Queensland’s rugby league hidden gems: The reserves and lower grade stars
Discover the reserves and lower grade stars of rugby league in Queensland, the hidden gems who are cult heroes of their respective clubs. Full list here
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
MEET the reserves and lower grade stars of rugby league in Queensland, the hidden gems who are cult heroes of their respective clubs.
Every weekend through winter you will find experienced club stalwarts and young rookies on football fields across the state’s metro and regional areas.
They are the heart beat of most community clubs, the lifeblood of rugby league. They may not be as skilled as the first graders or have the desire to play at the highest grade anymore while others could be young guns getting their first taste at senior level footy.
Either way they are likely the players that play the biggest part in the way the club’s culture it built and we want to recognise their feats.
Toowoomba
Travis Babbington
Club: Dalby Diehards
Position: Fullback
Comment: Despite being just 22-years of age is a seasoned campaigner with plenty of experience. Dropping back into Reserve grade this season to play alongside his brother, Babbington bought speed, an attacking mindset and leadership to the side. The flying fullback finished with 17 tries this season.
Kristian Bond
Club: Dalby Diehards
Position: Five-eighth
Comment: The crafty playmaker pulled the Diehards attacking strings all season. A natural leader and experienced star, Bond finished as the club’s leading point scorer with 86.
Braydon Wilson
Club: Wattles Warriors
Position: Centre
The hard running centre was Wattles leading points and try-scorer this season. Wilson finished the season as the Reserve grade competition’s leading try scorer,crossing the line 22 times, and was Wattles top man with 88 points
Timothy Hentschel
Club: Wattles Warriors
Position: Centre
Comment: Wattles had arguably one of if not the best centre combination in the competition. Alongside teammate Braydon Wilson, Hentschel was an attacking threat all season. He finished as the competition’s second highest try scorer with 18 behind Wilson who scored 22. His 18 tries made him Wattles third highest point scorer with 72.
Jaren Bender
Club: Valleys Roosters
Position: Five-eighth
Comment: A crafty playmaker who loves to have the ball in his hands and darts into the line in the blink of an eye. Bender was instrumental in Roosters premiership win and a key figure throughout the year scoring 26 per cent of his side’s total points (152 out of 584).
Bryce Whale
Club: Valleys Roosters
Position: Hooker or Lock
Comment: Whale has a smart ‘footy brain’ and always seemed to be a few steps ahead of the opposition this season. A natural leader and hard worker Whale kept Roosters on track all season and was a star in the finals and their premiership win. Whale who wouldn’t have looked out of place in A-grade this season - crossed the line 12 this season.
Jake Johnston
Club: Pittsworth Danes
Position: Centre
Comment: Pittsworth finished the 2023 season - winning 9 games and dropping the same amount. Playing at centre Johnston racked up 138 points this season - more than 27% of the 500 points he team collectively scored with 102 of his points off the boot. His kicking game off the tee kept the Danes in plenty of tight games.
Joseph Wagner
Club: Warwick Cowboys
Position: Hooker
Comment: The Cowboys player depth was tested this season with injury and player unavailability forcing coaching staff into a juggling act. Wagner was one of several ‘reggies’ who laced up in A-grade to great effect - his best work however was in A-grade. A great competitor and leader he scored 12 tries in reserve grade this season.
Gold Coast
Ronin Rio
Club: Southport Tigers
Position: Centre
Comment: Southport’s centre claimed the reserve grade Player of the Year for the Tigers. His strength and power made him a dominant force this season. A truly talent young man in the centres and can find the try line even in the most difficult times. Only young but has a real senior presents about him and a super powerful ball runner. Has a real sense of calm and smarts in tough times of the game. He will and should be a A grade player in the years to come.
Izzy Otti
Club: Southport Tigers
Position:
Comment: Pound for pound, the toughest man playing reserve grade!! Mister consistent and a true leader for the reserve grade team. 3 years ago was Player of the year for the Ipswich comp. Played some A grade with Southport Tigers but is unlucky to get a permit spot due some small injuries and the depth of talent that the A grade has. An absolute true talent of the game!!
Kobe Whalan
Club: Southport Tigers
Position: Fullback
Comment: The ultimate fullback, with a small stature and big heart, can find himself in the right place at the right time constantly. Was 2022 reserve grade player of the year, 2022 top try scorer and 2022 & 2023 highest point scorer for reserve grade. A true gentle man of the game and should be a A grade player hands down but just get his foot in the door due to the depth of talent in the Southport A grade side.
