Qld’s best grassroots rugby league forward has been crowned
Queensland’s best first grade rugby league forward has been crowned from a list of more than 100 nominees. FULL RESULTS
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A humble Tyson Burke-Phineasa is more interested in taking his club team to a grand final than he is any individual plaudit.
The Kangaroos enforcer came out on top of the poll to crown the best forward in Queensland grassroots rugby league, leading the charge as he so often does on the field.
Burke-Phineasa took out top spot with 17 votes, ahead of Kelly Shadlow (Rockhampton Brothers) with 12 votes and Joshua Abbott (Charters Towers Miners) with 10.
SEE THE FULL RESULTS BELOW
But the 21-year-old isn’t rushing to get business cards with that new title.
“I’m not the best forward there is, that’s other people’s opinions, but I’m doing everything I can to improve,” Burke-Phineasa said.
Burke-Phineasa had one of the best seasons of his career to date at Kangaroos, scoring 10 tries and playing a role in plenty of others as the lethal right edge of Theo Majid, Bradley Stephen and Daniel Woodhouse threatened to blow open plenty of CDRL contests.
As good as the combination was, Kangaroos managed only to finish sixth and just miss the finals for the second straight season - and that’s a stat Burke-Phineasa wants to correct.
Burke-Phineasa is no mercenary, driven to be part of a finals berth - or even a premiership - which builds over time rather than take the highest offer.
It’s why he’s so committed to Kangaroos, who he wants to help take to a title.
“I want to be part of it, to take Roos to a final,” Burke-Phineasa said.
“I want to accomplish that at this team.”
Burke-Phineasa was part of the Northern Pride’s development system from under-16s, where he was among a forward pack which included current Hostplus Cup regulars Tom McGrath and Ewan Moore.
He came through the grades with the state league side, where he stayed with until the Hastings Deering Colts in 2021.
That same season, while playing for Kangaroos, he crossed for five tries to stake his claim as one of the best and most damaging young forwards in the Far North.
Burke-Phineasa remains in contact with Pride head coach Ty Williams and knows what he has to do to force himself back into the Hostplus Cup conversation, but the Kangaroos gun isn’t solely focused on ticking off that milestone.
“Ty’s given me the standards I need to reach,” Burke-Phineasa said.
“I felt more confident with my size and strength this year.
“But I don’t like to be singled out, I’m a team player.
“I couldn’t have had the opportunities I did without Theo, the way he plays the game - his touch footy style and precision passing - played a big role.
“And having Bradley and Woody outside, they’re an unreal duo.”
TOP 10:
1. Tyson Burke-Phineasa (Kangaroos - 17 votes).
2. Kelly Shadlow (Rockhampton Brothers - 12 votes)
3. Joshua Abbott (Charters Towers Miners - 10 votes)
4. Eni Folau (Southport Tigers - 10 votes)
5. Jackson Gisinger (Nambour Crushers - 8 votes)
6. Sam Broomhall (Warwick Cowboys - 8 votes)
7. Jake O’Doherty (Swifts- 7 votes)
8. Matthew Koellner (Tugun Seahawks - 6 votes)
9. Sam Graham (Brighton Roosters - 6 votes)
10. Matthew Koellner (Tugun Seahawks - 6 votes)
11. Jack Pattie (Rockhampton Brothers - 6 votes)
12. Mitchell Grimes (Herbert River Crushers - 6 votes)
THE FORWARDS
RUGBY LEAGUE GOLD COAST
Runaway Bay Seagulls
Doryaan Hape Apiata
It has been a resurgent season for the Seagulls big man, whose impressive turnaround in the past 18 months has coincided with a Burleigh Bears debut in the Queensland Cup.
Packed with plenty of muscle and aggression, he regularly takes multiple men to take down—but not before inflicting a mountain of post contact metres.
Reece Summers
A hard edge backrower who hits an unders line with pure ferocity. Reece Summers’ form was enough to earn a Queensland Cup call up to the Tweed Seagulls in the latter stages of the season.
