Queensland Under 19 Emerging Squad to be trimmed to 18

Here’s 24 reasons the Queensland Maroons women’s program was in great condition following the naming of the Queensland Under 19 Emerging Squad.

Skyla Adams playing in the Tarsha Gale Cup for the Roosters.Picture: Thomas Lisson.

A powerhouse 24 member Queensland under-19 squad has been named to prepare for the Harvey Norman-sponsored interstate clash with New South Wales on June 20.

The squad, which will be trimmed to 18, will be coached by Deanna Turner who last season coached the Maroons to its 20-14 win.

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The strength of the side was highlighted by who did not make it as much as who did make the squad.

Souths Logan player Kiarah Siauane of Mabel Park SHS scoring for the Magpies.Picture, John Gass

Absent from the side were elite players from this season’s Harvey Norman under-19s like the Hippi sisters (Tweed), Jennifer Kimber (Cutters), Chloe Pallisier (Clydesdales), Alice Shannon (Tigers), Gracie Watt (Cutters), Kayleen Takai (Tigers), Sienna Smith (Tweed), Ebony Temple (Cutters), Leilani Tuqiri (Tigers), Sky Antoniolli (Falcons), Ava Walters (Norths), Memory Paitai (Redcliffe) and Armarni-lea Auvae (Redcliffe), Lhylla Willimson (Blackhawks), Tavarna Papalii (Roosters) and India Seeto (Tigers).

Queensland’s powerhouse under-19 squad features a beautifully balanced group.

A young Skyla Adams as a schoolgirl at Keebra Park SHS. Picture: Jerad Williams

THE SQUAD

Skyla Adams (Souths Logan Magpies)

A schoolgirl prodigy from Keebra Park SHS, Adams has been a high achiever in both rugby union and league. Tall and super skilled, she can put a teammate through a hole with ease and seems to have vision others do not.

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Shauna Barnham (Norths Devils)

Originally from that wonderful rugby league region of Rockhampton, she was a skilled ball handler and strong defender who was dedicated on the training paddock.

Shauna Barnham playing as a Capras’ player last season - she moved to Souths Logan this year.

Mariah Brown (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)

A member of the history making 2022 Queensland schoolgirls, the clever five-eight had a great season for the Seagulls. She was gallant in defence as well as highly skilled, earning promotion into the BMD senior side. The Highfields junior is the real deal.

Hayley Bush (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)

A teammate of Brown at Wynnum, middle forward Bush was always involved in our Harvey 17s Team of the Week conversions this season.

Tiresa Elika. Picture credit: Brisbane Tigers Media.

Tiresa Elika (Brisbane Tigers)

An absolute rock as a No. 13. middle forward or even edge forward, Elika was the complete footballer. An Ipswich SHS product, she has great hands, knows and game and does the little things right around her natural skills.

Matekino Gray (Burleigh Bears)

The Titans-signed edge back rower helped Queensland win its 2023 match and will again be leading the charge at training hoping to help the Maroons repeat history. She was benefiting from the coach of Titans NRLW coach Karyn Murphy.

Reegan Hicks of Redcliffe was a certain selection.

Reegan Hicks (Norths Devils BMD)/Redcliffe (Harvey Norman 19s)

Hicks has the runs on the board both as a Queensland and Australian Schoolgirls prop. She is a workhorse around the ruck who makes her tackles count, and carrying the ball she is authoritative and at times imposing.

Paityne Johns (Mackay Cutters)

Johns was the best No. 9 in the Harvey Norman under-19s girls competition this season. Only slightly built, she was the firing pin in helping Mackay Cutters win the premiership this season. Johns plays above her weight, tackles strongly and has great ball skills.

Rilee Jorgensen Burleigh Bears

A seasoned campaigner, the aggressive, tough as nail No.13 is just perfect for an interstate battle. She has nice skills, but importantly was prepared to get down in the trenches against the Blues.

Shaylee Joseph. Harvey Norman under-19s action between Redcliffe and the Brisbane Tigers. Sunday February 11, 2024.

