Son of a gun Meninga Team of the Week after round 2 action

Here’s four Meninga, Connell Cup and Harvey Norman girls Teams of the Week selections from round 2. They include eye-catching Broncos and Titans juniors, and fabulous female talent.

Burleigh Bears No.13 Cooper Bai on the charge last season - he started 2024 strongly. Player: Pic Mike Batterham

The son of a gun was one of the first players chosen in the first of our Meninga Cup Teams of the Week in 2024.

Cooper Bai, the Gold Coast Titans-signed No.13 defensive hard man, earns high praise for his effort in helping Burleigh beat an imposing Redcliffe at Pizzey Park.

Supporters of him know what he did at the weekend he does week in, week out, but we just loved his effort and scramble in a big match against the Premiers.

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Bai’s defensive work rate at both ends of the field was exhaustive and effective, particularly when Burleigh were scrambling on the tryline as Redcliffe ramped up its push for victory.

Bai comes from a great pedigree.

His father Marcus is PNG national hero after helping Melbourne Storm win its inaugural NRL premiership in 1999. Marcus was an all or nothing winger who loved a collision.

Bai has also had the advantage of being mentored by Matt Geyer, another Storm premiership winner, as his coach at Marymount College.

Bai is exactly the type of player you need in a forward pack to win a premiership.

Saxon Innes as a Marsden SHS student - he has speed to burn. Picture, John Gass

Bai is a Titans boy, and his wing teammate Saxon Innes a Broncos boy.

Innes’ point of difference is his pace. A Gold Coast junior, he attended rugby league finishing school at Marsden SHS.

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Innes can play fullback or wing where his blinding speed is evident. He broke the game open on Saturday with a dazzling midfield burst from a kick return, setting up a try which proved the difference.

Impressive Wynnum centre Kylem Vunipola scores for the Seagulls.

He can cover 40m in 4.6 seconds and his speed ensures he is one of the Broncos’ most exciting junior signings.

Bailey McConnell was a special mention in our Meninga Cup under-19s Team of the Week bench.

MENINGA CUP TEAM OF THE WEEK

1. Ray Puru (Bears)

2. Sylas Simon (Norths)

3. Luke Cesari (Clydesdales)

4. Tyrell Hopknis (Falcons)

5. Saxon Innes (Bears)

6. Jahrel Iselin-Jansen (Norths)

7. Lachlan Erba (Blackhawks)

8. Beni Allen (Wynnum)

9. Ethan Rains (Blackhawks)

10. Cooper Clarke (Falcons)

11. Lyucian King-Togia (Clydesdales)

12. Loranzo Fono (Blackhawks)

13. Cooper Bai (Bears)

14. Isaac Harrison (Tweed)

15. Tavake Tau’a’alo (Tweed)

16. Connor Simpson (Tigers)

17. Patrick Kailahi (Redcliffe)

18. Lachlan Magill (Pride)

19. Coby Black (Bears)

20. Jackson Kite (Falcons)

21. Jack Biles (Norths)

Special mentions: Adam Khan (Norths), Bailey McConnell (Bears), Billy Wellard, Zac Kumbamong (both Tweed), Trace Beattie (Clydesdales), Mitch Bebbington (Falcons), Joshua Donovan (Tweed), Topaz Mohi (Wynnum), Jiale Litidamu (Clydesdales).

Beerwah Bulldogs rising star Jackson Kite started strongly for the Falcons. Picture: Facebook

Meninga Cup selection highlights

Aside from Bears’ pair Cooper Bai and Saxon Innes who we mentioned earlier, also in our Meninga Cup Team of the Week is underrated Tweed No.13 Isaac Harrison.

His brother, halfback Zane, deservedly gets high praise for his ability to run a side, but Isaac Harrison is a no frills No.13 who seems to generate success whoever he plays with.

He is not big, but he adds a different body type to a forward defensive line traditionally held down by muscle bound warriors.

It must have been a day for No.13 on Sunday, with Lyucian King-Togia (Clydesdales) his team’s best as well.