Southport Tigers
Eni Folau
The younger brother of former NRL superstar Israel Folau, Eni Folau has set about forging his own path on the Gold Coast.
A tireless lock with a bit of flair about him, Folau’s Tigers coach has lauded him the premier forward in the competition.
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Piki Te Ora Rogers
A former Norths Devils star in the Queensland Cup, the Southport big man has carried over his form to the Rugby League Gold Coast and emerged as one of the leading props in the region. His go forward has been crucial in lifting the Tigers to the grand final.
Helensvale Hornets
Liam Clark
Even in a side who managed just one win for the season, Liam Clark impressed enough to earn representative honours in the Gold Coast Vikings side. He’s a hard runner and able to play both through the middle and on the edge. Clarks’ aggression has been a constant point of his game.
John Butler
Butler is a hard running edge forward who adds plenty of starch to any side he is in. He comes to play with plenty of heart and soul.
His toughness on and off the ball cannot be questioned.
Burleigh Bears
Jayden Sharp
A powerful, hard working middle forward who has had to overcome a heap of adversity just to get back on the field. Jayden Sharp spent the best part of two years sidelined through various serious injuries, but so impressive has his comeback been he garnered a Queensland Cup berth with the ladder leading Bears in the Queensland Cup.
Lochlyn Sheldon
A Gold Coast Vikings representative who also earned a promotion to the Queensland Cup this year. Lochlyn Sheldon gets through a mountain of work while making plenty of inroads with ball in hand.
Mudgeeraba Redbacks
Zeb Taia
Taia called quits on his first-grade career only to inspire a Mudgeeraba resurgence for one final season. Zeb Taia brought as much off the field to the club as he did on it to guide the unheralded Redbacks to the finals.
He still packed huge hits on and off the ball before at last retiring from rugby league for good.
Parahi Wilson
A lock who, with his long hair and fearless approach, would likely make any starting team on the Gold Coast. Parahi Wilson seems to thrive the more physical the game is, and any rival forward who feels the need to target him should watch out.
Ormeau Shearers
Coen Rankmore
A club junior who embodies the vision Shearers coach Stuart Wilkins has for the club. Coen Rankmore is an Ormeau gun through and through, and his powerful edge running for the rebuilding outfit was enough to garner Gold Coast Vikings representative selection.
Tall, young and packed with plenty of potential.
Lorenzo Ma’afu
In his prime he lined up twice for the Canterbury Bulldogs and donned the Burleigh Bears colours. But now barnstorming lock Lorenzo Ma’afu has found home at Ormeau, and the club captain has set about helping build the unit towards title contention.
When the returning Shearers, who withdrew from the 2021 top competition, hit a purple patch of form that threatened to inspire a shock finals berth, it was Ma’afu leading the charge with his relentless running style and brutal defensive displays.
Tugun Seahawks
Matthew Koellner
One of the most hard working props in the competition. Even when playing injured, Matthew Koellner manages to make a huge impact, carrying defenders in his wake with every carry.
Sam Meskell
While he’s typically a hooker for his side, Tugun captain Sam Meskell is frequently able to jump into jersey No.13 with great effect. One of the most effective defenders in the competition.
Currumbin Eagles
Pele Peletelese
The biggest man to pull on a Currumbin Eagles jumper this season. Even at 37, Pele Peletelese stands tall among his teammates and packs a hit among the best in the Gold Coast competition.
He suffered an injury late in the season in a cruel blow for the Eagles, but while on the field he is the sort of man his young teammates appear determined to play for, such is the standard he sets.
Jakob Schimke
A true Mr Fix It of the Currumbin line up. Jakob Schimke began at hooker this season, but shifted to the back row and lock rotation once youngster Tyler Creecy found his feet in A-grade.
He’s rock solid in defence and willing to take the big hits. On and off the ball, Schimke’s resilience perhaps stands out as his most valuable trait.
