Rookies on the rise: 40+ girls to watch in Harvey U17s league as bumper round one of battles looms
A bumper round 1 looms in the Harvey Norman under-17s girls rugby league competition. Who will be the players to watch from your club? The niece of Broncos great Steve Renouf, a young star from the Gold Coast and the daughter of former Raiders enforcer Tom Learoyd-Lahrs are among those set to make an impact.
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The Harvey Norman under-17s girls league season returns on Saturday and for the first time the competition will feature a grand final.
The code was booming among young women and news of a historic decider adds further excitement to this age group of players.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Saturday’s first game between the Dolphins and Tweed at 9.30am featured the battle of the fullbacks, Lacey McLaren (Tweed) and Shar-Lene Nati (Redcliffe).
In the Norths-Tigers game, watch for the Tigers to sweep the ball to centre Leilani Taofinuu.
At Webb Park, the battle of No.13s, Maycee Brown (Capras) and Macey Lahrs (Blackhawks), will be worth watching.
In the Wynnum-Souths Logan clash, two elite hookers, Emily Whittaker (Wynnum) and Okalani Compton (Magpies), come together.
Chloe Thompson will captain the Clydesdales against the Falcons while Cianna Faulkner be looking to lead the Cutters in their clash against the Pride.
The Ipswich Jets also welcome the Bulls to town. Here we highlight some of the players to watch across the competition.
HARVEY NORMAN 17s PLAYERS TO WATCH
BRISBANE TIGERS
Riley-Jay Henry-Purcell
Henry-Purcell, a powerhouse forward who has been a fixture in representative teams, is a strong woman who breaks field athletic records in shot put.
In league, she is a Ms mobile with good hands. She will play lock.
Enah Desic
Desic was the best No.9 last season, a revelation during the inaugural 2024 competition.
With a year of Schoolgirls Cup, club footy and representative honours under her belt, she will be primed for a big season.
Signed by the Titans, she is clever with an effective kicking game.
Leilani Taofinuu
Taofinuu arrived in Brisbane last year where she linked with her cousin, Bulldogs’ Evelyn Roberts, playing in the National Schoolgirls Cup at Marsden SHS.
A hard-hitting left centre, she made such an impression that she was drafted into the Queensland U16 representative side.
Taofinuu has the ability to release her winger on sideline runs, as she did with distinction in the trials, or take quick ruck runs to put her side on the front foot.
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS
Ace Pollock
Pollock was a persistent force for the Falcons in three games last year, taking home the best back award as a bottom age player.
The 2025 captain will be looking to continue her strong form and keep opposition defences in two minds.
Marley Chan
A high-class utility, Chan covered a few positions for the Falcons last season and has the distinction of being able to play as a prop and halfback.
Chan, who can pass well on both sides of her body, will slot into the halves for the opening round.
Aamira Renouf
Aamira, the daughter of Falcons identity Donald Malone and niece of Broncos great Steve Renouf, is a multi-sport talent capable leaving a big impression in this competition.
Her speed and flair is a recipe for success.
Renouf will relish the freedom afforded to her playing fullback and she can cover a number of positions in the backline if required.
Lily Bain
Bain has the talent and creativity to cause some headaches in the halves.
The rugby league five-eighth has also excelled in rugby 7s and the Falcons girls will be capable of scoring plenty of points with Bain’s hand on the trigger.
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS
Matilda Richards
Cowboys junior development squad member Richards has joined the Blackhawks for her first season of rugby league and enters the fold with plenty of representative experience under her belt.
The Townsville Grammar School student represented Queensland last year in rugby 7s, and was also a key player for the Townsville Brolgas.
Richards was named Townsville and District Rugby Union player of the year for the under-17s girls in 2024 after a bumper season with North Ward.
Her best position may well be fullback, but she will start the season on the wing while she continues to learn the game.
Evoltia Tuala
Tuala will co-captain the Blackhawks this season and hold down the edge at the same time.
Tuala is one of the brightest prospects in this age group and the Cowboys-aligned forward is currently on a pathway to the NRLW as recognition of her talents.
She was named Queensland Country’s player of the match in the under-17s battle with Queensland City in 2024 and will be looking to go one better in 2025.
Diaz Bowen
Diaz Bowen, the daughter of 270-game Cowboys legend Matt, will bring her effective playmaking skills to the Blackhawks’ halves this season.