The Harrison twins - Left to right , Isaac Harrison and Zane Harrison who were PBC SHS premiership winners last season. Picture Glenn Hampson

HARVEY NORMAN 19s

1. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala (Tweed)

2. Jessica Fitzgibbons (Clydesdales)

3. Mia Vines (Sunshine Coast)

4. Savannah Roberts-Hickling (Tweed)

5. La Naliah Hine (Cutters)

6. Teesha Potts (Pride)

7. Jairel-Ellen Martin-Savage (Blackhawks)

8. Reegan Hicks (Redcliffe)

9. Nadia Windleborn (Burleigh)

10. Lana Makin (Tweed)

11. Sienna Smith (Tweed)

12. Syianna Banu (Pride)

13. Lhylla Williamson (Blackhawks)

14. Armarni-lea Auvae (Redcliffe)

15. Yasmin Harrop Toa Toa (Norths)

15. Easther Mekaele (Blackhawks)

16. Hayley Bush (Wynnum)

17. Mya Sautia (Redcliffe)

18. Tiresa Elika (Tigers)

19. Jacinta Neemia (Norths)

20. Ava Walters (Norths)

Special mentions: Lucy Davis and Jessie Friedrichs (both Clydesdales), Tianah Teo, Keira Rangi and Kiana Henare (all three from Redcliffe), Ellie Cullen (Wynnum), Maddison Schipplock (Wynnum), Bonnie Zappa (Norths).

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Harvey Norman under-19 selection highlights

One of the first players picked in our Harvey 19s Team of the Week is quicksilver Tweed centre Savannah Roberts-Hickling who was absolutely dynamic.

You can cut and paste our description of Saxon Inness (see earlier) and put it next to Savannah Roberts-Hickling’s name.

Her evasive skills to skirt from dummy half, crab across the field and straighten to find the tryline was worth the admission price alone.

She joins Tweed captain Sienna Smith (lock) as among the first players picked in the 17s side this week, along with Redcliffe forward leader Regan Hicks and Mackay winger La Naliah Hine.

In Sunday’s match, Wynnum Manly No.13 captain Hayley Lewis was a complete player with her soft hands linking the ruck to her backs. She even produced a clever grubber kick in a four star performance.

Sunshine Coast Falcons Cyril Connell leader Jackson Koina. Picture: kyliesfootyphotos/Kylie McLellan

CONNELL CUP

1. Seth Gundry (Bears)

2. Jake Carsburg (Redcliffe)

3. Santino Pekepo-Tevaga (Tweed)

4. Brian Pouniu (Redcliffe)

5. Jackson Winnett (Clydesdales)

6. Marley McLaren (Burleigh)

7. Braithen Scott (Clydesdales)

8. Ethan Jackson (Tweed)

9. Max Blanch (Tigers)

10. Sitiveni Afu (Blackhawks)

11. Riley Zanette (Blackhawks)

12. Majah-Jose Peachey (Wynnum)

13. Jackson Koina (Falcons)

14. Jai Bilish (Tweed)

15. Hayden Watson (Bears)

16. Jay Marsh (Capras)

17. Ekekiel Jones (Wynnum)

18. Cohen Jackson (Cutters)

19. Tavake Tau’a’alo (Tweed)

20. Joshua Toby (Cutters)

21. Taylon To’a (Wynnum)

The Norths Devils Connell Cup boys regroup at Bishop Park.

Special Mentions: Shaun Elara (Clydesdales), Cooper Benvenuti (Tigers), Timahna Tandy (Norths), Oliver Patterson, (Norths), James Grey (Norths), Bailey Vang (Jets), Charlie Dickson (Redcliffe), Mereki Warradoo (Redcliffe), Mairangiatea Walker (Jets)

Cayde Miller of the Pride in action earlier this season - he gets a special mention for his effort on Saturday. Picture Emily Barker.

Special mentions: Cayde Miller (Pride), Mairangiatea Walker (Jets), Gabe Salea (Bears), Jake Oberhardt (Capras) and Mairangiatea Walker (Jets) Jake Carsburg (Redcliffe), Dylan Watkins (Tweed), Lachlan Lyons (Clydesdales).

Connell Cup selection highlights

In a losing side, Tigers dummy half Max Blanch made our Connell Cup Team of the Week, but don’t worry, his opposite at the weekend, Jai Bilish, was not far behind. Bilish is a reserve.

