31 young Gympie Devils players to keep your eye on
They are the rising stars of rugby league in Gympie. Meet 31 youngsters who are in the limelight - or are about to claim it:
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Queensland enjoyed a sensational win in the 2022 State of Origin series and former Gympie Devils’ players Tino Fa‘asuamaleaui and Selwyn Cobbo were instrumental in that win.
The Gympie region prides itself on its passion for sport and for being a nursery for some of the best rugby league talent in Australia today. Never has that been more patently obvious than right now, with two former junior Devils starring in what many have called the best State of Origin since the 1980s.
Gympie Devils club officials and coaches were asked who they thought were the rising stars of the sport in the Gympie region right now, and these are the 31 names they came up with:
Elih Bell, 13
Position: second row and lock, Under 13’s Gympie Devils
The Under 13’s in Gympie includes many outstanding players, but one player who is often voted man of the match is Elih Bell.
Elih is a damaging ball runner and scores some absolute sensational tries.
Not to forget that his defence is nothing less than impenetrable and “rock solid”.
He hits hard and keeps going, coach Steve Daniel said.
He made the Wide Bay Schoolboys team in 2021 for his age group, and travelled to Cairns to compete in the state championship, where he was awarded a medal for player of the game.
Elih is always the first one to check on his opponent if he tackles them hard.
“Most of all, he is a great sport,” coach Daniel said.
Xander Ryan-Coop, 13
Position: hooker, Under 13’s Gympie Devils
Xander joined the Gympie Devils late in the 2022 season after moving to the region from up north. He previously played for the Tannum Boyne Seagulls.
Xander has settled in well with the Gympie Devils and has become a strong defender for his team.
Xander and his other teammates work together, with the entire team showing effort, intensity and commitment.
Gary Chatsfield, 13
Position: Front row, second row and lock, Under 13’s Gympie Devils
Gary’s dedication shines on the field – he trains hard and works hard, coach Steve Daniel said.
He shows superb sportsmanship, helping and guiding his teammates around the field.
Coach Daniel said Gary’s strengths were “calling plays for the back line and ruck plays which forward is having a hit up.”
The hard work of the Under 13’s is sensational, with the team is on track to make semi-finals this season.
Mason Benyon, 12
Position: Forward, Under 12’s Gympie Devils White
Starting at the tender age of four years old, Mason has been kicking it up with the Gympie Devils since he can remember.
His love for rugby league shines on the field and is driven by a heated passion for the sport.
He is always the first to put his hand up when another team needs help.
With speed and strength as his greatest friend, Mason has undeniable attack skills and can hold a line of defence with ease.
Mason has played for the One Mile State School rugby league team and has also participated in the Steve Renoir Cup and Tino Fa‘asuamaleaui Cup.
Mason’s dream is to make it professionally as a Townsville Cowboys player. But until then, he wants to stick with his team as a proud Gympie Devil.
Chayce Roberts, 11
Position: Dummy half, Under 12’s Gympie Devils White
Chayce has been pumped up to the Under 12’s team thanks to his advanced skills.
Ball handling, footwork, speed, ability – Chayce has it all in his arsenal.
He can make quick decisions on the field to play the ball fast, making him an excellent dummy half, half back or stand-off.
Chayce is overall a great team player and footballer, coach Samantha Salt said.
Chayce wants to make it big as a professional NRL player in the future.
James Bergin, 12
Position: Dummy half, Under 12’s Gympie Devils White
James is a highly-skilled player with unrivalled determination and passion for the game.
James became a member of the Gympie Devils in 2020.
Since then, he has skyrocketed as an absolute natural football player in all positions, excelling in particular as a dummy half.
James uses his speed and determination to break through the opposition’s defence line.
He has a natural ability to see plays and plays the ball with accuracy and speed, coach Samantha Salt said.
Orin McLaren, 12
Position: halfback, Under 12’s Gympie Devils White
Orin has been starring in NRL from since he was eight years old, joining the Gympie Devils as an Under 10 player.
Orin is a brilliant young footballer, coach Samantha Salt said.
Skilled in both defence and attack, Orin has a natural talent for the sport.
He thrives as stand-off and halfback as he storms the field with determination, speed and ball accuracy.
His ability to take control of plays is uncanny.
Jacob Nugent, 12
Position: Forward, second row in the Under 12s Gympie Devils White
Jacob began his journey as an under 8’s player, and has been starring in the Gympie Devils for six years.
