AIC First XIII rugby league Players to Watch
Players to watch: The AIC First XIII rugby league season is set for take off and a newly-minted Bulldogs signing from Ipswich is among the top teens to watch. See who is primed for a big campaign.
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Another chapter in AIC rugby league will unfold this weekend when round 1 of the First XIII competition kicks off for the new season.
While the AIC competition is better known for producing rugby union talent, the system also has a long and distinguished list of notable rugby league footballers.
Players like current NRL talents Lindsay Collins (Padua), Max Plath (Iona College), Jeral Skelton (St Patrick’s College), Billy Walters (Ashgrove), Harrison Graham (Iona College), Ezra Mam (Ambrose Treacy College) and recent retiree Christian Welch (Villanova College)
came through the AIC system.
FLASHBACK: 2024 TEAM OF THE SEASON
So who will lead the way for teams this season?
It is a competition which will see premiers Iona College enter as the most highly fancied team.
The school has an array of key players who were excellent Cyril Connell Cup and Mal Meninga Cup club footballers for Wynnum Manly earlier this year.
Padua College, spearheaded by Confraternity Carnival Lionel Williamson Trophy player of the carnival Damon Humphrys (five-eighth), will also be big challengers.
Iona’s eastern rivals, Villanova College, also have the foundation for a competitive unit.
Marist College Ashgrove always have a more than competitive side, while St Laurence’s, St Edmund’s and St Patrick’s have formulated fine squads which will compete hard.
These are the key players to watch.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sam Binney (Villanova)
As honest as the day is long, Binney will wedge himself in the middle and give his all on both sides of the ball.
He is a big bloke, strong in contact and a quiet achieving leader by his actions.
Villanova will be in safe hands with this prop roaming the ruck.
RELATED LINKS
AIC FIRST XV RUGBY TEAM OF THE SEASON
AIC FIRST XI CRICKET TEAM OF THE SEASON
AIC AFL FIRSTS FOOTY TEAM OF THE SEASON
Sean Kelly (Villanova)
Kelly’s confidence will be sky high after a bumper Confraternity Shield carnival which saw him named as the Player of the Second Division competition, and then placed on the bench in the representative merit team of the championship.
Kelly’s consistency is a trademark of his.
Jett Tupou (Villanova)
Binney’s First XV front row partner, Tupou will stand alongside his old mate in the ruck through the competition.
He brings momentum-gathering strength to the middle of the park.
Hudson Bishop, Jack Buchanan and co (Villanova)
A tough tackling and clever dummy half, Bishop will be a part of an impressive spine which includes Tigers Connell Cup squad member Jack Buchannan (halfback) and outstanding fullback Darcy Kerr who can threaten with his inroads.
The terrific trio are ready to ruffle feathers this season.
Caelan Mackay (St Laurence’s)
A noted five-eighth, Mackay has worked hard on his defence in preparation for the season. Controlling the game through kicking will also come naturally to Mackay, a rugby outside centre who has beefed up considerably over the past 12 months.
Also, if he recovers from injury, keep an eye out for halve or fullback Harry Taylor, a crafty type who excelled in the No.15 jersey during the rugby season. But his return date is yet to be confirmed.
Zac O’Shea (St Laurence’s)
O’Shea will be new to playing fullback, but his speed and agility through the ruck has him primed to impact games.
He is highly skilled in attack.
Justin Wilson (St Laurence’s)
Wilson will lead the way from the front row.
Every team needs a prop like Wilson. He will be a no-nonsense, tough nut willing to go forward — no matter the odds.
Connor McLaughlin (St Laurence’s)
Playing as a second rower, McLaughlin will run telling lines and will bring power and speed into play.
He can be trusted to defend strongly on the edge.
Will Tatt (St Edmund’s)
With the heart the size of Phar Lap, second rower tatt will defend strongly and cause more than a ripple when he runs the ball.
He will be an important piece for St Edmund’s on the edge.
Harry Vidler (St Edmund’s)
Vidler has something that cannot be coached — speed.
He also has plenty of footy IQ.
This fast, strong-defending centre can and will impact games when he carries the ball.
The Bulldogs have taken a liking to the Ipswich Jet Connell Cup leader and have given him a signing boost ahead of the school season.
Nate Clark (Padua College)
This tough-tackling, robust-running edge footballer plays with skill.
He plays above his weight and is coming off a bumper Confraternity Carnival performance when he made the competition’s merit representative side.
That was after a first-class Meninga Cup campaign with Norths and superb AIC First XV rugby season at inside centre.
Jarah Chaseling (Padua College)
An slick mover with a hard edge to his game, Chaseling’s presence tremendously enhances Padua’s chances of breaking Iona’s grip on this competition.
He is an athlete.