Jack Kelly
Club: Southport Tigers
Position: Lock
Comment: Played under 20’s for the year but constantly backed up and played reserve grade all year being 1 of the best players for reserve grade all year. He is actually 1 of the only players to play 20’s, Reserve Grade and A grade all in the 1 day for Southport. Small in stature but a brutally tough and skilful lock ,back rower, hooker and half. A true talent and the future for Gold Coast rugby league. Will definitely be a A grader in the coming years, if not state league.
Ashton Gumm
Club: Southport Tigers
Postion: Second Row
Comment: Gumm was named Southport’s Player of the Year for the under 20 competition. He scored four tries across the season.
Jesse Adams
Club: Helensvale Hornets
Position: Hooker
Comment: Adams was named Helensvale Hornets Player of the Year for the Reserves Grade.
Koen Stambera
Club: Helensvale Hornets
Position: Halfback
Comment: Stambera was named Helensavale Hornets Player of the Year for the under 20 competition.
Mackay/Whitsundays
Shannon Rupapere
Club: Moranbah Miners reserves
Position: Hooker
Rupapere has plenty of RLMD A-grade experience under his belt over the past five years, and has also represented the Cutters at Queensland Cup level, making him a pivotal member of the Miners reserves side in 2023. A very fit player, Rupapere trains hard, is really fit, and also focuses on developing upcoming players. Finished second in the reserve grade try-scoring with 13.
Ilai Faamita
Club: Moranbah Miners reserves
Position: Front-row
Faamita’s a powerful forward that’s great at advancing the ball. His offloads are another strength of his game. Managed eight tries in reserve grade this season.
Finlay Black
Club: Sarina Crocs reserves
Position: Front-row
Of the Sarina forward pack, Black has been most central in its defensive efforts, laying around 15 tackles a game. It doesn’t matter how much impact he takes up, he always finds a way to get up and keep going.
Ewan Tass
Club: Sarina Crocs reserves
Position: Five-eighth
Tass is the captain-coach of the Sarina reserves side, and is up there with its best players. He brings great mentorship and ensures the side sticks together.
Mitch Petersen
Club: Carltons Devils reserves
Position: Centre
Petersen had a strong season after returning from several years away from rugby league. He gives 110% at training and on gameday, and was rewarded with his the player’s player award.
Tom Richardson
Club: Carltons Devils reserves
Position: Front-row
Richardson can often be seen playing out the full 80 minutes of games despite being a forward. His greatest strength is his off-loading ability.
George Radley
Club: Mackay Magpies reserves
Position: Fullback/outside back
Radley’s a Magpies veteran and now acts as a strike weapon. He’s a workhorse in attack, and notched 12 reserve grade tries this season, ranking him third in the league.
Ezekiel Cooper-Tetevano
Club: Mackay Magpies reserves
Position: Lock
A dynamic ball-runner that plays above his weight, Cooper-Tetevano can be aggressive when needed and also works a ton on defence.
Jayden Rodwell
Club: Wests Tigers reserves
Position: Second-row
Rodwell’s a big body that tore up reserve grade this season, scoring a competition-high 17 tries from the forward pack. Lands plenty of big hits and is a good competitor, was central to Wests reserves grade premiership.
Brydon Smith
Club: Wests Tigers reserves
Position: Centre
The goal-kicking centre’s numbers speak for themselves. He was the reserve grade competition’s leading point-scorer with 164 points, almost 50 clear of the next best, and crossed for 10 tries himself.
Declan Hopson
Club: Brothers reserves
Position: Fullback
Hopson’s a lightweight fullback that plays like a second half. He’s extremely safe under the high ball, and added an important element to the attack of the Brothers reserves this season.
Josh Borg
Club: Brothers reserves
Position: Second-row
Borg’s strength is his line-running, and he was arguably one of the best at it in reserve grade this season. He’s also good on either side of the ruck.
Matt Lade
Club: Whitsunday Brahmans reserves
Position: Second-row
One of the Brahmans’ best reserve grade players, Laide’s game is underpinned by his fitness, which should come as no surprise as he works as a fitness trainer.
