NewsBite

The Chronicle’s readers have their say on the best TRL Indigenous team since 2010

The Chronicle has named 50 of the best Indigenous players to feature in the TRL since 2010, and the fans have spoken. Here’s the best team of 17 Indigenous players as voted by our readers.

Greg Inglis interview Indigenous Sport Month (Fox Sports)

The Chronicle named 50 of the best Indigenous players since 2010 last month, and now our readers have voted.

After tallying the votes of the fans, we can reveal the best team of 17 as voted by you.

Here is the team of best TRL Indigenous players since 2010:

1. Chris Woodbridge

2. Corey Blades

3. Blake Appo

4. Daniel Jennings

5. Aaron Hooper

6. Ash Boney

7. Cory McGrady

8. Damon Anderson

9. Wes Murray

10. Reggie Munn

11. Kalemb Hart

12. Josh Stanton

13. Rick McGrady

14. David McGrady

15. Coedie Tandy

16. Cameron Moodie

17. Robbie Clevin

The Chronicle readers have voted for the best TRL Indigenous 17 since 2010.
The Chronicle readers have voted for the best TRL Indigenous 17 since 2010.

PLAYER PROFILES

CORY MCGRADY

One of the competition’s premier halves in recent years with Valleys and Highfields.

Won a John McDonald Medal in 2018 with the Roosters, as well as back-to-back premierships with the club.

JOSH STANTON

A devastating ball runner out wide in the centres and second row in over 200 A-grade games for Oakey.

Now plying his trade with the Newtown Lions in the back row.

DAVID MCGRADY

No player has more time than David McGrady.

Has enjoyed a stint with Warwick previously, but has found his home at Goondiwindi, where he led the side to last year’s title.

Nathan Gaulton (left). Picture: Kevin Farmer
Nathan Gaulton (left). Picture: Kevin Farmer

NATHAN GAULTON

Has played all over the park such is the versatility he possesses.

Reached the heights of Q Cup level, before stints in the TRL with Wattles and Brothers where he is currently playing now.

JOSH ROBINSON

It’s no exaggeration to say he was one of the fastest players the league had seen.

A Valleys junior who spent time with Oakey as well, Robinson was one of the top ranked Australian runners during his time on the track.
GEROME BURNS

Pace, evasiveness and a feel for the game, Burns has all the tools of the trade.

Helped Valleys to a title in 2019 and now at the Q Cup level.

WES MURRAY

Played with an incredible amount of heart and was a crafty halfback.

Spent time at Wattles, Newtown and Warwick, but Gatton is where he made the biggest inroads during his time in the TRL.

Corey Blades. Photo: Nev Madsen
Corey Blades. Photo: Nev Madsen

COREY BLADES

A genuine excitement machine when he was at his best, including stints at Dalby, Wattles and Souths.

Represented the Queensland Rangers and has a John McDonald Medal to his name.

DYLAN CHOWN

Another electrifying fullback that has unfortunately been hampered by injuries in recent times.

Has been a staple at the Valleys club, including playing his part in their recent premiership successes.

JARROD LEE

One of the key figures at Highfields and is now taking on a different role as player-coach at the club.

Has represented Australia at the Universities World Cup and multiple rep honours locally.

KALEMB HART

An impact player that has tasted premiership glory at Valleys, including scoring the winning try of the 2018 final.

Has now stepped into the role of a co-captain of a rebuilding Newtown roster.

DENNIS BURGOYNE

One of the most imposing players in the TRL during his prime, Burgoyne took no prisoners in the front row.

A leader of Gatton who had a stint as captain of the side.

Dennis Burgoyne. Photo: Kevin Farmer
Dennis Burgoyne. Photo: Kevin Farmer

DWAYNE DUNCAN

A classy centre with Southern Suburbs and now Valleys, Duncan is another with a premiership to his name.

Solid with the ball and a gun defender, a top quality player.

DANIEL JENNINGS

Made his mark at Gatton as one of the most destructive ball runners during his time in the centres.

Has spent time at Wattles and is now getting back to his best at Brothers.

AUSTIN JENNINGS

A young man with plenty of football ahead of him.

Came through the Clydesdales system while at Gatton. Has played with Brothers and now scoring tries for fun at Wattles.

MATHEW MARSHALL

Has added some experience and wisdom to the Warwick outfit over the last few years.

Marshall has played at the state league level in NSW, and helped the Cowboys get to a grand final in 2019.

CHARLIE ADAMS

A livewire outside back who could run rings around opponents, played at a quality level for Highfields.

Last year played out the season at Newtown.

Aaron Hooper. Photo: Kevin Farmer
Aaron Hooper. Photo: Kevin Farmer

AARON HOOPER

A veteran winger of the competition who is now with Wattles, Hooper has been one of the league’s most prolific scorers.

Previous stints include the likes of Southern Suburbs, Oakey and Highfields.

BEN COOK

Has made a big impact in the TRL in recent years with Valleys and now this season at Southern Suburbs.

A talented half that has won a comp and can lead a side well.

MICHAEL PURCELL

Was always destined for greater things, and had a memorable stint with Wattles that saw him named in the TRL team of the year in a premiership season.

Has been a regular contributor at the Q Cup level.

DENZEL BURNS

An exciting talent who is now playing for the Ipswich Jets in the Hostplus Cup, such is the ability he has.

Enjoyed A-grade stints with Highfields and Valleys during his time in the TRL.

