Four codes, 100 schoolgirl stars glimpsed this year
We saw future Matildas, Suns and Lions rookies, budding NRLW talents and Rugby 7s stunners over four codes of footy in South East Queensland this season. Here are 100 schoolgirl stars we glimpsed across league, union, soccer and Aussie rules in 2023.
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What does the likes of Ebony Raftstrand-Smith, Havana Harris, Tully Heatley, Jonti Fisher, Dekota Baron, Ava Usher, Malaela Su’a, and Sienna Ibrahim have in common despite playing across four different codes?
MEET THE QUEENSLAND SCHOOLGIRL LEAGUE PLAYERS
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN FRIDAY’S SCHOOLS PREMIER LEAGUE FINALS
They all caught our eye as outstanding schoolgirl sporting talents in matches we saw across the four codes of footy – rugby league, football, Australian rules and rugby union.
In this story we name 100 players who impressed us most in 2023, some of whom will certainly progress onto television screens later this decade as they progress into A-League, NRLW, AFLW and Reds rugby.
RUGBY LEAGUE
Ebony Raftstrand-Smith (Keebra Park SHS)
The Auckland born Raftstrand-Smith was an Australian Schoolgirls wonder this season who attended Keebra Park SHS.
Raftstrand-Smith has good pace and a sense to run into a hole, but what we loved most about her was her hard hitting defence. She has a great tackle technique and hit like a Mac Truck. Signed by the Cowboys, Raftstrand-Smith and sister Tiana are rising stars of the game.
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala (Marsden SHS)
The Marsden SHS outside back was an Australian Schoolgirls rep whose power off the mark, speed and stepping has long been a standout of her game.
Malaela Su’a (Mabel Park SHS)
The ultra talented Mabel Park Year 12 student who played BMD premiership footy with the Tigers at the beginning of the year before being signed by the Titans.
A powerful prop with immense potential, Logan Brothers junior Su’a has been selected in the Samoan national team as a teenager.
You can imagine how good she is.
Nadia Windleborn (Merrimac State High School)
Robina Raptors junior Nadia Windleborn was the Queensland Schoolgirls hooker this year and is a Titans Academy talent.
She is quick between the ears and has a strong pass.
Montaya Hudson (Marsden SHS)
Originally from Townsville, Hudson lit up the Titans Cup last season playing with Marsden SHS when she played her way into the Queensland and Australian schoolgirls teams. She has been an x-factor player for the Tigers and unfortunately had an injury which kept her out of Nationals this year.
Fleur Ginn (Stretton State College)
A rising rugby league star who has a turn of speed and explosiveness unlike many we have seen in her age group.
A junior Commonwealth Games rugby sevens talent, Ginn does not need to have many touches of the ball to impact the game because when she does get it there’s a good chance she scores.
Armani-Lea Auvae (Murrumba State Secondary College)
Pine Central junior Auvae is a rough and tumble prop who played her way into the Australian Schoolgirls after an excellent under 19s season with the Redcliffe Dolphins and then a strong showing at this year’s Nationals at Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe.
Tavarna Papalii (Keebra Park State High School)
Ebony Raftstrand-Smith’s partner in crime is this elite Keebra Park lock who is dynamic, capable of an offload an a great leader.
The Sydney Roosters signee knows the ins-and-outs of the game so well.
India Seeto (Marsden SHS)
Not many can boast what two-time Australian Schoolgirl rep Seeto can. In fact only Papalii (above) can. The Marsden SHS Year 12 is powerful with footy smarts and a knack for scoring.
Alice Shannon (Mabel Park SHS)
Are we looking at the discovery player of the year? The answer is yes.
Still only in Year 11, bulldozing prop Shannon played in the countries best schoolgirls rugby league team this year (Mabel Park) and made the Australian Schoolgirls team after being called up into the Queensland team as a late inclusion.
Reegan Hicks (Australian Christian College Moreton)
Like Shannon, Hicks is a ripping Year 11 talent who earned Queensland Schoolgirls selection after a strong club season where she did everything at an elite level.
