NewsBite

Future touch football stars: The Gold Coast Titans All Schools Best and Fairest players

We reveal 100 touch top guns from this year’s Gold Coast Titans All Schools Touch Football: See who made the Best and Fairest from the 40th Anniversary here.

The St Aidan's AGS U18 Girls team who won it all at this year's event.
The St Aidan's AGS U18 Girls team who won it all at this year's event.

After more than 1700 games, the Gold Coast Titans All Schools (GCTAS) wrapped up on the Gold Coast on 9 October, bringing a close to the 40th anniversary of the five day event.

Over 460 secondary school teams competed in the tournament from across Queensland, South Australia, Singapore and New Zealand.

The St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School Open team won the U18 division for the second year in a row, defeating Chancellor State College in the Final thanks to a cracking performance by Rhani Hagan.

With three Australian representatives in Tayla Sykes, Amielia Chadburn and Rhani Hagan and three Queensland representatives in Kaya Hillman, Zara Hagan and Anika-Grace Te Namu, St Aidan’s were able to defeat Moreton Bay College and Keebra Park SHS in the lead up.

St Aidan's Anglican Girls School celebrates its win.
St Aidan's Anglican Girls School celebrates its win.

More on St Aidan’s performance further down the story.

There was no shortage of talent on display over the course of the tournament so feast your eyes on over 90 touch top guns who shone like beacons at this year’s event.

100 OF THE BEST AND FAIREST

Nathan Roderick (Murgon SHS, Murgon)

Age group: U18 Boys

Roderick has an established Touch Football IQ and in every game, led his team on and off the field while orchestrating set plays.

Jamie Preston (Ambrose Treacy College, Indooroopilly)

Age group: U18 Boys

Preston is a fierce competitor in every facet of touch and many other sports. He isn’t just a great representative of his sports teams but of Ambrose Treacy College.

Torah Luadaka (Coombabah State High School, Coombabah)

Age group: U15 Girls

Luadaka led the way consistently both in attack and defence. She was able to score several long range tries and make some crucial touches when defending her try line.

Molly McPherson (Downlands College, Toowoomba)

Age group: U18 Girls

McPherson was the leader of the Downlands girls team.. Her ability to read the game, identify weaknesses in the defensive line and then exploit those weaknesses was incredible.

On top of that she was able to communicate well and create an effective defensive line for the team.

Lily Kolc (Marymount College, Gold Coast)

Marymount College won its first Confraternity Carnival girls' title earlier in the year with Kolc spearheading the team.
Marymount College won its first Confraternity Carnival girls' title earlier in the year with Kolc spearheading the team.

Age group: U18 Girls

Kolc excelled in her role as middle and the team and there is little wonder why. Her background as the starting hooker for the Qld U18 Rugby League team was showcased through her organisation and energy on the field, setting up countless attacking opportunities through smart footwork and a lethal passing game.

Her humble nature and desire to make her teammates better players make her a valued teammate and an easy pick for the Best and Fairest.

Noah Renneberg (St Joseph’s College, Coomera)

Noah Renneberg (back middle) of St Joseph's College Coomera.
Noah Renneberg (back middle) of St Joseph's College Coomera.

Age group: U13 Boys

Renneberg has a great mix of speed, tempo and ball playing ability to go along with his on field leadership which is on show when keeping the communication up between teammates.

Chantay Ratu (Keebra Park SHS, Southport)

Age group: U18 Girls

Ratu displayed class and skill in the big moments. She had great defence particularly on the line and her willingness to work hard saved countless tries. In attack, she possesses deceptive speed and her ability to throw the long ball in both directions and with great pass selection allowed her team’s attack to score with ease.

Lorielle Scholz (St Hilda’s School, Southport)

The St Hilda's School Open Girls team.
The St Hilda's School Open Girls team.

Age group: U18 Girls

Scholz is only in Year 7 but played in her school’s U18 team this year and was an integral part of the game plan. The young gun brought attacking flair, speed, composure and leadership.

Owen Jones (Redlands College, Wellington Point)

Age group: U15 Boys

Jones’ ability to read the play and involve all players around him was excellent in all the pool games. He is one of the 12 players from the team who will still be U15 in 2023, which bodes well for the future of the team.