RUGBY LEAGUE BRISBANE
Wests Panthers
Usaia Fonongalao
He is a powerful prop forward, one of the best in the business and certainly the Panthers finest this season. He carts the ball forward strongly and is aggressive with his runs and in defence. He enjoys starting matches and sets a high standard early.
Brighton Roosters
Samson Graham
He has been the Roosters best by a long way. He has been a defensive workhorse who just keeps turning up with repeat efforts. He is also safe with the ball and has a penchant for crashing over close to the line. Like a fine red wine, he gets better with age.
Pine Rivers
Zac Chong-Nee
Is he the most damaging forward in the BRL? Probably. Certainly Pine Rivers would not swap him for anyone. A representative forward, his form was rewarded earlier this year when he was promoted to play with Ipswich Jets in the Hostplus Cup.
Normanby Hounds
Tom McNulty
A forward who reaps the benefits of training the house down, McNulty is not only an outstanding player, he is also a great leader who sets an example on and off the field. He also has a spiral bomb up his sleeve. Move over Matt Burton.
Carina Tigers
Callum Rigney
A back rower with a high work rate, Rigney reads the game very well in attack and defence. He also has a big motor and can play 80 minutes. Rigney also does the little things right and is very good in the effort areas of the game.
RUGBY LEAGUE IPSWICH
Swifts
Jake O’Doherty
Front rower O’Doherty has played everywhere. When you run on and pack into a scrum people say where’s Jake? He has the fear factor.
His timing in defence is immaculate and some of the hits he pulls off just break humans. He’s a big poppa with a massive work rate. He has a knack of standing up when his side is on the ropes. He picks a poor bloke and hits them like a kitchen sink. He gets everyone up with his game changing hits.
Isimeeli Hafoka
Hafoka is a class player. You know what he’s going to give you every week. He’s an old head and the quietest in the team but he earns your respect from day one with his presence.
He is the most humble and genuine bloke you’ll ever meet and he’s one of the reasons his teammates want to get it done.
Hafoka layed Queensland Cup and it is because of his exceptional timing. He’s not a big bloke, but a brick wall in defence, picks gaps and reads play better than anyone in the Ipswich competition. Most definitely a youngster to watch out for.
Wilson Malaesillia
Malaesillia is a young second rower. Tall, solid and the king of running good lines, tough carries and quick play the balls.
He has a devastating offload when he breaks through the line. He goes out, puts his body on the line and earns respect.
Fassifern
Charlie Christensen
With long flowing locks this one runs hard, gets go-forward, has a big motor and plays 80 minutes. He’s a hit with the ladies, and has a big heart. A second rower and solid all rounder with a high work rate and v8 engine.
The youngster is an integral part of the Fassifern club and everyone loves him. He brings his country background to the field and is a real character.
Braden Schiller
A rugby convert only in his second year of league. The frontrower is one of those that know one way, straight and hard.
The consistent toiler with great go-forward has played every game over the last two years. With the Shane Webcke mold, Schiller is that gritty player that every side needs.
Brothers
Owen Macarron
The lock will give you 80 minutes every game with outstanding brick wall defence. He is an uncompromising work horse. You know what you are going to get out of them and that’s why he is the first to get picked each week.
Cody Macintosh
Macintosh won Brisbane Representative Player of the Year in 2021 and changed competitions to Ipswich this year. He played a leading role in the Brothers team and took them through to the Grand Final where he was a star.
He’s a tough front rower with very quick leg speed, try scoring prowess and plenty of IQ.
Corey Kurnorth
Kurnorth encompasses what Brothers is all about. He did his job throughout the whole year— no argument, no complaints, just 110% every week.
One of those guys everyone wants to play with. Why? He is an all-rounder, fantastic on both sides of the ball.
Norths
Jacob Stephan
Lock Jacob Stephan is one of Norths more mature players. He’s a very tenacious defender and really stepped up this year playing exceptional footy. His defence was unstoppable, nothing got through him and he made the most tackles all year.