Tall and hard to bring down, Hicks has tremendous upside and is a bright prospect from the Caboolture region.
Aspen Nakao Metropolitan East
The Pine central junior and Redcliffe Dolphins under 19s fullback was a crowd-favourite in the club season, impressing with her speed, kicking game, and toughness which saw her gain Queensland Schoolgirls selection.
Relna Wuruki-Hosea (Ipswich Girls’ Grammar)
From Badu Island in the Torres Straits, Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School winger Hosea has been one of the top players in her age group for years now.
So quick with even more strength, Hosea played for the Ipswich Jets earlier in the year and has a future in the NRLW.
Jaida Faleono (Keebra Park SHS)
A sporting all-rounder from Keebra Park SHS who can mix it with the best in both rugby league and rugby, where she played a big part in Bond University’s back-to-back club premierships.
Kate Ellem (Chancellor State College)
Kate Ellem is one of Australia’s brightest touch football prospects having represented both the Queensland Secondary Schools (Fire) and the Australian 18 Girls team at the Atlantic Cup.
From Chinchilla, Ellem is a future Emus player who could excel in rugby league as well such is her natural ability.
Lila Parr (Chancellor State College)
New to rugby league, Parr was slight of frame but hit strongly in defence and had a glorious long pass as part of her armoury. She also had plenty of toe and is a promising rookie.
Lenniece Wright (Deception Bay SHS)
A hard-running second rower who is tough as teak.
Bolstered by headgear, Wright is the first point of call when metres are needed and she was a Queensland Schoolgirl representative.
Esther Pedro (Ipswich SHS)
The agile Queensland schoolgirls halfback has great guidance under legendary player and coach Veronica White at Ipswich SHS and her development showed when she was one of the most threatening, running halves at Nationals.
Nazlyn Waaka-Rhind (Mabel Park State High School)
The premiership winning fullback was a try scoring whiz throughout the season, culminating in her Queensland under 16 selection.
Alyssa McCarthy (Marsden SHS)
We glimpsed her late in the season after she returned from injury, but outside back McCarthy is an elite youth talent who started the year sounding alarms through the Harvey Norman under 19s competition.
Amanii Misa (Mabel Park SHS)
Misa could play middle or edge – but regardless she is an outstanding young forward who represented the Queensland under 16s.
Danielle Tutakangahau (Mabel Park)
Tutakangahau was the outstanding halves player in the Titans Schools Cup, guiding her team to an extraordinary grand final victory – and then onto state and national glory.
Lili Lewis (Marsden State High School)
She is only a rookie, but has rugby league IQ you simply cannot teach. She played No. 6 for the Queenland under 16s.
Janique Mili (Marsden State High School)
Mili is an elite outside back who was used off the bench as an interchange shock player for Queensland’s under 16s. Watch out when she plays fullback for Marsden and comes down the middle off Lili Lewis – mentioned above. They make a dynamic duo.
Shalom Sauaso (Ipswich SHS)
Sauaso is a schoolgirl prodigy who is just remarkable. She is a young veteran who already has vast rugby and rugby league experience. A wonderful natural player with or without the ball.
Signed by the Broncos, Sauaso is one of the most promising coming out of the Ipswich region – and there are plenty. Earlier this year she was also named in the Australian rugby seven-a-side under 16 side.
Other star performers we saw this season: Ella O’Dea (Ipswich SHS), Orianna Clark (Ipswich SHS), Delilah Eliu (Mabel Park SHS), Lily Vaitolo (Mabel Park SHS), Mhia Taylor (Keebra Park), Harlem Walker (Mabel Park), Ella Jaye Harrison (Ipswich SHS), Kiarah Siauane (Mabel Park), Dmaris Setu (Ipswich SHS), Sky Faimalie (Ipswich SHS), Lina Tanielu (Ipswich SHS), Sarina Masaga (Keebra Park), Isla Bristowe (Keebra Park), Jamie-Lee Anaru (Keebra Park), Taylah Fuiava (Keebra Park)
Footnote: She is not from south east Queensland, but we just had to mention Emily Bella (Mackay) and Paityne Johns (St Patrick’s College Mackay). The pocket dynamo Johns is a jinking hooker who is explosive, tough as nails and lethal either as a starter or boost off the bench. Bella was a glorious halfback with kicking skills.
AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL
Havana Harris (Bond Uni)
The 17-year-old Burleigh junior was again the best age group player we saw this season. She won All Australian under 18 selection after snaring the AFL National Championships Best of Fairest award. She averaged 18.3 disposals (9.3 contested), three marks and 17 hit-outs. A key forward or ruck, the imposing Harris also produced a BoG effort for the premiership winning Bond University QAFLW side.
Kiara Bischa (PBC SHS)
Bischa was magnificent for PBC SHS down back throughout the school season, including during the recent Schools Cup triumph. The All Australian under 18 representative and Suns Academy player has shut down some of the best in the league this season.
Allanah Welsh (Burleigh)
Centre half forward Welsh was one of the best of the best we saw this season playing for Burleigh in the under 17s and for Queensland at the under 18 nationals. It was no surprise to see her bob up on QSchools Cup grand final day with a BoG performance for Palm Beach Currumbin SHS.
Ava Usher (Bond Uni)
The baby of the all-Australian team, 16-year-old Usher continued to climb mountains in the footy world where her explosive speed impacts matches. The rover is a Gold Coast Suns academy player.
Sunny Lappin (Hillcrest Christian College)
Lappin was again a dynamo, starring for the Suns Academy under 16s and for Queensland under 18s at the AFL nationals.
Dekota Baron (Broadbeach Cats)
Gold Coast Suns contracted from sporting rich Logan City, this All Australian player has a dynamic vertical leap and clearly has a big future. The Park Ridge SHS student continued to develop her all around game with stints in the ruck. One of the very, very best we glimpsed this season.
Alicia Gordon (Surfers Paradise)
We have almost run out of superlatives in describing Gordon’s play this season around the centre. Put it this way, she was one of the first players chosen in our Team of the Season in September.
Harlee McIlwain (Victoria Point)
The Cleveland SHS was absolutely outstanding for the premiers Victoria Point this season. She played a lot of centre half forward where her great overhead marking and vertical leap came into play. She also had a nice turn of speed.
Billi Hutton (Tweed Coast Northern Rivers Tigers)
What a season she had in the ruck. The Queensland representative had a booming under 17 campaign with her beloved Tigers, where she captained her side to the Div 2 premiership. Keep a watch out on this kid who is originally from Murwillumbah Vulcans. She is a Suns Academy talent.
Jemma Foley (Maroochydore)
Foley was seriously good, very good this season. Playing up from her age group, she was outstanding as a half back flanker.
Mia Geere (Wilston Grange)
A Clayfield College student, Geere the Lions Academy player displayed sublime skills, terrific versatility and an ability to read the game. She is a Rolls Royce player of her age group.
Allannah McNally (Tweed Coast Northern Rivers Tigers)
How blessed will the Tigers be to have McNally playing in her third successive season in the club’s under 17s. From the beautiful Ballina region, McNally was Best and Fairest in her league down there. He is an ace rover.
Georja Davies (Southport)
A Suns Academy player, Davies is a terrific all-rounder from a well known sporting family. In footy, she was eligible for the under 17s but only played for the Suns and in seniors. She is a very good runner that can play anywhere on the ground.
Annabella Foat (Broadbeach)
A ruck rover of the highest order, Foat set a standard the opposition struggled to compete with. The 2022 All Australian selection is footy smart and leads by example.
Tara Harrington (PBC SHS)
Another Palm Beach Currumbin SHS young gun, Harrington is simply the best when it comes to top age school level footy players. The hard running Queensland under 18 representative was as good as it got around the middle and at times up forward.
Nakiesha Drew-Perkiss (Tweed Coolangatta)
Drew-Perkiss was a true all-rounder across half back, playing both a shutting down role while being courageous and desperate for every ball.
