Colts, women’s club rugby: The road ahead plus 60 key players
Club rugby: Where will your club’s colts and women’s finish? Here’s our form guide, along with 60 key players and the road ahead to the finals.
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The premier women and Colts 1 club rugby competitions are closing in on the business end, with Brothers and Souths on a collision course in colts and Sunnybank leading the way in the womens.
The top four sides in each competition will play finals footy – so for fifth placed Bond University (colts) and fifth placed Easts(womens) the stakes are high with just four rounds remaining.
Before Saturday’s games, Wests were fifth in Colts and GPS were fifth in the premier women’s ladder.
Both Wests and GPS progressed through to the semi-finals last season and will be hungry to finish strong. The Bulldogs were knocked out in the semi’s by 2022 co-premiers University while the GPS women were pipped by premiers Bond University, at Bond University.
But after claiming a gutsy 26-12 win over Norths, Bond University’s colts (33) were closing in on fourth place University (39)
There is everything to play for.
So what is the road ahead?
ROUND 15 COLTS 1 RESULTS
University 53 beat Sunnybank 7
Brothers 55 beat GPS 19
Bond University 26 beat Norths 12
Souths 52 beat Easts 22
ROUND 15 PREMIER WOMEN RESULTS
Souths 19 beat Easts 14
Sunnybank 35 beat University 17
GPS 35 beat Brothers 8
ROUND 15 HIGHLIGHTS
+ A Tafito Falaniko Ah-Ki double for University’s Colts 1 team
+ A Nik Mitchell two try effort to help Bond University beat Norths in Colts 1
+ A double from Brothers scrumhalf Will Cartwright and winger Kai Combarngo in their Colts 1 win over GPS.
+ Two tries and six conversions from Riley Bierton in Souths’ 52-22 win over Easts in Colts 1.
+An Ellie Draper double for Souths set up a tight 19-14 win over Easts in Premier Women action.
+ Two tries from Sunnybank’s Christina Sekona eclipsed a Caitlin Urwin double as the Dragons topped University 35-17.
+GPS kept their finals hopes alive with a Heleina Young (two tries) inspired victory ovre Brothers at home.
THE ROAD AHEAD
COLTS 1
BROTHERS
WIN-LOSS 11-1
Brothers have made a statement to the competition from round 1 that they were the team to beat.
At full strength, the Brothers line-up looks unbeatable, but how they will tackle the adversity of having players out presents itself as their biggest challenge on their way to premiership glory.
Then again, they have depth for days.
KEY PLAYERS
KADIN PRITCHARD
His return into the line-up will give Brothers the topping to their backline. A rangy centre, Pritchard can carry the ball and also make plays for his teammates.
DRE PAKEHO
Pakeho is Brothers’ key player in the backline – the inside centre who is a hot stepper and great crash ball runner.
HARRY GRANT
Grant played against UQ on Saturday and he is a weapon. A weapon they have not been using this year but now it is crunch time and he will be called upon. A headgeared assassin, Queensland Under 19s fly half Grant is a classy fly half.
CHARLES BROSNAN
If Brosnan is running at full throttle watch out. The lock, capable of playing flanker and No. 8, has a nice offload too and is a good link between the forwards and backs.
Of course Brothers’ also have No. 8 Oliver Harvey, Tanna Wilson who was injured on Saturday, Year 12 recruit from Iona College, prop Hopo Leota, and the seasoned Malakai Taulani who will be important.
ROAD AHEAD
Souths (home)
Wests (away)
Easts (home)
PREDICTED RESULTS: No losses
NORTHS
WIN- LOSS 3-11
They have won three games but you can never count them out. They are always fierce competition, capable of upsetting the competition’s strongest teams.
KEY PLAYERS
WILL ROGERS
Norths have a promising young hooker in Rogers and this is just Year No. 1 for the 2022 Nudgee graduate.
He has a knack for scoring and the Colts experience will be great for his development.
DAN HEALY
Mr. Consistent.
Healy can play anywhere in the forwards and his coaches know what they are getting. 110 per cent effort, intensity, aggression and smart, mistake free footy.
A Padua old boy who has been a consistent performer.
KALEB STURGESS
The Eagles scrumhalf whose ability to flatten bigger players is impressive.
Sturgess is a blue collar worker who has great service from the ruck.
JACK HUSSEY
Norths have plenty of x-factor in backline utility Hussey. The Queensland Reds Under 19s select (2022) can inject himself from fullback, and also create for his teammates out of fly half.
And don’t forget the speedy Mackenzie Fox who can finish with the best of them.
ROAD AHEAD
bye
UQ (away)
GPS (home)
PREDICTED RESULTS: Two losses
WESTS
WIN-LOSS 6-7
They have an opportunity to do the Kennel proud given they come home strong. And it is entirely possible because they have not found their best yet.