Nathan O’Hara
Club: Whitsunday Brahmans reserves
Position: Wing/centre
O’Hara made leaps and bounds over the course of the season due to his consistent effort at training. He’s not the fastest winger, but his agility is what sets him apart.
Ash Cochrane
Club: Souths Sharks reserves
Position: Second-row
The versatile Cochrane captained Souths’ reserves side this season, and he’s also capable of playing as lock or hooker. He’s a great leader, and his game is underpinned by his strong defensive attributes.
Tyson Faulkner
Club: Souths Sharks reserves
Position: Lock
Traditionally a union player, Faulkner has excelled in his first season at Souths. He’s versatile and was trialled with success in varying positions before finding his home as a ball-playing lock. Also a brilliant defender that plays above his weight, and was rewarded with his team’s best and fairest.
Rockhampton
Rye Steel
Club: Rockhampton Brothers reserve grade
Position: Front row
Comment: Competitive prop who never takes a backward step. Always gets Brothers on the front foot and capable of playing some big minutes.
Andrew Parker
Club: Rockhampton Brothers reserve grade
Position: Centre
Comment: Inspirational captain who was instrumental in Brothers’ hard-fought grand final victory. A strong ball carrier who is dynamic in attack and always reliable in defence.
Ryan Wilson
Club: Biloela Panthers reserve grade
Position: Five-eighth
Comment: A former Q-Cup player whose experience and sublime skills were integral in Biloela’s march to the grand final. He leads by example and always gives 100 percent. A great mentor and a respected rival. Was named the club’s 2023 Footballer of the Year.
Ethan Horrocks
Club: Biloela Panthers reserve grade
Position: Second row
Comment: Made an impressive return to rugby league this season after a lengthy break. A textbook tackler who is very solid defensively. Keeps a cool head under pressure and plays the game in the right spirit. A consistent 80-minute player.
Brad Hay
Club: Yeppoon Seagulls reserve grade
Position: Centre/back row
Comment: Fittingly nicknamed ‘Crowbar’, Hay is one of the hardest hitters in the Rockhampton Rugby League competition. He also has plenty of speed and deft footwork.
Eric ‘Slick’ North
Club: Yeppoon Seagulls reserve grade
Position: Wing
Comment: Lightning fast, he has a great kick return and strong carry out of defence. Safe as a house under the high ball, he is also a great finisher.
David Morgan
Club: Emu Park reserve grade
Position: Front row
Comment: A tough customer who is very physical and hard for defences to contain. Won the team’s Players’ Player award for 2023.
Graham Thomas
Club: Emu Park reserve grade
Position: Hooker
Comment: Experienced and crafty, the Emus’ captain is unpredictable and keeps the opposition guessing. Always consistent, he was judged Emu Park’s Best and Fairest in 2023.
Seth Becko
Club: Norths reserve grade
Position: Second row
Comment: Plays with plenty of energy and enthusiasm and his efforts lift those around him. Has a big engine and gets the team on the front foot. Was a dual award winner at the club’s presentation night, winning Best Forward and the Peter Newsome Memorial Trophy for Reserve Grade Player of the Year.
Michael Batu
Club: Norths reserve grade
Position: Fullback
Comment: Deceptive runner with plenty of speed who can always find open space. An experienced player with a good footy brain, he also has a great fend. Was named the team’s Best Back.
Nicholas Van Dreumel
Club: Fitzroy/Gracemere reserve grade
Position: Utility
Comment: Tough as nails, Van Dreumel always plays with grit and guts. Always consistent, he is a great team man. Was Fitzroy/Gracemere’s Best and Fairest.
James McCormack
Club: Fitzroy/Gracemere reserve grade
Position: Lock
Comment: Hard-working skipper who always gives his all. Has a good passing game and can read the line well. Highly regarded by his teammates and opposition. Received the team’s Coach’s Award.
Sunshine Coast
Harvey Lew
Club: Bribie Island Warrigals
Position: Fullback
Comment: Lew was again instrumental in his side‘s success, leading his side to an undefeated 2023 season. The crafty fullback was also the recipient of the competitions best and fairest award for the third year in a row.
Jarrod Aitken
Club: Bribie Island Warrigals
Position: Lock
Comment: A player that never seems to have a bad game. It would be rare to see the powerful lock forward finish outside of the top three player votes each week due to his on field effort and skills.