Billy Roderick (Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay)

Billy Roderick of Xavier Catholic College.
Billy Roderick of Xavier Catholic College.

Age group: U13 Boys

Roderick is a middle player with a huge engine. His creative abilities in the 7m attack zone shine when on the back of solid rucking foundation.

He loves to set up for rooster and 7s moves and has a powerful quickie to trouble the defensive line.

He is fair, honest and treats referees and players with respect.

Tylah Andrews (St Joseph’s College, Coomera)

Age group: U15 Girls

Andrews was a standout in an inexperienced team. Her agility and passing game was second to none in the competition.

Hannah Clifton (St Joseph’s College, Coomera)

Hannah Clifton (fourth from the left with hat on) of St Joseph's College.
Hannah Clifton (fourth from the left with hat on) of St Joseph's College.

Age group: U13 Girls

Clifton’s ability to read a game and make the players around her better is what makes her a special player.

Harry Armstrong and Jack Roderick (Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay)

Jack Roderick of Xavier Catholic College.
Jack Roderick of Xavier Catholic College.

Age group: U18 Boys

Armstrong and Roderick have played touch for Xavier since Grade 7 and never fail to perform. They are both terrific middle players especially when playing alongside each other. They love to attack retreating defensive lines with rooster, quickie and 7s moves.

They are committed defenders with great communication skills and as such have steered the U18 Boys Xavier team to 2nd place in their pool this year at Qld All Schools.

Harry Armstrong of Xavier Catholic College.
Harry Armstrong of Xavier Catholic College.

Jordan Roberts (Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay)

Age group: U18 Girls

Roberts offered great leadership and direction both on and off the field. A coach’s dream.

Jordan Roberts with ball in hand.
Jordan Roberts with ball in hand.

Layla Davis (Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay)

Age group: U13 Girls

Davis’ strength and determination was demonstrated both on and off the field. She was capable of working hard in any position given to her, whilst also leading by example and being a model player off the field.

Montanna Matheson (Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay)

Montanna Matheson with her game face on.
Montanna Matheson with her game face on.

Age group: U18 Girls

Matheson is a powerhouse on the field with dynamic rucking skills. She competes hard for the entire game which gives her team a fighting chance every time.

Tom Fabiani (Matthew Flinders Anglican College, Buderim)

Matthew Flinders Anglican College Most Valuable Player Tom Fabiani.
Matthew Flinders Anglican College Most Valuable Player Tom Fabiani.

Age group: Mixed open

Fabiani brings energy and lots of it. He is a dedicated team player and has a great mix of speed and agility which makes him a very dangerous attacking player.

He’ll be back even better next year.

Hamish Faulks Otago Boys’ High School, New Zealand

Age group: U18 Boys

Faulks is an outstanding athlete with a high touch IQ. He makes everyone around him better and has a great mix of speed, footwork, and passing game.

No one works harder than him in the team and he leads by example, fostering a successful culture as captain.

Caitlin Brennan (St Anthony’s Catholic College, Townsville)

Age group: U15 Girls

What can’t she do? She supports, respects and motivates others, respects, puts the team above herself, works hard to improve and inspires high standards for her teammates.

She works extremely hard at training sessions and games and is a very talented individual who displays exceptional skills on the field. Whether it be footwork, agility, rucking, identifying space or playing what is in front of her, she has it.

The vision to identify where to run and how to create an overlap is something very little people of her age possess.

Kynan Edwards (St Joseph’s College, Coomera)

Age group: U15 Boys

Edwards has the ability to captivate his team mates and inspire them around the park. He showed the ability to read what was happening in front of him and made try saving plays in defence on countless occasions.

But wait there’s more. Before and after games he verbalises key tactical plays to help get the result.

What a player.

Rhydah Te Hau and Deegan Schroder (Beenleigh SHS)

Beenleigh SHS’ Rhydah Te Hau.
Beenleigh SHS’ Rhydah Te Hau.

