Meninga Cup Team of the Season along with a tribute to 80 other high achievers
Meninga Cup Team of the Season: How healthy is Queensland’s State of Origin future? Just look at this stacked Meninga under-19s Team of the Season which also highlights another 80 players who could have made it. READ HERE.
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In the lead up to this weekend’s Meninga Cup grand final between the Tweed Seagulls and the Burleigh Bears, we reveal our annual Team of the Season.
Fullback, prop and hooker were the most contentious positions mulled over before finalising our squad of 21.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYERS THIS SEASON
But there is also a tribute to another 80 high achievers across more than a dozen categories who played in Queensland’s No. 1 junior rugby league competition named in honour of the great Mal Meninga.
TEAMS OF THE SEASON
CONNELL CUP TEAM OF THE SEASON
HARVEY 19s TEAMS OF THE SEASON HERE
HARVEY 17s TEAM OF THE SEASON HERE
THE TEAM
Fullback:Mason Barber (Tweed Seagulls)
Fullback and prop were the most contentious positions in our Team of the Season, but Barber’s semi-final performance demanded he be chosen. Someone who channels former Canberra Raiders champion Brett Mullins with his long reach and Gazelle-like strides, Barber has played wing, centre and even No.13. but has found a home at No.1. He is signed by the Cowboys.
Wing:Iziah Broome (CQ Capras)
Broome’s booming carries and all or nothing runs demanded his inclusion. He played in a side which struggled for wins, the North Rockhampton State High School product was outstanding and deserves his place in this side.
Wing: Saifiti Junior Saifiti (Ipswich Jets)
Gold Coast Titans’ signed, Saifiti was a dynamic return kicker and a stunning finisher. He was courageous and skilled and we can’t wait to see his progress in the years that follow.
Sam Stephenson (Tweed Seagulls)
The long striding Stephenson gave his side untold momentum with his big runs from the back half of the field and quick rucks, and as a finisher he was outstanding either in the air or challenging his rival with dummy half skirts or full blown attacking raids. He is signed by the Gold Coast.
Centre: LJ Nonu (Redcliffe Dolphins)
We just had to fit Nonu into the top side, didn’t we? Dolphins’ signed, he started at centre, also played wing but flourished as a fullback for Redcliffe. We named the Ipswich SHS product at centre in this side to get our best players into the top squad despite him playing most of the season as No.1
Five-eighth: Bailey McConnell (Burleigh Bears)
McConnell’s second half of the season was outstanding, with his running game, organising ability and support play contributing greatly to Burleigh’s flourishing finish to the season. He plays the game at high speed.
Halfback: Zane Harrison (Tweed Seagulls)
The best big match player in the competition, Harrison steers a side better than anyone in the competition. An outstanding halfback, Harrison beings his players onto the ball, can dummy and dart himself, or plant cross kicks in the arms of his leaping outside backs. He has a great temperament and is the type of kid who will play in the NRL. He is on the Gold Coast Titans’ books.
No. 13: Jayden Solien (Souths Logan Magpies)
Solien was a revelation. The current First XV rugby union schoolboy fullback in the Padua College First XV rugby union side, Solien transformed himself into a courage hard working league No.13 at weekends, using his speed in defence and energy around the ruck to rally the Magpies. Every week, bar none, he was the Magpies best or second best player – all this from a kid who can also transform himself into a fleet-a-foot back. Congratulations to him.
Second row: Amare Milford (Burleigh Bears)
An awesome sight on the left edge for any opposition, Milford fringe ball running and bruising defence ensured his place in this side.
Second row: Patrick Kailahi (Redcliffe Dolphins)
Kailahi played both middle and edge forward and was consistently one of the Dolphins best this season. Originally from the Waikato, the Marsden SHS battled back from a serious injury two years ago to earn the chance to train at the Dolphins.