Olivia Petrillo (Victoria Point)
Another of Trevor Mayhew premiership winning squad, Petrillo was a full forward who attacked the ball hard. Her progress was a great personal triumph after she transformed herself from a midfielder.
Izzy Lowe (Burleigh)
Lowe was absolutely elite for Burleigh this season, starring as a full forward. She and teammate Welsh, mentioned earlier, were a class above.
Sienna Ibrahim (Coorparoo)
A midfield player, she had the motor of a triathlete and the skills of an elite midfielder. She helped the Brisbane Lions under 16 academy to its championship division win and is an elite talent. She was a City rugby league representative, an U16 Australian Rugby 7 merit team selection and a U18 Australian Rugby 7 shadow player. She attends Brisbane State High School.
Harriet Knijiff (Victoria Point)
Midfield and forward, Harriet was a “run all day type’’ who was a possession gathering machine.
Edie McCabe (Wests Juniors)
Just a rookie, McCabe was a genuine target who was always on the score sheet. Wests had a big season and McCabe was one of the reasons for their success down at Oakman Park.
Peppa Savins (Tweed Coast Northern Rivers Tigers)
A Suns Academy signed player, the Murwillumbah Vulcans juniors was one of Steve Foreman’s best at the Tweed Tigers this season. We glimpsed her playing in the under 17 competition as a forward, although she is an under 15 player.
Aleah Stringer (Tweed Coolangatta)
Stringer was just a classy player with wonderful skills who, importantly, could ice the cake in front of goals.
Shyla Bauer (Southport)
Bauer is a terrific young player who we could not help but admire playing halfback flank. We would not be surprised if she played senior football in 2024 – despite being eligible for the under 17s again. She easily won Southport’s under 17 Best and Fairest.
Chloe Campbell (Victoria Point)
Campbell was a midfield marvel for the Sharks, someone who never panicked under pressure during their premiership push.
Sammy Snowden and Nikkie Shaw (Wests Juniors)
As defenders, Snowden and Shaw would put their bodies on the line for their teammates. They were both 100 per cent committed to the cause, willing to play through a bump and the ultimate effort players.
Allira Palmucci (Tweed Coolangatta)
A half back flanker or forward, Palmucci’s intercept marking stood out. Importantly she could also go forward and kick accurately.
Chaise Montey (Surfers Paradise)
With Montey locking up centre half back, it is little wonder Surfers were a benchmark side this season.
Sophia Allen (Wilston Grange)
Another Lions Academy player, Allen would play half back, centre half back or on the ball with ease and was also fierce in the contact.
Anneliese Neary (Victoria Point)
A midfielder and defender, Neary is a hard running player who gets plenty of the ball. She is in the Lions L3 Academy.
Lataya De Pauw (Maroochydore)
A half back flanker or a midfielder of the highest order, De Pauw has been identified by the Lions and it is little wonder. She is a running machine.
Amelia Ella (Tweed Coast Northern Rivers Tigers)
Ella is an outstanding powerhouse player across the centre line structure, a player whose work rate is second to none. She has been the Tigers under 15 captain for two seasons, and was the league’s best and fairest winner in 2023. The Tigers’ captain, her efforts playing up in the 17s team this season contributed to the Tigers premiership win.
Annie Wallace (Victoria Point)
Victoria Point’s stunning last quarter of the season surge was a team effort, and one of the finest was this half back flanker.
Sophie David (Sherwood)
Noted for being hard at the ball, David was always in the thick of action and when she broke free, delivered the goods with a booming left foot.
Kaetsi-Eva French (Sandgate)
As a fullback or key defender, French was as good as it got. She was smart, skilled and someone who could just find the ball. Her speciality was repelling from the backline.
Nyalli Milne (Burleigh)
Another Suns Academy player, the Varsity College student possesses speed and agility as a winger or forward. She has elite foot skills.
Mia Tempest (Victoria Point) and Tiffany O’Keefe (Victoria Point)
O’Keeffe was a centre half back, tough and aggressive who has a tremendous kick. It is no coincidence premierships have accompanied her career. Tempest was always among the Sharks top handful of players.
