Meet the Coast’s Top 10 schoolboy rugby league prospects of 2020: Part 2

COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of some school footy but that doesn’t mean the Coast’s next guns can’t be recognised. SUBSCRIBE TO READ THE WHOLE SERIES

Trey Peni of Keebra Park. Picture: Tertius Pickard

COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of the Queensland Schools rugby league representative calendar, denying some of the Gold Coast’s top young talents the chance to don a Queensland jumper.

That doesn’t mean they can’t be recognised.

BEST WHO NEVER MADE IT SERIES

■ Part 1: The U20s prop Titans could use right now

■ Part 2: Hard-partying Willie Mason clone ran like the wind

■ Part 3: NRL’s new era arrived too late for Tugun legend

■ Part 4: ‘He liked lawn bowls better’

The Gold Coast Bulletin rugby league team have put our brains together to find the 10 best talents on the Gold Coast schoolboy rugby league scene in 2020.

LACHLAN ADAMSON – HOOKER, KEEBRA PARK SHS CLASS OF 2020

Adamson was selected in the Queensland under-18 squad so you can only imagine he would have featured in the school equivalent side. His playmaking ability is rapidly catching up to his strong defence.

RYAN RIVETT – FIVE-EIGHTH, PALM BEACH-CURRUMBIN SHS CLASS OF 2020

Gold Coast footballer Ryan Rivett.

Picture Alfie Langer in a bigger body. Whether Rivett reaches those illustrious heights remains to be seen but good judges have been impressed by organisational skills in the meantime. Rivett was stuck behind young Titan Toby Sexton last year but was poised to break out in 2020.

TYRONE GUNN-JAMES – LOCK, KEEBRA PARK SHS CLASS OF 2020

One of the star’s of Kirwan State High School’s Payne Cup and national title-winning side, Gunn-James has moved south to Keebra to further his football. His outstanding defence would have been a tremendous asset to Queensland selectors.

THE COMPLETE RUGBY LEAGUE GOLD COAST SAGA

1. Govt warned clubs face financial ruin under restrictions

2. In or out? Coast footy clubs decide 2020 season

3. Ormeau walks away: ‘They’re not talking the truth’

4. The heartbroken faces behind Coast footy closure

5. Battle lines drawn: ‘We can’t hide under blankets’

6. ‘It’s ridiculous’: Killer call will affect thousands

7. ‘I won’t play for free’: Coast MVP’s brave admission

8. Clubs left in darkness as decision delayed

9. What RLGC decision means for your club

10. ‘Stand together or die apart’: Club’s warning for outcasts

11. Seagulls summon players for emergency meeting

12. Incredible backflip forces more change for Coast footy

FLYNN DANIEL – EDGE, PALM BEACH-CURRUMBIN SHS CLASS OF 2020

Flynn Daniel of Palm Beach Currumbin. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Daniel injects chaos onto the right edge, with a potent combination of size and an ability to pick out uncomfortable running lines to stress defenders. A strong skill base contributes to a productive offloading game as well.

DAMON SOMERVILLE – CENTRE, PALM EACH-CURRUMBIN SHS CLASS OF 2020

Somerville represented the Queensland under-15s in 2018 and has only grown as a strong, dynamic ball-carrier. His agility and footwork match well with his physicality to provide a well-rounded attacking presence in the wider channels.

TREY PENI – OUTSIDE BACK, KEEBRA PARK SHS CLASS OF 2020

Trey Peni of Keebra Park. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Peni is the incumbent Queensland Schools winger from 2019 and would have pushed for the start in the Australian team in 2020. Peni has blossomed at Keebra since making the move from Western Australia to test himself in their system.

MORE COAST LEAGUE

■ Titans face battle to keep star forward

■ Why Bilambil twin sacrificed NRL dream for brother

■ Complete voting results for RLGC Team of the Decade

HARRADYN WILSON – HALFBACK, COOMBABAH SHS CLASS OF 2021.

Short in stature but blessed with athletic gifts, Broncos-contracted Coombabah playmaker Harradyn Wilson is the only Year 11 player on our list. Coaches rave about his work ethic and the effect it’s having on his football.

KLESE HAAS – BACK ROW, KEEBA PARK SHS CLASS OF 2020

Former Coombabah State High School player Klese Haas ahead of the NRL National Schoolboy Cup. Photograph : Jason O'Brien

The younger brother of Payne Haas isn’t built quite the same as his Broncos star sibling but the footballing ability is just as strong. Klese is rangier, with speed and a similarly massive engine. He’s the fourth of 10 Haas children so you know he’s learned how to tackle.

XAVIER SAVAGE – OUTSIDE BACK, PALM BEACH-CURRUMBIN SHS CLASS OF 2020

The Canberra Raiders pounced on Savage not long after he set the all-time State under-16 100-metre record with a blazing 10.5. He’s an incumbent Queensland winger so would have expected to feature again in 2020.

XAVIER WILLISON – FRONT ROW, PALM BEACH-CURRUMBIN SHS CLASS OF 2020

Palm Beach Currumbin are playing in the NRL Schoolboy Cup state final on Wednesday. Photo of Xavier Willison. Photo by Richard Gosling

Willison has been a dominant force on the school circuit but missed out on a Queensland jumper last year due to injury. His athleticism is remarkable for the position with endurance to match the power generated by those long legs.