KEY PLAYERS
DARBY DUKE AND NED KENDALL
Lock Duke and No. 8 Kendall have been staples for Wests this year and they are what makes their forward pack tick.
TE MOANA BEALE
The physical open side flanker who is consistently a top three performer for the Roscoe Deacon coached Bulldogs team.
LACHLAN KERR
Kerr started the year at fullback but he is in the No. 10 jersey now and he’s flourishing.
Is Kerr the Wests MVP of season 2023? He would have to be close.
CAMPBELL KING
The crash ball running of King has been used to perfection this year and his bustling ball-carrying is key if Wests want to challenge for a finals berth.
RYAN SHAW
You have the feeling the best is just around the corner from young Shaw. A fullback, the Queensland Reds Under 18s select is due for a breakout game.
ROAD AHEAD
Easts (away)
Brothers (home)
Sunnybank (away)
PREDICTED RESULTS: two losses, one win
GPS
WIN-LOSS 3-10
They have been big improvers since the start of the season and have lost a succession of games by a bonus point margin. It’s a work in progress down at Yoku road and each week they seem to be getting closer and closer – despite the result.
Sio Kite is a great coach and while they don’t have the all-star talent of say Brothers, a couple wins to close out the season will be just what the doctor ordered.
KEY PLAYERS
HARRY GOULD
The front row wrecking ball who played two years of First XV rugby at Marist College Ashgrove.
Gould has powerful leg drive, and is a scrum king along with buddy Nicholas Harper.
STUART TUALIMA
A mobile backrower who has a bright future in the sport. He is very good.
We named Tualima in our GPS rugby Team of the Decade so far and his colts form solidified his selection.
NICHOLAS HARPER
Flame-haired Harper won’t be playing Colts footy for much longer. He is a strong, hard working tight-head who GPS have big hopes for.
PAT GAVIN AND DARCY HAMMOND
Lock Darcy Hammond is finishing up his third and final year of Colts rugby and what a player he has been. A part of the premiership winning team of 2021, Hammond gives his all for the club and will pass the baton to the towering Gavin who makes lineout time looks easy.
PAT TIERNEY
An 18-year-old who has two more years of Colts rugby at GPS, Tierney is the perfect fullback. He can kick, run, step and pass well both ways.
ROAD AHEAD
Sunnybank (away)
Bond University (home)
Norths (away)
PREDICTED RESULTS: one loss
UNIVERSITY
WIN-LOSS 5-8
Capable of anything, the Red Heavies showed in their tight 20-21 round 14 loss at the hands of Brothers that not much separates the top four teams.
They welcomed the addition of elite St Edmund’s Collegue halfback Tafito Falaniko Ah-Ki, who has made our AIC First XV Team of the Year two years in a row.
They could not have asked for anyone better to replace Finn Manca.
KEY PLAYERS
HARRISON SWANE
The thickly set Swane is an imposing loose head who the University faithful have had for three seasons now.
Crucial.
XAVIER STILES
A great lineout thrower with even better niggling chat, Gregory Terrace old boy Stiles has been impressive in his first year of Colts 1.
In the typical hooker mould, Stiles does a bit of everything around the paddock.
XAVIER GRAMBOWER AND PATRICK
Where would University be without lock Grambower and No. 8 Sowerby? We will leave that to you to conclude but there are no better forward movers to rumble the team out of trouble.
On Saturday against Brothers, the two of them worked wonders for University.
MAC KELLEY
Outside back Kelley has been improving all season and on Saturday he out of all people pulled off a charge-down try.
It was special, and more effort-players like that will be a must.
ROAD AHEAD
Bond University (away)
Norths (home)
bye
PREDICTED RESULTS: No losses
EASTS
WIN-LOSS 9-4
Easts’ successful season has flown somewhat under the radar, although last week’s shock loss 52-22 to Souths was alarming.
The Tigers have still had a good season without Jarrod Homan (injury), Joe Liddy (injury) and Taj Annan (Souths) and that is a credit to coach Tyrell Barker and the depth they have in their ranks.
KEY PLAYERS
JOE LIDDY
Pencil it in, round 18. That’s when Liddy could be back for the Tigers. And boy is he a big inclusion – a huge boost for finals.
He is a breakdown terror for the opposition.
BLAKE DAVIS
Davis is the safe as houses fullback who Easts feel bulletproof with at the back.
A BBC old boy, Davis is just a good rugby player with the IQ to make winning plays.
For example, his trademark 50-22 kick.
SAM FARRAR
A gun halfback who can be seen delivering crisp ball in red headgear.
Leads the Tigers in more ways than one.
ARCHIE WILSON AND GEORGE STODDART
Wilson played halfback for Churchie last year but he can play fly half as well – and has been doing so in a ever-changing line up which benefits from the quick service of Farrar (see above).