Age group: Mixed open

Schroder and Te Hau have both displayed outstanding sportsmanship and dedication to Beenleigh’s U18 mixed team throughout 2022. Te Hau is the teams organiser and made numerous defensive plays throughout All Schools while Schroder a hardworking young gun. These two steered their team to the finals.

Beenleigh SHS’ Deegan Schroder.
Beenleigh SHS’ Deegan Schroder.

Phoenix Sullivan (Beenleigh SHS)

Age group: U15 Boys

Sullivan was voted MVP of the team and it was because of his leadership qualities and no fuss attitude.

When games got tough. he just kept powering through with‘follow me’ type performances.

Beenleigh SHS' U15 Boys young gun Phoenix Sullivan.
Beenleigh SHS' U15 Boys young gun Phoenix Sullivan.

Ashley Downs (Beenleigh SHS)

Age group: U15 Girls

Downs is a bundle of enthusiasm and energy on the field, which is infectious to her teammates. She leads through her hard work and commitment to training.

Beenleigh SHS' U15 Girls star Ashley Downs.
Beenleigh SHS' U15 Girls star Ashley Downs.

Romone Moyes (Beenleigh SHS)

Age group: U13 Boys

For what Moyes lacks in stature he makes up for in speed and footwork.

This pocket rocket was a rock for his team throughout All Schools. At times he was the go to man who didn’t shy away from the hard yards.

Beenleigh SHS' step king Romone Moyes.
Beenleigh SHS' step king Romone Moyes.

Oliver Smith (Shalom College, Bundaberg)

Age group: Grade 9/10 Boys

Smith brought a positive attitude to the team through constant encouragement. He offered to carry the team tents and help coaches and managers where possible while setting up plenty of tries and scoring some of his own with dazzling footwork.

Zoe Stone (Shalom College, Bundaberg)

Shalom College's under 15 girls team.
Shalom College's under 15 girls team.

Age group: U15 Girls

Stone has an attacking ability well above her years in the game. She reads the play and takes the right option every time.

The outstanding young captain set up tries and her falm nature got them through rough periods of the game.

Ella Lindsay (Rockhampton Girls Grammar School, Rockhampton)

Ella Lindsay of Rockhampton Girls Grammar School.
Ella Lindsay of Rockhampton Girls Grammar School.

Age group: U18 Girls

Lindsay led from the front in every game. Her effort and organisation paired with a cracking dummy worked wonders for her team. She created line breaks and overlaps which led to a majority of her team’s tries.

Tessa Manning (North Rockhampton State High School)

Age group: U15 Girls

Manning displayed exceptional leadership qualities and game awareness. Value oozes of her.

Arjay-Troy Sharrock (Keebra Park SHS, Southport)

Age group: U13 Boys

Sharrock has an exceptional ability to utilise his speed and ball playing skills to tear the defense apart. He was a standout, making numerous try saving touches, scoring a number of tries and having a hand in the majority of his team’s scoring passages.

When the game was in the balance, you could rely on Sharrock to come up with the right play.

Leadership, culture and talent. He has all three.

Thomas McCoy (St John’s School, Roma)

Age group: Open mixed

McCoy has speed to burn. Don’t believe me? He was nicknamed ‘Wheels’ by the commentators.

He runs a very good line and is quick from dummy half and that was highlighted in a hattrick performance of his. Indeed the school captain brings his leadership to the field.

St John's School's open mixed team.
St John's School's open mixed team.

Amy Lorenz (St John’s School, Roma)

Age group: Open mixed

Lorenz has great IQ for touch football. She knows the game inside out and with speed, agility and a magnificent pass, there’s no question as to why she represented her region at the Queensland Touch State Cup.

Archer Bickerstaff (Fortitude Valley State Secondary College)

Age group: U15 Girls

Bickerstaff’s talent lies in her ability to read defences and split the opposition line. She has a great step followed up with acceleration and speed that tallied her up many tries throughout the tournament.

Taylor Forrest St John’s School, Roma)

Taylor Forrest of St John’s School.
Taylor Forrest of St John’s School.

Forrest leads her team in a humble way—being gracious in both victory and defeat. She supports and guides her teammates, respects the opposition, is always willing to learn all with a positive attitude and a smile on her face.