Not just tackles but bone-rattlers.
Chris Scanlan
Chris Scanlan is 36 and as one of the oldest he led by example all year. He was very inspirational for the younger boys. He’s a great mentor for the youngsters, teaching them what they need to do to compete at that level.
He is a hard worker and a great leader down the right edge. He controls the right hand side in attack and defence and understands football so well he puts himself in positions to make an impact.
ROCKHAMPTON/ GLADSTONE RUGBY LEAGUE
Yeppoon Seagulls
Josh Scott
This aggressive performer has everyone questioning if he is actually human. With a thirst for contact and a willingness to do whatever it takes to succeed, this young firebrand left a big impression on the Rockhampton Rugby League competition this season.
Wade Fickling
Big, strong and fast is how most would describe Wade but it’s his hidden talents that make him one of the most outstanding in the competition. Add in his ability to read the game like a book and his great communication skills and he has all the bases covered.
Rockhampton Brothers
Jack Pattie
Tough and tenacious, this talented hooker never knows when to quit. A strong ball runner and fearless defender, he loves the contest and gives it his all. He swept the pool at the Rockhampton Brothers’ awards night, winning the club’s Player of the Year, as well as being named the A-grade men’s team Player of the Year and Best Forward.
Kelly Shadlow
Kelly made his A-grade debut in 2022 and quickly established himself as one of Rockhampton Brothers’ best forwards. He plays with a maturity beyond his years and was a major contributor to the team’s progression to the A-grade grand final.
He has a real hunger; he loves the contest and doesn’t know when he’s beaten. He is a strong defender and good ball runner and at only 18, is only going to get better.
Fitzroy/Gracemere
Cornwell Pearson
Cornwell will always go the extra mile, taking the hard run or making the all-important tackle. At just 20, he has a wonderful understanding of the game and his on-field enthusiasm is infectious. He played a major role in the Fitzroy/Sharks making the Rockhampton Rugby League finals series this year, the first time in a decade.
Caleb Tull
A member of the CQ Capras Hostplus Cup squad, Caleb is one of Norths’ most consistent performers. He delivers every time he takes the field and never takes a backward step. He is a genuine game-breaker, a player admired by his teammates and respected by his rivals. He has great ball skills, speed and his defence is rock-solid and he has a great ability to read the play.
Norths Chargers
Michael Hagenbach
Michael is one of the most respected middle forwards in Central Queensland rugby league. His no-nonsense style of play makes him very hard to handle. It has been only his work in the mines that has restricted his presence in rep sides in the region.
Josh Grange
Josh made his A-grade debut this year and has already established himself as one of the best edge forwards in the Rockhampton Rugby League competition. His workrate and fearlessness will see him poll well in the Ollie Howden Medal. At just 19, he will be a mainstay in rep sides long into the future.
Emu Park
Les Brown
Strong and athletic with speed to burn, Les is a damaging ball carrier. At 185cm and 100kg, he is a wrecking ball who is happy to run over opponents rather than around them. Captaining his team and leading by example, he has been the glue of the Emu Park A-grade team, taking them deep into the finals series. He was also part of the Rockhampton Rustlers team which won the 47th Battalion for the first time this year.
Harry Barham
At only 20, Harry has been mastering his craft and this year was a prominent player in the Rockhampton Rugby League competition. He was one of Norths’ leading point scorers and by far the most damaging player in defence. Leading from the front in defence and attack, Harry earned a call-up to the Rockhampton Rustlers which won the 47th Battalion for the first time. Definitely a player of the future.
Brothers Gladstone
Nicholas Holmes
A hard-running, 80-minute front rower who is as tough as nails. He’s solid all over the park but unbelievable in defence. He’s got a big motor and just never stops. While not the biggest in stature, he has a huge heart and a never-say-die attitude. He leads from the front, setting the example for his teammates.
