Junior representative rugby league round 6: Harvey U17, U19 girls teams of the week named
The round 6 Harvey Norman U17, U19 Teams of the Week includes a three code wonder who remains an uncontracted NRLW prospect just waiting to be snapped up. More here.
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Three-code schoolgirl athlete Sienna Ibrahim has battled her way back from an ACL injury to make a three-try thud in round 6 and earn top billing in the Harvey Norman Under-19 Team of the Week.
Year 12 student Ibrahim sustained the knee injury at the end of 2023 when she was putting on a show at Easts Rugby Club representing the Bond University Bull Sharks in the Caslick Cup Rugby 7s tournament.
MENINGA CUP TEAM OF THE WEEK, ROUND 6
It brought to a halt a stunning sporting career that was being played out across the Australian rules football, rugby 7s and rugby league fields all around Brisbane.
The strongly built Marsden State High senior is such a talent, she is currently in the Brisbane Lions academy system, has represented Queensland and Australia in schoolgirls seven-a-side rugby and played for the hotly-contested City side in the annual City versus Country under-17 clash.
The Gold Coast Titans had previously had sporting all-rounder Ibrahim, an Easts junior, in their system. Once she proves her full fitness, that club, and other NRLW clubs, were sure to inquire about her status.
“Sienna is the type of player everyone wants in their team,’’ Tigers under-19 coach Damien Pratt said.
“She is extremely hard working, does enormous extras outside of what we do and is an exemplary role model for her peers and coaches.’’
Coach Kim Bray, who has mentored the Tigers under-17s to an unbeaten season, added: “Sienna’s success has come off the back of her hard work and doing the little things during her time in rehab.
“She is a player with a high work ethic and good habits.’’
Ibrahim’s habits positioning herself perfectly on the left edge resulted in her scoring a hattrick last weekend when Easts won 46-0 against Ipswich.
Ibrahim, a centre in league and Coorparoo Roos QAFLW prospect, headlines the Fantastic Five players from round 6 of the under-19s competition.
Who are the others across both age groups?
HARVEY 19S FANTASTIC FIVE
Sienna Ibrahim (Easts Tigers)
As mentioned above, Ibrahim has battled back from injury to restart a sporting career that saw her excel across three football codes.
She comes from good stock. Her older brother Mikael (Rabbitohs pathway player) was the best centre in AIC First XV rugby for two seasons playing with St Laurence’s and was one of the Tigers finest U17 and U19 players.
Ibrahim, like her older brother, is well-balanced, determined and has plenty of power.
Bella Thompson (Burleigh Bears)
A speed merchant - she scored a 99m try at the weekend - fullback Thompson is no princess.
She regularly puts her body on the line while also using her speed to cover ground to make vital tackles and field tactical kicks.
Thompson hails from Miami SHS, the old school of rugby seven-a-side trump cards Teagan and Maddie Levi and like the sisters, she also shone in 7s earlier in her life.
However she has been in her element as a gutsy fullback for the Bears this season.
Riana Le’afa-Paki (Norths Devils)
In a thrilling 24-22 victory over Souths, the vision, communication and leadership of hooker Riana Le’afa-Paki played a big part.
Similar to how a flyhalf manages play in rugby, Auckland product Le’afa-Paki has shown plenty of poise at dummyhalf. She was also arguably the loudest on the field last weekend.
A natural in rugby, Le’afa-Paki has brought her learnings from playing the code across the ditch to be one step ahead and always anticipating what is going to play out in both attack and defence.
She scored one of four first half tries by the Devils in round 6.
Caydence Fouracre (CQ Capras)
There are livewires everywhere you look in the Harvey under-19s competition.
At Tweed there’s Natalia Hickling, for Burleigh there’s Thompson, in Mackay there’s Jen Kimber and in Central Queensland the fleet-footed Fouracre was a real attacking weapon.
In a high-quality clash with the Cutters, fullback Fouracre threatened with almost every touch and looked the most likely to undo the Mackay defence.
The graceful Gracemere product set up the Capras first try on Saturday when she held the ball up nicely before lobbing a cut-out pass to winger Lyndell Malone
Mikalah Teale (Tweed Seagulls)
Teale was the ultimate middle forward energiser for Tweed.
Coming off the bench, Teale took no time at all to make an impact.
After a terrific early stint from the likes of Saskia Croyston and Kaliyah Browning, Teale ensured Burleigh were on the front foot when in possession of the ball.
A fine utility forward from the Colts Murwillumbah club, Teale toiled away in the middle and really came to life late in the match to ensure there was no comeback from Burleigh.