Harrison Vera (Padua College)
Another ace performer at the Confraternity Carnival, Harrison will be a strike centre for Padua.
A beautiful mover with strength and power, he will at the top of his game after winning a place in the Confraternity Carnival’s merit representative merit team.
The unsung rugby outside back played an important role in Padua’s rugby-premiership charge in term two.
Damon Humphrys (Padua College)
Meet the Confraternity Carnival player of the competition.
A sublime five-eighth with time, Humphrys is quick between the ears but, most importantly, has a killer kicking game.
Given the armoury around him, Year 12 student Humphrys should enjoy his term three finale to Padua football.
Liam Rice (Marist Ashgrove)
A jack-in-the-box, Rice should be a contender for sportsman of the year at his college.
A first-rate rover and midfielder in footy, Rice was also the revelation of the season during term two’s AIC First XV rugby competition where he made this masthead’s Team of the Season.
Earlier this month he was also selected in the Confraternity Carnival Merit Team of the championship.
A player who is here, there and everywhere, he will play fullback where he will be a dynamic threat every time he touches the ball.
Couper Liddicoat (Marist Ashgrove)
A talented Year 11 student, Liddicoat was outstanding at the recent Confraternity Carnival and will relish stepping into the starting hooker role.
With sharp ball-playing skills, the ability to engage defenders, and an eye for exploiting gaps, he’s a constant danger around the ruck.
Jack Watson (Marist Ashgrove)
An outstanding First XI cricketer, Watson is a tough, hardworking middle forward who will go until the wheels fall off.
He brings a physical edge and natural leadership to the team.
Watson is known for his high work rate, smart ball play, and reliability in defence and attack. He has a big engine in the middle and will set a high standard.
Tyler Pereira (Iona College)
Iona’s inspirational halve or fullback last season, Pereira will again be one of the competition’s biggest threats.
The Seagulls Meninga Cup No. 1 and Met East representative five-eighth is street smart and has the footwork which terrifies fatiguing forwards.
But he also has the smarts to connect with his outside back division. Pereira is Iona’s co-captain and contracted to the Titans.
Daniel Cash (Iona College)
Cash brings an old fashioned hard edge to the middle of the paddock for Iona College.
The Wynnum Manly Connell Cup hardman also has a nice offload in his game which has been recognised by Broncos scouts who have placed him in its academy.
Cash will plant himself in the ruck and knock blokes over for fun.
Cooper Benvenuti (Iona College)
The team’s co-captain, Benvenuti is just a damn good starting prop.
A Tigers Meninga Cup forward, his point of difference is his late footwork at the line.
He has a big heart, and a big motor. After a rugby season playing as a backrower and centre, Benvenuti will be bursting at the seams to let rip in the 13-a-side game.
James Turner (Iona College)
A First XI leg spin bowler, smart young hooker Turner will complement the balance of the side with his ability to get the job done and also take a dart and challenge ruck defence.
Contracted by the Melbourne Storm, Turner was really starting to fire late in the rugby season and looks set to play an influential role as Iona’s dummyhalf.
Conor Quinn (Iona College)
There was no surprise to see tall and athletic winger Quinn snapped up by the Cowboys after dangling unsigned for several seasons.
The towering teen is a threat in the air, but also across the ground where his long stride and reach can find the corner post.
He is in form, having played in the strong Met East representative side earlier in the year.
Riley Blake (St Patrick’s)
Blake had a brilliant rugby season but will be in his element playing in the halves for the Paddies First XIII.
Sporting white headgear and possessing a strong running game, Blake will be at the epicentre of his team’s attack.
“His development over the past year has been outstanding, and we’re looking forward to seeing him create opportunities for both himself and those around him,’’ said coach Brian Polich.
Onosai Cvetko-Lueger (St Patrick’s)
Playing halfback, there will be the option to also play Onosai Cvetko-Lueger at fullback this season.
He’s coming off a solid rugby union season where he played No.10 for the College.
While he is new to rugby league. he has enormous potential.
“He’s a competitor — plays above his weight, chases everything, and has the skill set to find space and create chances,’’ added coach Brian Polich.
Max Millard (St Patrick’s)
One to watch is this right centre, tall and still growing into his frame. “Max possesses natural ability and skill that many players would envy,’’ said coach Brian Polich. “He’s got a strong passing game, embraces the challenge of improving his defence, and consistently earns quick play-the-balls with his carries.’’
Abe and Will Huxtable (St Patrick’s)
The Huxtable brothers will man the middle and their work rate, grit and determination is going to play a big part in how Paddies fare.
Abe is coming off a quality rugby season in the First XV and his brother Will will be his right hand man as the prop-pairing look to lock down the middle third.
Originally published as AIC First XIII rugby league Players to Watch
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