Sophie Schultz (Maroochydore)
The Roos academy player was one of the best in the business this season.
Ebony Milne (Victoria Point)
We did not see as much of this midfield/forward in the under 17s as we wanted, but a glimpse of this Brisbane Lions Academy Level 3 program athlete was enough to get her on our list. She had clean hands and overhead marking skills.
Tyra Bell Brooks and Georgia Hunt (Victoria Point)
Bell Brooks was a halfback flanker and premiership winner who read the game like a fortune teller while Hunt was top notch for the Sharks.
Lyla Harrison (Coorparoo)
As a half forward flanker or mid fielder for the Roos, Harrison was the everywhere girl, full of energy, leading the way.
Annabel Peacock (Sherwood)
Who brother is a young gun and so is she. As mid fielder or half forward flanker, Peacock lost nothing in comparison with anyone in the competition. Her brother is a young gun and so is she.
Montannah Fabian (Coorparoo)
Fabian was a huge presence in the ruck, a player with a big fuel tank and terrific skills overhead. Her kicking was also precise.
Clara Cooke (Victoria Point)
Cooke played wing or halfback and was renowned for reading the play. She also had a sensational kick and handed ball superbly.
Audrey Pickup (Sherwood)
Another elite winger, Pickup also had stint at half forward flank and shone in either position for the mighty Magpies who had a good season playing finals football.
Sienna Burnham (Broadbeach)
Burham was a quiet work horse, someone who could be described as slightly underrated – although this is not a tag her club mate peers would put alongside her name. They rate her highly.
Sophie Dunne, Eliza Haigh and Ila Streeter (Yeronga)
This terrific trio were the backbone of Yeronga’s season, relentless in the mid field, tough and great distribyers. Streeter played her 100th match for the club this year.
Other six star performers this season that we saw were:
Forwards
Jess Riley (Victoria Point)
Summer Hamilton (Wilston Grange)
Coco Colefax, Milly Morris, Layka Scholl, Heidi Grimster, Sundara Seymour, Tanesa Browning (all Tweed Coast Northern Rivers Tigers
Midfield
Aasha Elliott (Suns)
Evie Emmett (Tweed Coolangatta)
Bronte Parker (Burleigh)
Charlotte Russell (Wests Juniors)
Marlee Marshall (Maroochydore)
Wren Hynes (Tweed Coast Tigers)
Emmerson Brady (Coorparoo)
Tayden Tomish (Sherwood)
Izzy Boucher (Tweed Coolangatta)
Mado Power, Heidi Grimster (Tweed Coast Northern Rivers Tigers)
Erin Lanyon, Ava Henderson (Tweed Coast Northern Rivers Tigers)
Ruck
Millar Brosnan (Burleigh)
Maddie Pfitzner (Wests Juniors)
Ash Rettenmaier (Tweed Coast Northern Rivers Tigers)
Halfback
Stormie Holub Huttenun (Wests Juniors)
Aasha Elliot (Surfers)
Bonnie Starling, Savannah Hampson, Elise Devery, Bree Puntigam (all Tweed Coast Northern Rivers Tigers)
Wing
Ava Ambler (Coorparoo)
Sienna Wilson (Yeronga)
Sienna Maroussiti (Yeronga)
Summer Browning, Hannah Jocumsen (Tweed Coast Northern Rivers Tigers)
Centre half forward
Georgia Lwin (Wests Juniors)
Claire Fraser (Yeronga)
Centre half back
Chloe Harrison (Coorparoo)
Eva White (Tweed Coolangatta)
Back Pockets: Olive Obryan, Zoe Hastings (both Tweed Coast Northern Rivers Tigers)
Fullbacks: Ash Rettenmaier, Lucy Grant (Tweed Coast Northern Rivers Tigers)
Backline: Olive Obryan, Zoe Hastings (Tweed Coast Northern Rivers Tigers)
Defenders
Josie Plath (Broadbeach)
Eva White (Tweed Coolangatta)
Skye Howells (Surfers)
Josie Plath (Broadbeach)
Emma Bracegirdle (Coorparoo)
Nickkie Shaw (Wests Juniors)
Wildcard watch for the future: Keep an eye on Tilly Smith, who was the Primary Female BOG (Marymount Primary School) winner in the QSchools Cup.