Luke Gillett
Club: Bribie Island Warrigals
Position: Second Row
Comment: Led his Bribie Island side to grand final glory in 2023 as a true on field leader. Is a great clubman amongst the Warrigals and has an army of players that would go to battle for him.
Kane Carstens
Club: Caboolture Snakes
Position: Lock
Comment: Took home the team’s Best and Fairest as well as Players Player award in 2023. Is a genuine hard worker on and off the field and a true leader of the group that is consistently one of the Snakes best.
Travis Purdie
Club: Caboolture Snakes
Position: Fullback
Comment: Was the Snakes captain in 2023, taking home best back and was also the leading try scorer. Is a hard runner who is rarely stopped at first contact. Is a really good club man who worked just as hard on the field as he did off it.
Daniel Brooks
Club: Stanley River Wolves
Position: Second Row
Comment: Was another key improver from the 2023 season with plenty of big tackles in defence and hard running lines in attack. Is the type of player that every coach dreams of having in their side and the one that opposition players fear.
Daemon Cruise
Club: Stanley River Wolves
Position: Fullback
Comment: The 19-year-old made the transition from the halves to the number one jersey in 2023 which proved as a master stroke from his coach Ethan Szendrey. Cruise finished the year as the competition‘s top try scorers, top points scorer and top points scorer across all senior Sunshine Coast divisions. Showed plenty of excitement and glimpses of brilliance when he got his hands on the ball and would no doubt be looking to improve again next season.
Rakarl-Rana Kake
Club: Beerwah Bulldogs
Position: Lock
Comment: Is the ultimate family guy that brings his daughter to the club every week and helps build a family culture. Turns up and gives his all, plays for the team and not himself, works hard for others in the side and has a club first mentality. Loves a tough game, but has an excellent footy IQ and can be flashy with the ball in hand.
Rhys Storr
Club: Beerwah Bulldogs
Position: Prop
Comment: Just a tough nut. Plays 70 minutes in the middle at front row, has fast feet and is realising his potential as he gets older. Does all the one per cent play extremely well and give that extra bit of effort every time. Will sting you in defence and is a true club player, making his A-grade debut in 2023 after playing every game this season in reserve grade.
Rylie McMillan
Club: Beerwah Bulldogs
Position: Fullback
Comment: After a season where he suffered one of the biggest tragedies a player could, McMillan didn‘t want to let the boys down. Was a true x-factor, student of the game and someone who brought love to the game. A team first guy who will sacrifice himself for others to be better.
Tom Reid
Club: Kawana Dolphins
Position: Five-eight
Comment: The Kawana captain was a standout performer all season, constantly putting the opposition in two minds when he had his hands on the footy. Is as tough as he is skillful and can do whatever is required for the benefit of his side.
Mason Hogarth
Club: Kawana Dolphins
Position: Lock
Comment: Plays above his weight week-in-week-out for the Dolphins in one of the toughest positions. Is a key cog in the Kawana forward pack and is a solid player in attack and defence.
Harry Liebke
Club: Kawana Dolphins
Position: Hooker
Comment: Is a skillful dummy half and has a good sense of rugby league IQ around the ruck. Would arguably be a weekly A-grade player at most other Sunshine Coast clubs.
Sam Lothian
Club: Noosa Pirates
Position: Hooker
Comment: Is pound for pound one of the toughest players in the competition. Lothian is a true standout for the Pirates each week on both sides of the ball and never leaves anything out on the field.
Jake Bullen
Club: Noosa Pirates
Position: Lock
Comment: Despite missing a chunk of the 2023 season due to injuries, Bullen was still one of Noosa’s top performers in reserve grade. Leading the way as captain, Bullen would rarely be spotted having a rest and can inject himself well with a good set of ball playing skills.
Zane Keen
Club: Noosa Pirates
Position: Five-eight
Comment: Known as ‘The Prince of Noosa’, Keen provides a spark for the Pirates creating space and opportunities for the players around him. Keen puts his body on the line each week and sometimes plays like he’s got spiders on him the way he moves with the ball in hand.
Kurt Dobbin
Club: Caloundra Sharks
Position: Second Row
Comment: In a young Caloundra side Dobbin stood tall all season and acted as a sounding board for his teammates. His discipline and effort plays in 2023 saw him promoted to the A-grade side for the final rounds of the season.