There is no better man for the job than Wilson, and the tall Stoddart is another from the premiership winning Churchie (2022) side relishing a full season of colts rugby.
Both boys made our GPS rugby Team of the Year and can play.
ROAD AHEAD
Wests (home)
bye
Brothers (away)
PREDICTED RESULTS: One loss or two wins. It is a flip of a coin.
BOND UNIVERSITY
WIN-LOSS 5-8
Finals are still a possibility for Gold Coast boys but they will need to get to their work and get to it quick. MOre of the same is needed after last weekend’s 26-12 win over Norths.
KEY PLAYERS
SYRIS SCHMIDT
Fly half grand general Schmidt is both a tactical kicking genius and attacking ace who can set this backline alight or damage the opposition’s defensive line with his own incursions.
CALLUM SIMPSON
It’s hard to believe Simpson is still in school. He certainly doesn’t play like it. Playing well above his weight and age, inside centre Simpson has been one of Rico Gear’s best backs all season.
ROCCO GOLLINGS
Gollings is an exciting prospect. He is a footballer, a natural outside back with flair, pace and anticipation.
ROAD AHEAD
UQ (home)
GPS (away)
Souths (home)
PREDICTED RESULTS: Three losses
SUNNYBANK
WIN-LOSS 1-12
Injuries have plagued Sunnybank’s colts campaign but when you consider where the club was two years ago, coach Brendan Underwood and his players have done a good job. They just have to learn now to polish a promising position off and turn it into a win.
KEY PLAYERS
LOLO SEKONA
The physical Sekona can break tackles with his strength and quick footwork. His mobility is impressive at the flanker position.
JAYVAN SCARFF
Things have not been easy for the Dragons but Scarff and Harry Raff (both halfbacks) have been shining lights.
They are both starting calibre players.
ROAD AHEAD
GPS (home)
Souths (away)
Wests (home)
PREDICTED RESULTS: Three losses
PREMIER WOMEN
SUNNYBANK
WIN-LOSS 13-0
It does not get much better than 13 wins from 13 games. The only thing that could top that is a grand final appearance after losing 13-12 to premiers Bond University in last year’s semi final.
CHRISTINA SEKONA
An unforgiving defender, Sekona’s presence alone gives her teammates confidence.
ANA AFUIE
Afuie has been sharp as shark teeth all season and with Queensland Reds back Renae Nona back at first receiver, Sunnybank looked dangerous. The Sunnybank depth also allows for Afuie to shift into fly half, and Kasey Roiri into halfback.
ROAD AHEAD
GPS (home)
Souths (away)
Wests (home)
PREDICTED RESULTS: No losses
UNIVERSITY
WIN-LOSS 10-4
Who knew how good the Red Heavies would be this year? Obviously there was belief within the team but after missing the top four last year, the students are passing with flying colours.
KEY PLAYERS
GIVERNY ROBINSON
We won’t ramble, but Robinson is a nice prospect who just gets it.
At fullback, Robinson adds the finishing touches to the UQ backline.
AMY BRICE
Brice has a bit of everything in her bag of tricks. She makes the right reads, creates overlaps, finishes tries and is invaluableat the outside centre position.
CAITLIN URWIN
How good it must be to have this Queensland Reds backline utility in the mix.
Leave her open at your peril.
ROAD AHEAD
Bond University (away)
Norths (home)
bye
PREDICTED RESULTS: No loss
WESTS
WIN-LOSS 5-8
This team has talent, culture and a bright future. On the way up.
KEY PLAYERS
JESS NUGENT
Of course Nugent is the key – she is the trusted finisher who gets her team on the scoreboard.
Scored a hat-trick on Saturday.
GEMMA LAWRENCE AND MICHELLE CURRY
Wests have a mighty forward pack, but also Ferraris in the backline in these two.
Lawrence is lightning fast, and Curry is quick too – with a nice step to compliment it.
Hana Lane is one of the forward dynamos we are referencing above.
NATALIE JOHNSON AND JESSICA CRAIG
Wests have a nice one-two punch with its two halfbacks Johnson and Craig.
They are both quality players, and they have an edge with the energetic Craig coming off the bench – even though she is of starting quality.
ROAD AHEAD
Easts (away)
Brothers (home)
Sunnybank (away)
PREDICTED RESULTS: Two losses
SOUTHS
WIN-LOSS 5-8
It hasn’t been their season - until last Saturday when they produced a stunning 19-7 win over Easts.
All season Souths have come close in plenty of games, and the win will do wonders for their confidence.
It has been a new squad this season, with around 45 new girls into the squad and blooded 15 debutants on the way.
GEORGIA WILSON
If England rugby league international Wilson fires on her wing, Souths will close out 2023 on a high note.
ELLIE DRAPER
She would be in the scouting report of every opposition team and rightfully so. She’s a star.
