Qld’s best grassroots rugby union players: Jayce Gallego voted No.1
They are our future Super Rugby players or favourite local veterans - meet the heroes of grassroots Queensland footy and the teenager crowned our No.1 player of 2023.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
They are our future Super Rugby players or favourite local veterans - meet the heroes of grassroots Queensland footy.
From Cairns in the north to Gold Coast in the south, these players - littered across local first grade rugby union competitions - were all in the running to be named the state’s best grassroots star.
Now we can reveal the winner.
Jayce Gallego’s final act as a Western Suburbs Dragon in Townsville has been to claim the mantle of Queensland’s finest grassroots rugby union player.
The versatile flyhalf/fullback debuted for the Dragons as a 17-year-old last season and has risen to a Queensland Country U19s rep during his time in north Queensland.
Gallego’s performances have been rewarded with a major statewide honour, bestowed by the readers of this masthead and its sister papers across Queensland.
Readers aren’t the only ones to have sat up and taken notice. Gallego has appeared on the radar for Canberra premier clubs Wests and University, who have approached the youngster with positions in their programs.
Gallego is almost ready to “pull the trigger”, but is determined to showcase his talent in front of Queensland Premier Rugby clubs before committing to a sea change to the nation’s capital.
“I’ve been trying to get to Brisbane but no one has really shown any interest in me,” Gallego said.
“I have the Country Championships coming up in Brisbane in the next few weeks so I’m holding out and waiting to see what happens after that. If I get no more offers I’ll bite the bullet and go (to Canberra).
“I’m really excited. It’s pretty rare for small country town boys to get to go to a bigger place to play because life gets in the way - that’s how it was for me.”
Western Suburbs coach Ethan Jacobs said he believed Gallego’s potential move to the home of the Brumbies could end with a place in Australia’s top Super Rugby club.
“He’s going to go so much further into a better system than we can give him in Townsville,” Jacobs said.
“I think he’s got a lot of good rugby in him. Once he gets down there he’ll rise to the challenge and deliver, for sure. Hopefully we’ll see him in Super Rugby one day.”
Gallego said the support meant to a lot to him, coming from tiny Giru, south of Townsville.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL LIST OF NOMINEES
CAIRNS
Jack De Guingand
Club: JCU Mariners
Position: backrower
De Guingand is the competitions leading try scorer and has one of the most impressive rugby resumes in the country, winning the Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane competitions, where he was captain of University of Queensland for 5 years.
Nick Moller
Club: JCU Mariners
Position: front rower
Powerful during the season to help push the Mariners to the position they are in this season.
Alessio Vettoruzzo
Club: Wanderers
Has continued to dominate this season sitting high up on the leaderboard for most tries. Has been instrumental in a few games to get the Wanderers over the line.
DARLING DOWNS
John Vinson
Club: Toowoomba Rangers
A hard-working, no nonsense No.8 with big game experience and the skills to match. Vinson is a natural leader who inspires those around through his words and actions.
Lachlan Tulloch
Club: Goondiwindi Emus
The Emus co-captain is massive target at the line-out and puts his size to great use - crashing over the over the advantage line more often than not.
Sam Warby
Club: Condamine Cods
Warby’s ability to play in a number of roles makes him a valuable asset. The Cods skipper however does his best work in the front row and is one of the Risdon Cup’s best scrummaging forwards.
Trent Davison
Club: Dalby Wheatmen
The talented fly-half is the type of X-factor player fans love to watch. Davison’s kicking game is second to none and the co-captain has a great ability to kick his team out of trouble and pile on the pressure with the boot.
Sam Scott
Club: Roma Captain
A reliable, hard working second rower who hits hard in defence.
Peter Welsh
Club: Toowoomba Bears
One of the game’s strongest ball runner and a natural leader, Welsh’s biggest strength is his exceptional work ethic.
Will Gilbert
Club: Goondiwindi Emus
A prolific point scorer, Gilbert has been one of the Risdon Cup’s most consistent and exciting players for a number of year.