Corban Phillips
A versatile player whose defence is outstanding, delivering some of his team’s most memorable shots of opposition players this year. He’s a hard-running forward who can go up the middle or hit the fringe. He makes lots of post-contact metres and is a great runner of the ball. His game is constantly evolving and he is becoming a real force in the Rockhampton Rugby League A-grade competition.
Gladstone Valleys
Ha’Ofanga Rabakewa
Playing right-side second row, Ha’Ofanga has been an imposing force in both attack and defence. His ability to break through the first tackle and hold his feet in a tackle with the ability to offload is impressive. Defensively sound with teams opting to attack other areas of the field.
Chris Setter
New to Valleys, Chris has been a standout during the 2022 season. The hard-working front rower has contributed by way of very long minutes on the field. He is not afraid of contact and is very good at the one percenters which has made him a valuable asset to the team.
BUNDABERG/ FRASER COAST RUGBY LEAGUE
Hervey Bay Seagulls
Dion Bunyan
While getting into the veteran stage of his career, second-rower Bunyan continues to play for the simple love of the game. He remains an older head in the competition and a widely respected one.
Anthony Gray
Gray is a Cherberg prop who ventured down to further his career. He’s big and tough and a real leader.
He’s not known to say a whole lot but leads by his actions on the park.
Waves Tigers
Lachlan Patterson
New to the club this year, backrower Patterson is the ultimate no frills workhorse. He quietly goes about his job without any fuss and is proving a leader.
Ross Larson
Now in the veteran category, the prop has become the forward leader of the club. He has a passion for helping teammates improve their own games.
Past Brothers
Royce Blair
A hard running rugged front or back row forward who is extremely damaging in both attack and defence. He won player of the grand final in the 2021 season. He has been playing in the Bundaberg rugby league competition for more than a decade and still continues to be one of the best forwards in the local competition.
Kevin Sherriff
Sherriff has arguably been one of the best forwards in the Bundaberg rugby league competition since arriving in 2015 from Brisbane. He has won grand finals for Brothers in 2015,2017,2019 and 2021, captaining all those sides. He is the player who is always putting his hand up to do the hard work, most weekends topping the hit ups and tackle count.
RUGBY LEAGUE SUNSHINE COAST
Beerwah Bulldogs
Wyatt Reynolds
The crafty and adaptive forward was a key reason for the Bulldog’s success in 2022. His work on and off the ball was some of the best in the competition and could break open a game at any time of the match. His skills matched with his terrific attitude and high workrate has shaped him as of the club’s standouts.
Caloundra Sharks
Tayler McCann
The explosive Sharks prop forward was a new addition to the yellow and black outfit in 2022 after previously playing in Sydney in the Ron Massey Cup. His size and skill with the footy makes him a threat every time he runs the ball.
Ethan Gaffney
Gaffney or better known as ‘Nathan Hindmarsh’ by his coach and teammates, is a tireless worker and a highly respected player. His small effort plays can regularly go unnoticed but it’s what helps set him apart from the competition when the going gets tough.
Gympie Devils
Clayton Dodt
The Gympie Devils captain and former soccer player only made the switch to rugby league 2013 but has quickly risen to respective heights across the competition. He leads by example and his upfront footy style makes him a damaging player on both sides of the ball.
Kawana Dolphins
Travis Long
The long time influential Kawana forward has been a driving force behind the Dolphins in recent years. The 2017 division one player of the year is an all out wrecking ball in attack and a brick wall in defence.
Maroochydore Swans
Will Solway
The former Canterbury Cup and Ron Massey Cup prop forward has been a major boost to the green and black outfit in recent seasons. His size, experience and passion for the game has helped lift his on ball skills to a new level in their 2022 premiership winning season.
Nambour Crushers
Jackson Gisinger
He’s a five eight in a second rowers body and Gisinger has proven a threat in attack every time he’s around the footy. Stated by his coach as being ‘six foot twenty’ the flair filled forward holds plenty of elite attributes in his duffle bag.