Diaz is also a very talented touch football player whose elusiveness creates time and space for her teammates to pounce, though she is no stranger to breaking the line herself.
Macey Lahrs
The masterful Macey Larhs is a highly-touted league prospect who also excels in football and basketball.
The tall lock-forward is the complete package with fantastic ball skills which will take pressure off of her halves.
Taylar Viero
The young forward is returning for her second season in the Blackhawks under-17s and will offer energy off the bench this Saturday.
Viero played lock for St Margaret Mary’s College during the school’s maiden Schoolgirls Cup campaign and she was a standout during the Confraternity Carnival when her school team claimed the division 2 title undefeated.
WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS
Emily Whittaker
Dummyhalf Whittaker was one of the latest Wynnum Manly juniors to be recognised by NRL systems after she was identified by the Bulldogs and Dolphins following last season.
Fortified by headgear and propelled along by boundless energy, Whittaker plays above her weight in both defence and when she carries the ball.
The exhaustive Whittaker will spearhead Wynnum’s campaign again with her tireless efforts getting the ruck.
Breanna Gault
Gault returns after gathering experience in this competition last season.
Gault’s speed is her biggest threat from either fullback, or when she runs the ball as a half.
On Saturday Gault will be on the wing.
Summer Thorne
Thorne will be a tough, workload prop - the type of forward every club needs to succeed.
Don’t be surprised to see her make multiple try saving tackles at the defensive end, yet to have the energy to impact with her runs once possession changes hands.
SOUTHS LOGAN
Lili Lewis
Lili Lewis, arguably the finest halfback in the competition, is building quite the reputation.
A halfback from Marsden SHS, the Queensland schoolgirl representative runs a side expertly and has vision and a terrific short kicking game.
Okalani Compton
Passing the ball to Lewis will be dummyhalf Compton.
From Keebra Park SHS, Compton is a tremendous defender who shows courage in the ruck
The queen of repeat efforts, Compton has also displayed a strong pass from the ground and an effective running game.
Bella Alo
Bella Alo was a part of the team’s leadership group last season and, one season on, will be more mature and streetwise in 2025.
A centre from Stretton State College, Alo’s work ethic during the off-season was outstanding and she will give the side strike on the edge.
Last season the skillful Alo represented the Queensland 15-16 years schoolgirls and is a representative rugby 7s player.
Afeena Faamafu
Another centre leading the way will be Afeena Faamafu, who will be eligible for another season in this age group next year.
A part of the Sydney Roosters junior representative raining during the off-season, the gifted Faamafu is another local product from the Waterford West club who has flowed into the Magpies system with ease.
Janique Mili
Souths Logan’s outside back division includes this pocket rocket. Watch out!
A track and field athlete, Mili has speed and strength and forms an uncanny understanding with her Marsden SHS school mate, Lili Lewis.
Sienna Trew
Souths Logan have plenty of strike and skill, but the bricks and mortar forward will be laid by Trew and middles Mamele Misa and Elisa Asomua.
Trew grew up in the backyard playing against Brisbane Broncos NRL development player Bailey, a winger, and playing league is second hand to her.
She is a hard worker who knows how to get the job done in the middle.
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS
Luisa Olomali’i and Mya Tronc
The Dolphins will have plenty of drive through the middle with returning props Olomali’i and Tronc. Last season they were always in or around the action and were giving their all up until the final whistle.
Shar-Lene Nati
The Dolphins will be spearheaded by fullback Nati, a Ms Natural with wheels and power.
The Queensland City under-17s select was sharp in last year’s three-game season.
IPSWICH JETS
Benae Toloa
Toloa, Ipswich’s lock, is relatively new to the code but has a high level of pedigree. She is Stretton State College student was part of Souths Logan’s junior ranks.
Toloa has impressed the Jets coaching staff during the pre-season with her knowledge and leadership. Having been in the squad last season, watch for Toloa to blossom in 2025.
Monica Tuala-Leaunoa
From New Zealand and now a student at Ipswich SHS, Tuala-Leaunoa is just what the doctor ordered for the Jets and has made an immediate impact at the club.
A halfback, she is a natural talent who will expertly lead the side around the field.
Jannali Wyles-Entermann
A Met West representative player, fullback Wyles-Entermann could be a head turning player this season.
She has a tone of natural speed and ability, and is someone who can link with the outside backs, while also contributing through the middle with her carries.