Connor Day
Club: St George Frillnecks
A tackling machine with an uncanny turnover percentage and talent to burn. The right flanker has been a star for St George Frillnecks.
Matt Bougoure
Club: Toowoomba Rangers
The right side flanker is the complete package - an extremely talented and determined player who run out the full 80 minutes. Bougoure is a Darling Downs and Queensland Country workhorse with invaluable experience.
Michael Jamieson
Club: Goondiwindi Emus
An unpredictable, elusive and evasive player who reads the play will and has an uncanny ability to inject himself at will.
MACKAY
Mitchell Minns
Club: Slade Point
Position: Flanker
Minns’ coach described him as an absolute workhorse. He has a massive motor to get around the park and can tackle all game, with the advantage of being able to jump in lineouts if needed. Exactly what you want from a flanker.
Matthew Weir
Club: Slade Point
Position: Fly Half/Inside Centre
Weir’s a very talented player who has a great rugby brain, and a leader on and off the paddock. One to keep an eye out for in representative sides next year.
Colby Mason
Club: Moranbah Bulls
Position: Centre
One of the Bulls’ finest, Mason’s best known for his powerful running, loud communication, organisation, and great kicking game. Recently, he became the first ever Moranbah Bull to crack the Queensland Country side, one to keep an eye on.
Arthur Marais
Club: Moranbah Bulls
Position: Half-back
Marais is a great organiser, and provides Moranbah with a great pivot between forwards and backs. He lays a great platform for backs to attack from, and he’s also a great passer.
Isaac Harding-Davis
Club: Mackay City
Position: Open-side flanker
He’s an all-rounder, he’s busy, he’s never afraid of contact. Always there helping out in the ruck, and, in the words of his coach, just everything you want from a flanker.
Winitana Fotofili
Club: Mackay City
Position: Outside centre
One of the toughest and fittest players in Mackay Rugby Union. His workrate’s off the charts and he’s always covering everyone’s backs when guys are slacking off. His coach claims he’s the hardest hitter in the competition.
Niall Clancy
Club: Proserpine-Whitsunday
Position: Back
At just 20 years old, Niall Clancy is one of the hottest prospects in Mackay Rugby Union. Having moved to Australia from New Zealand by himself as an 18-year-old, he’s a wise head on young shoulders that knows how to handle himself under pressure, earning himself the nickname ‘iceman.’ One of the main conductors of the Proserpine-Whitsunday outfit, Clancy’s earned himself a slew of club awards, while he also leads the point scoring in Mackay Rugby Union this season and was adjudged the competition’s best back at just 19 years old last season. Has represented Mackay Stingers and Central Queensland open age side.
Cameron Meurant
Club: Proserpine-Whitsunday
Position: Forward
One of the more experienced Proserpine-Whitsunday players, Meurant’s known as ‘Mr. Consistency,’ and he consistently puts his body on the line for the team. Is a wealth of union knowledge and one of the more respected players in Mackay rugby union circles, and he also does a lot of the dirty work in and around the ruck. Has played in four grand finals over the past six seasons with this Proserpine-Whitsunday outfit, and he’s represented Central Queensland for a number of years now.
TOWNSVILLE
Declan Marchioni
Club: North Ward
Position: Halfback
The North Ward Old Boys halfback is a North Queensland representative player and one of the Townsville competition’s brightest youngsters. Marchioni is still in his early 20s and has the complete package of skills for his position, including being a handy goalkicker.
Chris Peters
Club: Teachers West Bulldogs
Position: Utility back
Consistently plays well and shows plenty of desire every time he enters the field. Started the year injured and worked through it with commitment. He likes to play footy and have fun, which at its core is why grassroots players want to play.
Ethan Coope
Club: Townsville Brothers
Position: Outside centre
Coope is a talented ball-runner who has the ability to break the first tackle with his speed and strength, and he scores his fair share of tries. With most of his rugby career still ahead of him, Coope is a very promising prospect of North Queensland rugby.