Prop:Elijah Rasmussen (Redcliffe Dolphins)
The No. 1 prop in the competition, Rasmussen never dropped his standards across the season. Recruited by the Dolphins from New Zealand, he has had two outstanding seasons in the Meninga Cup and will relish the environment at the go ahead Dolphins in the years to come. Dolphins signed.
Prop:Elijah Keung (Brisbane Tigers)
You could have picked five players in this position – we are deadly serious, so competitive was it. But in a side which still struggled despite making giant strides this season, Keung was outstanding. His performance in the wet at Langlands Park against the Cutters was as good as any by a prop this season.
Hooker: Xavier Kerrisk (Mackay Cutters)
Kerrisk won the hotly contested hooking position after an outstanding season for Mackay. He was a defensive workhorse, and if there was merely a whiff of a quick play the ball he was up and running, driving his team forward with his creative dummy half darts. He is Cowboys signed.
RESERVES
Sylas Simon (Norths Devils)
Simon was a fingernail from the First XIII but was the first reserve named, the former Seagulls junior was elite as fullback in a side which did not always hit his straps. A player with a smattering of x-factor, he was a running threat against any opposition and a courageous last line defender. He is with the Broncos.
Nathan Fraser (Ipswich Jets)
Dummy half Fraser was a big season for Ipswich’s success this season with his smart runs, hands like a halfback and acute decision making from the ruck. It was not a big name spine – Fraser, Stuart, Stutt and Sandow – but it worked a treat and got the Jets into the top four. Well done to all four, and it all started at the ruck with Fraser. He fended off challenges from high class dummy half’s Cameron Bukowski (Wynnum) and Jai Bowden (Falcons) who we considered did not play enough games to fend off a deserving Fraser, along with a late charge by impressive Bears under-17 hooker Hayden Watson.
Beni Allen (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
Yet another from the bosom of Logan City where he attended John Paul College, the Broncos-signed prop was Wynnum’s power forward. He looked like a bushranger with his long hair and goatee, a fearsome opponent - but please not he is also an athletic big man. How the Seagulls missed him in their semi-final.
Kanaan Magele (Ipswich Jets)
With a big motor, powerful leg drive in contact and a high work rate, prop forward Magele was one of the players of the season. The Ipswich SHS student has been signed by the Roosters. He was desperately close to the First XIII, but was one of the first reserves chosen.
Zac Garton (Redcliffe Dolphins)
Garton has NRL squad member written all over him. Dolphins’ signed, the Caloundra SHS ace in a pillar on the edge. Built low to the ground, he challenges defenders with his fierce runs and was a brick wall in defence. He is the type of kid who will lap up training in the Dolphins off season squads where he observes NRL veteran forwards like the Bromwich boys, Wallace, Nichols and co.
Brady Turner (Burleigh Bears)
The Bears had stride out wide courtesy of big bodies like Amare Milford, Phillip Coates and Disharne Tonihi, and speed merchants Ray Puru and Saxon Innes, but making it all happen was towering prop who through his body into the frame against some very, very good props as seen by our Team of the Season squad.
Tavita Panai-Teo (Mackay Cutters)
From the beautiful coastal town of Emu Park, east of Rockhampton, hails this outstanding young prop who was the best forward for the Cutters. He was a big reason for the Mackay boys pushing into the finals.
Tyrell Hopkins (Sunshine Coast Falcons)
From that wonderful breeding ground of the South Burnett, Hopkins was consistently in the Falcons top two or three players this season. He, Cooper Clarke, No. 13 Mitch Bebbington and skipper Jackson Kite were the foundation of which the Sunshine Coast performance was constructed upon, and the club was lucky to have this magnificent five.
Zac Kumbamong (Tweed Seagulls)
Kumbamong was the Seagulls big go forward player this season, impacting with his thumping middle field drives. His stints in Saturday’s semi-finals helped turn the tide against Ipswich.