The other BOG performer on grand final day was Natalie Whatman (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS).
Zoe Petrides (Morningside)
Keep an eye out for this Stretton State College student who is doing all the right things at the moment.
SOCCER
Tully Heatley (Kelvin Grove State College)
A Future Matildas selection, Heatley (and Jonti Fisher, see below) was the best schoolgirl midfielder we saw, someone who had an influence on Kelvin Grove’s Schools Premier League premiership.
Jonti Fisher (Kelvin Grove State College)
An outstanding winger, this Future Matildas squad member is also a lethal attacking weapon. She has made the Australian U18s team
Emily Ferroussat (Chancellor State College)
A Queensland Aacademy of Sport player, Ferroussat is noted for her consistency, composure and aggression.
Chelsea Fairbairn (Cleveland District)
A QAS representative, Fairbairn will bring experience and high skill to her team’s campaign. She plays at the back for QAS, but for her school will push forward to get the side on the front foot.
Charlee Webber (Cleveland District)
With a long reach and a gritty spirit, goal keeper Webber was unbeatable in her team’s successive’s bid for the Schools Premier League premiership.
Ashlee Hyman (Cleveland District)
Hyman was a three goal hero for the bayside school on grand final day, scoring two late goals – including one from a header.
Ashleigh Adamson (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS)
An attacking midfielder, Adamson played her way into the under 19 Queensland schoolgirls team.
Majellah Cedric (Marsden SHS)
The midfielder or forward from Souths United is athletic, a genuine goal scorer with acceleration, a desire to work hard, and skills.
Holly Bonertz-Benn (Kelvin Grove State College)
The QAS women's schoolgirl ace is a great finisher and composed passer who has a high football IQ. She is a Queensland schoolgirls under 18 side selection.
Kate Bonertz-Benn (Kelvin Grove State College)
Hard working and super fit, fullback Bonertz-Benn can run all day. The 2023 Queensland schoolgirls selection has a great delivery into the box.
Daisey Bateman (Kelvin Grove State College)
A winger and fullback with great skills, Bateman is football smart and an elite finisher.
Khelistar Kumitau (Marsden SHS)
The Olympic FC midfielder or defender is the first person you want defending one-on-one because she has an ability to read the game before needing to implement her two footed skills.
Xiana Ludwig (Kelvin Grove State College)
An admirer of Matildas star Mary Fowler, Ludwig has a big motor – and it is not surprising given her cross country and athletic background. She is a real natural football talent and has vision on the football pitch
Violet McKee (Kelvin Grove State College)
Yet another from the Kelvin Grove State College Football Excellent program, centre back McKee is calm in a crisis, strong with good vision. She is a Queensland schoolgirls under 18 side selection.
Hayley Campbell (Kelvin Grove State College—
Centre back Campbell is a wonderful passer, a dream teammate of players given her ability to deliver the goods. She is calm and a renowned strong player.
Other star performers we saw this season were Jessica Riley (Cleveland District), Abbie Lutton (Kawana Waters State College), Susanna Peck (Chancellor State College) and the following:
Katie Sherar (Chancellor State College)
A strong, two-footed player who leaves nothing out on the park. She gives her all.
Eleanor Dean (Chancellor State College)
A player with SC Wanderers women’s experience, Dean is quick, is a great one-on-one defender.
Daniella Casey Poila (Murrumba State Secondary College)
The young centre back was strong, composed and determined.
Kyla Hanson (Cleveland District)
Hanson missed the Schools Premier League grand final due to representative commitments, but prior to her departure for Dubai she played her way into the Queensland schoolgirls side.
Chelsea Rock ((Murrumba State Secondary College)
The hard working winger was a target player during the Schools Premier League.