WESTERN CLYDESDALES
Chloe Thompson
Clydesdales coach Russell Jones said he was so pleased to have Thompson in the squad this season after the Clydesdales lost a lot of senior players.
Thompson will captain the side and play on the edge. She is set for a big season having played well for Pittsworth in Toowoomba Junior Rugby League last year.
She will lead the squad with passion and poise.
Mikaela Blades
The boundless Blades might be small in stature, but don’t be deceived - she has heart and packs a punch too.
A little dynamo, Blades sets a high standard for her peers with her work rate.
“Her work ethic and her trial game (against Brisbane Tigers) was david and goliath stuff,” said Clydesdales coach Russell Jones.
Hayley Wainwright
From Cowboy country, Warwick, Hayley Wainwright was a raw talent in 2024 as a first season league player but has plenty more strings to her bow this season.
Wainwright will play winger this season for the Clydesdales.
Watch for the interchange impact of Lanelle Maui, a prop from Yeppoon, this weekend in the Clydesdales match against the Falcons.
CQ CAPRAS
Madeline Johnson
A calm and collected five-eighth half, Jones plays eyes up footy and will be asking plenty of questions.
She will have plenty of responsibility in the halves and with her mix of speed and craftiness, opposition players may be left guessing what he next move will be.
Alexis Bukowski
A tireless and determined forward, Bukowski was the type of player who will put her hand up to do the extra work - no matter what the scoreboard says.
Her agility and power out wide are real assets for the Capras.
Josie Wogand
A crafty hooker with a great understanding of the game, Wogand will give 110 per cent in every aspect of her game.
She has an uncanny ability for gaining extra metres when the opportunities arise.
TWEED SEAGULLS
Torah Luadaka
A returning player, Luadaka will captain the side and is the type of personality who will enjoy the responsibility that comes with leadership.
She has loads of big match experience, having played Queensland schoolgirls and City representative games.
Luadaka will line up in the halves, but has also played fullback her kicking game is a point of difference.
Diamond Graham
The Queensland Schoolgirls hooker is starting to realise how high her ceiling really is.
She was pushed in the trial games and rose to the challenge playing extended minutes to find another level and the Seagulls will be primed to make a big push with Graham touching the ball regularly.
Affrica-Jade Hippi
A quiet achiever who is also a Queensland Schoolgirls representative, Hippi has developed in leaps and bounds over the past 12 months.
Hippi was held back by injuries last year, but is better prepared ahead of this season and emerged as one of the hardest trainers.
A reliable player who will be one of the first to put her hand up for an exit carry.
Avalon Price
A powerful type who can slot in anywhere in the forwards, Price has previously played in the Lisa Fiola Cup (under-17s) in New South Wales.
A leader whose development of late has Tweed supporters feverish to see her in action.
NORTHS DEVILS
Paige Stagg, Vaisaili Chan Kee, Annable Hales and Kina Vainga
The Norths Devils were set for another exciting Harvey Norman U17 season starting with a cross town derby clash against the Brisbane Tigers on February 15.
The Devils’ catchment is a hotbed of rugby league talent, and Norths will again field a competitive side.
Dummyhalf Paige Stagg, halfback Vaisaili Chan-Kee, versatile forward Annable Hales and second rower Simaima Vainga led by example in the club’s trial matches and are sure to be key pieces of the puzzle.
MACKAY CUTTERS
Cianna Faulkner
A forward utility, Faulkner is a true workhorse with a strong work ethic on and off the field.
She is the player who coach Imogen Healy can rely on to give her that extra hit-up or make that crucial tackle in pressure situations.
Seepa Kosetatino-Liufau
A prime lifter in the middle, Kosetatino-Liufau is the last person opponents want to wind up and let rip. She can knock the barn door down with her power game and could well be responsible for a highlight reel play or two this season with her one-on-one contact.
Kosetatino-Liufau will be utilised off the interchange bench in round one.
Kaitlyn Thiedeke
Halfback Thiedeke has what all good halves have and that is clear and persistent communication skills.
She will be in her element steering the Cutters from A to B.
A student of the game.
Abby Callander
A tall, agile player with good vision and positional awareness.
Those characteristics could come in handy when Mackay are attacking and defending the try line. Callander will act as the glue at fullback.
Originally published as Rookies on the rise: 40+ girls to watch in Harvey U17s league as bumper round one of battles looms
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