Noosa Pirates
Dan Robinson
A damaging and powerful running forward, Robinson is known in the competition for his fearless approach to the game. His relentless work ethic in attack and defence helps him perform as one of Noosa’s best week-in-week-out
RUGBY LEAGUE TOOWOOMBA
Gatton Hawks
Shannon Hicks
Has a massive engine and will go for the full 80 minutes. Play with his heart on his sleeve and real commitment.
Sione Foueti
A damaging big body who makes an impact in attack and defence.
Wattles
Dale Perkins
Plays straight and runs hard. Perkins has been a TRL mainstay for years and has been at the top of his game week in, week out for a very long time.
Michael Pearson
Known in some circles as ‘Wildthing’ because he never takes a backward step. Can turn a game in the blink of an eye off the bench.
Highfields Eagles
Carl Clement
Despite his young age Clement has an A-grade premiership to his name and is one of the TRL’s leading forwards.
Josh Keoller
A top of the line lock that knows how to find the try line and has a great all round skill set.
Goondiwindi Boars
Travis Waddell
Waddell is the standard to which most TRL forwards aspire. A great game manager on both sides of the ball.
Liam Close
Has a big engine, plays big minutes and tends to have a monstrous impact whenever he is on the field.
Dalby Diehards
Xavier Manley
An impossibly hard man to tackle and get around in defence. Leads by example.
Danny Wassell
Opposition defences always factor Wassell into their pre-game talks and plans. Plays with energy and has a knack for turning over the ball with his defence.
Valleys Roosters
Drew Jackson
The 2019 John McDonald medal winner is a great communicator and a natural leader in attack and defence.
John Maila
Chews up the meters every game and is hard to put on the ground.
Warwick Cowboys
Sam Broomhall
A no nonsense determined player who works hard across the full 80 minutes.
Harry Sullivan
Gets opposition defences guessing and puts his speed to great use darting out of dummy half to pile on the pressure.
Oakey Bears
Sione Lopamaua
Among the best ball running props in the competition—Lopamaua’s addition has changed the way teams look at the Bears.
Souths Tigers
Luke Maiden
Opposition defences are often ‘caught out’ because Maiden is big and agile.
Brothers
Mitch Revell
Has excelled at every level of the game for a number of years. A great all round skill set and he leaves nothing on the park.
Pittsworth Danes
Nick Finnie
An unlikely looking forward who works tirelessly and always picks up metres.
RUGBY LEAGUE TOWNSVILLE
Herbert River Crushers
Oscar Carter
Carter always plays what’s in front of him, runs the footy out of dummy half, and sometimes kicks from dummy half.
He’s not a big man, but defensively he’s very solid in the middle. He’s got a very strong running game, he’s a good talker, and he plays 80 minutes in the middle.
Mitchell Grimes
Grimes is a ball-playing lock that probably has better ball skills than some of the halves and five-eighths getting around the Townsville competition. The Crushers use his strength with some of their attacking structures, and he acts as a crucial link in the middle of the field between the team’s halves Mitchell Seri and Aaron Solari.
Brothers
Nathan Norford
Norford is a hooker who is really creative around the ruck and dynamic out of dummy half. He’s been around the club for years and he’s extremely consistent, turns up week in week out and always performs for the team.
Faron Morris
Morris is a really, really tough sort of old-school style front rower that has been working hard over the last few years playing for Brothers and was rewarded this year with a Townsville Blackhawks contract, and being involved in that system has benefited him tenfold.
He has become a complete player that is the competition’s standout prop: he runs hard, he tackles hard, and he puts his head where most of us wouldn’t put our feet.
Burdekin Roosters
Jack Johnson
Jackson has played at both prop and backrower this year for the Roosters and missed just one game in his comeback season from the ACL tear that cost him 12 months on the sidelines. Johnson took out the competition’s Dr Rod Ward Medal for A Grade’s best and fairest, and his powerful work on both sides of the ball helped his team immensely throughout the year.