MARY TUAANA
Mary Tuaana – the hooker who could play any position in the forward pack. She played No. 8 at the weekend and has been a trusted forward enforcer for coach David Baldwin all year.
ROAD AHEAD
Brothers (away)
Sunnybank (home)
Bond University (away)
PREDICTED RESULTS: Two losses
GPS
WIN-LOSS 8-5
Coach Mutch Kite will have his girls prepared for this do-it-all final stretch. But they will have their work cut out for them when they face No.1 seed Sunnybank and No.3 seed Bond University. Signs were good in a narrow loss to Easts last weekend, however.
KEY PLAYERS
SARAH LEWIS
Lewis will be awfully important for GPS down this final stretch. The halfback is in good form and her decision making in crunch time will work wonders for a GPS team trying to shift it to Heleina Young.
HELEINA YOUNG
Speed, speed and more speed. Do we need to write anything else? Young is a freakish talent who is getting better every game.
ADI UNAISI BIAU
The rock of the GPS backline. Biau, outside centre, works harder than anyone in defence and her front-on collisions and cover tackling has long impressed onlookers at Yoku road.
She is vital.
ROAD AHEAD
Sunnybank (away)
Bond University (home)
Norths (away)
PREDICTED RESULTS: One loss
EASTS
WIN-LOSS 7-7
Easts scored their biggest win of the season two weeks ago when beating GPS 27-17, then lost the next week to Souths. Go figure.
GEMMA SCHNAUBELT
A talented athlete, halfback Schnaubelt will have her hands on the ball as much as anyone.
LORETTA LEALIIFANO
Fly half Lealiffano will benefit from the service of Schnaubelt, and when Lealiifano has the ball anything is possible.
She makes scoring tries look effortless.
ROSIE EBBAGE AND HAIDEE HEAD
Easts will be in safe hands with the mobile Ebbage at No. 5 and Head at blindside flanker.
They will provide punch up the middle but they are both good linking players to the backs.
ROAD AHEAD
Wests (home)
bye
Brothers (away)
PREDICTED RESULTS: No losses
BOND UNIVERSITY
WIN-LOSS 9-3
How far they go depends on who lines up for them when it counts.
At full strength, the Bullsharks are a sight to see.
KEY PLAYERS
DIANNE WAIGHT
Waight has been there through thick and thin this season and with her lurking on the wing, Bond University will always be a threat. She has true speed.
LEILANI AHSAM
Still in school, the talented Ahsam will have her finger on the trigger at fly half.
The King’s Christian College talent, who is a strong runner of the ball, is more than capable.
JAIDA FALEONO
A graduate from the Keebra Park Girls Sport Academy, Faleono is a Nerang Roosters junior who Bond are lucky to have.
One-on-one, it’s best not to get in her way.
ZOE HANNA AND JEMMA BEMROSE
Like Rosie Ebbage and Haidee head of Easts, Hanna and Bemrose provide Bond a lethal combination.
Players who are strong on both sides of the ball, Hanna and Bemrose can often be seen winning lineouts, taking kick offs, and crossing the advantage line.
ROAD AHEAD
UQ (home)
GPS (away)
Souths (home)
PREDICTED RESULTS: One loss
BROTHERS
WIN-LOSS 2-11
Brothers have been big improvers this season. The team’s win-loss record does not set the world on fire, but trust us, as a group Brothers have progressed forward at pace and have several representative players in the making. Improved depth is evident when the team’s bench players successfully inject themselves into the fray.
KEY PLAYERS
Mabel Johnston
Tight five forward Mabel Johnston is a strong ball carrying forward and powerful in set pieces while prop Mina Poletti has also been a strong hand.
Faalalototinga Samalia has been a tremendous athlete who is damaging in loose play and a strong defender.
Becky Davidson
Brothers have some very promising backs - but the Davidson-Brittany Brown is a very difficult centre-fullback combination to contain. Hats off also to inside centre Lydia Durkin and halfback Jordan Manega
Flanker Haddasha Todd is a rising young star, while the experienced Grace Sullivan has been a guiding hand to the younger players.
ROAD AHEAD
Souths (home)
Wests (away)
Easts (home)
PREDICTED RESULTS: Four losses but capable of an upset.
NORTHS
WIN-LOSS 0-14
Despite low numbers, injuries and all the rest of it, Norths had put a team forward all season until last round.
Hats off to them.
KEY PLAYERS
Lacey Fairley at No.10 has been a great leader. She has girls trying hard either side of her and has been a real glue player.
REBEKAH PULEA
Pulea’s defence has been a shining light for Norths this season. Full of intensity, the menacing Pulea is technically devastating.
ROAD AHEAD
bye
UQ
GPS
PREDICTED RESULTS: Two losses
Originally published as Colts, women’s club rugby: The road ahead plus 60 key players
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