Harvey Norman women’s under-17 and 19 Teams of the Week
A Broncos signed schoolgirl and two Northern Rivers raiders from the Tweed Seagulls were among the first players picked in the round 1 Harvey Norman U19 and U17 girls Teams of the Week. Read the latest here.
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Devastating Souths Logan Magpies lock Alessana Betham popped out of a box to be one of the first players chosen in the Harvey Norman U17 girls team of the week following a stirring round 1 of club rugby league last Saturday.
Betham, who is in the Broncos Academy, was a highlight package player with her destructive running paving the way for a 40-6 win over the brave Wynnum Manly girls.
MENINGA, CONNELL CUPS: TEAMS OF THE WEEK
In a bumper team of the week side chock-full of current and future representative footballers, Betham and her right centre Afeena Faamafu were hattrick heroes after scoring more than half of the Magpies total between them.
Aside from making the team of the week named below, dynamic duo Betham and Faamafu are also part of a round 1 Super Six of under-17s players. The Super Six are Betham, Faamafu (Souths Logan), classy halfback Torah Luadaka (Tweed), edge forward and Pride captain Elishama Suavai, Sedeequa Nelson (Clydesdales) and Jets rake Tahli Flux.
The under-19s Super Six players of the round featured three-try terror Harlem Walker (Souths Logan), boundless fullback Jennifer Kimber (Cutters), former Australian Schoolgirls centre Phoenix-Raine Hippi (Tweed Seagulls), a juking Joshalynn Walker (Tweed Seagulls), fierce fullback Taya Bowie (Wynnum Manly) and last but not least, defensive powerhouse Namoe Gesa (Tigers).
HARVEY NORMAN U19 SUPER SIX
Harlem Walker (Souths Logan)
Walker was dynamic on the left edge. The powerful Walker swatted away five players during a 60m sprint to score the first of her three tries, and scored two tries from 15m out.
Her third try of which was crucial as opponents Wynnum Manly had narrowed the score to 20-14.
With the power and strength she possesses, coupled with her mobility, Walker looms as an influential player this season.
Jennifer Kimber (Cutters)
Jennifer Kimber ended last season as the best centre in the competition, and she is striving to be the best No.1 in the competition this year following a positional switch to the back of the field.
The move paid dividends on the weekend as Kimber benefited from the outstanding work of her forwards Ella Cronin-Flanagan, Selina Cowley and Mele Tupou.
A smoother operator, Kimber hails from Moranbah where she did everything from long jump in little athletics to netball.
She has a keen football sense and will love being around the ball this season.
Phoenix-Raine Hippi (Tweed Seagulls)
What a highlight it is each season watching this schoolgirl from Ballina Coast High School play.
She is a Lamborghini of female rugby league, a glorious runner with pace and grace.
Her creation of a try for fellow outside back Joshalynn Walker was highlight reel stuff.
Under pressure, Roberts-Hickling chipped a brilliant exit ball down the field, which was chased down by an absolutely flying Walker who ran the length of the field to score just before half time. You cannot coach against a move.
Joshalynn Walker (Tweed Seagulls)
Like her outside back buddy Hippi, mentioned above, Walker is a Northern Rivers raider who is an exciting enhancement to the Tweed U17s.
A thrilling finisher and hard worker, Walker hails from the Casino district where she has been lighting up the rugby league fields.
The Gold Coast Titans are onto the Casino Cougars ace.
Earlier this year she represented the U17’s Future Titans against the Newcastle Knights, winning the player of the match award.
Taya Bowie (Wynnum Manly)
A pocket rocket, the fullback caused Souths Logan’ defence headaches with her willingness to be involved.
The Magpies had a big pack, but Bowie made herself a small target around the middle where her energy added greatly to the Seagulls’ almost pulling off a major upset.
Originally from St Margaret Mary’s College, Townsville, Bowie was in everything, was sharp with the ball and cover defended as well to save potential tries.
Namoe Gesa (Tigers)
At Langlands Park, right centre Namoe Gesa was a game changer. Albeit her whole team was on song, but Gesa’s jamming defence was jarring at times, so strongly did she defend.
A defensive brute, Gesa played with a chip on her shoulder and spearheaded an impressive right edge division that included second rower Kayleen Takai and Rosa-Millan Lefono (wing).
Gesa also had her hand in a wonderfully worked team try and scored a beauty of her own.
HARVEY 19S TEAM OF THE WEEK
1. Jen Kimber (Cutters)
2. Phoenix-Raine Hippi (Tweed Seagulls)
3. Brianna Toopi (Bears)
4. Namoe Gesa (Tigers)
5. Joshalynn Walker (Tweed Seagulls)
6. Judy Crosby (Falcons)
7. Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa (Jets)
8. Grace Maxwell (Tweed)
9. Nadia Windleborn (Bears)
10. Lishainah Ulugia (Tigers)
11. Harlem Walker (Magpies)
12. Easther Mikaele (Blackhawks)
13. Amanii Misa (Magpies)
14. Taya Bowie (Wynnum Manly)
15. Ella Cronin-Flanagan (Cutters)
16. Fleur Ginn (Tigers)
17. Lili Douglas (Wynnum Manly)
18. Zoe Robson (Clydesdales)
19. Takoda Thompson (Falcons)
20. Madison Morris (Norths)
Special mentions: Olivia Fletcher (Blackhawks), Mele Tupou (Cutters), Keira Rangi (Magpies), Nikeisha Ngaru (Magpies), Rosa-Millan Lefono (Tigers), Selina Cowley (Cutters), Nazlyn Waaka-Rhind (Magpies), Seini Piutau (Magpies), Porche John (Tigers) Jacinta Neemia (Norths), Bailey Sorbello (Norths), Keely Pitt (Cutters), Bella Thompson (Bears).