TRAVIS TURNBULL

Right up there with one of the most gifted talents we’ve seen in the region.

Played a key role in the Mustangs’ Mal Meninga Cup win, and has been playing well for Valleys of late.

RICK MCGRADY

Has had previous stints in first grade with the Gold Coast, and is still flying high with Goondiwindi.

A local legend who has played at a high level for decades now.

CHRIS WOODBRIDGE

A real up and comer of the league, starting out at Pittsworth and making the move south to Goondiwindi.

Memorably sprinted away for the Clydesdales in the XXXX A-grade semi final.

JEFF NIELSEN

Spent time with Gatton and Highfields, and now having a run down at Goondiwindi.

A crafty halfback who has experience at the A-grade level and a solid talent.

WALLY PEGLER

Came through the Mustangs ranks and has developed into a solid A-grader, now with Souths.

Enjoyed stints with Valleys, Newtown, Oakey and Brothers, including a memorable kick after the buzzer in 2019.

BLAKE APPO

One of Highfields’ unsung heroes throughout the years.

In whatever position he has been thrust into, he has done the job at a high level for the Eagles.

Valleys players Dwayne Duncan (left) and Alex Hinch. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Valleys players Dwayne Duncan (left) and Alex Hinch. Picture: Kevin Farmer

ALEX HINCH

Made the step up to A-grade over the last few seasons and certainly hasn’t looked out of place in the red and black.

MICHAEL MARSHALL

An exciting outside back from the Southern Downs who posted stints with both Wattles and Warwick.

Was able to do some extraordinary things on the field.

DAMON ANDERSON

Recently notched up his 50 games for the Oakey Bears, and is a real leader both on and off the field.

A hard-hitting front rower who plays with a great intensity.

DAVID ARMSTRONG

The reigning John McDonald Medal winner after a stunning grand final victory with Goondiwindi.

Now onto bigger things with Newcastle down in the NSW Cup.

TRAVIS WADDELL

Made the move to Goondiwindi for the 2021 season after a great career in the NRL and representing the Indigenous All Stars.

Helped the Boars reach a title. A classy figure.

MALCOLM MCGRADY

Another of the strong McGrady contingent down at Goondiwindi, and a near unstoppable centre on his day.

Plenty of ability and a goalkicking boot to match.

RICHARD MURRAY

A premiership player with Valleys in 2018 when he was still a teenager.

A back rower or centre with a great ability to bust through the line.

BRAYDON WILSON

One of the bigger wingers for Wattles during his time and was hard to stop.

Always able to find his way to the line and a great presence in defence.

Coedie Tandy. Picture: Nev Madsen
Coedie Tandy. Picture: Nev Madsen

COEDIE TANDY

Has featured in grand finals across multiple grades, including for Warwick in 2019.

A livewire half that was able to make something happen out of nothing.

BRANDON MCGRADY

Forms a solid partnership with brother Malcolm at Goondiwindi.

Another strong ball runner and a good defender out in the back line.

GEOFFREY PRINCE

One of the more reliable finishers in the competition with Goondiwindi, particularly in their title year.

Piled on the tries in recent times and showing no signs of slowing down.

REGGIE MUNN

A massive impact player for Valleys and a premiership winner.

Plays with a great intensity and has relished a bench role. A game winner

MICHAEL HAZARD

Plays with as much heart as anyone in the competition, and is now a premiership winning halfback.

A controlling influence at Goondiwindi who improves with every year.

ZAC MILES

Toowoomba only saw a snippet of Miles in the top flight, but such was his ability he forced his way into the Valleys 2018 grand final side.

Doing good things on the Sunshine Coast now.

ASH BONEY

An incredibly talented player taken too soon, the late Ash Boney played a pivotal role in helping the Gatton Hawks break their premiership drought.

NICK BONEY

A relative of Ash and an electrifying player who could find the tryline.

Represented the Central Crows such was his ability.

Phil Waters. Photo: Dave Noonan
Phil Waters. Photo: Dave Noonan

PHIL WATERS

A forward that most notably played with Southern Suburbs, Oakey and Gatton before linking with Newtown. Always produced his best games for the SWQ Emus, including a couple of barnstormers. Lifts for the fixture.

LIAM CLOSE

A young talent coming through the grades at Goondiwindi who worked his way back into the A-grade side.

Turned himself into one of the better front rowers in the competition.

RAY DUNCAN

A Newtown stalwart over the years who also performed well with Brothers.

Duncan is a hard-running back-rower that gave his all wherever he played.

ROBBIE CLEVIN

Been around for a long time and gave plenty to the likes of Newtown, Brothers and Oakey.

Was a former TRL player of the year and named in the South-West Indigenous team of the century.

JOSH DUNCAN

Another player that has collected the highest accolade of a TRL player of the year with Oakey.

Played in a grand final and was last seen in the blue of Newtown.

GLENN MCGRADY

Was a shining light for Goondiwindi in their premiership success, and has since been rewarded with a stint for the Norths Devils in Q Cup.

One of the biggest boots in the TRL.

CAMERON MOODIE

A long-time Newtown stalwart during the 2000s and beyond, before helping the club in their second division title in their return year.

Back in the A-grade fold in recent years.

Vote for your best TRL Indigenous player since 2010.
Vote for your best TRL Indigenous player since 2010.

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/indigenous-sports-month-49-of-the-best-local-players-in-the-trl-since-2010/news-story/cf0cbe41e3ce7eeba9b1f37b26c42b14