Revealed: Qld’s best first grade rugby league playmakers
Queensland’s first grade rugby league competitions are stacked when it comes to the playmaking magicians, maestros and generals. Here are 60 of the best grassroots players carving up in 2023. SEE THE FULL LIST
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Meet Queensland rugby league’s grassroots magicians – our star playmakers.
With the ball in their hand or off the boot they are the players that can change games in the blink of an eye.
From Far North Queensland through Brisbane and Ipswich and down to the Gold Coast, here are the elite A-Graders who have been impressing on suburban footy fields across the Sunshine State.
Townsville
Robert Lui
Club: Centrals ASA Tigers
Position: Halfback
The powerful former Cowboy is so big he doesn’t fit the Tiger’s No. 7 jersey, instead donning the 18.
Lui played 228 first class games in Australia and England, with another 44 in Queensland Cup and the UK’s second division, and his experience made an immediate impact at his new club.
While he may not have the pace he once possessed, Lui has led Centrals’ charge into premiership contenders in 2023.
Ethan Edwards
Club: Townsville Norths Devils
Position: Halfback
The 21-year-old Norths captain had an individual 14-point haul earlier this year when the embattled club celebrated their first A grade win after 25 games of heartache.
Edwards is a talented playmaker with excellent hands and vision.
He is also a very capable goal kicker.
Addo Waianga
Club: Townsville Brothers
Position: Halfback
Waianga is tied-first in the Townsville competition for points scored so far this season and the goalkicking halfback has been a major part in Brothers’ success winning their last nine games.
Stocky in stature, Waianga has a great passing game and has the complete package of skills.
Dylan Hastie
Club: Charters Towers Miners
Position: Hooker
The Miners captain is one of the premier hookers in Rugby League Townsville and District, with excellent playmaking skills out of dummy half.
Hastie is also an incredibly reliable defender and his leadership has guided Charters Towers through a very impressive season so far.
Jacob Bourke
Club: Western Lions
Position: Halfback
Bourke has been a constant performer in a struggling Western Lions team this season.
The player/coach is tied-third in points scored (52) – scoring more than a quarter of his team’s points in 2023.
Bourke is level-headed and has a talent for selecting the right option when he has the ball.
Shaun Nona
Club: Souths Bulls
Position: Halfback
Nona has been sidelined with injury since round 3 but recently made his return to the field after the six game stint.
He is well-known for his playmaking skills and played for Townsville in the 2023 Foley Shield, and if he stays healthy the Bulls are a good shout to make finals in their first year back in the competition.
Daniel Rigano
Club: Burdekin Roosters
Position: Half/Fullback
Rigano joined the Roosters in 2023 after spending time with the Townsville Blackhawks and Brothers.
He’s a vocal and versatile playmaker that can slot in at fullback or in the halves, and his great hands make him a threat down either side of the field when he injects himself into the attack.
Dylan Gaggiano
Club: Herbert River Crushers
Position: Fullback/Half
Gaggiano has mostly played in the halves this season with the Crushers having poor luck with injuries in the playmaking department.
More than capable of taking the reins, Gaggiano is a youthful and electrifying player with a great kicking game.
He’s also a talented goal kicker for the Ingham club.
CAIRNS
Nathan Curcio
Club: Atherton
Position: Halfback
An experienced half who has played his footy at Atherton for his entire career.
Stepped up as a player-coach in 2023 to ensure the Roosters competed in the FNQRL A-grade competition, and while it’s been tough, he has never stepped back.
Patrick Lewis
Club: Brothers
Position: Five-eighth
Lewis is the perfect foil for the experience of halfback and captain-coach Jordan Biondi-Odo.
Both men bring their own strengths to the defending premiers, but Lewis has a great ability to play what’s in front of him, and feed his outside backs quality ball to make a difference.
Sean Pyne
Club: Edmonton
Position: Halfback
A long-term Edmonton man who has earned a crack at A-grade, Pyne has shown glimpses of his best for a Storm side hanging on to finals contention.
Pyne has combined well with a revolving door of halves partners through the year, providing stability in the key position.
Aaron Jolley
Club: Innisfail
Position: Five-eighth/utility
The multiple-time Cairns Foley Shield representative has made his home in the Leprechauns halves over the past few seasons to great success.