Hamilton Taia
Taia is a young player that made five appearances for the Townsville Blackhawks Hostplus Cup team throughout the year. The strong middle forward played mostly at lock in the RLTD competition, providing a physically menacing presence for the Roosters that bolstered their power in the middle.
Charters Towers Miners
Joshua Abbott
Abbott won Rugby League Townsville & District’s award for Best Forward in A Grade, playing back row in almost every game of the season. He’s a rangy, big backrower that runs a good line and has a nice offload. His connection with right-edge partner Harry McQueen at centre was outstanding this season.
Tai Laidlow
Laidlow started at lock for the Miners for most of the year, and the beauty of him as a player is his consistency. The change between his good games and bad games is very minimal, so you know what you’re going to get week in, week out, and he certainly gets through a lot of work, tidies the middle up and leads the team’s line-speed in defence.
Western Lions
Sam Murphy
Murphy was awarded Player of the Year for his club and is one of the team’s Blackhawks allocations. The lock played nearly every game for the team this season, dominating most games he played, and he was basically awarded the three points for the game every time.
Daniel Buckland
Buckland is a Lions junior who has been with the club for over 15 years, and is currently part of the Blackhawks under-21 system. Buckland is a hard-headed, tough-as-nails backrower that tackles well above his size.
Centrals Tigers
Matthew Bonanno
Bonanno is a good, no-frills front rower who has been a bit of a regular in the Townsville comp for a while now. He’s a good talker with the younger guys coming through the club, and his size on the field definitely helps the team.
Clancy Kersh
Kersh was the winner of Centrals’ Best Forward and Player of the Year awards. He’s a great leader, extremely well-respected within the club, and being the club captain, his leadership is second-to-none on the field.
Norths Devils
Cornelius Mara
Mara is a hard, straight-running front rower or second rower that had a breakout year in his first season with Norths. Mara joined the team after moving from Weipa, and he has stood out on the team while learning to play a different style of football.
Jackson O’Grady
O’Grady came back from ACL surgery last year and has been playing really well this season. The Norths hooker is a sneaky forward that often picks up an extra 10m on a quick play the ball, and he defends really well in the middle
RUGBY LEAGUE CAIRNS
Atherton
Rod Griffin
The former Queensland Cup premiership winner returned to his junior club for a swansong season but still looked like he could go another state league campaign. He put in 80 minutes of work more often than not, the PNG international never slouched on either side of the ball.
A genuine forwards leader despite being at the end of his career.
Graham Clark Jnr
The hard-hitting lock is a powerful ball-runner who hits like a ton of bricks in defence.
When you’re hit by Clark, you stay hit, making him one of the key enforcers at the Roosters.
Brothers
Nick Harrold
Harrold is a veteran lock who has been one of his club’s most influential men in their run to the finals. An experienced campaigner with plenty of tricks up his sleeve, Harrold is solid on both sides of the ball and can still come up with a gamebreaking play.
Taniela Ta’ufo’ou
A destructive ball-runner who is among the top young talents in the Far North. Injury cruelled his chances of a state league debut in 2022, but the back-rower is bashing on that door and will get an opportunity soon enough.
Edmonton
Tyrell Anton
A young gun who played in several positions but was best at hooker for the Storm. An organizer who delivers good ball to his playmakers and has vision to set his side on their way to points.
Lee Kennedy
A no-nonsense workhorse who is tireless with the ball with hand or when forced to defend. Among the best and most consistent forwards in the CDRL.
Innisfail
Tomasi Skelton
A big, strong hulking backrower who can force a gap in a defensive line—and has the ability to offload to take full advantage.
Among Innisfail’s best in the first half of the season, Skelton is another young star who should be knocking on the door of state league clubs.