Shaylee Joseph (Brisbane Tigers)

Born to play rugby league, prop Joseph is making her own way in the side after watching her older sister, Keilee, play for the Queensland State of Origin side and become a Jillaroo. She has been practising her tackling since knee high to a grasshopper at Waterford West Demons, progressing through the elite Mabel Park SHS women’s program.

Townsville Blackhawks juniors against Mackay Cutters. U19 girls at Jack Manski Oval. Cutters Mersades Lawson. Picture: Evan Morgan

Mersades Lawson (Mackay Cutters)

A class act and natural leader, halfback Lawson led from the front this season during the Cutters dramatic rise to the top of the sporting tree against the Tigers in the Harvey 19s grand final. Her combination with hooker Paityne Johns was uncanny.

Titans player ahead Sienna Lofipo of the NRLW Grand Final Picture: Glenn Campbell

Sienna Lofipo Wynnum Manly Seagulls

A wonderful leader who last season was Queensland Under 19 captain, former Australian schoolgirl Lofipo remarkably has already made her debut for the Titans NRLW side. That says it all, doesn’t it?

Lily Peacock (Mackay Cutters)

A player who oozes with class, pure class, the St Catherine’s Catholic College student was born to run.

Ebony Raftstrand-Smith is all smiles playing rugby league. Watch for her defence as much as her running.

Ebony Rafstrand-Smith (Mackay Cutters)

An absolute gun who expertly runs the holes in attack, but who hits like a Mac Truck in defence. A Keebra Park SHS past student, she would have one of the best defensive techniques in women’s rugby league.

Kiarah Siauane playing for Mabel Park SHS in last year’s final - Malaela Su’a is in the background. Photo: Tim Pascoe

Kiarah Siauane (Souths Logan Magpies)

Give her half a metre, and she will take the length of the field. Centre Kiarah Siauane is noted for her speed which helped Mabel Park SHS to its National Schoolgirl Cup win.

Malaela Su’a (Souths Logan Magpies)

A thorough professional who will be in the middle with precision and expertise. Built low to the ground, she is a real powder keg who knows the game like the back of her hand. She also has the mobility to play No. 13 or even edge. She came through Mabel Park SHS.

Caitlin Tanner (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)

Originally from the Rockhampton region, The Cathedral College alumni Caitlin Tanner thoroughly deserves her place in this side.

Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, middle.

Mercedez Taulelei-Siala (Tweed Seagulls)

A beautiful, natural runner from centre, wing or fullback, she has flair and x-factor about her. Strongly built, she also makes her tackles and is prepared to take hard rucks coming out of her end. She played Queensland Reds in the Super W.

Relna Wuruki-Hosea (Brisbane Tigers)

A bustling, bruising defender who played centre for the Tigers and earlier in her career for the Queensland schoolgirls. She runs the ball hard and if opponents are not set and committed, she will burst out the other side.

Montaya Hudson (Norths Devils)

A real Rolls Royce of the outside backs, Hudson has that touch of class about her. Originally from Townsville, she went to rugby league finishing school at Marsden SHS and is a graceful, athletic fullback.

Jaydah Tofae (Souths Logan Magpies)

She hailed from that wonderful rugby league region of Caboolture and went to league finishing school at Mabel Park SHS, so it is little wonder Tafae is kicking goals in the sport. She is backing up after helping Queensland win its 2023 encounter.

Jaydah Tofae crashes her way over for a try, Tarsha Gale Cup, last year Picture: Thomas Lisson

Nadia Windleborn (Burleigh Bears)

We earlier sang the praises, and rightly so, of Cutters dummy half Paityne Johns, but Windleborn adds great depth to the hooker department in the squad.

Mackenzie Jay Zeller (Western Clydesdales)

The Clydesdales were full of outstanding middle and edge forwards in both its 19s and 17s, and leading the way was Harvey 19s captain and edge forward Zeller. No one deserved selection more than her.

Imogen Hei (Burleigh Bears)

Another schoolgirl prodigy, Hei has gained valuable experience playing as either a half or hooker in the Roosters system. She has come through the system alongside her Gold Coast mate Skyla Adams and remains an untapped talent.

Originally published as Queensland Under 19 Emerging Squad to be trimmed to 18