While still shy of that elusive premiership, Jolley brings an all-round game with a good passing ability, great vision, a quality kicking game and solid defence.
Rhylee Herd
Club: Ivanhoes
Position: Halfback
Has made every post a winner with the Knights this season.
Spent the summer with the Northern Pride and it’s shown in his development as a playmaker, improving every facet of his game and adding some more strength to his frame.
Has steered the Knights to an equal share of the competition lead.
Theo Majid
Club: Kangaroos
Position: Halfback
Somehow remains one of the more underrated halves in this competition.
Majid is one of the stable, controlling hands at the Kangaroos’ steering wheel but boasts an impressive ability to play what’s in front of him.
An on-field general and voice of reason in a team which loves to compete, and loves to win.
Trezman Banjo
Club: Mareeba
Position: Halfback/utility
The 2021 rookie of the year is making a name for himself as one of the best young footballers in the FNQRL competition.
The former St Joseph’s College Nudgee student returned to Mareeba in 2021 when he made an instant impact, and while he missed much of last year through injury, has seriously impressed for the improved Gladiators.
His ability to cover multiple positions and speed with the footy in hand makes him a threat all over the park.
Ben Barba
Club: Mossman-Port Douglas
Position: Five-eighth/halfback
You can’t go past what the former Dally M Medal winner brings to the Sharks.
He regularly shows flashes of the brilliance which took him to the highest of highs in the NRL and Super League, and you can see he still has it with his strong kicking game, crystal clear vision and agility.
Has run rings around plenty of opposition defences and won’t be surprised if he does so through the rest of the year.
Josh Hanlon
Club: Southern Suburbs
Position: Five-eighth
One of several men entrusted with steering Southern Suburbs around the paddock in what is an extremely tough year for the club.
Hanlon is a Suburbs man through and through, and while the results haven’t come he’s competed and given everything every time he’s worn the Cockatoos’ jersey.
Baptiste Fabre
Club: Tully Tigers
Position: Five-eighth
The classy five-eighth is effectively on loan from Hostplus Cup club, the Brisbane Tigers, and he’s shown every bit of the class which makes him a potential future state league player.
Fitting in well at Tully under co-coaches Col Wilkie and Cameron Miller, Fabre’s kicking game, speed off the mark, strong defence, ability to sniff out a try and general toughness has made him an ideal ringleader for the Tigers.
Charles Murgha
Club: Yarrabah
Position: Five-eighth/halfback
The veteran Seahawk is like a fine win; he just keeps getting better.
Murgha is Yarrabah’s living embodiment of “class is forever”, with the skilful half regularly outplaying and out competing footballers more than half his age in the A-grade competition.
A big part of the Seahawks’ premiership charge in 2021, his experience and leadership have been key in a stretch of close wins.
Gold Coast
Shallin Fuller
Club: Burleigh Bears
Position: Halfback
With a dynamic skill set and footwork to step past anyone, Fuller is no doubt the Bear’s best playmaker.
Don’t let his youth fool you, this man already has a reputation for his talent.
Fuller has spent time with the Colts and Titans, but an injury has set him back for the time being.
Burleigh are glad to have him on their side while he works to get back to full fitness.
Kurtis Rowe and Jack Maccan
Club: Runaway Bay
Position: Five-eighth and fullback
These names have been seen before in the ‘best outside backs’ list, but their coach believes Rowe and Maccan are equally the best playmakers of his side.
They’re experienced, natural leaders who have stepped up while Runaway Bay builds on an otherwise youthful team who are still learning.
While they don’t have a standout halfback right now, these two players are doing the extra hard yards every week.
Name: Campbell Pirihi
Club: Helensvale
Position: Halfback
Another double-up appearance from the list of outside backs, Campbell Pirini has the vote of his coach for best playmaker of Helensvale’s first grade.
His maturity at just 25 years of age makes him an unassuming leader of the pack.
As his coach says, Pirihi never fails to give 100% every game, every ball, every second.
It’s what makes him stand out from the crowd, and why his teammates are able to trust that his next move will pay off.
Toowoomba
Dwayne Duncan
Club: Valleys Roosters
Position: Five-eighth and halfback
The veteran star makes the Roosters tick.
He expertly steers his team around the park, always seems to have time on the ball and can change a game in the blink of an eye with a ‘magical’ play.
