Named: 50 big improvers of the Meninga Cup, Connell Cup, Harvey Norman U17s and U19s rugby league season
A Falcons road warrior, an Irish Tigers wildcard and a Cutters bolt from the blue are among the 50 most improved players in the Meninga Cup, Connell and Harvey U17 and U19 competitions this season. Full list here.
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Who were the most improved players of the Meninga Cup, Connell and Harvey under-17 and under-19 competitions this season?
It is one thing to capture the best of the best each week in the Team of the Week selection stories, but it is harder to observe the competition’s biggest improvers.
In this story a light is shone on those teenagers who have improved across the elite junior representative competitions.
For example, Sunshine Coast Falcons under-19 Harvey Norman player Deena Budby, an extraordinary personality who is so dedicated she travels from Hervey Bay to train and play with the Falcons.
Then there is winger Rylan Misztela (Cutters, Meninga Cup), a little known footballer to the wider competition, who has come on in leaps and bounds this season.
The Brothers Mackay ace has risen to every challenge in 2025.
Bailen Noy (Wynnum Manly, Connell Cup) is another big improver, while Irishman Harri Armstrong (Tigers) has made remarkable strides playing on the wing for the Meninga Cup Tigers.
BIGGEST IMPROVERS ACROSS EACH COMPETITION
Jump to: Harvey 19s, Harvey 17s, Connell Cup, Meninga Cup.
HARVEY U19s
Lorren Leli (Tigers)
An outstanding middle forward, Leli comes off the bench at a great rate of knots and not only maintains the momentum of her starting pack, but she adds to the power and mobility of the Tigers’ campaign.
Her interchange accomplices Sky-yvette Faimalie and Zerenity Tuala have also added plenty.
Joshalynn Walker (Tweed)
One of those thrilling outside back prospects, Walker’s instinctive running skills make her an entertainment-plus player.
But the young winger or fullback from the Casino Cougars has also learned to impact her team’s performance with tough carries from the ruck.
Her duel against Fleur Ginn (Tigers) promises to be an entertaining one at the weekend.
Deena Budby (Falcons)
A centre or edge forward, Budby’s dedication to the cause is emphasised by the fact that she drives three times a week from Hervey Bay to train and play.
“And every week she is improving,’’ coach Jack Reed praised.
Dakota Namok (Blackhawks)
A Cowboys fan since she was a tiny tot at Garvutt State School in Townsville, the gutsy Namok has risen with the tide this season, improving in every match playing as an interchange forward in energy sapping rain and heat.
She has been a powerful customer off the bench for the Blackhawks.
Selina Cowley (Cutters)
The bench impact of Mackay State High’s product Cowley, a staple in Team of the Week’s across this season, has been profound.
So much so she tends to change the momentum of the match upon her entry onto the field.
Natalea Elias (Wynnum Manly)
Along with teammates Emma Williams and Hayley Bush, Elias was a pioneer when named in the first ever Queensland University women’s rugby league team.
An outstanding touch football player - she still coaches at her old school of Lourdes Hill College - Elias’ speed and agility have been a great enhancement to a developing side this season.
Elias has worn multiple hats donning jersey No. 14.
Skye Barba (Northern Pride)
Barba’s first start this season came in a round 4 victory over the Blackhawks, and then her game management from halfback helped steer her side to another win over Capras.
Always a wonderful running talent from Innisfail SHS, the Leprechauns rookie developed her footy smarts this season at the demanding halfback position.
Zali Bettridge (Burleigh Bears)
The Keebra Park Girls Rugby League Academy product has courage and natural skills, but what she has fine tuned this season is her control of the game and her decision making ability.
Bettridge’s creation for her centre Brianna Toopi has been a highlight of the season, as has her flat and short passing game.
Bernadette Papani (Dolphins)
The team’s No.13, Papani had the distinction of playing for the QPICC Samoa Open Women’s last year. From that dynamic junior league district of North Lakes, she was a leading light for the side this season, doing plenty of grunt work appreciated by her teammates.
HARVEY U17s
Affrica-Jade Hippi (Tweed)
Tweed excitement machine Hippi, the discovery player of the season, has been a revelation.
In a competition which features powerhouse forwards, the nimble No. 13 adds a dimension to her side with her speed and ability to finish games off at pace.
The Warwick rookie also uses her pace to attack with her defence.
Montanna Porter (Blackhawks)
Porter started on the interchange bench but finished the season as the starting second rower where her defence and brave runs were welcomed by teammates.
Fun fact about Porter: In 2019, she broke an 18-year record at Townsville North Star Athletics Club in the 10yrs javelin event with an impressive 17.96m throw.
Caitlin Wiggins (Clydesdales)
A right centre, Wiggins was a defensive rock who will get better and better with the more experience she gathers. She should be proud of her contribution this season.
