.
There would have been little-to-no surprise from squad members seeing them flourish because of how hard they worked leading into and during the campaign.
BRODY HAWKINS MALCOLM AND HAWAIKI MORRISON (TWEED)
The ladder leaders had size up front and finesse out back with these high-class wingers always ready and rarring to make an impact when called upon.
With such a deep squad there were times one or the other did not get a run but when they did no beat was missed.
Tweed had established players like Sunny Kama, Beau Hartmann, Dylan Watkins, Ray Puru and Josh Donovan and both Malcom and Morrison were just as important with their yardage from the defensive end and buy-in in across a gruelling season.
NEHEMIAH VAVAU (MAGPIES)
A Kiwi playmaker who has swapped rain for sunshine, Vavau stepped up to the plate impressively from halfback to contribute to the success of the Magpies’ edge players.
Vavau worked his way into the squad the hard way, working his way up from the Logan Brothers division two side to then be a regular in the No.7 jersey where his flat passing was a smash hit with Joey Tupuse (centre) and Elsiyah Laumatia (left edge forward).
XZANDAH HENAWAY (MAGPIES)
A utility who oozes natural ability.
Henaway’s opportunity arose when Sam Martin (hooker) was injured just before the start of the season and it took him no time at all to show he was made for this level.
A playmaker from Wavell State High, Henaway was creative at the ruck base and cheeky in attack.
He did not die trying this season, although he played his core role well from dummyhalf.
LACHLAN MCCALL (DEVILS)
Norths coach Shane Boyd was spoiled with high-class hookers this season.
Boyd had Sonny Herdegen, Fynn Dalton and the masterful McCall, a plucky and passionate player from Marist College Ashgrove.
Not afraid to go himself, McCall picked his moments wisely and treasured the ball like his life depended on it.
He scored a neat try from the ruck in the Devils’ 42-10 win over the Cutters in round 8 and kept a high standard across the season to ensure he was always in the selection conversations.
JASPER BARRY (DEVILS)
McCall’s bash brother from Ashgrove, Barry brought his best to The Lair this season where he played through fatigue to be a trusted, and damaging, performer in the middle.
With the agility of an edge forward and hands of a spine player, Barry enhanced his reputation as Norths’ premier prop.
It was an added bonus that he did not miss a single game and could play close to 70 minutes if needed.
JAKE CARSBURG (DOLPHINS)
A reliable type, Carsburg prided himself on running telling lines, looming in support and having a low mistake rate.
He achieved all three of those things and moved seamlessly between centre, wing and fullback.
He also had more than enough speed to be a capable finisher for Redcliffe.
REECO KIRK (DOLPHINS)
The Dolphins received a mid-season boost when crafty goalkicking fullback Reeco Kirk returned from an injury to finish the season strong.
A Goodna Eagles product who was key in Ipswich State High’s unbeaten run to the Langer Trophy semi-finals last season, Kirk was picked up by the club on the back of his impressive school campaign.
He is still working his way back, but the Dolphins have looked unbeatable over the last month coincided with his injection in the starting side.
RYLAN MISZTELA (CUTTERS)
An unheralded gem from the Mackay Brothers club, Misztela left his mark on the wing for the finals-bound Cutters.
“Absolutely fantastic,” in the words of coach Andrew Battaia, Misztela set a high standard in training where he proved to be one of the fittest in the squad.
That translated onto the field where the former Holy Spirit College student played his role to perfection.
Safety under high kicks, effort plays, yardage runs and great finishing. You name it. He has owned it.
MOSTYN BOWEN (JETS)
A big bopper from Newcastle, Bowen added plenty to the Jets pack this season to assist Henry Kallquist (Rockhampton) and Clinton Smith (Ipswich, Norths Tigers) in gaining parity.
A senior at Ipswich Grammar, Bowen was a key lineout operator in GPS First XV rugby last season but was in his element taking the ball forward so that hooker Harrison Hill and halfback Nathan Fraser could work their magic with a little more breathing room.
CLINTON SMITH (JETS)
A revelation this season for the Jets.
Smith, a St Peter Claver College product, was a local boy with endless potential. He put his potential into action this year scoring tries for fun and working till the wheels fell off in the middle.
He scored five tries in six games and had a presence close to the line where he was used as a decoy runner and damaging switch-ball option.
COOPER HUMPHREYS (BEARS)
A defensive menace from Keebra Park State High, Humphreys has delivered the goods when called upon spiratically this season.
A fierce competitor, Humphreys has offered crisp service in attack while being a reliable and stoic defender.
Most of all, Humphreys has been tough, putting his body on the line and playing through fatigue to play his part in a star-studded side.
JESSE RAFFERTY (BEARS)
The tall, tenacious winger has been one of the finds of the year from Burleigh.
He has played in all but one match, finished movements with finesse and mopped up tackles like it was his last game ever.
At times he doesn’t see much ball but when he does get it, Rafferty is always well aware of the touchline or looking to bring the ball towards the middle when he receives kicks in the deep.
SHAUN ELARA (CLYDESDALES)
Elara was simply elite for the club’s Connell Cup outfits in 2023 and 2024 - as a lock.
In 2025, the St Mary’s College product stepped up to the under-19s competition and did not miss a beat.
He was his usual destructive self who possessed extreme power, skill and sheer willpower.
ADAM DAVIS (CLYDESDALES)
He was top notch for Toowoomba Grammar last winter playing First XV rugby on the wing.
Entering the season as an unknown, Davis went from strength to strength and surprised his peers with how effective he could be as a fullback.
He has speed, strength, sharp footwork and the toughness to rebound from clobbering defence to return the ball with gusto.
ROUND 9 MATCHES (hosts named first)
Clydesdales vs Cutters
Blackhawks vs Dolphins
Falcons vs Tweed
Carpas vs Bears
Tigers vs Magpies
Pride vs Wynnum Manly
Jets vs Devils
Originally published as Meninga Cup 2025: Surprise packet players of the season named ahead of final round
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