Her ability to read the game and take off from half, as well as her diving defence are only some of her standout features.

Kaleah Graham (Keebra Park State High School Southport)

Keebra Park State High School's U13 Girls best and fairest player Kaleah Graham.
Keebra Park State High School's U13 Girls best and fairest player Kaleah Graham.

Age group: U13 Girls

Graham’s always there to encourage and lift her team with a positive attitude and caring nature. But, it’s her footwork, ball skills and electric speed that make her presence on the pitch invaluable.

Billy Pearson (Villanova College, Coorparoo)

Villanova College 13 Boys Best and Fairest player Billy Pearson.
Villanova College 13 Boys Best and Fairest player Billy Pearson.

Age group: U13 Boys

Pearson is a sharp young athlete from Villanova. He threatened the defence with his electric footwork & lethal right foot step.

Playing as a strike middle, Pearson would take on defenders with his show-and- go or find space on the outside with his long pass.

A tireless defender in the middle, Pearson was always leading from the front.

Gabriella Johnson (Groves Christian College, Kingston)

Age group: U15 Girls

Johnson uses her mix of speed, agility and quick play the ball to get her team on the front foot. She leads others on the field to improve the overall product of the game to achieve success.

A leader.

Sam Hill (Trinity College Beenleigh)

Sam Hill of Trinity College.
Sam Hill of Trinity College.

Age group: U15 Boys

Hill turned up. His level of commitment both on and off the field was second to none. He was the link player willing to play any position.

Such is his leadership skills and thoughtfulness, he remained behind after every day of competition to assist with cleaning and packing up.

He was a mentor to the younger players, encouraging them and supporting them in their first All Schools Competition. The best and fairest if ever there was one.

Maggie Walker (Fairholme College, Toowoomba)

Maggie Walker slicing through a gap for Fairholme College.
Maggie Walker slicing through a gap for Fairholme College.

Age group: U15 Girls

Walker is the ultimate all-rounder and team player. It is rare that the opposition see the try line through Maggie’s tight defence.

A sneaky line-break try isn’t uncommon with her line speed, intensity and footwork.

Isaac Thomas (St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon)

Age group: U13 Boys

Thomas was a brave leader and a key piece to the successes of his team. Defensively, he was a solid operator, showing good defensive posture and communication. Offensively, he was dangerous with the ball, creating numerous opportunities at the line and often providing the go forward necessary to get off the back foot.

Tommy Green (St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon)

Age group: U18 Boys

Green’s energy on the field was infectious and every time he had the ball in hand, he gave his rivals a hard time with his speed and agility.

Braith Scott (St Mary’s College Toowoomba)

St Mary’s College Toowoomba U15 Touch team.
St Mary’s College Toowoomba U15 Touch team.

Age group: U15 Boys

Braith has been an outstanding player for St Mary’s. He has an uncanny ability to find the gaps, read the plays and take charge of the team. He can pass just as well from both sides and hits the mark when needed. He loves the challenge of the battle. His ability to lead the team is one of the main reasons that the Under 15 St Mary’s side won the competition this year.

Connor Walsh (St Johns, Roma)

Connor Walsh doing what he does best.
Connor Walsh doing what he does best.

Age group: U15 Boys

Walsh was able to step up and be the leader St John’s needed in a very young team. His elusive footwork at the line had the opposition second guessing themselves in defense all carnival.

It was no surprise to see the amount of try assists coming off him with sharp passing doing the job for the young man.

Ben Waters (Chinchilla State High School)

Age group: Mixed open

Waters is a true leader through his ability to lift and develop those around him. Every second on the field he gives 110% in attack and defence.

Tye Miles (Chinchilla State High School)

Age group: U15 Boys

Hardworking is an understatement. He shows outstanding resilience and works incredibly hard for his team. He knows the right things to say to his team and leads from the front with speed, impenetrable defence and a great short ball.

Murphy Phillips (Miami State High School)

Murphy Phillips of Miaimi SHS.
Murphy Phillips of Miaimi SHS.

