The U18s young guns lighting up the Toowoomba Rugby League

Toowoomba Rugby League has produced some of the best young talents in Queensland. Here’s our take on the best player from your club.

Xavier Va'a, Riley Wockner and Kaleb Stanton are among The Chronicle's Top 11 TRL U18s prospects.

RUGBY LEAGUE: The TRL U18s competition has for years been a breeding ground to the next generation of league stars.

Whether it be our next A-grade champions or Intrust Super Cup talents, the region’s brightest talents have passed through this time-honoured competition.

The Chronicle rates the most promising prospects from each Toowoomba Rugby League club.

RILEY WOCKNER (BROTHERS)

A recent call-up to A-grade with the club, it was a reward for the way Wockner has been going about his business.

Whether playing in the halves or at fullback, Wockner can break a game open, as evidenced by his strong debut performance in the top flight.

Riley Wockner. Picture: Nev Madsen

JOVYN JOHNSTON (DALBY)

The type of bloke you want to play alongside, Johnston is a tenacious ballrunner that also hits hard in defence.

The second rower has enjoyed a stint in A-grade this year, and looks set to develop into a regular topliner.

Noah Shepley. Picture: Kevin Farmer

NOAH SHEPLEY (GATTON)

The Hawks have a knack for developing good dummy halves, and Shepley is no exception.

Coming back from a Western Mustangs campaign, Shepley gives good service from the ruck and has a keenness to do the hard work in the middle.

Looks destined for higher levels of footy.

JERMAYNE MCGRADY (GOONDIWINDI)

A crafty half from the border town, McGrady isn’t scared to chance his hand or take the game on.

Has shown a lot of promise throughout the season, and he only looks like he’ll continue to improve in a strong Goondiwindi system.

Declan Ryan. Picture: Nev Madsen

DECLAN RYAN (HIGHFIELDS)

The leader of the Eagles has enjoyed a superb season, helping his team to a thrilling President’s Cup win.

With an ability to play in the halves or at the back, Ryan has been the spark-plug behind their strong form, and hasn’t looked out of place when called up to A-grade.

Kaleb Stanton. Picture: Nev Madsen

KALEB STANTON (OAKEY)

While injuries have hurt his 2021 campaign, young Stanton looks to have come out the other side of things.

A classy second rower who played with the Mustangs this year, the Oakey talent has been a regular in representative sides, including the Australian secondary school team in 2019.

DYLAN MEDDINGS (PITTSWORTH)

Another tough player on this list, the Pittsworth skipper has enjoyed a consistent season of quality play for the Danes.

Creates problems for the edge defenders with the ball but also shown a willingness to get in and take the hard carries when required.

LENNOX BLIGH (SOUTH BURNETT)

Bligh cuts an imposing figure for the opposition, and the big front rower has helped the Eagles to challenge for a finals position.

A strong runner of the ball, Bligh has amassed an incredible tryscoring record for a front rower, and doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon.

Xavier Va'a. Picture: Nev Madsen

XAVIER VA’A (VALLEYS)

Missed a chunk of the season through injury, but has been exceptional when on the field for Valleys.

A strong runner of the ball, Va’a has an explosive motor and tremendous endurance for someone of his size.

Brock Patti (right). Photo: Matthew Purcell

BROCK PATTI (WARWICK)

The Warwick captain has been a big part of their push to contesting for a finals spot in 2021.

Playing in the second row, Patti has been effective on the edge both with the ball and in defence.

His efforts have seen him rewarded with a number of A-grade caps this season.

JACOB MEDDLETON (WATTLES)

Has demonstrated an ability to steer the ship for Wattles this season.

In what has been a testing year for the Warriors, the form of Meddleton has been a bright spark.

The versatile back has also had a taste of A-grade, with Travis Burns not hesitating to call him up.