The Terrific 10 We’d Loved To Have Selected
Whyatt Louregen (Northern Pride)
From God’s Country, the Mossman, Port Douglas region in Far North Queensland, the Ignatius Park College No. 13 was a worker who played above his weight in a moderately performing side.
Connor Guley (Capras)
For days we stared at Guley’s name and seriously considered him for centre, but in the end opted to move outstanding Redcliffe fullback LJ Nonu to centre because of the season he had in a winning side during the home and away season.
Lewis Symonds (Redcliffe Dolphins)
We still vote Lewis Symonds one of the most likely from this age group to progress into the NRL. His personality, his football, his training and high achieving athletic background contribute to his chances.
Ashton Lafferty (Townsville Blackhawks)
Lafferty went from a fringe player into a starting prop and into leading the Townsville Blackhawks. It is difficult to imagine a more improved player this season.
Jackson Kite (Sunshine Coast Falcons)
The Falcons first eyed this Beerwah Bulldogs junior as a 13-year-old and invited him into the club’s under-14 development squad. What a good judge of a player those talent scouts were. This season Kite was outstanding as captain and edge forward for the Sunshine Coast.
Trace Beattie (Western Clydesdales)
Toowoomba Grammar senior Beattie would be wonderful to play alongside. A product from Mackay who was also identified by rugby union selectors, Beattie was a tremendous edge forward who would have been consistently in his team’s 3-2-1 every week.
Lauloto Salei (Norths Devils)
A thorough professional, Salei was a ball playing No. 13 who could also play middle or go to dummy half if required. He is a beautifully rounded player who is also a great influence of young players seeking words of wisdom in the big league.
Liam O’Brien (Northern Pride)
There was not a lot of him, but The Brothers Cairns product was a fullback livewire who sparked his team with footwork and speed around the ruck. He was one of the finds of the season behind a forward pack which did not always play to its potential.
Harry Armstrong (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
Wynnum Manly’s courageous captain, Armstrong held the lantern for his side from start to finish this season as a do-it-all edge forward.
Armstrong worked harder than anyone in the side and moved mountains to get Wynnum Manly out of an early season rut and into finals contention.
Jack Thorburn (Cutters)
Thorburn was another on the brink, but something had to give given all the elite props who featured this season. The performances of the big boppers - there were seven front rowers who had to be in the top squad - upfront tilted the Cutters edge forward out of the Team of the Season. But we doff our cap to him here.
RELATED LINKS
FINAL ROUND TEAM OF THE WEEK FEATURES BRONCOS, COWBOYS SIGNINGS
ROUND 10 TEAM OF THE WEEK: MEETING THE HAPPY HOOKERS
CONNELL CUP; HARVEY 19s GRAND FINALS – CITY v COUNTRY
FINDS OF THE SEASON
Cooper Clarke (Falcons)
Disharne Tonihi (Bears)
Keaton Stutt (Jets)
Mathias Santo-Hero (Dolphins)
Nicholas Tuliatu (Jets)
Josh Lee (Tigers)
Tevita Naufahu (Dolphins)
Nicholas Tuliatu (Jets)
MOST UNLUCKY NOT TO MAKE MORE TEAMS OF THE WEEK
Braden Teuila (Magpies)
Tariq Tanner (Wynnum Manly)