Age group: U13 Boys

Phillips was a standout with a level of skill and touch IQ that could have had him competing in the oldest division. He is a competitor at heart and relishes any and every opportunity he gets to compete.

Elodie De Wit (St Peters Girls, Stonyfell, SA)

Age group: U15 Girls

De Wit took on the role of team captain and was a hugely positive contributor to the team culture. She always looks for opportunities to learn and grow her touch football IQ and just keeps toiling no matter what. It’s like she doesn’t get tired.

Daisy Braithwaite (St Peters Girls, Stonyfell, SA)

Age group: U18 Girls

Braithwaite started the tournament slowly but quickly found her feet—at her best defensively. She reads the play well and provides excellent communication to the other players regarding set plays and defensive skills.

Amelita Case (Unity College, Caloundra)

Amelita Case carving her way through the defence.
Amelita Case carving her way through the defence.

Age group: U18 Girls

Case was outstanding every game. With a high level of acceleration and the ability to spot minute gaps, it wasn’t unusual to see her penetrating the opposition defence on many occasions.

These same skills also helped her to shut down the opposition’s try scoring opportunities.

Chloe Nikola (Moreton Bay College, Manly West)

Chloe Nikola of Moreton Bay College.
Chloe Nikola of Moreton Bay College.

Age group:

Age group: U18 Girls

Nikola was in excellent form the whole tournament.

She’s a selfless player who excelled in defence and rucking while carving up with her speed and creativity, on the offensive end—scoring and creating tries from sweeper and static plays.

Sophie Atkins (Moreton Bay College, Manly West)

Sophie Atkins of Moreton Bay College.
Sophie Atkins of Moreton Bay College.

Age group: U15 Girls

Atkins’ stellar representative season during which she captained the Brisbane Cobras at the recent National Youth Championships continued with another excellent performance at Queensland All Schools.

Her experience and quiet confidence on the field was a big plus for her team.

Annie Keough (Moreton Bay College, Manly West)

Moreton Bay College touch football young gun Annie Keough.
Moreton Bay College touch football young gun Annie Keough.

Age group: U13 Girls

Keough’s attacking prowess sparked the best out of MBC, her strong running in the midfield and ability to create and score tries from statics plays crucial for success.

It’s worth noting she’s an aggressive defender and leads her team with a cool and mature approach.

Skylah Samson (Keebra Park SHS)

Age group: U15 Girls

Samson led her team from the front as captain, her lighting fast scoops and footwork seeing her break through the defensive line.

Her vision and creativity as well as her humbleness off the field summed up a wonderful 2022 campaign for Samson.

Lincoln Birt (Ambrose Treacy College, Indooroopilly)

Age group: U13 Boys

Birt led his team confidently from the centre with a combination of game know-how, quick dump, split and set up for diving over the line.

His calm leadership across the week contributed to a culture of cooperative, respectful team play.

Garvis Gallein (Fortitude Valley SSC, Fortitude Valley)

Age group: U15 Boys

Gallein is his school’s all time leading try scorer by a comfortable margin. He scored 11 at this year’s competition and his combination of natural speed, in-game awareness and decisive movement off the ball were notable and many opposition coaches from heavyweight programs mentioned his natural ability and changed their own game plans to account for his fancy footwork.

Shalise DeVere (Redeemer Lutheran College, Rochedale)

Age group: U15 Girls

DeVere used her speed and touch football game sense to create confusion in the minds of the defence. It was no surprise to see her score a number of tries using her classy dummy pass to slip through the defensive line.

Lesina Naoupu (Fortitude Valley State Secondary College)

Age group: U13 Girls

Naoupu was a stand out player on the field as a player and as a leader. She has great ball skills and speed, learnt from her years of rugby league and she has great precision in her passing and catching.

But, it was her leadership as captain that shone through.

Anthony Petley (Southport State High School, Southport)

Anthony Petley getting away from his defender.
Anthony Petley getting away from his defender.

Age group: Mixed open

Petley uses his knowledge to create attacking opportunities and works hard defensively to stop the opposition.

He shows true leadership to get his team over the line and continues to turn up no matter how fatigued or sore he may be.

