Squads named for Under 17 City v Country rugby league representative clash
Many of Queensland rugby league’s leading under-17 players can be revealed here following the announcement of the City-Country boys and girls teams. Read a three word analysis on the players chosen and other selection highlights here.
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Queensland’s finest under-17 rugby league players will be glimpsed next Saturday when Country and City representative teams clash as part of a gala day of footy also featuring Harvey under-19s, under-17s and Connell Cup grand finals.
The squads are rife with future NRL and NRLW players who this season have led the way for their respective club teams.
Read on to see who was picked and a three word analysis on what they are all about, based off their stellar 2025 campaigns.
Queensland City under-17 girls:
Alessana Betham – Souths Logan Magpies
Revelation. Important. Ballplaying.
Okalani Compton – Souths Logan Magpies
Tenacious. workaholic. Promising.
Enah Desic – Brisbane Tigers
Skilful. Sniper. Star.
Afeena Faamafu – Souths Logan Magpies
Smart. Finesse. Strength.
Peyton Fakaosilia – Brisbane Tigers
Unsung. Upside. Emerging.
Diamond Graham – Tweed Seagulls
Sharp. Service. Leader.
Riley-Jay Henry-Purcell – Brisbane Tigers
Powerhouse. Multi-faceted. Potential.
Affrica-Jade Hippi – Tweed Seagulls
Exciting. Skilled. Unique.
Torah Luadaka – Tweed Seagulls
Sleek. Impressive. Eye-catching.
Janique Mili – Souths Logan Magpies
Livewire. Slippery. Silent-assasin.
Mamele Misa – Souths Logan Magpies
Barnstorming. Offload. Handful.
Lilliana Nati – Redcliffe Dolphins
Leadership. Young-veteran. Powerful.
Marmie Nati – Souths Logan Magpies
Classy. Deft. Patient.
Carayanidis Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu – Brisbane Tigers
Outstanding. Fearless. Confident.
Leilani Taofinuu – Brisbane Tigers
Dangerous. Intelligent. Timely.
Aaliyah Temete – Sydney Roosters
Rising. Raw. Talented.
Sienna Trew – Souths Logan Magpies
Reliable. Damaging. Workhorse.
Sinalei Tupu – Redcliffe Dolphins
Improver. Slick. Bolter.
Queensland City under-17 boys:
Bond Bradley – Redcliffe Dolphins
Potential. Kicking. Scratching the surface.
Basil Coates –Tweed Heads Seagulls
Pedigree. Speed. Long-striding.
Lincoln Dalton – Norths Devils
Cheeky. Diligent. Well-rounded.
Viliami Fifita – Tweed Heads Seagulls
Humble. Bloodlines. Dynamic.
Tupou Francis – Burleigh Bears
Consistent. Balanced. Unforgiving.
Axel Friend – Burleigh Bears
Underrated. Quick. Plucky.
Lachlan Hooker – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Deserving. Sniper (goalkicking). Swarming (defence).
Franck Iraguha – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Versatile. Built. Mobile.
Ezekiel Jones – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Assertive. Influential. Encouraging.
Israel Lotaki – Burleigh Bears
Excitement. Flare. Footwork.
Koby McGarrity – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Effort. Impact. Trusty.
Kalani Patu – Tweed Heads Seagulls
Power. Robust. Fast.
Hayden Polson – Norths Devils
Springs. Accelerates. Revered.
Hemi Rakuita – Brisbane Tigers
Pacy. Aware. Careful.
Kingston Seve – Burleigh Bears
Touted. Towering. Elite.
Harvey Smith – Burleigh Bears
Valuable. Tough. Spearhead.
Taoso Taoso – Norths Devils
Multi-sport. Raw. Offloading.
Dean Tauaa – Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Twitch. Relentless. Strike.
THE COUNTRY SQUADS
Country boys under-17 squad: Lincoln Baker – Townsville Blackhawks, Norman Campbell – Mackay Cutters, Eli Cookson – Mackay Cutters, Josiah Fa’aoso –Tweed Heads Seagulls, Leo Fanuatanu – Central Queensland Capras, Parker Gallagher – Central Queensland Capras, AJ Gilbert – Central Queensland Capras, Ashyr Kelso – Sunshine Coast Falcons, Alastair Maclachlan – Western Clydesdales, Jay Marsh – Central Queensland Capras, Liam Marshall – Western Clydesdales, Trent Martin –Townsville Blackhawks, Adam McSherry – Mackay Cutters, Bailen Noy – Wynnum Manly Seagulls, Jett Ryan – Sunshine Coast Falcons, Nathan Thomas – Sunshine Coast Falcons, Tomasi Vaitai – Ipswich Jets, Grange Womal – Mackay Cutters
Some of the Country boys selection highlights include:
+ Keebra Park big man Tomasi Vaitai, who was a key forward for the Ipswich Jets;
+ The naming of Falcons skipper Jett Ryan, a player who wore multiple hats for the Sunshine Coast side;
+ Wynnum Manly young gun Bailen Noy being picked. Noy was a playmaker at heart but made a switch from the halves to centre and flourished in 2025. His selection is a nice reward for his willingness to change and learn a new position;
+ The class of Blackhawks Lincoln Baker and Trent Martin is highlighted in their selection;
+ The emergence of St Brendan’s hooker Jay Marsh continues. The progression of his older brother, Braelan, has also been a highlight of the club season;
+ Marsh’s centre Leo Fanuatanu was a real handful this season. He thoroughly deserved his spot in this company.
Country girls under-17 squad: Star Arthur-Clarke – Sydney Roosters, Sailor Bowker – Sunshine Coast Falcons, Maycee Brown – Central Queensland Capras, Ella Duncan – Mackay Cutters, Cianna Faulkner – Mackay Cutters, Emily Jackwitz – Ipswich Jets
Madaline Johnson – Central Queensland Capras, Charlotte McLean – Central Queensland Capras. Nylani Namai – Townsville Blackhawks, Alanieta Nauqe – Townsville Blackhawks, Sedeequa Nelson – Western Clydesdales, Rachel Oakley – Central Queensland Capras, Ayslinn Pollock – Sunshine Coast Falcons, Tah’ Lucy Querro – Townsville Blackhawks, Ashlynn Self – Central Queensland Capras, Elisharma Suavai – Northern Pride, Chloe Thompson – Western Clydesdales, Josie Wogand – Central Queensland Capras.
Some of the Country girls selection highlights include:
+ The selection of a Capras Super Six, featuring Brown, Johnson, Oakley, Self and Wogand;
+ Pride enforcer Elisharma Suavai being rewarded for a bumper campaign;
+ Ays Pollock, a prime-moving Falcons forward, named as a reward for her deeds spearheading her side to the semi-finals;
+ Sedeequa Nelson’s outstanding season rewarded. She was the class halfback of the country teams;
+ The naming of dynamic Townsville duo Nylani Namai and Alanieta Nauqe.
Originally published as Squads named for Under 17 City v Country rugby league representative clash
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