Ipswich Rugby League Under 17 Division 1 Best and Fairest - round 2

Who were the Best and Fairest players from the Ipswich rugby league under 17 Division 1 matches played over the weekend? Here are the top 16 players from round 2.

Isaac Togia playing for Jets earlier in the season. He also shone for Goodna. Picture: Patrick Woods.

It is one of the finest rugby league breeding grounds in the state, a region which has produced Test and Queensland representatives, NRL stars and in the past Bulimba Cup legends.

Ipswich is a gold mine of rugby league talent and we will be presenting regular coverage of numerous competitions in 2022.

Today we start our coverage with the Best and Fairest player list from Round 2 of Ipswich rugby league under 17 Division 1 matches played over the weekend.

Results:

Goodna under 17 Black beat Norths under 17 Blue, 22-12

Redbank under 17 Red beat Swifts/Rosewood under 17, 34-4

Brothers under 17 Blue beat Springfield under 17, 62-0

Wing: Alton Naiyep (Norths)

In a game where the tigers were their own enemy with a terrible completion rate, Naiyep stood up. It was the wingers first game since completing his duties with the Ipswich Jets Mal Meninga side. Naiyep worked in well from his position on the wing and centre to carry the ball strongly and make plenty of metres with every hit-up. The young-gun also pushed into the middle third to effect several dominant tackles against bigger opponents.

RUGBY LEAGUE: Meninga Cup between Ipswich Jets and Clydesdales. Jets, Alton Naiyep scores a try. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Hooker: Jonathon Williamson (Norths)

After losing hooker Finn Lamond to a shoulder injury in the first set of the game, Jonathon Williamson was moved from his centre position to fill this spot. Williamson performed exceptionally well in a positon that he has not trained to play in. His determined defence was responsible for stopping at least three try’s.

Second row: Cody Connell (Swifts)

Cody is a remarkable young footballer and has just come to the Swifts/ Rosewood club this year. He’s a hard hitting second rower that absolutely loves the grittiness of the game of rugby league. He had a massive game for the Swifts on Friday night. There’s an old saying that goes hand-in-hand with the way Connell plays his footy, “It’s not about the size of the dog in the fight, it’s about the size of the fight in the dog.” The young second rower continues to improve and generally is just a younger version of Trevor “The Axe” Gillmeister. He is a down right great young man and had another blinder Friday.

Ipswich under 17 rugby league action from the weekend.

Fullback: Bryce Evans (Swifts)

Evans is another new player to the club this year but he hasn’t missed a beat thus far. He is always safe at the back with strong carries returning the ball and putting his team in a good spot. He also ball plays really well in a sweeping backline. He continues to stick his hand up each week, taking on everything like a sponge. It was no different on Friday against Redbank.

Five-Eighth: Cohan Patrick (Swifts)

Patrick was instrumental for the Swifts in defence, continuing to put big numbers up in the defence category. He eventually pushed into hooker, tightening up the middle. His in game smarts and knowledge also guided the boys on where position themselves. He is one of the teams work horses and continues to grow and build each week he plays.

Ipswich under 17 rugby league action from the weekend.

Hooker: Drew Baker (Redbank)

Baker played a great game out of position at hooker. Normally a five-eighth, Baker lead the line in defence and gave great ball to the Redbank halves all night.

Prop: Viliami Tongamana (Redbank)

Tongamana was the team’s man of the match in Friday night’s 34-4 victory over the Swifts. He played in the front row and lead from the front with the ball and in defence. The Bears battler played every minute of the game which showed the kind of motor he had. Keep an eye out for this kid!

Fullback: Junior T Puatiale Iopu (Redbank)

Puatiale Iopu had a great game at fullback for the Bears. He was talking throughout the game as all great fullbacks do. Even better, the young fullback was vocal on both sides of the ball which was reflected in the final score.

Halfback: Kohen Briggs (Brothers)

Friday’s game against Springfield was a great win for Brothers Blue on the back of a dominant performance by their halfback Kohan Briggs who showed great leadership and control in leading the team around the park. Briggs was a try scorer as well in the 62-0 victory.

Halfback: Brandon Tikinau (Springfield)

Tikinau played his first game of the season for Springfield and guided the team around the park. The halfback worked tirelessly in defence and had multiple hard runs from No.7.

Isaac Togia. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Centre and second-rower: Jaidyn and Noah Cody (Brothers)

It was an incredible team performance right from the warm up, with all 17 Brothers players playing for each other with an unbelievable team spirit. However, the Brothers Blue right edge was on fire with IGS borders Jaidyn and Noah Cody having a blinder. The brothers scored two tries each as they absolutely tormented their opponents every time they touched the ball.

Centre: Ephraim Iusitini (Springfield)

Iusitini started the match on the edge of the field but was pushed into the middle of the field to strengthen Springfield’s weak defensive effort. He is a defensive force and tried his best to stem the bleeding from the Brothers scoring firepower.

Prop: Mandell Suaniu (Springfield)

Suaniu had a great game on Friday night. He ran hard through the middle of the field with multiple strong carries. The young prop fought valiantly on defence with bone rattling tackles.

Oliva Smith and Isaac Togia (both Goodna)

Smith and Togia were both very strong forwards who did a lot of work with and without the ball.

Originally published as Ipswich Rugby League Under 17 Division 1 Best and Fairest - round 2