Harmoni Nawrotzky (Chancellor State College, Sippy Downs)

Age group: U15 Girls

Nawrotzky is a hard running middle player who works tirelessly to gain field position with the ball and applies great pressure to the opposition when defending on all parts of the field.

She did just this at All Schools and it worked a charm

Chloe Tunks (Chancellor State College, Sippy Downs)

Age group: U18 Girls

Tunks is a big game player who knows how to work her way into a tournament. She possesses elite level individual skills and always brings out the best in her team-mates.

Jordan Bell (Chancellor State College, Sippy Downs)

Age group: U18 Boys

An outstanding 18 month period has seen Bell rewarded with selection in the Australian U18 Youth touch football squad and also the Queensland Schools U18 team. He possesses a skill set unlike many others where he is a threat to opposition teams through his short game and dive but he also has the ability to hit a target with his impressive passing game.

There is more to come from Bell in the future.

Jarvis Wood (Chancellor State College, Sippy Downs)

Age group: U15 Boys

Wood was selected in the Sunshine Coast Schools U15 team and also captained the Chancellor State College U15 boys team this year.

His ability to read the game, create scoring opportunities and work hard defensively make him an excellent addition to any team.

Charlotte Lawry (King’s Christian College, Reedy Creek, Gold Coast)

Age group: U13 Girls

Lawry was at the centre of the teams finals surge, constantly setting up tries through her scooping and great decision making. She played big minutes throughout the tournament, barely spending any time on the sideline.

Kaide Hape (Chancellor State College, Sippy Downs)

Age group: U13 Boys

Hape has an element of x-factor when playing touch football. He is particularly dangerous when attacking the line where he can create a try out of nothing. His contribution to his team at the Gold Coast Titan Queensland All Schools was enormous.

Aidan Stam (Dalby SHS, Dalby)

Age group: Mixed open

A players’ player, Stam has the pace to set up others as well as score tries himself. Safe hands, eyes up touch and positivity are his trademarks.

Tayla Sykes (St Aidan’s AGS)

Tayla Sykes is a great captain for the St Aidan's girls.
Tayla Sykes is a great captain for the St Aidan's girls.

Age group: U18 Girls

Sykes is a standout player for various reasons. Her touch IQ is of the highest standard and her ability to read the game is second to none. Her signature is her quickie stepback, followed by her fast, low dive makes her even more lethal.

Her ability to read various situations enables her to pick the best option in running situations and her turn of pace can leave others for dead. She’s a leader too.

Rhani Hagan (St Aidan’s AGS)

Rhani Hagan going over for a try.
Rhani Hagan going over for a try.

Age group: U18 Girls

Hagan is in year 10 but has already won two U18 All Schools Championships. She is a hard worker who is consistently trying to perfect her craft when others are not watching. She has electric speed and with the ball in hand, she is a danger to most players defending her. Rhani has a fantastic right-to-left pass that threatens teams with her 4-on-3 plays where she has the ability to throw cut-out balls to the wing.

Rzaria Williams (St Aidan’s AGS)

Rzaria Williams ducking through the hole.
Rzaria Williams ducking through the hole.

Age group: U13 Girls

Williams led St Aidan’s to a top 4 finish and was one of the standout players in the U13 Division. She controlled each game with her static play from the 7m and her aggression in defence often halted the momentum of the opposition.

Kiara Denny (Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School)

Age group: U18 Girls

Denny is an exciting young and upcoming player. Having only just turned 15 years old, Dennny has been a standout in the Opens Girls team. She is a well rounded player across all aspects and is a natural competitor.

Remy Brown (Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School)

Age group: U13 Girls

Brown is a natural born leader who plays with a lot of maturity for her age. She is a very smart player who knows how to manipulate the defensive line.

Fletcher Bisgrove (Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School)

Age group: U13 Boys

Bisgrove is an exceptional young player who has a great mix of speed, agility and game IQ.

Jordan Karalouka (Clairvaux MacKillop College, Upper Mount Gravatt)

Age group: U15 Boys

Karalouka has a great mix of speed and agility. He executes moves with precision and reliability.