Jacob, fondly known as ‘Nugget’ by his fellow members, is one of the team’s best defence players.
His speed, tackling, footwork and ball skills makes Jacob an inspiration to watch.
He is exceptional and adaptable in all positions, coach Salt said.
Jacob particularly thrives in a forward, fullback or second row position.
His NRL dream team is Melbourne Storm, and Jacob says he loves being a part of a team.
His team spirit shines on and off the field. He is truly a rock star in the making, coach Salt said.
Lucas Wruck, 12
Position: Wing or centre, Under 12’s Gympie Devils White
Lucas is a fantastic all-rounder, being able to play in any position.
From blistering speeds to supreme ball accuracy, Lucas has become a brilliant footballer, coach Samantha Salt said.
Lucas’ favourite team is the Broncos, and this young sport star’s dream is to be as good as Selwyn Cobbo.
Lincoln Moreland, 12
Position: Lock and second row, Under 12’s Gympie Devils White
Lincoln’s spark for rugby league started from the young age of five in the Gympie Devils junior joeys program. Lincoln is an all-rounder, and can play in lock, second row and halfback position.
He was crowned Most Improved in the Under 10’s Eels (Gympie Mini Mods) and also plays in his Year 7 team for Gympie State High School.
Lincoln’s dream is to play for the Melbourne Storm in the future.
Jack Lynch, 16
Position: Under 16’s Gympie Devils
Jack, as coach Andrew Noy is proud to say, is one of the most underrated and overlooked halfbacks on the coast.
“Jack’s kicking skills, passing and defensive skills are second to none,” coach Noy said.
With his cool head, focus and leadership, Jack has become a great asset for his team as captain.
“Should Jack choose to seek a career in rugby league, I have no doubt he will be a success,” coach Noy said.
Ethan Taylor, 16
Position: Under 16’s Gympie Devils
Ethan has had an incredible year in rugby league in 2022.
He was selected for the Sunshine Coast Falcons early this year.
“(He) has gone from strength to strength throughout the season,” coach Andrew Noy said.
Ethan provides phenomenal defence for his team at all times, and shows great endurance.
“(He is) as tough as nails,” coach Noy said.
Ethan was selected to play for the Sunshine Coast Falcons under-16 Cyrill Connell training squad in September 2021.
He had previously played for the Nambour Crushers for three years, where he was awarded Best Back.
Nathan Corrigan, 16
Position: Under 16’s Gympie Devils
Nathan is the team’s go-to runner and defensive lock.
Nathan never fails to surprise his team every week with his resilience and hard work, as well as unwavering dedication to his team and the game of rugby league.
He shows “off the mark” blistering speeds, to superb handling and kicking skills, but these skills are little compared to his exceptional defence.
Zavier Burness, 16
Position: Second row and centre, Under 16’s Gympie Devils
Zavier boasts incredible fitness and amazing strength and speed.
“(He) could probably play three games in a row,” coach Andrew Noy said.
His defence and ball handling is strong, but what is most impressive is Zavier’s ability to read the defensive and attacking line.
“(He is) always scheming to find a hole in the other team’s defence,” coach Noy said.
Tajh Noy, 16
Position: Hooker, Under 16s Gympie Devils
Coach Andrew Noy said his son would not have made the list two years ago – Tajh has shown incredible growth and dedication.
This year, he had become a breakout player in the squad, Noy said.
“He always had great ball handling skills, but his defence has gone through the roof,”he said.
As one of the smallest players on his team and defending the middle of the field, Tajh does not hesitate “putting the big boys in their place” when the opposition comes running.
Jake Clark, 16
Position: Fullback, Under 16’s Gympie Devils
Jake was unknown to his coach at the start of this year, but has proven to be a great asset to his team.
In the trial match, the team’s chosen fullback Brayden Bainbridge broke his collarbone.
Jake took the role as fullback while his teammate was out of commission and kept turning up all season.
Fast, fit and strong – those are the words to describe this reliable fullback.
Coach Andrew Noy was witness to only one dropped ball from Jake this season.
“I honestly believe Billy Slater would have had a hard time catching it,” he said.
Ruby Kross
Position: Gympie Devils
Longtime player Ruby Kross has played a number of games in the Gympie Devils Juniors, but her career hit a highlight when she was selected to play for the Wide Bay under-15s.
