Our tribute to 55 Meninga, Connell and Harvey 19s’ Kings and Queens of the Road
Our tribute to 55 teenage league Kings and Queens of the Road who sacrifice so much on long haul journeys to play in the Meninga Cup, Connell Challenge and Harvey 19s - plus BEST PLAYERS players from round 5.
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It is a journey to the field of dreams which started 315km away in Grafton for Joshua Donovan, but has finished with him flourishing under the coaching of dual international Lote Tuqiri at Brisbane Tigers.
Joshua Donovan’s story is symbolic of many Meninga Cup, Connell Challenge and Harvey Norman 19s who dare to think “what if’’ and sacrifice so much for themselves and also for their teammates.
Around the state, dozens of junior players travel from far and wide to train and play with the organisations like Cutters, Capras, Wide Bay, Ipswich, SC Falcons, Clydesdales, Burleigh Bears and, of course, the Brisbane Tigers.
They are Kings and Queens of the Road, who sacrifice much for absolutely no guarantees, and we take great delight in highlighting just some of those warriors of the road.
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JOSHUA DONOVAN (Brisbane Tigers)
Donovan started the year travelling from Grafton to Brisbane to train with the Carina Tigers in the hope of winning a position in Tuqiri’s Connell Challenge squad.
He achieved that goal, which led to his next big move, leaving his home town of Grafton and moving to the Gold Coast to enroll with renowned Langer Trophy and Titans School powerhouse Keebra Park SHS.
There were no guarantees when he left his home town of Grafton and started on those six hour drives north to train with the Tigers, and there are still no guarantees.
But the cousin of Wests Tigers NRL star Dane Laurie is making his mark in a good Tigers under 16 team and last week was named in our Team of the Round.
Now living on the Gold Coast, he “only’’ travels an hour and 15 minutes to train with the Tigers alongside another young Tiger cub - Jack Whybrow of Coombabah SHS.
Jack’s parents happily chauffer the boys up to train and play.
“They (Whybrow’s parent) have been great driving me up,’’ Donovan said.
“I really appreciate that or else I would not be able to make it. And it has been great having mum and dad (Paul and Crystal) here every weekend,’’ said the Grafton Ghosts junior.
“It is a sacrifice and a big challenge. Sometimes I get home sick but you just have to push through. I just want to make my family and friends proud,’’ the young fullback-five-eight said.
He said training under Tuqiri, the former Wallaby, South Sydney and Broncos premiership winner, was fantastic.
“Lote has been great so far and I have learnt a lot. I was shocked to have him as my coach.
“He likes us to back our skills which I enjoy,’’ added Donovan, who said he was settled into Keebra Park SHS now.
MATT YORK, HUDSON HEATH (Clydesdales)
York travels 310km from Wallumbilla near Roma to train and play with the Meninga Cup Clydesdales.
“It’s about 4 Hours from his place,’’ said Clydesdales coach Brendan Wilson.
“He and another boy actually stayed in for the three weeks in December at an air B & B to train three times a week (during the off-season).
Heath also comes in from Roma, which is further than Wallumbilla, to play in Scott Schultz’s side.
TAILAH PAGE, MADDISON RILEY and co (Clydesdales)
The Clydesdales Harvey Norman under 19 players don’t mind driving a country mile.
Almost a dozen of them drove long, long distances to train on a Friday night and then play at the weekend.
Maddison Riley: Riley is from Tenterfield it’s a 2.5hrs one way trip. She plays wing and fullback.
Reyna Core: The edge forward or centre is from Chinchilla, a four hour round trip from Toowoomba.
Mariah Bladden: Bladden may take the cake. She is from Dunkeld which is south west of Roma it’s five hours plus one way. She plays front row.
Caitlin Steel: Another Wallumbilla product from bear Roma, the centre makes the eight hour round trip to the Darling Downs capital.
Sarah Moran: Another Dunkeld kid, the utility travels five hours one way for the love of rugby league.