Anna Welfare (Emmaus College Rockhampton)

Age group: Open mixed

Her timing off the ball and catching and scoring of tries this carnival was incredible, her vision and ability to shut down or stay out in defence, her patience and running lines in attack contributing heavily as well.

She puts in the hard work at training and games and her positive attitude and passion for the game leads her team.

Connor Guley (Emmaus College Rockhampton)

Age group: Open mixed

Guley was the driving force in every game with his positive attitude and fairness. He led by example on and off the playing field, showed others respect and encouragement and has a mix of speed and the ability to help the team get up the field in attack.

Cooper Watts (St Augustine’s, Augustine Heights)

St Augustine’s touch gun Cooper Watts.
St Augustine’s touch gun Cooper Watts.

Age group: U15 Boys

Watts is a thoughtful player that also possesses great speed. His ability to shut down attack is matched by his ability to sneak a try.

Lachlan Byron (St Augustine’s, Augustine Heights)

St Augustine’s touch gun Lachlan Byron.
St Augustine’s touch gun Lachlan Byron.

Age group: U13 Boys

Byron’s development as a touch player continues to improve in leaps and bounds. His talk and willingness to do the small things made him one of the most valued players on his team.

Ryan Carr (St Augustine’s, Augustine Heights)

St Augustine’s touch gun Ryan Carr.
St Augustine’s touch gun Ryan Carr.

Age group: Open mixed

Carr’s work ethic in attack and defence are an inspiration to his team. He makes smart decisions in attack and is always on or around the ball.

Sophie Smith (The Rockhampton Grammar School)

Sophie Smith in her element.
Sophie Smith in her element.

Age group: U18 Girls

She is a member of the Australian U18 Touch Squad and this year she was an expert at controlling the play in the middle and assisting her teammates to execute key plays to score tries and defend attacking raids.

Her explosive speed allows her to create space and put pressure on the defense while her ability to read the defensive line and set up opportunities for others means she is the ultimate team player.

Sarah White (Clairvaux MacKillop College, Upper Mount Gravatt)

Age group: U15 Girls

White is a great all-rounder, however she shines in defense making important touches. She’s a hard-working middle that creates opportunities for her team on the attacking line.

Sienna Kruck (St Thomas More College, Sunnybank)

Age group: U13 Girls

Kruck was everything and more. She was a team player, a leader, consistent and hardworking.

Sam Bashford (St Thomas More College, Sunnybank)

Age group: U13 Boys

Bashford was a leader and a good communicator. He trusted his teammates and coaches and was a huge competitor.

Nicholas Jensen (St Thomas More College, Sunnybank)

Age group: U15 Boys

Jensen was not only a beast at training but a weapon on the pitch in every aspect. He treated everyone with respect on top of his leadership and touch talent.

Caitlin Blakeney (Clairvaux MacKillop College, Upper Mount Gravatt)

Age group: U18 Girls

Blakeney was a key member of the Clairvaux Open Girls team, working overtime as a middle in defense, often making covering touches to prevent opposition tries from being scored.

In attack, she rucked well, created opportunities and was always in support.

Jay Scofield (St Mary’s College, Toowoomba)

Age group: U18 Boys

Scofield, as the captain of the Opens team, led by example on the field and often let his game play do the talking.

He has great speed and agility and a sharp step off either foot that snaps ankles, beating the defenders. He is a strong defensive player, often making try saving touches.

A quality all-rounder on the field.

Ronan Delaney (St Mary’s College, Toowoomba)

Age group: U18 Boys

Delaney is a calm, clever player who demonstrates great leadership in the team both on and off the field.

He holds his space well on defence and his decision making is always one step ahead of the attack. His ability to read the defense makes him a smart attacking player and valued piece of the puzzle.

Tyler Madden (St Mary’s College, Toowoomba)

Age group: U18 Boys

Madden is a smart, patient player. His strength is attacking the line, where he uses his patience to guide the attack, condition the defense and set up tries.

A quality all-rounder with a mix of agility, a long ball and the ability to read the attack when defending.