There, she went to Cairns for the Queensland trials in 2021.
Charlee Benton
Position: Under 12s Gympie Devils
Newcomer to the Gympie Devils, Charlee Benton was only in her first season of playing for the Devils when she was chosen for two of her school’s teams in 2021 – the district mixed team and the girls district team.
That same year, she was selected for the Wide Bay girls under-11’s/under-12’s team and went on to represent the region at the Townsville State Championships.
Ethan Bainbridge
Position: Gympie Devils
Ethan serves as the Sunshine Coast Falcons Mal Meninga Cup squads main kicker as a fullback.
Coach Danny Gray said Ethan was a very skilled player.
“He has plenty of skill and speed and is a really good goal kicker,” he said.
Cooper Fraser
Position: Under 12’s Gympie Devils
Cooper has been playing for the Devils since he was six years old, and has gone from strength to strength.
In 2021, Fraser was picked in the Gympie Zone under-11s rugby league team in Hervey Bay, and was later selected for the Wide Bay under 11s to play in Townsville; where he was named Man of the Match for one of his games.
Jordan Brown
Position: Stand off, Under 15’s Gympie Devils
Jordan has a good attitude to training in respect to the amount of effort he puts in.
Coach Ben Dore said Jordan liked to “compete in all aspects of the game” and was a strong runner and defender.
“(He is) difficult to outcompete one-on-one. Has a handy boot also,” Dore said.
Luke Ford
Position: Prop, Under 13’s Gympie Devils
Luke was admired by coach Steve Daniel for his “good all around attitude” on the field.
Mr Daniel said Ford trained well and worked hard.
“(He) takes the ball forward with intent and effort, second to none,” he said.
Thomas Cranston
Position: Under 14’s Gympie Devils
Thomas is a standout captain, according to his coach.
Phil Webb said Thomas always led by example, and had a great attitude and dedication to the sport.
“It really takes a lot of pressure off me to coach the team, because they all listen to Thomas and follow his lead,” Webb said.
Lachlan Lewis
Position: Under 13’s Gympie Devils
Lachlan was described by coach Steve Daniel as “an all rounder” on the field.
Mr Daniel said Lewis played quite a few positions, but his leadership skills were second to none.
“His best quality is his leadership ability and puts everything into his game,” he said.
Blake Dynevor
Position: Fullback, under 15’s Gympie Devils
Full back and “quiet achiever,” Blake has consistently worked to improve his communication skills each week, according to coach Ben Dore.
Dore said he had noticed Blake enjoyed attacking the line with “committed running”.
“He is exciting in broken play, and a reliable strong defender in the line and in cover,” he said.
Lachlan Wilton
Position: Gympie Devils
Lachlan was selected to play in the Sunshine Coast Falcons under-16 Cyrill Connell training squad in 2021.
He was one of 40 players selected from 105 entrants competing for the pre-squad season.
Lachlan had also been selected previously to play for the Wide Bay Schoolboys rugby league team.
Levi Bourke
Position: Lock, under 15’s Gympie Devils
Levi was described by coach Ben Dore as “a polite, likeable lad”.
Dore said Levi had demonstrated his commitment to his team, and his efforts at defending on the field.
“He has speed through the ruck in attack and a 100 per cent commitment to his defensive effort,” he said.
Jeremy Dore
Position: halfback, under 15’s Gympie Devils
Jeremy was described by coach Ben Dore as a “cheerful chap” who was ”encouraging of his teammates”.
“(He is) always looking for opportunities and plays them when they present with a pass, kick or run,” Dore said.
“(He) gives effort on effort in hard parts of the game.”
Matt Kunde
Position: Second row, Under 16s Gympie Devils
Matt, also nominated by coach Noy, stands out on the field with his ability to run with the ball.
“(He is a) strong runner of the ball, and a very strong defender,” Noy said.
Jake Rooks
Position: Hooker, under 16’s Gympie Devils
Jake is a gun on the field, according to coach Noy.
“(He is an) eyes up rugby league player, very quick off the mark and very solid defender,” he said.
Ryan Jenkins
Position: Front row, Gympie Devils
Ryan was nominated by coach Ben Dore for his “enthusiastic attitude”, as well as consistently applying himself to improve on the field.
“He always has a positive attitude,” Dore said.
“Workhorse through the middle and makes many hard yards.”
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Originally published as 31 young Gympie Devils players to keep your eye on
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