Kylem Vunipola (Wynnum Manly)
Brandon Norris (Devils)
Connor Guley (Capras)
Jack Thorburn (Cutters)
Zac Herdegen (Redcliffe)
SAFE AS THE BANK OF ENGLAND AWARD
Kylem Vunipola (Wynnum Manly)
Lachlan Coburn (Jets)
Jack McCosker (Tigers)
Jacob Tinsley (Magpies)
Lachlan Buchbach (Dolphins)
Isaac Harrison (Tweed)
Dom Sandow (Jets)
Mitch Bebbington (Falcons)
Prestyn Laine-Setu (Dolphins)
Brayden Tuilia (Magpies)
Jake Lateo (Tweed)
CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU IN 2025 AWARD
Loranzo Fono (Blackhawks)
Charlie Coates (Falcons)
Braith Dowson (Pride)
Phillip Coates (Bears)
Jake Lateo (Tweed)
HEART THE SIZE OF PHAR LAP AWARD
Ethan Rains (Blackhawks)
MR VERSATILE AWARD
Callum Ballantyne (Falcons)
Lauloto Salei (Devils)
LJ Nonu (Dolphins)
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Ashton Lafferty (Blackhawks)
Jayden Solien (Magpies)
Talas Abel (Bears)
Amos Va’a (Devils)
Lachlan Middleton (Capras)
POTENTIAL COMING TO FRUITION AWARD
Jaelym Hohaia (Falcons)
Mason Barber (Tweed)
Luke Cesari (Clydesdales)
WILDCARD WATCH
Luka Russell (Cutters)
Jahrel Iselin-Jansen
Jack Thorburn (Cutters)
Mafiou Cherif (Jets)
Assariah Lenoy Samassi (Pride)
Barney Litidamu (Clydesdales)
Junior Filimaua (Tweed)
Billy Wellard (Tweed)
UNSUNG HERO AWARDS
Lachlan Middelton (Capras)
Cohen Emmi (Tigers)
Baylen Donald (Dolphins)
Matthew Watts (Cutters)
Cory Pearse and Jack Hudson (Tweed)
Zane Ford (Wynnum)
Jac Finigan (Tweed)
Matt Moore (Clydesdales)
TACKLES OF THE SEASON AWARDS
Bailey Downs (Wynnum Manly)
Jack Hudson (Tweed)
Will Allen (Wynnum Manly)
Lachlan Stuart (Jets)
PERFORMANCES OF THE SEASON
Elijah Keung (v Capras)
Nicholas Tuliatu (v Tweed)
Mason Barber (v Ipswich)
Coby Black, Disharne Tonihi and Co. (v Wide Bay)
OUR FAVOURITES OF THE SEASON AWARDS
Rory Woodall (Cutters)
Sunny Kama (Bears)
Jack Thorburn (Cutters)
Creedence Kelly Donovan (Bears)
NIGHTMARE EDGE
Bailey McConnell to Amare Milford to Phillip Coates (Bears)
PLAYERS WE WISH WE’D SEEN MORE OF AWARD
Jai Bowden (Falcons)
Cameron Bukowski (Wynnum Manly)
Riley Jervis (Falcons)
Javon Andrews (Magpies)
FOOTBALLERS WE’D LOVE PLAYING FOR OUR LIFE AWARD
Cooper Bai (Bears)
JUST A DAMN GOOD PLAYER AWARD
Fletch Prendergast (Clydesdales)
Tait Coghlan (Falcons)
Braith Dowson (Pride)
Cory Pearse (Tweed)
Lachlan Stuart (Jets)
Charlie Johnstone (Wynnum Manly)
Zac Herdegen (Redcliffe)
RAW SPEED AWARD
Emmerson Jackson (Norths)
Amaziah Murgha (Jets)
Saxon Innes ((Bears)
PASSES OF THE SEASON
1. Connell Cup graduate Hayden Watson’s ruck ball for his winger Saxon Innes to score.
2. Ray Puru’s ball to Bailey McConnell to create a superlative try in the semi-final against Wynnum. In 1981 former international John Dorahy (Manly) threw a similar pass to create the official golden try of the midweek Cup season.
3. Ray Puru’s flick pass to put his winger Creedence Kelly Donovan over in the corner in Saturday’s semi-final. He is a genius.
BEST NON-TRY OF THE SEASON
Charlie Johnstone’s catch, spin and bust to score against Burleigh – only for it to be denied – and his team receive a penalty. We are not sure what happened, but Johnstone deserved to be on the scoresheet that day.
Originally published as Meninga Cup Team of the Season along with a tribute to 80 other high achievers
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