Braedy Vasta
Club: Burdekin Canetoads
Position: Halfback
Vasta is one of the Townsville competition’s most reliable halfbacks and has been among his team’s frontrunners all season.
His commitment to the team and the club shines through with the effort he puts in at training, and is one of the Canetoads’ biggest contributors on and off the field.
Jayce Gallego
Club: Western Suburbs Dragons
Position: Flyhalf / fullback
Still just beginning his rugby journey, Gallego would be one of Townsville’s top teenage players in first grade. He has a great understanding of the game and usually makes the right tactical decision every time.
The skilful flyhalf or fullback impressed while playing for the under-19 Queensland Country side in 2022 and has been a standout for the Dragons in a season without many highlights for the club.
GOLD COAST
Jaye Paton
Club: Griffith Knights
Position: Number 8
Jaye played over 100 premier grade games for Bond University before coming to us at Knights in 2017 since then he would have played 100 First Grade games for us and has been instrumental in our success. He has won 4 Grand Finals, 3 as captain, he was the Gold Coast Rugby Player of the year, GC Rugby Captain of the Year and Gold Coast Cyclones Captain. He’s the ultimate competitor who loves doing all the tough stuff during the game. He’s a weapon at set piece, a pest at the breakdown, a terrific defender and a handful every time he touches the ball with an uncanny ability for sniffing out a try. He’s the best to ever do it at Knights.
Tai Ford
Club: Bond Pirates
Position: Number 8
Big energetic lad, probably the best player in the comp. Leads by example both on and off the field. Always giving his time and energy to the younger lads in the squad and around the club.
Kai Wallis
Club: Coomera Crushers
Position: Number 8
A young player who plays well beyond his years. Wallis is smaller than his senior opponents but puts in 100% every game. He’s tough, tenacious and talented to say the least.
Kyan White
Club: Coomera Crushers
Position: Flanker
Another of Coomer’s young stars. He has played extraordinarily all year and is a downright genius on the field. He’s a rugby freak with the brains to back his skills, according to head coach Mika Tufuga.
Ezekiel Stewart
Club: Helensvale Hogs
Position: Halfback
At the beginning of the season Ezekiel was a little unsure on his rugby and where he was heading with it. He decided to give it a good go this season and after a strong pre season, he was a consistent performer in the No.9 jersey for Helensvale Hogs first grade. He went on to be rewarded with selections for the senior men’s representative sides - Gold Coast Cyclones - South Coast and QLD Country. A young man with the right attitude and a great work ethic.
LATE ENTRIES
Tyran Isaac
Club: Nerang Bulls
Position: Blindside Flanker
Tyran has been an outstanding member of the Bulls First Grade since 2019. In 2023, making the Blindside Flank his own, he continually puts his hand up for hard carries, is a lineout tyrant and seems to always be at the right place at the right time on defence. Tyran‘s excellent form this year saw him selected for the Gold Coast Cyclones and he took that opportunity in both hands to win selection into the South Coast Men’s side. In the vast majority of games he plays he is in the top 3 best on field.
Will Bird
Club: Nerang Bulls
Position: Fullback
Will Bird’s name sends shivers down the spine of his opposition and has done so since Nerang returned to First Grade in 2019. Will’s small stature is more than made up by having the biggest heart on field, and is drawing defenders or breaking the line every time he has possession of the ball. In 2022 he was the only Gold Coast man selected for the Queensland Country Healers. In 2023, Will has blossomed as Co-Captain of Nerang - leading his team by example both on field and off field.
BRISBANE
Jordan Prior
Club: Redland Bay Cyclones
Position: Centre/ Fullback
Prior has played with the cyclones for nine years and also coaches the club’s Uner 9 junior Cyclones. His pssion and enthusiasm for the game along with his consistency makes him one of if not the best there is at the Cyclones.
William John Watson
Club: Redland Bay Cyclones
Position: Flanker
Watson was a junior at the Cyclones and has sinced moved up into the club’s senior team. He has ability, skills beyond his years and he is an avid learner of the game.