Max Blanch in action for Connell Cup under-17s playing for the Tigers.

In round 2 Blackhawks prop Sitiveni Afu was fantastic for his side and made our team, while reliable Capras’ pair Jake Oberhardt and Jay Marsh were also recognised.

Western Clydesdales winger Jackson Winnett was an obvious choice for his four tries, while Cayde Miller (Pride) was one of the most unlucky omissions of the weekend, but gets a special mention.

We also named lively Jets No.9 Bailey Vang in the halves so we could shoehorn the best players of the weekend into our team.

Enah Desic playing for in the Harvey Norman under-17s action between the Tigers and Dolphins, Sunday, February 11, 2024.

HARVEY NORMAN 17s

1. Mia Burns (Clydesdales)

2. Lilly Giblett (Cutters)

3. Hollie Parkes (Blackhawks)

4. Jada Waerea (Wynnum Manly)

5. Natalia Hickling (Tweed)

6. Shalom Sauaso (Redcliffe)

7. Kameryn Bray (Tigers)

8. Pypa Ferguson (Clydesdales)

9. Enah Desic (Tigers)

10. Harmony Harris (Redcliffe)

11. Jakaia-Lee Collett (Blackhawks)

12. Elishama Suavai (Pride)

13. Easter Taualai (Norths)

14. Raewyn Olomalii (Redcliffe)

15. Kelly-Buchanan (Bears)

16. Nikola MacDonald (Bears)

17. Tayla Horrobin (Clydesdales)

18. Orianna Clark (Tigers)

19. Tameka Barnes (Wynnum Manly)

20. Leteena Medland (Clydesdales)

Hollie Parkes made our Team of the Week as a centre. Picture: Evan Morgan

Special mentions: Aaliyah Murray (Clydesdales), Taya Solomon (Wynnum), Alexa Burgess (Falcons), Arianna Martin (Pride), Shar-Lene Nati (Redcliffe), Olivia Fletcher (Blackhawks), Paige Stagg (Norths), Bailey Webb (Norths), Porche John, Namoe Gesa (both Tigers), Ashley Cotter (Norths), Saskia and Mackenzie Croyston (Tweed), Kaelyn Passi, Harlem Walker and Harmony Harris (all Redcliffe), Eta Sikahele and Tiggi Groves (Bears), Brooke Kira and Teyanna Mataa (both Blackhawks), Emily Whittaker (Wynnum), Memphis Tanielu (Norths), Jara’Kyah Turpin (Norths), Caydence Fouracre (Capras).

Natalia Hickling playing touch last season - she is a Tweed Seagulls young gun. Picture: Queensland Touch Football Facebook.

Harvey Norman under-17 selection highlights

For the second week in a row in Harvey Norman under-17 girls Tigers trio Enah Desic (hooker), Kameryn Bray (halfback) Porche John (prop) shone, but add to this terrific trio the names Orianna Clark (second row) and centre Namoe Gesa who were tremendous.

Kameryn Bray on the move for Tigers this season in the Harvey Norman under-17s.

But we loved No.7 Bray best of all, with his kicking game and control guiding the Tigers to a stunning last minute win.

Joining her in the halves is Redcliffe No.7 Shalom Sauaso, an Ipswich SHS senior who is a Reds Super W centre, while Clydesdale’s skip Pypa Ferguson locks down the pack.

She is joined by a host of Darling Downs’ teammates.

Elishama Suavai, left, with Etuina Suavai at the Cowboys last year. Elishama was a five star performer in her team’s win.Picture: Brendan Radke

In Sunday’s game, Devils No.13 Easter Taualai looked a representative player of the future with her power running, ball playing and organising skills.

She also Taualai also scored a brutal individual try which dragged herself back into the match against Wynnum, and then scored a 30 solo try to ensure victory. It was a 9.5 out of 10 performance.

In her team’s win over Mackay, Pride’s Elishama Suavai was one of the top players on the field, although Mackay’s winger Lilly Giblett was special as well.

Jada Waerea of the Seagulls under-17s team made our Team of the Week for her outstanding individual try.

Originally published as Son of a gun Meninga Team of the Week after round 2 action