Lachlan Young (St Mary’s College, Toowoomba)

Age group: U18 Boys

Young is deceptively quick which is a great asset both in attack and defense. He works hard to take the ball down the field and plays great eyes up footy when rucking.

Young loves to play the game, works off the ball well and was instrumental all tournament.

Sam Sheppard (St Mary’s College, Toowoomba)

Age group: U18 Boys

Sheppard reads and covers the ground well in defense, seeing him making try saving touches. He is a utility player that can play anywhere on the field and has great speed and agility which works really well in sweeping plays and in open space where he is often hard to catch.

Callum Stacey (Brisbane Adventist College, Mansfield)

Age group: U18 Boys

A great touch football player who leads the team by example. His speed, footwork, touch IQ and ability to find the try line help him to influence the game on the field, while off the field he encourages his teammates and sets the right tone for a positive team culture.

Gracie Porter (Miami State High School)

Gracie Porter of Miami SHS.
Gracie Porter of Miami SHS.

Age group: U13 Girls

Porter was an all-round leader with exceptional speed and ball skills.

Seth Gundry (Miami State High School)

Seth Gundry of Miami SHS.
Seth Gundry of Miami SHS.

Age group: U15 Boys

Speed, speed and more speed. He showed amazing leadership across the entire carnival by building team culture as well.

Emma Barrett of Miami SHS.
Emma Barrett of Miami SHS.

Emma Barrett and Grace Jacobsen (Miami State High School)

Jacobsen was the all-round player setting up try after try for the U15 Girls team. Barrett was an intercept specialist in the U18 Girls team.

They both dealt damage.

Grace Jacobsen of Miami SHS.
Grace Jacobsen of Miami SHS.

Odessa Vipathkun (Brisbane Adventist College, Mansfield)

Age group: U18 Girls

Vipathkun was one of the youngest in her team but she set the tone with her resilience and leadership. Each game she made sure she left everything on the field, playing big minutes and leading the way in all the effort areas.

Ariana Stevens (Gold Coast Christian College, Reedy Creek)

Ariana Stevens of Christian College.
Ariana Stevens of Christian College.

Age group: U15 Girls

Stevens, at only 13, was great. Her sharp attack and rucking abilities stood out from the rest of the team as she took on a leadership role in a team of older girls.

Max Colquhoun (Brisbane Adventist College, Mansfield)

Age group: U18 Boys

He brought the energy. His attacking ability was top tier as well, rising to the challenge by staying composed, putting in effort on and off the ball and leading his troops.

Mickey Busby (The Cathedral College)

Age group: U15 Boys

Bubsy has great vision for the game with a great long ball and good speed from the ruck. he plays middle and link and is also a member of the U15 Qld Schoolboys touch team heading to play in Wagga for the Nationals at the end of October.

Mac Nolan (Dalby Christian College)

Mac Nolan was shap as ever.
Mac Nolan was shap as ever.

Age group: Open mixed

Nolan has the ability to create a try out of nothing through his footwork, and anticipation of where the defender is moving.

His eyes up approach to his game helps set up the players around him by doing the correct move to create further space.

Meanwhile, St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School Head of Sport, Andy McGregor-Lowndes, said in recent years the school was fast building a reputation in touch.

“We have some outstanding coaches lead be Levi, Josh and Tim, and a number of very talented girls at the school,’’ he said.

Amielia Chadburn from the under 18s is all smiles.
Amielia Chadburn from the under 18s is all smiles.

“To win the All Schools tournament for the second year in a row is a tremendous achievement.

“The girls played with skill, composure and humility and it was a terrific team performance.

“It was great to have so many parents, staff and old girls come down and support the team or watch on the live stream.

What a performance it was from the St Aidan's girls.
What a performance it was from the St Aidan's girls.

“We are also very proud of our under 13 team who reached the Semi-Finals in their first appearance at All Schools.’’

St Aidan's under 13s made the semi-finals.
St Aidan's under 13s made the semi-finals.

Originally published as Future touch football stars: The Gold Coast Titans All Schools Best and Fairest players

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/womens-sport/future-touch-football-stars-the-qld-all-schools-best-and-fairest-players/news-story/90984490ce26cb7f4235acbe43b72b12