The NQ Gridiron League players to watch in our livestream

We will show the first three rounds of the North Queensland Gridiron League live, starting with a double header from Townsville on October 30. THE PLAYERS TO WATCH >>

THESE are the 12 men who could very well play decisive roles in their teams winning the North Queensland Gridiron League championship.

The pre-season is finally over, and players from four clubs - Cairns Falcons, Mackay Mavericks, Mulgrave Vikings and Townsville Cyclones - are ready to bring Reef Bowl glory back to their home towns.

WATCH THE ACTION LIVE: CAIRNS | MACKAY | TOWNSVILLE

CAIRNS FALCONS

Bradley Manoi - DE

Manoi was a defensive beast for the Falcons in their 2020-21 Reef Bowl triumph, and he will only get better as he returns for a second campaign.

Fresh off a FNQ Rugby premiership with JCU Mariners, Manoi has been putting on plenty of big hits at training and will lead the charge when it comes to shutting down the opposition.

Brady McIntyre - WR

The former cross country runner has been tipped to “ball out” in his rookie gridiron campaign after an impressive pre-season with the Falcons.

Despite being new to the team, McIntyre has picked up the game quickly and is becoming a tough match-up for the defence, with a knack for reading the play and getting into space.

Zak Rookwood - S

Zak Rookwood is tipped to have a big campaign for the Cairns Falcons. Picture: Brendan Radke

Pass it Rookwood’s way at your own risk – the unassuming safety took plenty of intercepts last season and will be on the hunt for more picks in the new campaign.

Rookwood has great instincts when it comes to reading the play, is quick on his feet and can cut off a pass and make a tackle at the same time – he’s that good.

MACKAY MAVERICKS

Tim Miller - QB

The pocket passer will take the starting quarterback role ahead of a couple of other candidates, but the fifth-year veteran is a key part of the Mackay offence.

Likened to Aaron Rodgers in his field vision and strong arm, Miller’s composure at the line of scrimmage will earn the Mavericks an extra second or two at the snap to create space.

Saige Webber - WR

Mackay’s Saige Webber. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Webber is fast and tough, exactly what you want your number one receiver to be.

He transitioned from running back early in his gridiron career to a deep threat and will cause defences headaches when running deep routes.

Samson Vaikeli - DE

A defensive beast, the edge rusher is in his first year of gridiron but has taken to it naturally.

Vaikeli can overpower any one-on-one matchup at the line of scrimmage and with a variety of rush moves he will cause problems for opposing quarterbacks.

MULGRAVE VIKINGS

Jake Leumann - LB/RB

As one of the Vikings most experienced players, Leumann strikes fear into the opposition on both sides of the ball.

Big, strong, fast and agile - this guy is an absolute weapon who can burst into the backfield and blow up plays as a linebacker, or power his way through the defence as a running back.

Jake Leumann (right) has moved to Mulgrave from the Falcons, where he won the Reef Bowl last season. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Jordan Varley - WR

Varley brings plenty of versatility to the wide receiver position and uses his quickness, strength and agility to create separation from his defenders.

He will be looking to further develop his connection with Vikings quarterback Brandon Kruger this season, after the pair were part of the Falcons’ Reef Bowl triumph in 2020-21.

Tobias Drahm - RB

The FNQ Thunder rugby union representative player is expected to make a big impact in what will be his first gridiron season with the Vikings.

With explosiveness, elusiveness and an ability to sense a gap before it’s even there, Drahm will form a devastating one-two punch at running back with Leumann.

TOWNSVILLE CYCLONES

Jimmi Thompson - LB

Townsville Cyclones linebacker Jimmi Thompson. Picture: Matthew Elkerton

Full of heart and determination, Thompson is the ball of energy every team craves.

Lauded by skipper Kyle Reynolds as “an absolute weapon”, his impact off the ball could well be the difference come kick off.

Kurt Newberry - RB

Originally a quarterback, Newberry is set to fill Reynolds’ shoes in round one, with the captain in South Australia for the season opener.

Packed with talent in a range of positions, Newberry’s versatility is expected to be a point of difference this campaign which could catapult the five-time champions back to Reef Bowl supremacy.

Jack Kerr - OL

His captain has labelled him “angry as hell and wants to hurt people”. It is an ominous warning for the rest of the competition.

Kerr’s intensity and aggression is so profound he typically gives his teammates a very simple message: “run the ball behind me,” Reynolds quotes, “and I will kill people”.

His size and strength lays the foundation for the Cyclones to orchestrate their attack; any success which comes their way will start with Kerr.

Originally published as The NQ Gridiron League players to watch in our livestream