Watch this space.
Thomas Harvey
Club: Brisbane Hustlers
Position: Flanker
He plays flanker but he is so versatile he can play in the backline.
Always in on the action and you will never see him miss a tackle.
Jay Schlecht
Club: Brisbane Hustlers
Position: Halfback
The agile scrumhalf who has plenty of pace.
Always there but still keeps a cool and sensible head.
Mathew Mills
Club: Ipswich Rangers
Position: No.8
The strong running No.8 and co captain who burns quickly in moonlight.
An astute defender and the team’s lineout lieutenant.
Quinn Milham
Club: centre
Position: Ipswich Rangers
A lightning fast centre with a developing moustache.
Milham is blistering with the ball and in the kick-chase and on defence he is a Mr reliable. Co-captain Jackson Frawley was also arguably the Ranger’s MVP.
Callum Stanghon
Club: Redlands
Position: Tight five
A trusted lineout target and a bruising defender, Stanghon is invaluable with a capital I.
ROCKHAMPTON
Viliame Nabole
Club: Colts
Position: Inside centre
Big, aggressive, athletic, humble. With the size and aggression to suit any elite-level forward with the athleticism of also any elite-level back. Terrorises defence at will with either his powerful running game or with immaculate fitness for his outside backs. Has the ability to turn any game on its head at any time. Will undoubtedly be in line for higher honours in the future.
Manueli Valelala
Club: Colts
Position: Loose forward
Big, agile, strong and elusive. For a big man, he moves around the park in a way that surprises opposition defensive lines. Running game like an outside back with enough intensity at the start to break through the frontline almost every time. Unbelievably effective at the breakdown, superb lineout skills, fantastic scrum technique. Always hungry for the ball, great sign for any young talent on their quest for higher honours.
Daniel Mundraby
Club: Rockhampton Brothers
Position: Scrumhalf
Fit, fast and agile, pound for pound he’s one of the best rugby players around. A born scrumhalf, he is quick to the ball and fearless in defence. Despite being saddled with more responsibility this year as captain, his play and work rate has only improved, which is a testament to his abilities.
Amosa Opetaia
Club: Rockhampton Brothers
Position: Wing
Amosa’s speed, size and proclivity to always run the ball, makes him a dangerous attacking option. If you are his opponent however, this danger is dwarfed by his ability to remove your enthusiasm for the game with a single tackle. His timing and speed are such that he rarely misses, making him a formidable presence in defence.
Clayton Armstrong
Club: Frenchville Pioneers
Position: Hooker
The 19-year-old is a tough competitor who plays hard and fair. Has been in the Frenchville system since he was 12 and has always been a standout player who is always looking to learn more about the game. His strengths are his ball-running and tackling. He has attended the Rugby Skills Academy and shows good leadership skills that has seen him captain a number of teams. His representative duties include the Rugby Capricornia Brahmans, the Central Queensland Bushrangers and Capricornia schoolboys.
Grant Burchmann
Club: Frenchville Pioneers
Position: Loose head prop
Experienced, talented and ever-consistent, Grant has been selected for the Queensland Country Heelers for the past five years. While capable of playing any front row position, he is a genuine loose head prop. An integral part of Frenchville’s forward pack, he is a born leader who inspires his teammates and mentors the younger players. Joined Frenchville eight years ago and is a great club man.
Darcy McKenzie
Club: Dawson Valley Drovers
Position: Flyhalf
A young gun who has great vision and game awareness. He has a strong kicking game, with an impressive conversion rate. He has made a big impression in his two years with the Drovers. Enthusiastic and determined, he is a player with plenty of potential who is destined for big things.
Grant Reddiex
Club: Dawson Valley Drovers
Position: Centre
An explosive player who is always ready to do the hard yards. He is a dangerous ball carrier who regularly finds an opening in the opposition defensive line and also has an uncanny ability to offload the ball. A constant threat in attack, he is equally reliable and powerful in defence.