Katelyn Anderson: Anderson is from Goondiwindi. It is 440km for a round trip. Her commitment is paying off, and last year she made Queensland Open School Girls last year.
Tailah Page: The 18-year-old centre from Mitchell travels a 10 hour round trip from Mitchell.
Darcey Patterson: From the famous Roma district, it is an eight hour return journey for this 18-year-old prop.
Zoe Patridge: Partridge is a 17-year-old winger who also travels from Wallumbilla.
The Dunkeld girls normally go via Mitchell and onto Roma, collecting others along the way.
Clydesdales 19s coach Russell Jones said he was so proud and “forever thankful’’ for their efforts.
“I am so grateful that these young ladies sacrificed so much to commit to the Clydesdales U19 squad. Many of them having to leave their school and work place at lunch to join us for Friday night training.,’’ said Jones, who was raised in Injune.
“I fully understand the commitment and strain it puts on them, their families and workforce having travelled from Roma to Toowoomba throughout the mid to late 90s as a Clydesdales assistant coach and coach.
“I had a rule that they had to check in through our teams WhatsApp when they were home safe after games as some did not get home till early hours of the morning.
“These players do not have club footy out west so will again travel throughout the year to participate for clubs in the Toowoomba comp.
“That is absolute commitment, dedication and love for this great game. I’m so proud of them.’’
TEVITA HOLAAFOLAU (Ipswich Jets)
Tevita Holaafolau travels from Jimboomba, an hour away, to train and play in the Meninga Cup. The only time he missed training was when he was flooded.
Another Ipswich player, based at Ipswich SHS, front rower Rene Bagon, travels a fair distance to play - to Sydney.
Would you believe each weekend Bagon travels to Sydney to play with the Manly Harold Matthews side.
JOSIAH PAHULU (Burleigh Bears)
Country folk won’t get it, but Bears prop Josiah Pahulu would endure probably the most frustrating road trip when he confronts the M1 between Brisbane (Ipswich) and the Gold Coast.
It is a horror stretch or road that has not kept up with the growth of the south east Queensland - travel to Bears from Ipswich.
For he lure of playing for the Gold Coast Titans feeder club, this very, very good front rower nudges, edges and breaks his way down the highway to train and play with the Bears.
LIAM NEBAUER, SELEMIA TAUNGAHIHIFO (Capras, Meninga)
The boys travel from Emerald to Rockhampton each week, twice a week - a 500km round trip each time.
Nicholas Crane, Kyle O’Dwyer and Lincon Baran also travel from Gladstone to Rockhampton to train and play - a mere two and a half-hour round trip.
BANJO WALKER, CARTER FORD and co (Capras, Connell)
Capras Connell Challenge coach Duane Carpenter said he admired the commitment of the country boys who did the long distances during the off-season to get to three sessions a week - while some still do distance travel.
“It takes a special type of commitment from our players outside the Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast areas to put on a Capras jersey,’’ Carpenter said.
“In pre-season, they do a huge amount of work on the field and in the gym during our hot summers to prove themselves, but the amount of hours of travelling they do to get to and from training is unbelievable.
“Not only does it take commitment from the players, but the effort from the parents to sacrifice their time is worth noting as well.
“They often have to knock off work early, swap or sacrifice work shifts, or often they come together and take turns in car pooling to make it easier for everyone.
“It’s that sense of community and that level of commitment that always makes me proud to be a Capras coach every year.’’
The long haul legends from Capras’ Connell Challenge outfit are:
Anasta Tamwoy Thursday Island (1672 km)
“He left home earlier and stayed with teammates to join the squad for pre-season, taking two connecting flights for Anasta to get home,’’ coach Carpenter explained.
