St Brendan’s Simon Green captain of Dolphins Cup Team of the Season
Central Queensland’s leading rugby league talent was showcased in the hotly contested 2024 Dolphins Cup. See the players who excelled, earning a place in our merit team.
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The next generation of Central Queensland’s potential NRL stars were showcased in the hotly contested 2024 Dolphins Cup.
The five-way competition was, by consensus of coaches and officials, one of the strongest and closest yet staged.
The Dolphins Cup was created in 2022, a stand-alone competition featuring teams from Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Bundaberg who formerly played in the Aaron Payne Cup.
St Brendan’s College took the honours this year with a 26-12 grand final win over Rockhampton Grammar, who enjoyed a remarkable resurgence after a win-less 2023 campaign.
Watch the grand final replay here
St Brendan’s skipper Simon Green, undoubtedly one of the hottest young prospects in the game, was named Player of the Final.
The talented lock has caught the eye of the Manly Sea Eagles and was an automatic inclusion in our Dolphins Cup Team of the Season.
Green is among a number of players from the competition who have already inked deals with NRL clubs, continuing Central Queensland’s proud tradition as one of the country’s leading rugby league nurseries.
See who joins him in our star-studded Team of the Season.
Harri Meilland (Emmaus)
Melland returned to Emmaus in 2024 from Brisbane and soon found himself in the CQ Capras under-17 team and Queensland Country under-17 team. He followed that up with a consistent Dolphins Cup Campaign, earning the No.1 jersey for 2024.
Phillip Yock (St Brendan’s)
Yock had an impressive season at fullback for St Brendan’s. With Meilland securing that position in the honorary team, Yock deservedly earned a place on the wing in the line-up.
Harvey Mahoney (St Brendan’s)
Mahoney was instrumental in St Brendan’s hoisting the trophy this year. Having signed a contract with the Canberra Raiders earlier this year, he has taken his game to the next level in his time at the school.
Elijah McKay (TCC)
McKay went from strength to strength this year. His Dolphins Cup campaign was topped off by his selection in the Queensland schoolboys team. He had to have a place in this team.
Parkka Perrotta-Dowling (Shalom)
Again, we had to find a place for another fullback here. Perrotta-Dowling was a strength at the back for Shalom, a shining light in a season that could have been.
Will McLaughlin (Emmaus)
McLaughlin’s guidance for his Emmaus side elevated him to a halves spot in this line-up. A constant threat with ball in hand, he gave Emmaus the attacking flair that saw them qualify for the Dolphins Cup semi finals.
Tyler Melrose (St Brendan’s)
Melrose has made this team for the second time and there’s no surprises there. His leadership and direction on field gave St Brendan’s the upper hand and the edge. Having signed with Manly for 2025 and beyond, he’s on an upward trajectory in his rugby league career.
Carter Ford (St Brendan’s)
Ford was huge for St Brendan’s in their title win. Leading from the front, he intimidated defence lines with his huge carries and his work rate.
Braelan Marsh (St Brendan’s)
Marsh gave St Brendan’s real strike in the middle of the field. His slicing runs gave opposition teams nightmares and he was the obvious No.9 pick.
Henry Kallquist (Grammar)
Kallquist played a leading role in getting Grammar to the big dance in 2024. Having played every minute bar a handful throughout the whole campaign, he was Grammar’s glue in the middle of the field in both attack and defence.
Cooper Broadhurst (Grammar)
Broadhurst played like his life depended on it. Aggressive and competitive, he made Grammar a force to be reckoned with.
Harrison Hill (St Brendan’s)
Hill’s year was one to remember. His time playing for the U17 Capras team was met with success, then he went on to win the coveted Player of the Carnival award at the Confraternity Shield before winning the 2024 Dolphins Cup with St Brendan’s. Was an easy selection.
Simon Green, captain (St Brendan’s)
Green epitomises what a rugby league player should be - inspiration leadership and strong on-field skills all mashed up with aggression and poise. He has conquered many mountains this year, having captained the CQ Capras under-19 team, earning selection in the 2024 Confraternity Shield Merit Team and leading St Brendan’s to the Dolphins Cup title. Say no more.
Callum Denman (Grammar)
Denman earns his place on the bench after a stellar year guiding Grammar to the grand final. His crafty kicking game was a highlight for Grammar, and regularly resulted in swings of momentum and points when his team needed it.
Zac Bateman (TCC)
Bateman’s campaign was cut short, not taking part in the semi-finals with TCC, but he could not be ignored. Every team needs a Zac Bateman - a tough and relentless player who leads with his actions.
Josh Nilon (Emmaus)
Nilon was a constant menace to opposition teams. Hard-hitting and hard-working, his aggressive style was a boon for Emmaus. He brought the fear factor which ultimately gave them the boost they needed to advance to the finals.
Xavier Nott (Grammar)
A newcomer to the Dolphins Cup, Nott was very strong for Grammar in 2024. His hard carries and work rate in defence earned him a bench spot.
Jake Oberhardt (St Brendan’s)
Oberhardt was hard to leave out of the starting side. He was on par with Carter Ford in St Brendan’s title tilt and played well all year. There aren’t too many players with his ability to play full blast in both attack and defence which is why he has become one of the region’s finest young prospects.
Alekisio Siale (TCC)
Siale made the team after some impressive displays for TCC. His big runs were part of TCC’s DNA which gave them the upper hand at times. Look to him in 2025 as he goes around one more time in the Dolphins Cup.
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Originally published as St Brendan’s Simon Green captain of Dolphins Cup Team of the Season
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