Rob Haren
The veteran hooker is arguably the best rake in the CDRL. He played a key role in taking Innisfail to six grand finals in seven seasons, both with the ball in hand and when asked to defend.
Tough to replace.
Ivanhoes
Zane Knowles
Knowles has evolved into one of the best and most consistent performers in the CRL this season. He has played in multiple positions, mostly at hooker or in the back-row, gets through a mountain of work in attack and defence, and is a handy goalkicker to boot.
Whyatt Barnes
A tough, hard-running back-rower who has made life tough for any defender. He has taken his game to another level since earning a contract with the Northern Pride, and when on duty for the Knights he’s been near-unstoppable.
Kangaroos
Ty Millard
A crafty, skillful hooker who endured an injury-interrupted campaign in 2022. Millard spent the off-season with the Northern Pride and grew in confidence, which was noticeable on the pitch through his hard-running and smart decisions from dummy-half.
Tyson Phineasa
Another young but outstanding backrow prospect in the Far North, Phineasa has the size and mobility to wreak havoc on the edge. An astute defender, Phineasa produced plenty of highlights this year either taking on the line, finding the perfect pass or offload to set up a try—or scoring them himself.
Mareeba
Caleb Dally
A hardworking prop who seemingly doesn’t get the wraps he deserves despite his consistency. He always goes about his business the right way, and more often than not gets his jobs done—which can be missed when in a side enduring a tough season.
Keripo Gutchen-Gela
One of several players asked to play in multiple positions as Mareeba endured a rough, injury-hit campaign. Gutchen-Gela was solid at hooker, helping to steer traffic and set his team on the way forward—which wasn’t a bad contribution in a season he also played at centre, five-eighth and in the second row.
Mossman-Port Douglas
Joel Marama
It’s difficult to narrow down the Sharks’ best forwards when you could name seven of them here, but the player-coach has been in unstoppable form this season.
Marama was already known as one of the toughest forwards in the competition, but the way he took the coaching role on and continued to pump out his team-leading efforts on the pitch had to be seen to be truly recognized.
Gabriel Bon
One of the hard-working members of the Sharks’ pack, Gabriel Bon is a man who doesn’t know how to go backwards.
A tough ball-runner with an awesome ability to bend the defensive line and open up space for his flying outside backs, Bon is one of the best in the business.
Southern Suburbs
Kurt Jackson
The representative prop forward maintained his position as one of the best forwards in the CDRL after a strong campaign at Southern Suburbs. A hard-working front-rower, Jackson is a man many wish they didn’t have to tackle, with the big man known for fighting for every inch – and making the defender earn the stop.
Minjiluk McInnes
One of the most consistent performers at Alley Park, McInnes is a tough back-rower who is never afraid of a hitup.
Suburbs have been in plenty of battles over the years but McInnes is one of the constants, regularly producing team-best performances to give his side every chance of victory.
Tully Tigers
Lonnie Papani
One of the hardest workers in Tully’s lineup in 2022, Papani’s first season in the CDRL proved he could mix it with the best. The crafty hooker showcased his skill and vision as he played a key role in turning around Tully’s on-field fortunes.
Fabien Tauli
You just cannot deny the veteran Tiger.
The man has given years of service to the Tigers but, in their hour of need, Tauli is the man who just keeps showing up for his side. The second-rower has plenty of experience which he has put into action every week, and is a genuine all-round leader of the side.
Yarrabah
Brian Schrieber
An underrated workhorse, Schrieber is the prop forward every club needs. He’s always willing to put in the hard work, whether that’s through his countless hit-ups or on the defensive side of the game, and has the ability to offload—always a dangerous proposition for a team that plays like Yarrabah.
Ammiel Harris
The crafty hooker has long been considered among the best players in this league, and he shows it every time he pulls on the Seahawks jersey. He has a quality kicking game, an unexpected turn of pace and the vision to make his side one of the most dangerous in the competition when he’s on.
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Originally published as Qld’s best grassroots rugby league forward has been crowned
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