Banjo Walker (Property near Clermont, 433km, five hours)
Carter Ford (Capella, 324km 3.5 hours)
Cody Sanewski (Sarina, 314km 3.5 hours)
Curtis Brierley (Gladstone, 111km, 90 minutes)
Eric Tau (Blackwater, 197km, two hours)
Harvey Mahoney (Property near Clermont, 382km, 4.5 hours)
Jackson Szepanowski (Moranbah, 411km 4.5 hours)
Jake Oberhardt (Emerald, 270km, three hours)
Kya Turner (Blackwater, 197km, two hours)
Lachlan Middleton (Gladstone115km, 90 minutes)
Max Buchanan (Gladstone112km, 90 minutes)
“Jake Oberhardt, Eric Tau and Lachlan Middleton don’t attend boarding school locally, so they still drive these distances multiple times a week to make our training and games,’’ Carpenter said.
KAITLIN DALEY, Theophelia MOSBY-NONA and co (Blackhawks)
Imagine coming from the Horn Island and Badu Island region, or Norfolk Island to play rugby league in Townsville.
Such was the commitment of the Blackhawks Harvey 19s girls Theophelia MOSBY-NONAy (Horn Island region), and Norfolk pair Carolynn Morgan and Sera Sadrata.
And there are other road warriors as well.
Kaitlin Daley and Logan Roncato would drive in from the Burdekin/Home Hill regions to train and play.
LEWIS SYMONDS, JYE GREY (Souths Logan)
Among the Souths Logan white hot under 18 outfit are a couple of boys who don’t mind a country mile.
Brilliant halfback Jye Grey and edge backrower Lewis Symonds are among those who travel regularly from the Gold Coast to Brisbane to train and play - again taking on the shocking M1.
COURTNEY SIRRELL, ALIRA GYREMORE (Ipswich Jets)
Do you fancy a 173.6km trip from Dalby to the North Ipswich Reserve to train - and then drive back again? Such was the commitment of Alira Gyemore who’d make the journey from the western Darling Downs to Ipswich.
At least Gyemore gets a nice smooth run in the traffic, whatever traffic there is.
What about Sirrell who has to battle the Bruce Highway travelling to and from the Sunshine Coast. That would not be fun.
The Ipswich Harvey girls also had several players who attend local boarding schools who play - like Pauleeja Mau who normally lives in Dauan Island, Torres Strait.
CHRISTIAN SIMPSON, TARELL LEEDIE and co (SC Falcons)
It is a great breeding ground, Cherbourg, and it is where two exciting SC Falcons’ prospects, Christian Simpson and Tarell Leedie, travel from for training and matches.
They and Murgon’s Mathew Kunde take on the four hour round trip, With Simpson and Leedie playing with Falcons’ feeder club Coolum, and Kunde for Gympie.
Danny Gray’s Meninga Cup side also have two travellers from Gympie, Kahn Sutherland-Chan and Ethan Bainbridge.
KALE OLIVER (Mackay Cutters)
From Andy Battaia’s Cutters Connell Challenge side is Kale Oliver, a No.13 who travels from Dysart and back twice a week for training and games. That is 243kms one way. “Some weeks he is travelling 15 hours plus,’’ said Battaia.
TANNAH COMISKEY, LILY PEACOCK (Mackay Cutters)
Tannah Comiskey comes from Dysart (243kms) and Lily Peacock from Proserpine (125km) to play in the Harvey 19s competition.
“Both girls came in three plus times a week and they hardly missed a training session,’’ said coach Matt Sanders.
“They were often the first to arrive and the last to leave.
“Most people hate going 20-25 minutes down the road, but for those girls it was a 3-4 hour round trip every training session.’’
BROOKE TONGALEA and co (Northern Pride)
They love a country mile up in the far north. From the Harvey 19s Brooke Tongalea comes in from Tully (280km, round trip) and Tehel Hayman-Rubach (120km, round trip) from Babinda
Aerielle Hobbler also drives down the range from Kuranda, while three girls have relocated to Cairns from the Torres Strait and the cape.
Melissa and Elizabeth Hosea are also from St Paul’s in the orres Strait, while Alice Bowie is originally from Bamaga
“These three girls gave up their home and family and relocated to Cairns so they can play in the Harvey Norman under 19 competition,’’ said Pride coach Flori King.
