Junior rugby league players ready to test skills in annual carnival

The Walker Weekend Challenge kicks off this weekend with the Darling Downs and South West Queensland’s best under-13 male and female players in action. Find out who from your club made our star players to watch list here.

A Valleys Roosters player takes on the Gatton Hawks line during the 2022 Walker Weekend Challenge. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The ever popular Walker Weekend Challenge kicks-off this Saturday with 26 teams from across the Darling Downs and South West Queensland in action.

Named in honour of some of the best brothers – Ben, Shane, Chris and Luke Walker – to come from the Darling Downs region the annual under-13 carnival showcases the next generation of league stars.

Here’s our look at the 50 male and female stars to watch at Valleys Roosters this weekend.

Hunter Dowling (Valleys Red): Fast, small and elusive – the young halfback expertly steers his team around the field and is also very handy in defence.

Rahkye Ryan (Valleys Red): When Rahkye breaks through the line he is nearly impossible to catch. The fullback is also a key part of his side’s defence with his loud and positive voice at the back helping his team maintain its structure.

Josh Hillman (Valleys Red): A passionate and determined lock, Hillman leads the team in defence with his hard tackling and workrate.

Boston Thomas (Valleys Red): A versatile player who can line up at five-eighth or hooker. Boston is the ‘glue in the team’ according to coaches bringing everyone together and ensuring the team atmosphere is positive and fun.

Hayden Watts (Valleys Black): The determined front rower is an impact player through his strong ball running and hard hitting defence.

Xander Driscoll (Valleys Black): A hard hitting tackler and quality ball runner the young back rower works hard from start to finish.

Billy Keogh (Valleys Black): The five-eighth is an absolute workhorse who doesn’t shy away from contact in defence.

Bowie Ingram (Valley Black): The electrifying fullback will give plenty of opposition defenders headaches with his pace and explosive play out of the backfield.

Devon Watson (Valleys Black): A gritty player who will tackle all day. The Valleys vice-captain works well alongside fellow backrower Xander Driscoll.

Chayse Hunt (Valleys Black): A crafty halfback who expertly steers his team around the field.

Trey Gamberini (Highfields): Trey is a versatile player who can play at five-eighth or lock. He works in defence and will not stop tackling until the final whistle is blown.

Nate Gill (Highfields): A dedicated forward who runs the ball hard and tackles all day.

William Brusch (Highfields): The keen prop is always willing to put his hand up for the hard runs and is a monster in defence.

Cooper Bidgood (Southern Suburbs Tigers): A hard running edge back rower with brilliant hands and punishing defence.

Fletcher Wuersching (Southern Suburbs Tigers): A crafty dummy half who leads in defence and is a handful with the ball.

Sidney Geran (Southern Suburbs Tigers): A skilful lock forward and tenacious defender who plays well above his weight class.

Owen Jurgs (Southern Suburbs Tigers): One of the team’s leaders on and off the field, he has an excellent carry and works hard in defence. Should be a big year from this seasoned Tiger.

Dalby’s Steele Turner breaks through the South Burnett during the 2022 Walker Weekend Challenge. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Aslan Dwyer (Southern Suburbs Tigers): A very fast outside back who will return from injury just in time for the carnival. Has the ability to beat his opponent on the inside and out and always works hard on the edge defensively.

Cooper Steffan (Southern Suburbs Tigers): Barry as he is affectionately known is a big bustling prop who is hard to stop close to the line. When Barry crosses for a try it’s a massive energy boost for the team.

Hannah Austin (Southern Suburbs Tigers Girls): A quick and elusive player. If Hannah finds some open space she is hard to catch.

Matilda Crothers (Southern Suburbs Tigers Girls): A tough competitor who is quick and very strong defensively.

Ava Henry (Southern Suburbs Tigers Girls): Has a great pass out of dummy half and tackles everyone who comes in her direction.

Molly McKellar (Highfields Girls): The talented halfback wears the captain’s armband for a reason. McKeller is a natural leader and the loudest voice on the field – expertly steering her team around with her clear, positive words.