Sophie Bachinger (Falcons)
Bachinger, an under age forward from Kawana, came on in leaps and bounds playing the toughest position on the field - prop.
The Sunshine Coast rookie displayed a strong carry and is developing her game nicely with more experience.
Tayla Fiu (Souths Logan)
Fui, a second rower of raw ability, got better this season the more she realised she belonged at this level.
Fiu is the type of player who has the fundamentals bedded down.
Impressively, she played all six games during the home-and-away season.
Kayla Vella (Capras)
A Cathedral College student in Rockhampton, Vella was a successful project player for the Capras this season, moving from centre or wing to play fullback where her agility and eagerness to learn made her a real weapon.
With an All-Star cast around her, Vella injected herself perfectly running the ball from the ruck base or returning kicks.
Alyssa Ale (Northern Pride)
There is not a lot of Ale, but her enthusiasm, desire and ability has got her plenty of places this season.
She can play second rower, centre and halfback with ease, and always puts in 100 per cent whether she is carrying the ball or digging in hard in defence against bigger opponents.
The versatile Ale plays her club footy for the Edmonton Storm in Cairns.
Starvroula Georgaros (Clydesdales)
In a team which possesses plenty of attacking flair, the stellar defence of Georgaros would have been like a burst of sunshine mid-storm.
The Lockyer District High School Year 9 student is a much improved version now compared to the player that started the season on the edge for Clydesdales.
Takiyah Sweet (Mackay Cutters)
Sweet was incredible at times this season, setting the highest of standards for the forward pack.
Her development from round 1 to round 6, as a tireless second rower, was a highlight of the season.
Te Ahurei Latu (Tigers)
From Tigerland to Tigerland, Latu was a tremendous enhancement to her team this season.
The Rochedale Tigers junior was simply a hard, consistent middle forward.
Going into a season you can’t have enough players like Latu, someone who let’s her actions and commitment do the talking.
Sinalei Tupu, Jasmin Askew and Chloe Barndale (Dolphins)
This terrific trio made strides across the season, improving week to week at training and in matches.
Tupu’s involvement and timing from fullback was a pleasure to watch, while Askew’s game management at halfback and Barndale’s development at lock were other high points of the season.
Chezaan Kainui (Bears)
The big improvement in the highly skilled half was her desire to effect repeat efforts on and off the ball.
Her competitive nature also contributed to a willingness to polish areas of her games she does well in, but could do better in.
The sharp Coomera rookie did not shy away when it came to putting herself in front of attackers.
Tenika Rokocoko (Wynnum Manly)
She hailed from rugby league heartland, Logan Brothers, and rose with the tide during a demanding, but rewarding 2025 campaign.
The towering young middle forward displayed a willingness to learn which led to her improvement. She should be proud of her performances in such a demanding position against the best in the business from the Tigers, Magpies, Tweed and co.
CONNELL CUP
Parker Hunt (Capras)
Hunt was a revelation this year, a kid who came on in leaps and bounds in his first season at this standard.
While he is originally from the region, the fierce forward played his junior football at Wests Brisbane before returning to CQ where he excelled under coach Todd Hansen.
Axel Friend (Bears)
Like father, like son, Friend is a chip off the old bloke who enthuses teammates with his work ethic, energy and terrific service from the ground.
He is a go-getter from Marymount College who, like his father Nathan, plays hooker.
He had to earn his place in the side by playing strongly in the trials and had a nice attacking element which complimented his sweet service.
Cooper Brown (Clydesdales)
A code swapping player from rugby, Brown is still wet behind the ears when it comes to rugby league, but he is making up for lost time after a learning year in 2024 was followed by a development season this year.
Keen to learn, Valleys Roosters fullback Brown is dynamic with the ball and was sharp at fullback.
Harry Bate (Devils)
Bate was a little unheralded at the start of the season when he stood in the middle of an All-Star side, most of whom are under contract to the Dolphins.
But the young prop formed a tremendous one-two punch with fellow prop Hayden Polson in the middle of the ruck.
The Norths junior has enhanced his reputation and finished with a bang in Monday night’s successful hit-and-run missed in Tweed.
Beau Bawden (Blackhawks)
Bawden, a tough forward from the Brothers club who has swung between prop and second rower during his career, impressed with his effort plays, the little things which count most.
He took pride during kick-chase runs and was alert when defending on the inside. If his job was to come off the bench then Bawden brought his best to give his side a boost.
Lawson Mifsud (Cutters)
A raw-boned country kid from Clermont way, the athletic Mifsud was swung between wing and prop before finding a spot in the second row.
A broad shouldered, 187cm tall athlete, Mifsud is an exciting development player who has an uncanny ability to fend and palm when carrying the ball.
In defence, he did well to anticipate attacking movements on the edge.
