Unearthed: The rugby league young guns making waves in North Queensland
The North Queensland Cowboys are always on the look out for the next Johnathan Thurston or Jason Taumalolo, so which unheralded players from up north do fans need to keep an eye on?
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The North Queensland Cowboys are always on the look out for the next Johnathan Thurston or Jason Taumalolo, so which unheralded players from up north do fans need to keep an eye on?
We’ve unearthed some of the young guns that you need to know.
KYLE BADER (Townsville)
The bullocking forward was one of Kirwan’s top schoolboys in 2024, earning him a place in the Townsville Blackhawks’ Mal Meninga Cup team, establishing himself as first-choice lock.
Despite being park of the younger cohort, the powerful ballrunner has been great for the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRLQ under-20s series.
D’ARTANYAN CONNOLLY (Cairns)
The halfback has been a stalwart of Trinity Bay SHS’s Aaron Payne Cup program, praised for his efforts as both a playmaker and as a defender.
With the likes of Jeremiah Nanai and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow forced to leave the school before they had an elite rugby league program, could Connolly be the future face of TBay?
LACHLAN BROWN (Mackay)
A fleet-footed fullback who has impressed in both the Mal Meninga Cup for Mackay and for St Patrick’s College in the Aaron Payne Cup, earning himself multiple nominations to teams of the week.
COOPER MEARES (Cairns)
Another big-bodied prop who has been a mainstay at both St Augustine’s and the Pride, Meares shows a lot of promise with both his physicality and skill.
His outstanding work with the ball in hand is matched by his strong defence, where he relishes the opportunity to crunch unsuspecting ballrunners.
RILEY CARBONE (Townsville)
The Kirwan Bears halfback and co-captain is a terrific talent who possesses the full package with the ability to kick, pass, run and even slot goals.
The tough playmaker has been integral to Kirwan’s undefeated start to the Aaron Payne Cup in 2025, steering the ship on a lethal right-edge.
BRAITH CLUBB (Innisfail)
The fullback/winger has impressed in his stints with both the Northern Pride and St Augustine’s College, and was earmarked by schoolboy coaches as one to watch if they’re going to put points on the board.
PAT IRWIN (Townsville / Warrington)
The wily halfback came to Townsville to chase an opportunity with the Townsville Blackhawks, earning himself a short-term with the Cowboys for the NRLQ under-20s series.
The ex-Warrington Wolves Academy player made his senior Queensland Cup debut in round 2 this year, making two appearances for the club before Bayley Biondi-Odo took over in the halves.
BEN WALKER (Cairns)
Was awarded co-captain duties for St Augustine College’s Aaron Payne Cup side, with the talented five-eighth helping them to a pair of wins in their campaign so far.
A great heads-up player with an eye for finding weaknesses in defensive lines.
COHEN DITTMANN (Bloomsbury)
The fiery Cowboys under-20s winger has been in incredible form in the newly minted NRLQ series, scoring a try in all three of North Queensland’s games this season.
The versatile outside back made waves as a standout schoolboy centre, drawing the attention of the Sydney Roosters – where he played Harold Matthews Cup in 2024 and S.G Ball in 2025.
Cementing his position on the wing, Dittmann’s five tries through the opening three rounds is only matched by Dolphins centre James Walsh – who impressively managed the feat in just two appearances.
TAVITA PENAIA TE’O (Mackay)
Penaia Te’o led the Mackay Cutters to the semi-final of the Mal Meninga Cup this year, with the prop praised for both his maturity and talent on the field by Cutters coaches.
JYE OLSEN (Burdekin)
The Burdekin Roosters five-eighth is an outstanding young talent who starred for the Townsville blackhawks in this year’s Mal Meninga Cup.
Olsen’s biggest strength is his heads-up play and sharp kicking game and he is also no slouch in defence, managing to put on big shots in the defensive line.
Originally published as Unearthed: The rugby league young guns making waves in North Queensland
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