BEST PLAYERS, round 5
Connell Challenge
Wynnum 22 def Tweed Seagulls 6
Tweed: Titus Marsden Mokena Marsh, Xavier Tauaufaigo
Wynnum: Caden Frame, Cooper Day, Chaev Kolone
Capras 34 def Cutters 8
Best: Capras: Jett Day, Clancy Hohn, Braelan Marsh, Seth Carpenter, Cody Sanewski, Kya Turner, Curtis Brierley, Carter Ford, Simon Green, Tawhiriangi Tauirma (all Capras).
Cutters: Jake Bryan, Darcy Daly
Blackhawks 42 def Pride 8
Blackhawks: Lascolm Tagai, Elijah Tapau-Taylor
Pride: None
Ipswich 32 def Clydesdales 14
Ipswich: Olivia Smith, Kane Self, David Leota
Clydesdales: Lyucian King-Tigua, Matt Drews
Magpies 40 def Tigers 12
Souths Logan: Dirhys Sefo, Mohonri Tiatola, Jahrel Conlon, Bailey Trew
Tigers: Kayliss Brown
Falcons 24 def Bulls 6
Falcons: Zac Garton, Jai Bowden
Bulls: Travis Larner
MENINGA CUP
Wynnum 22 def Seagulls 10
Wynnum: Jeremy Trappett, Felix Fataali’i
Tweed:Reico Ratana, Jared Johnson, Jackson Le Pou
Cutters 22 def Capras 10
Cutters: Jaxon Purdue, Matt Watts, Brady Hazeldine
Capras: Callen Campbell, Bailey Cavanough, Will Lewis, Carter Wight, Kurt Fisher, Matua Brown.
Magpies 32 def Tigers 18
Magpies: Will Symonds, Israel Leota, Blake Mozer, Jye Gray
Tigers: Antioch Faitala, Mikael Ibrahim
Blackhawks 58 def Pride 6
Blackhawks: Sean Bourke, Zac Lamont, Jeremiah Matautia, Tajshon
Santo-Messa, Henry Teutau, Damon Marshall.
Pride: Jason Hallie, Tait Coghlan
Jets 46 def Clydesdales 10
Jets: James Frazer, Zane Kaatz, Gabriel Satrick
Clydesdales: Lyken King Tonga, Luke Cesari
SC Falcons 48 def Bulls 8
Falcons: Jett Elich, Harry Dwyer, Kahn Sutherland-Chan
Bulls: Kyle Knight, Zander Evans, Byrden Blair, Tyrell Hopkins, Lachlan Zelinski
At Bishop Park today, the Redcliffe Connell Challenge side finished the abbreviated season unbeaten for the second season in a row.
With Jahrel Iselin-Jansen and Duke Guild making their debuts, the Dolphins won 24-nil.
Coach Chris Little said he was delighted for the boys and pleased to see 15-year-olds like Jansen, Guild, and also Keoki Koraba, Jairus Halahala, Nixon Pasese and Charlie Dickson given their chances this season.
But he remained frustrated his side could not play a final series.
“It is the second season in a row we have finished on top and it has left us wanting a bit more,’’ Little said.
“I am really pleased for the boys today. It is a hard place to come and win.’’
Best players for Redcliffe were Joseph Pouniu and Hayden Potts while for Norths Sam Hyne and Jack Murray both carried strongly in the midddle.
In the last game of the round, Norths’ Meninga Cup side had a big win over Redcliffe, 52-8.
Coach Shane Boyd said there was not an average player in his side, and all did their job.
But he said prop Damascus Neemia, edge Lebron Tuala and prop Tahrell Feaveai did a great job in the engine room.
“Defensively we were resilient and defended our line a lot better,’’ Boyd said.
“There were periods when we had to defend back to back sets.
“I also thought our control was good and they did not go off the plan.’’
For the second successive week, Jayden Aloefaio was nominated as Redcliffe’s best. He also scored two tries.
Originally published as Our tribute to 55 Meninga, Connell and Harvey 19s’ Kings and Queens of the Road
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