Alexis Chapman (Murrumba State Secondary College)
With lovely finishing touches, Chapman was a clinical striker with a tenacious side to her.
RUGBY UNION
The Queensland women’s 7s program has never looked stronger with this Super Seven of talent – Amahli Hala (Bond club, Kings Christan College), Heidi Dennis (John Paul College), Leilani Hills (BSHS), code crossing Montaya Hudson (Marsden SHS), Ava Wereta (Bond club, Kings Christan College), Tayla Sykes (UQ club, St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School) and young fly half Ava Wereta who was a member of the Youth Commonwealth Games 7s side.
Ava Wereta and Amahli-Sieli Hala have considerable international experience, having started as part of the King’s Christian College’s Rugby 7s girls’ team that recently won the 2023 SANIX World Youth Rugby Championships. Might we add they were also valued members of the Youth Commonwealth Games 7s side.
Hala is already a real talent, having shone like a beacon in a Maroons jersey and in headgear.
She is strong, fast, has the ability to see, create and pounce on space.
Wereta is a young gun fly half who has been in the Bond University system under champion coach Lawrence Faifua.
Lucinda Bourke
St Margaret’s Anglican Girl’s School product Bourke had been identified by cricket authorities as one of the most promising players in her age group, but she is a fantastic seven-a-side rugby talent as well.
This year Bourke was a member of the Youth Commonwealth Games 7s side. Not bad for a under 15 years Cricket Australia Development Squad member.
Heidi Dennis
From sporting rich Logan City, Dennis has been both a rising rugby player and also a Queensland Academy of Sport Football Squad member. Aside of football the Easts Tigers rugby player is also a talented hockey player and is a regular finalist at national track and field meets, including winning 200m hurdles, shot put and high jump at the Queensland titles.
Fleur Ginn (Stretton State College) was mentioned above but she is so good we had to mention her again.
A Youth Commonwealth Games 7s player, Ginn is a Broncos Academy player who would fit right into the Reds Super W team.
Rhani Hagan
Hagan is in year 10 at St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School. An elite track and field sprinter, she is blessed with electric speed and with the ball in hand, she is a danger to most players defending her.
Hagan has a fantastic right-to-left pass that threatens teams, where she has the ability to throw cut-out balls to the wing.
She was a member of the Youth Commonwealth Games 7s side and her sister Zara is also a tremendous athlete.
Leilani Hills
Brisbane State High alumni Leilani Hills is one of the top athletes in the state. An elite touch footballer as well as potential NRLW and Rugby Sevens player, Hills is a very talent hurdler and in space good luck catching her.
Charlize Ratu
The King’s Christian College, Reedy Creek talent is tall, strong, and has a turn of speed which has worked wonders on the wing for the Bond University Bullsharks.
A Year 12 student, Ratu has been a staple in Faifua’s back-to-back premiership winning Bullsharks team and will only get better.
Tylah Magele
Magele played for Premier Women grand finalists Sunnybank this year and as the baby of the team, she was impressive.
She was versatile, playing flanker and second row in the competition’s best team during the home-and-away season.
Jazlyn Leota
An up-and-coming outside centre from Brothers who can score tries and appear out of nowhere to make try-saving cover tackles.
She is quick, gutsy and brimming with potential.
Holly Thompson
We will be hearing more of Year 11 student Thompson in years to come that is for sure.
A tenacious, tough and uncompromising flanker, Thompson, at just 16 years of age, started a ton of games for the Wests Bulldogs this season.
Other emerging schoolgirls who we are excited to see more from in Bulldogs colours include Olly Georgas, Dani Martens and Ella Duncombe
Open Australian schoolgirl 7s selections
Indianha Frawley, St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School
Isla Talau, Keebra Park State High School
Under 16 Australian 7s selections
Fa’agase Tupuola-Palale, Kings Christian College
Kaelyn Passi, Marsden State High School
Madison Pomerenke, James Nash State High School
Originally published as Four codes, 100 schoolgirl stars glimpsed this year
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