HARVEY NORMAN U17 SUPER SIX
Alessana Betham (Souths Logan)
Signed by the Brisbane Broncos, Betham is a Stretton State College student who knows who roles well and who puts her team first.
Aged just 15, she has a promising future if she continues to work hard - something she is known for doing.
Her running game was a highlight as she displayed speed, power and footwork. She was hard to hold.
Torah Luadaka (Tweed)
Luadaka, the young woman with the Midas touch, was the player who delivered her side its last minute 24-20 win over Redcliffe.
With a show and go reminiscent of the great Queenslander Johnathan Thurston, halfback Luadaka broke the line 50m out and, off balance, fired a pass backwards to her hooker Diamond Graham who scored under the posts. Luadaka then landed her fourth conversion.
Earlier she created a try for Cienna Dumas after being put onto the front foot by her hooker Graham, and later outlasted the Redcliffe defenders during a 90m sprint to the line.
Afeena Faamafu (Magpies)
Faamafu is signed by the Roosters and it is little wonder why.
An under age player in the competition, running from centre caused no end of headaches for the plucky Wynnum defence.
She was threatening in backline sweeps, but was also prepared to shake things up and take dummy half runs at either end of the ground.
Faamafu comes from rugby league heartland - Logan City, where she is a junior of the Waterford West club which was at the forefront of developing so many girls wanting to play junior rugby league.
Elishama Suavai (Northern Pride)
Suavai produced a tremendous match in a losing side, leading by example from second row.
A 2024 U17 Queensland Country representative, the Cairns West State School product has been an athletic marvel who came through Little Athletics and the Karyn Murphy Cup.
She was a tower of strength last season for the Pride, and her edge running was against a handful for the opposition to handle.
The Pride have a good one in this young woman.
Sedeequa Nelson (Clydesdales)
Up on the Sunshine Coast, Clydesdales playmaker Sedeequa Nelson played her heart out to give her team the edge.
The goalkicking halfback, also a Darling Downs schoolgirls representative last year, scored two tries and created another which was scored by Isabelle Duncombe when she offloaded in contact.
Nelson scored a 70m intercept stunner against the run of play which was another turning point moment.
Tahli Flux (Ipswich)
Tahli Flux was a dummyhalf dynamo at the North Ipswich Reserve on Saturday, sparking the Jets attack with her carries and support play.
Flux, named at No.14 because Tigers hooker Enah Desic was very impressive, scored two tries and defended with a ferocity that precedes her small stature.
Her boundless energy and general game awareness raised the standard of the match. The boundless Jannali Wyles-Entermann was also prominent at fullback, creating tries and stopping them, when the Bulls had countless consecutive sets in the first half.
HARVEY 17S TEAM OF THE WEEK
1. Shar-Lene Nati (Dolphins)
2. Ashlynn Self (Capras)
3. Afeena Faamafu (Magpies)
4. Jannali Wyles-Entermann (Jets, played fullback)
5. Sailor Bowker (Falcons)
6. Sedeequa Nelson (Clydesdales)
7. Torah Luadaka (Tweed)
8. Carayanidis Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu (Tigers)
9. Enah Desic (Tigers)
10. Mercedez Lisone Siaea (Tweed)
11. Elishama Suavai (Pride)
12. Takiyah Sweet (Cutters)
13. Alessana Betham (Magpies)
14. Tahli Flux (Jets)
15. Te Heihinapouri Mark (Wynnum Manly)
16. Summer Thorne (Wynnum Manly)
17. Rachael Oakley (Capras)
18. Mya Tronc (Dolphins)
19. Tilly Wilks (Clydesdales)
20. Diaz Bowen (Blackhawks)
Special mentions: Lily Sumner (Tigers), Kirra Pamenter (Falcons), Pearl Lloyd (Falcons), Alanieta Nauqe (Blackhawks), Josie Wongand (Capras), Kara Rains (Blackhawks), Mya Onosai (Dolphins), Emily Whittaker (Wynnum-Manly), Sienna Trew (Magpies), Abuk Gaw (Devils), Lily Sumner (Tigers), Onosai Khiara-Lee Liuvaie (Wynnum-Manly), Mia Collier (Wynnum-Manly), Macyee Brown (Capras), Maddie Johnson (Capras), Caitlin Wiggins (Clydesdales), Lily Bain (Falcons), Charity Faalogo and Leleilani Ulugia (Tigers), Paige Stagg (Devils), Camry Soli (Jets).
Originally published as Harvey Norman women’s under-17 and 19 Teams of the Week
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