The Gold Coast’s 20 best rugby league players of season 2018
FROM the growing women’s game to the strength of Rugby League Gold Coast, it’s been a season to savour on our fields. Every day this week the Bulletin counts down our 20 best performers across all levels.
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FROM the growing women’s game to the strength of Rugby League Gold Coast, it’s been a season to savour on our fields. Every day this week the Bulletin counts down our 20 best performers across all levels.
20
KODY PARSONS (TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS)
The former Gold Coast Titans under-20 centre enjoyed a breakthrough season, proving he can cut it at Intrust Super Cup level across six solid performances. He then returned to the club’s Rugby League Gold Coast side in time for the play-offs and played a key role in their charge to the grand final, providing regular line breaks on the left edge.
19
ZAC WALSH (TUGUN SEAHAWKS)
The halfback showed the class that had him previously feature in NRL systems, coming up with multiple clutch plays. None were better than the last minute sideline conversion he drilled to put Tugun through to the Rugby League Gold Coast finals at Burleigh’s expense after his cross-field kick had put Nathanael Barnes over for a try. Also kicked a match-winning field goal against Tweed in June.
18
KAI O’DONNELL (BURLEIGH BEARS)
Much like Parsons, it was an important season for O’Donnell’s future. The lock forward impressed enough with his early-season form to win a mid-year Intrust Super Cup debut and never looked back, comfortably holding a spot in the 17 ahead of more experienced teammates. His effort and work ethic particularly stood out.
17
RONA PETERS (BURLEIGH BEARS)
Everyone in the women’s game knows how wonderfully talented Rona Peters is and she proved it again in 2018. So versatile that she can cover the forwards or halves, Peters was hailed player of the match in Burleigh’s fourth straight SEQ division one grand final win and then signed with the Broncos for the inaugural NRLW season - not to mention various other representative call-ups along the way.
TOMORROW: Numbers 16-13
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