HARVEY U19s TEAM OF THE WEEK
1. Jen Kimber (Cutters)
2. Fleur Ginn (Tigers)
3. Courtney Tyrell (Norths)
4. Sienna Ibrahim (Tigers)
5. Bella Thompson (Bears)
6. Ashley Cotter (Norths)
7. Indi Seeto (Tigers)
8. Porche John (Tigers)
9. Riana Le’afa-Paki (Norths)
10. Saskia Croyston (Tweed)
11. Takoda Thompson (Falcons)
12. Selina Cowley (Cutters)
13. Loren Leli (Tigers)
14. Nadia Windleborn (Bears)
15. Mikalah Teale (Tweed)
16. Kaliyah Browning (Tweed)
17. Caydence Fouracre (Capras)
18. Aaliyah Frescon-Sheppard (Tigers)
19. Judy Crosby (Falcons)
20. Chloe Maxwell (Tigers)
Special mentions: Zali Bettridge (Bears), Grace King (Bears), Cecilia Misob (Cutters), Brianna Toopi (Bears), Danielle-Elizabeth Tutakangahau (Magpies).
HARVEY U17s SUPER SIX
Olivia Filikitonga (Burleigh Bears)
Olivia Filikitonga, a revelation this season, was enormous with her mobility and skill driving Burleigh in the first 20 minutes and the last 15 minutes.
Filikitonga hails from Auckland where she learned her rugby league at the Mount Albert club while attending the city’s Grammar school. In her first season in the Harvey under-17s, she has been a dominant force.
At the weekend, her leg drive and strength caused headaches early for Tweed’s pack.
Sophia Siulepa and Milla Rogers (Tweed Seagulls)
The Seagulls Super Subs stormed off the bench to help gain parity against a fast-starting Bears side which scored within the first five minutes.
Indeed if it was not for Tweed’s tryline scramble, Burleigh would have led by 20-nil.
Coomera Cutters gun Siulepa and Rogers, an impressive netballer from the Palm Beach SHS stable, helped work Tweed back into the contest and complimented the work of the starters well.
“They made a real difference with quick play the balls and strong running,’’ Tweed coach Veronica White said in praise.
Okalani Compton (Souths Logan Magpies)
Up and down the coast, the Harvey U17s has a small army of elite No.9s - and one of the best is Okalani Compton.
A Keebra Park SHS student, Compton is a feared defender who just gets stuck in.
She also gives great services to her halves, brings her forwards onto the ball and can threaten with her own runs.
Affrica-Jade Hippi (Tweed Seagulls)
This youngster from the Lismore region has been featured before in the Super Six list - but we just had to mention her again.
Hippi’s work rate and fitness has been a big reason why Tweed has been able to finish games strongly.
A little like former NSW State of Origin utility Tyrone Peachey, Hippi’s a bundle of energy who covers in defence and has speed and acceleration around the ruck which can catch the bigger girls out.
A Queensland representative, she is advancing her game this season under coach Veronica White at Tweed while also learning her craft as a part of the Keebra Park SHS academy.
Ofa Kalauta (Redcliffe Dolphins)
Last but certainly not least was Ofa Kalauta, Redcliffe’s headgear-wearing left centre who kickstarted proceedings on Saturday with a superb 45m try.
Five-eight Lenore Georgetown passed to Kalauta, who ran an unders line, and she beat five defenders with speed and sharp footwork on her way to scoring in the left corner.
Kalauta was in plenty. Alongside rangy fullback Sinalei Tupu and powerful centre Shar-Lene Nati, she set a high standard on both sides of the ball.
HARVEY 17S TEAM OF THE WEEK
1. Janique Mili (Magpies)
2. Kirra Pamenter (Falcons)
3. Ofa Kalauta (Dolphins)
4. Shar-Lene Nati (Dolphins)
5. Rhianna Browning (Tweed)
6. Chezaan Kainui (Bears)
7. Torah Luadaka (Tweed)
8. Sophia Siulepa (Tweed)
9. Okalani Compton (Magpies)
10. Alessana Betham (Magpies)
11. Macyee Brown (Capras)
12. Olivia Filikitonga (Bears)
13. Affrica-Jade Hippi (Tweed)
14. Josie Wogand (Capras)
15. Cianna Faulkner (Cutters)
16. Milla Rogers (Tweed)
17. Chloe Thompson (Clydesdales)
18. Ebony-Rose Te Kura (Jets)
19. Marley Chan (Falcons)
20. Ellie Walker (Dolphins)
Special mentions: Marmie Nati (Magipes), Jorgie Mitchell (Capras),Simaima Vainga (Devils), Sinalei Tupu (Dolphins),Isabella Brown (Bears) Afeena Faamafu (Magpies), Adejah Willie-Jawai(Devils), Mamele Misa (Magpies), Ace Pollock (Falcons), Jazmin Askew (Dolphins), Paige Stagg (Devils), Tahli Flux (Jets), Lenore Georgetown (Dolphins), Diamond Graham (Tweed), Hayley Wainwright (Clydesdales), Stavroula Georgaros (Clydesdales), Jayden Collins (Bears), Sedeequa Nelson (Clydesdales), Genesis Tupa’i (Bears), Goretti Paese (Jets), Briella Gray (Jets), Ellie Walker (Dolphins).
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