Paddy Short of Western Ringers against Brothers during the 2022 Walker Weekend Challenge. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Star Medland (Highfields Girls): The lock is among the team’s best defenders – going above and beyond to shut down opposition attacking raids.

Madison Meek (Highfields Girls): A wall at the back. The young fullback never gives up in defence. Going forward she is a huge attacking threat thanks to her speed.

Elysse Harris (Brothers Girls): A new addition to the club who has already proven herself as one of the hardest runners in the middle. She scored two tries in a recent trial game and has the endurance to play big minutes.

Piper Ware (Brothers Girls): A natural leader at halfback, Ware reads the game well and structures each set based on what she sees in front of her.

Jordan Campbell (Brothers Girls): A strong voice, who is the team’s captain this year thanks to her incredible leadership. She is a versatile player who can play any position across the park and gives 100 per cent effort every game.

Millie Goodman (Brothers Girls): Goodman is firing on all cylinders in 2024 after missing most of last year due to injury. Whether she’s in the back row or dummy half, Goodman makes her presence felt.

Shantel Chadambuka (Brothers Girls): Another new addition for Brothers, Chadambuka brings rep experience having been selected for Darling Downs last year. She is the best one-on-one tackler in the team and runs exceptional lines.

Valleys prepare for the second half against Souths in during the 2022 Walker Weekend Challenge. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Eli Carkeet (Gatton): A classy halfback who knows how to control the forwards and has great ball-playing skills. He is an exciting playmaker and enters the clash in strong form, having made two try-assists in a recent trial game against North Ipswich.

Cooper Brown (Gatton): A workhorse in defence who runs strong lines and always puts in the hard work as a forward.

Hunter Cubit (Gatton): A dangerous five-eighth who is a weapon on the right with an impressive passing game and has the pace to get past defenders.

Nazarlo Larson (Brothers): A Queensland touch football rep, Larson is an electric fullback.

Hudson Wilson (Brothers): The big front rower never stops running and when he walks onto the field he only has two things on his mind – winning and playing hard.

Jet Anderson (Brothers): A natural leader at halfback, Anderson is the biggest talker in the team and organises the offence. He is great with the ball in his hands and was the team’s best and fairest winner last year.

Isaiah Lait (Brothers): A lightning quick hooker who can catch defenders off guard with his dummy half runs. He is also a strong defender and supports the forwards in defence.

Jade Bailey (Wattles): A powerful lock who makes hard runs and bruising tackles.

Jake Burns (Wattles): The talented halfback is an inspiration in defence as he organises the side and holds his ground.

Archie Larfield of Gatton against Valleys Black during the 2022 Walker Weekend Challenge. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Cooper Zaddow (Wattles): Zaddow is an exciting second rower who makes his presence felt across the park. He makes strong runs with the ball and is a solid defender.

Jed Hinz (Wattles): The lighting quick five-eighth is elusive when he gets his running game going. He has a strong combination with Burns in the halves with the pair providing great organisation and leadership for the rest of the team.

Lewis Pott (Dalby): A workhorse who makes hard-charging plays and does just about everything in the back row.

Konisetti Manisella (Dalby): A powerful prop who is set to put Dalby on the front foot with his unrivalled ability to gain metres through the middle.

Max Horchner (Dalby): Horchner is a hardworking centre who makes his presence felt on the edge and also links up strongly with his teammates in the middle.

Dalby girls coach Storm Egel is excited for what is set to be a big year, with some talented players in her roster.

“Within the under 13 girls this year, there is sure to be a lot of emerging talent as we welcome many new faces,” she said.

“With the right opportunities these girls will definitely excel.

“Without a doubt all the girls will certainly display a lot of talent over the Walker weekend.

“I believe the Dalby Devils girls as a team will be worth the watch as each girl brings their own flair to the team.

“The top four girls you definitely don’t want to miss this weekend are Allie-Parker Egel playing in the halves, Mia Johnson in fullback, Nevaeh Horswood playing lock and Claire Gadsby in our front row pack.”