Zahn Greenhalgh
Club: Caloundra Sharks
Position: Halfback
Comment: Began the season in the under 19s division but would constantly back up for the reserve grade side, playing nine games in the back half of the season. Definitely has a good future in rugby league but also brings a great sense of club mentality to the Sharks.
Cooper-Jay Roby
Club: Coolum Colts
Position: Lock
Comment: Made his senior debut in 2023 as a 17-year-old after the Colts were unable to field an under 19s side. Is a workhorse forward that does plenty of the hard stuff in both attack and defence and brings a good rugby league IQ to the field.
Levi Gannon
Club: Coolum Colts
Position: Centre/Fullback
Comment: A dynamic player and a really strong ball carrier. Gannon is a rock in the defensive line and earned a call up to the A-grade side at the back end of the season following his standout performance for the Colts reserve grade side.
Blake Batton
Club: Coolum Colts
Position: Prop
Comment: Was a great leader all season for his young Coolum side and was an absolute workhorse on both sides of the ball. Puts in big minutes and does plenty of work around the ruck which also earned him an A-grade call up.
CAIRNS
Morgan Payne
Club: Atherton
Position: Hooker
The fearless No.9 and general, Payne was the man to put this team on his back when the times got tough.
Payne steered the Roosters well from dummy-half, and his combinations with and good supply to his halves helped Atherton to success on the field.
Led the Roosters with eight tries.
Justin Bevan
Club: Atherton
Position: second-row
A man who has come through the grade at Atherton, Bevan has proved to be among the consistent top performers at the club.
An under-18s best and fairest back in 2019, Bevan was regarded as the team’s best forward this season on the back of his damaging runs, solid defence, and never-give-up approach to the game.
Peter Tuccandidgee
Club: Brothers
Position: Wing
Is there anything Tuccandidgee can’t do?
A former sprint sensation who still carves up any footy field he places a foot, Tuccandidgee came off the bench for the reserve grade side’s finals run and coached the club’s under-18s.
Also the man at one of the best, viral moments to come out of the Far North when a try celebration went slightly wrong.
Stanley Daniel
Club: Brothers
Position: Halfback
The veteran No.7 is still running around the football field and proving an absolute menace to any rival as he dictates the game, and comes up with match-winning plays, on a weekly basis.
It’s tough to find many who have been playing for longer than Daniel, and at the level he’s operated, given he’s played a leading hand in steering Brothers to a few successful reserve grade season.
Gandy Buie
Club: Edmonton
Position: lock
The much-loved and well-respected captain of the Storm, Buie is the heart and soul of Edmonton.
The lock’s form was rewarded with his nomination for the Lionel Williamson Medal – the FNQRL honour for reserve grade’s best and fairest, which he won in 2022 – and is regarded a champion of the club.
Bodean Tanner
Club: Innisfail
Position: Centre
A man who could walk into any A-grade team in the region, Tanner finally won his premiership at Innisfail – and he played a key role throughout the campaign.
The centre is strong, tough and uncompromising in defence, but has the flashy footwork and vision with the footy to make the most of his opportunities and put his side on top.
Jarred Laza
Club: Innisfail
Position: Halfback
The beating heart of the Leprechauns’ reserve grade side, Laza was the man on the spot as he made his premiership dream a reality.
Laza was named player of the final in the Leprechaun’s breakthrough grand final win against Kangaroos, with his calm and patient approach to closing out the game crucial to their victory.
Kostas Verevis
Club: Ivanhoes
Position: Hooker
Earned the respect of his peers, and a couple of A-grade starts, in a big individual season for the hooker.
Verevis has that mix of quick acceleration from dummy-half and the ability to hit the target from dummy-half every coach desires, and he was recognized for his efforts as the club’s reserve grade Players’ Player for 2023.
Justin Torney
Club: Ivanhoes
Position: Halfback
The veteran turned back the clock as he picked up his club’s best and fairest after yet another successful season with the Knights.
Torney, who won the Gold Medal for the best and fairest player in the competition back in 2007, captained Ivanhoes as he guided the club through a tough, but rewarding campaign.
A joint winner of the Lionel Williamson Award with Tully’s Jordon Ketchell and Yarrabah’s Oswald Fourmile.
Anthony Satrick
Club: Kangaroos
Position: Playmaker/utility
Wound back the clock by scoring a grand final try in what could have been his last season on the footy field.
Satrick has spent time at a few clubs through the years, most recently coaching Edmonton before returning to Kangaroos, where he won a premiership, for a swansong season alongside his son.