Taj Kuhl (Falcons)
A young winger from the Caloundra club, Kuhl was Mr Consistent - and his teammates would have loved that about him.
He was a comfort to the side from fullback, an impact player on both sides of the ball.
Kuhl’s direct communication from the back has been huge for his side’s defensive set up while his attacking link up play and kicking game has developed as the season has progressed.
Bailen Noy (Wynnum Manly)
Noy, a playmaker at heart, made the position switch to the centres and looked at home by season’s end. His training efforts and attitude paved the way for such a swift transition.
The Churchie rugby flyhalf ended up being a defensive force just as much as an attacking ace.
“He has done a terrific job in defence against some of the competition’s best centres,” praised Seagulls coach Jon Buchanan.
“He has shown some class touches with the ball in attack and has always been dangerous.”
Harry Taylor (Magpies)
A halfback, less than 12 months ago he was playing under-16 Div 2 but he improved to play a full season in the hurly burly of the high class Connell Cup competition.
He was a poised customer with a good kicking game.
Kyron Arthy (Dolphins)
Arthy is the type of youngster who is always trying to improve his team, and his progress this season would have been rewarding to him and the coaching staff.
Off the field he is a smart and diligent kid, and on the field he loves being involved and taking tough runs from the danger end.
MENINGA CUP
Clinton Smith (Jets)
A revelation this season for the Jets.
Smith, who has always been a quality footballer, enjoyed more responsibility this season after being on the fringes in years past.
A towering young giant from St Peter Claver College in Ipswich, Smith scored three tries in his team’s 26-24 win over Tweed on Tuesday.
He has gone from strength to strength for the Jets as a prime-moving prop most effective near the try line.
Harri Armstrong (Tigers)
An Irishman, sporting all-rounder Armstrong has been a revelation this season.
He arrived at St Laurence’s College where his experience in Gaelic football made him an immediate choice in the school’s First XVIII footy squad.
But he progressed to play First XV rugby and then, in term three last season, learned the rigours of league playing in the AIC competition.
This season he has been a big improver in the toughest of all competitions - the Meninga Cup.
Terence Mosby, Bruce Baudu and Kyle Bader (Blackhawks)
An athletic middle with the agility of a back, prop Mosby seems to have gathered confidence the more the season progressed.
In demanding weather conditions against hardened middle men, the Thursday Island product stood up with the best of them and finished the last month among the best of the props.
A stunning individual try last week was the icing on the cake.
Both Mosby and fellow hard-working forward Bader, another great improver on the right edge, played 65 minutes on the run last weekend.
A third Blackhawks player, Bruce Baudu, was also relatively unheralded at the start of the season to the broader community, but finished with a glowing report card.
The Ignatius Park College right wing has been reliable and busy taking tough dummy half runs - all the while possessing instinctive natural ability which was witnessed at the weekend when he scored a great try in the corner.
Lucas Miller (Dolphins)
Miller has been one of the competition’s big improvers, no doubt benefiting from the expertise of coach Scott Murray, but also from spending last winter playing in the BRL for Redcliffe.
A Wavell SHS graduate, he plays prop or No. 13.
Tyson Knight (Sunshine Coast)
Another robust, hard working middle from the Coast, Knight has been a steady improver who has been learning on the run.
He has the right attitude and work ethic to succeed for whatever team he plays for in the future.
Rylan Misztela (Cutters)
Misztela has been a bolt from the blue player.
Although known within club and school football in the distance, few knew anything about him in state league football but they do now.
A winger, he seems to have relished the chance to play at this level and has just taken his opportunity and ran with it.
He’s unbelievably safe under the high ball and he’s just a great finisher.
Brody Malcolm (Tweed)
A youngster with a strong carry, Malcolm’s willingness to listen and learn has seen him progress significantly this season.
In particular, Malcolm’s defence has come on in leaps and bounds.
Cooper Day (Wynnum Manly)
A Mabel Park SHS old boy, powerful prop Cooper Day went from a solid player in 2024 into arguably Wynnum’s most damaging and consistent forward.
He threw traffic back at the competition’s best packs and there were none tougher than him this season.
None.
Kurt Jones and Michael Hunnisett (Devils)
A long striding Wavell winger, Jones was quickly signed by the Dolphins after the opening rounds.
He is a raw talent with speed to burn and a willingness to take ruck runs from the defensive end.
Hunnisett, a hard yakka middle forward, was type of kid who’ll do something understated by spectators, but appreciated by teammates.
Dallas Ingram (Bears)
Shaping up as GPS First XV rugby’s premier flyhalf for TSS, Ingram warmed his engines for that winter school season with a cracking club league campaign for the Bears.
He was an assured teammate in 2025 and had a nice flat pass - all the while retaining a tremendous injection of individual brilliance.
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