SUNSHINE COAST
Ben Rogers
Club: Noosa Dolphins
Position: Inside/Outside Centre
Just tackles everything that moves and runs as harder than any player out on the field, no matter the opposition in front of him. The Noosa junior has served as a shining light for the Dolphins backline in 2023.
Levi Shaw
Club: Noosa Dolphins
Position: Second Row
Has recently capped off another stellar year on the Sunshine Coast, earning selection in the Queensland Country side and captainaning his local Noosa team through a rocky season. Shaw has proven to be a strong carrier of the ball, is extremely solid in the defensive line and a key cog of the Noosa set pieces.
Kyle Hamanne
Club: Wynnum Bugs
Position: Number Eight
Hamanne is a classic ‘lead by example’ forward that thrives on momentum but never shies away from the gritty moments. He was a clear standout for the Bugs in 2023 and will no doubt look to improve again next season.
Jona Koroiadi
Club: USC Barbarians
Position: Halfback
After breaking onto the scene mid-way through 2021, Koroiadi has again stepped up his game and skillset this season. It’s almost a rare sight to see the Fijian-born halfback not terrorising the opposition.
Matt Lieder
Club: USC Barbarians
Position: Flanker
In 2022 Lieder was voted the Sunshine Coast’s best first-grade player and in 2023 his performances only got better. The new dad has matured his skillset and finished among the best players every week.
Nakoa Marcroft
Club: Caloundra Lighthouse
Position: Inside Centre
Brings the skillset of arguably the ‘complete package’ for a first-grade centre with a great running and passing game, is strong defensively, good communication and that extra x-factor flair. Marcroft is continuing to grow and mature on the rugby field as vice-captain and is definitely a player that will improve even further one the future.
Tom Roper
Club: Caloundra Lighthouse
Position: Wing
Is an exciting Caloundra junior that has burst onto the scene with his quick feet and flashy ability on the wing. Looks to have plenty of ability and potential to go to another level as a dynamic and fearless attacking player.
Jacob Prlja
Club: Caboolture Snakes
Position: Halfback
Is only fresh out of high school but has been a shining light for the Snakes in 2023, bringing a high level of rugby IQ and ability to their side. Prlja is a key component in the Snakes attack and defensive line and will only continue to sharpen his skillset as the years go on.
Isaac Talbot
Club: Maroochydore Swans
Position: Prop
Is a consistent player and leader for the Swans who has climbed through the junior ranks and is no bringing his game together at the a-grade level. Gives 100 per cent from start to finish and can always hold his head high from the performances he puts in.
Sam and Jack Buckley
Club: Brothers
The Buckley‘s have been a shining example of positive club culture in recent years, playing for Brothers in their debut senior third grade season before stepping up again and running out for A-grade in 2023. Both players bring plenty of enthusiasm to training and game day and have a solid skillset to match.
‘Long way from Birregurra’: Swans’ defensive duo who defied odds
Lewis Melican and Tom McCartin are holding the fort as equals in Sydney’s backline. SCOTT GULLAN tracks their journey from growing up 10 minutes apart to the biggest stage in football.
How Miller bounced back from double disappointment
Fremantle star Hayley Miller was booted from the midfield last year and lost the captaincy this season. She tells ELIZA REILLY how she’s swallowed her pride and rediscovered her form.
How high-flying Warner is staying grounded
He might not look it on the field with his darting runs through the midfield, but on matchdays Chad Warner is the picture of calm. He’s staying grounded ahead of one of the biggest matches of his career.
‘Need to grow up’: Sad end to Ginnivan storm
Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan has closed the book on the fiery scenes that rocked the AFL last week with a sad confession.
Piastri reveals crazy perks of being an F1 star
Oscar Piastri is living a life no other 23-year-old Aussie could ever imagine. And the rising star has now revealed the crazy perks that come with it.
‘Keep the chatter’: Head’s call on Test opener
Travis has scored nearly 350 runs on the white-ball tour of England after belting another ODI hundred and is happy to hear talk about him becoming a Test opener.