Nathaniel Tamwoy
Club: Kangaroos
Position: second-row
Arguably Kangaroos’ best and most consistent player in reserve grade, Tamwoy was a representative player not too long ago when he had the chance to learn from the best.
His damaging ball-running, speed and size would not have been out of place in A-grade, but it made him a weapon in the secondary competition.
Manaia Tunguz-Te Ture
Club: Mareeba
Position: Lock
Led the Gladiators with seven tries but the lock was also tough to handle for many opposition defences.
Tunguz-Te Ture is a hard-running back-rower with good footwork at his disposal, while his underrated strength helped stop many a rival in their tracks.
Aiden Deemal
Club: Mossman-Port Douglas
Position: Utility back
A utility back who proved just at home at five-eighth as he did fullback, Deemal was as consistent as they come for a Sharks outfit which put together a super run to the finals.
Scored eight tries for the Sharks and was a finalist for the Lionel Williamson Medal.
Zeike Solomon Riley
Club: Mossman-Port Douglas
Position: Utility back
Mixed up his time in the second-row and in the centres, but was just as deadly wherever he took his place in the Sharks’ line-up.
Mossman-Port Douglas’s leading tryscorer with nine meat pies, Solomon Riley used his mix of strength and power to upset rivals defences
Matthew Paron
Club: Southern Suburbs
Position: Utility
The captain never backed down, regardless of how tough this campaign was for Southern Suburbs.
Paron’s love for the club was never questioned as he showed up week-in, week-out, to wear the crest on his chest and lead this team through what as a nightmare season.
Jordan Ketchell
Club: Tully
Position: Second-row/lock
A member of Tully’s last A-grade premiership in 2010, Ketchell is still getting the job done on and off the footy field after coaching the Tigers to the finals.
A Tiger through and through, Ketchell started playing as a four-year-old and is still there at 40, and while he was set to hang up the boots at the end of 2023 he will surely stay involved with the club.
A joint winner of the Lionel Williamson Award with Torney and Fourmile.
Thomas Banu
Club: Tully
Position: Second-row
Banu, who wore the No.20 on his back in the Tigers’ heartbreaking semi final loss to Brothers, is as consistent as they come in reserves, and uses his size to get his side on the front foot when they need a lift.
The big second-rower could have had a chance to finish as the league’s top try-scorer if not for the heroics of the next man on this list, finishing runner-up with 12 four-pointers to his name.
Oswald Fourmile
Club: Yarrabah
Position: Centre
All this talk about turning back the clock; look no further than this Yarrabah premiership hero.
Fourmile proved he was a step above reserve grade this season with a simply remarkable run during which he scored 22 tries in six games – with five straight four-try hauls – before finishing the season with 28 meat pies.
Fittingly, a joint winner of the Lionel Williamson Award with Torney and Ketchell.
Bruce Myngha
Club: Yarrabah
Position: Winger/fullback
One of many players across the region who straddle reserve and A-grade teams, Myngha is a quality finisher with good pace and deceptive footwork.
Scored eight tries for the Seahawks this season – five in reserves, three in A-grade – and provided good coverage during some tough, injury-hit periods through his ability to juggle fullback and wing positions.
Brisbane and Ipswich
Brayden and Cameron Torpy
Club: Carina
Position: Halfback and prop
Brayden (halfback) and Cameron (prop) have been producing strong performances for years now.
You can trust both of them to pour 110 per cent into the contest and expect them to deliver.
Where there is a Torpy there is hope.
Tobias Westcott
Club: Wests
Position: dummy-half
The Panthers hooker has it on a string.
Yes he can create with his passing but it’s his kicking which is just beautiful.
Poetry in motion if you will.
Isaac Luke
Club: Normanby
Position: Hooker
NRL veteran Luke would be an asset to any team. Of course he is New Zealand’s greatest ever No.9 and he still has it.
Luke will be Marsden SHS’ Langer Trophy coach in 2024 and how lucky they are to have him.
Liam-Jessi Waddups (Beenleigh)
Club: Beenleigh
Position: Halfback
The Beenleigh halfback can play and that is a fact.
A Logan Brothers product from the hotbed of rugby league, Keebra Park SHS, Waddups is a playmaker to the core who can alsochallenge with his pace.
ordan Millie (brighton)
Club: Brighton
Position: Winger
A PNG flyer, Millie has a million ways to finish a try acrobatically in the corner.
