KEY MEN: The 28 TRL Reserve grade players to watch this season

LEAGUE STARS: The 2023 Toowoomba Rugby League Reserve-grade season is underway with top talent on show. After running the rule over every club we’ve identified the key players you need to watch. Find out who made the list from your side below.

Clayton Flute for Southern Suburbs against Goondiwindi in TRL. Picture: Kevin Farmer.

Toowoomba Rugby League action is back this weekend with the Darling Downs best players eager to strut their stuff.

After three rounds Wattles sit atop the Reserve Grade leader, unbeaten on six points, with a further six clubs just two points behind them.

Ahead of round 4 The Chronicle sport team has run the rule over the league to identify our top players to watch during the 2023 TRL Clive Berghofer Land Sales Reserve Grade season.

Brothers

Blake Treadwell

Challenged by his coach to get his hands on the ball more this season, Treadwell has made the most of a positional switch. Moving from centre to five-eighth the Brothers captain can easily dictate play and control the game flow when required.

KEY PLAYERS: Jesse Head (lock), Mack Simmons (prop), Lawrence Nasili (lock/utility).

Jesse Head for Brothers. Picture: Kevin Farmer.

Dalby Diehards

Travis Babbington

The fullback and captain with plenty of A-grade experience, dropped back to Reserve grade this season for the chance to play with his brother. The 22-year-old has quick footwork and a great attacking mentality stemming from his touch footy background.

KEY PLAYERS: Tim Sheen (hooker), Chris Barry (lock), Kristen Bond (five-eighth).

Oakey Bears

Jayme Turl

The side’s barnstorming front-rower has a big engine and is capable of playing out the full 80 minutes. A big body, he is a hugely impressive, inspirational player for the Bears that just loves ripping into his work.

KEY PLAYERS: Brayden Schilf (hooker/utility), Dylan Crump (five-eighth), Ashley Hooper (halfback).

Brayden Schilf for Oakey. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Pittsworth Danes

Darby Manktelow

Captaining the side when he isn’t playing A-grade, the hooker/utility is a smaller body but punches well above his weight class. Manktelow is a natural leader who steers his troops around the park well and troubles opposition defences with darting runs in attack

KEY PLAYERS: Kyle Brose (fullback), Nathan Millan (halfback), Harley Saal (prop).

Southern Suburbs

Mitchell Riley

Described as the heart and soul of the team by his coach, the captain and prop runs hard and fast with the pill in hand. Riley also has a big motor for a forward and puts his all into his training and game day.

KEY PLAYERS: Clayton Flute (fullback), Heath Tisdell (front-row), Shaun Elliot (prop).

Clayton Flute for Southern Suburbs. Picture: Kevin Farmer.

Valleys Roosters

Bryce Whale

Capable of playing hooker or lock, Whale has a smart ‘footy brain’ and always seems to be few steps ahead of the opposition. With solid defence and a decent step, Whale is key to Valley’s success.

KEY PLAYERS: Jaren Bender (vice-captain, fullback/five-eighth), Nicholas Ryals (vice-captain, second-row), Trent Nicholls (utility/halfback).

Bryce Whale has joined Valleys from Brothers. Picture: Kevin Farmer.

Warwick Cowboys

Dylan Lippi

The Cowboys captain and halfback is in his fifth year with the side and has been described as capable of playing A-grade by his coach. With a big motor, a fantastic work ethic and a crafty kicking game, Lippi is slated for a big season.

KEY PLAYERS: Jarrod Bradford (second row), Joseph Wagner (hooker/utility), Damien Beresford (hooker).