Has speed, strength and is relentless.
Thomas Casey
Club: Brighton
Position: Halves
The indigenous talent from Mt Isa was a star at Ipswich Grammar, a player you stop and watch from the sidelines.
He has carried over his flair from school into the Brighton team and the once Broncos contracted light-footed playmaker isthe definition of a hidden gem.
Ngiyaani Waters
Club: Valleys
Position: edge forward
The former Nudgee College and New Zealand’s Hastings Boys’ High School student was a dynamic force in the loose for the 2019GPS rugby champions The Southport School, leading all forwards in tries and try assists.
He is ripping talent in a big, muscular build.
Zak McGuire
Club: Valleys
Position: Hooker
He straightens the attack, can challenge defences with his own darts and can put any player on their back.
A fit, muscular dummy-half, McGuire is a Valleys DIEHARD to the core and a top notch player.
Braden Whittaker
Club: Souths
Position: Fullback
A Hervey Bay Seagulls junior, Whittaker is a half who could shift to fullback with ease.
More recently, Whittaker played for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls Colts team and has had a run in the Queensland Cup competition.
The best is yet to come for the super fit, support player who has IQ and plenty of it.
Jordan Plath
Club: Bulimba
Position: Hooker
Iona old boy rugby league player Jordan is the son of former Broncos’ utility John Plath and the brother of Max Plath whois contracted to the Dolphins.
He is of good pedigree being a Plath.
Jake O’doherty
Club: Swifts Ipswich
Position: Prop
Front rower O’Doherty is a man for all seasons.
With fear factor, O’Doherty is a rib crunching defender, a big bopper with a massive work rate.
Our condolences to anyone who runs into the trap that is Jake O’Doherty.
Harrison Midgley
Club: Norths
Position: Centre
Harry Midgley, an Old Boy of St Edmund’s College, was a standout player in the AIC Rugby competition and he is only 20.
Norths have a good one here.
Lachlan Stuart
Club: Norths Tigers Ipswich
Position Halfback
Tough as teak halfback who makes a mountain of tackles.
He will bring down the biggest player on the field and when he isn’t defending his back side off he is kicking goals, puttingteammates through holes and taking a run himself.
Thomas Tronc and Ethan Tronc
Club: Fassifern
A potent one-two combo for the Bombers is this brotherly duo.
Thomas is a winger who has won the Colts Player of the Year at the club and Ethan is a tireless hooker who knows where, howand when to attack.
Ono Sooialo
Club: Redbank
Position: Fullback
Fullback Sooialo leads the Bears into the fray each week as captain of the team.
He is built, powerful and can bust a tackle like no other.
Has been a titan for Redbank for some years now.
Jayden Elder
Club: Redbank
Position: Dummyhalf
The fleet-a-foot hooker who isn’t afraid to take a dart from the ruck.
Elder has been a representative rugby league footballer in the past and is playing the most demanding position of hooker for the Bears.
More Coverage
Originally published as Queensland’s rugby league hidden gems: The reserves and lower grade stars
Brisbane 2032 ‘army’ tasked with special Games mission
Thousands of Queenslanders are being recruited to build an army tasked with a special mission for the 2032 Games.
2025 QRSS calendar released exposing key clashes
The 2025 Queensland Representative School Sport calendar has been released, with some surprise clashes posing questions for many cross-code athletes across the state. View the full list:
REVEALED: Queensland’s best school tennis program named
Tucked away in a quiet leafy suburb a small school with just four courts has been named Queensland’s Most Outstanding Tennis School. Find out why and meet their new stars.
POLL: The 100 best footballers in regional Queensland
Find out which Aussie rules footballers in regional Queensland made the cut for the 100 best in the state, and VOTE for who you think is the best here.
Transfers hub: Movers and shakers of Sapphire, Ruby 2025
The rumour mill is churning a mere three months post-2024 Sapphire Series grand final. While players reveal their new colours, coaches are getting a look at what their squads can achieve in 2025. Full story and transfers hub inside:
‘Person of love’: Award recipient’s tribute to friend killed in crash
A Toowoomba teen has made a touching tribute to a friend with ‘a lot of heart’ who was killed in a crash earlier this year after being given an award in his honour. Read more from inaugural Gage Fowler School Spirit award recipient here.