Haydan Lipp
Club: Gatton Hawks
Position: Five-eighth
Captain and five-eighth, Lipp exudes leadership qualities when he laces up his boots. Possessing a level of patience in attacking sets, he is able to execute difficult plays with ease. An older head among the side, he has been setting the standards all season.
Austin Jennings
Club: Wattles Warriors
Position: Winger
Jennings is lightning quick and knows how to put players on the back foot.
Give the Wattles winger half a yard of space and he will turn it into a four pointer.
Jennings is also surprisingly strong and currently has 17 tries in just 11 games this season.
Chris Woodbridge
Club: Dalby Diehards
Position: Fullback
The Dalby Diehards attack runs through Woodbridge.
The marquee off-season signing has speed to burn, an uncanny ability to weave away from and evade defenders making him a nightmare to defend.
He is the current leading try scorer (20) and point scorer (185).
Nicholas Chapman and Jake Speed
Club: Warwick Cowboys
Position: Utility backs
Warwick’s success to date is built on their ability to ‘overcome’.
Cowboys coach Col Speed has been forced to make a lot of changes this season but the willingness of his players to compete every week has helped make things easier.
Chapman and Speed are prime examples switching between playmaking and outside back roles this season.
Both have been among the points and have been key to the team’s competitiveness.
Malcolm McGrady
Club: Goondiwindi Boars
Position: Centre
McGradys and Goondiwindi rugby league go hand-in-hand.
On his day Malcolm is a near unstoppable centre with a magic touch and quality goal kicking boot.
He sits third on the point scorers list this season with 110.
Ben Cook
Club: Southern Suburbs Tigers
Position: Halfback
A multiple premiership winner, the halfback has been in fine touch this season, and is thoroughly enjoying his time on the field.
A natural leader with plenty of experience, his radar-like boot has kept Tigers in plenty of games this season.
Brenton Clement
Club: Pittsworth Danes
Position: Fullback
Clement has been in fine form this season.
His kick returns are among the best in the game with the speedy and determined fullback running the ball back hard.
Brisbane
Bradley Russell
Club: Bulimba Valley Bulldogs
Position: Five eighth
A player emerging out of the colts ranks, Russell has the best running game in the Brisbane Rugby League competition.
Not scared of anyone and can open up a gap for a semi-trailer.
Kobe Martin
Club: Wynnum Juniors
Position: Five-eighth
An Atherton Roosters boy from Cairns, the baby of the team Martin has a calmness beyond his years and is getting better every day.
Martin is also an astute defender and is in the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls Hostplus Cup system.
Brayden Torpy
Club: Carina
Position: Five eighth
A gorgeous player to watch, Torpy’s leadership and kicking game is sublime.
With a cool head and great organisation, Torpy steers the Carina attack.
Haydyn O’Hara
Club: Souths Juniors
Position: Five eighth
The versatile O’Hara knows how to read the game and after a break from the game, the No. 6 with a deft touch is looking better than ever.
He leads his side around the park and has trained in bits and pieces with the Brisbane Broncos.
Sunshine Coast
Jack Just
Club: Kawana Dolphins
Position: Halfback
Despite a few injuries as of late, Just is a top contender as Kawana’s leading playmaker in the halves.
Stevie-Ray Haenga-Albert
Club: Kawana Dolphins
Position: Hooker
A damaging number nine that brings a high level of footy IQ and picks his time when to pass and when to create options out of dummy-half.
The New-Zealand born playmaker takes on the defensive line very well and is always there in support for his side.
Zack De Jersey
Club: Caloundra Sharks
Position: Halfback
Has cemented himself as the ‘go-to’ halfback for the Sharks this season in what has been a constant chopping and changing backline.
His control of the match and ability to take on the line at speed creates solid opportunities for his outside teammates.
Haydin Elsebach
Club: Caloundra Sharks
Position: Hooker
After the Gympie Devils folded in 2023, Elsebach, who was crowned Queensland’s best grassroots playmaker in 2022, wound up with Caloundra where he again has been a dominant force in the competition.
The talented dummy half commands plenty of respect at the ruck and more often than not will put the opposition in two minds.
Dan Moevao
Club: Noosa Pirates
Position: Five-eight/lock
Is a classic ‘lead by example’ captain and playmaker who is the one to break the game open with a big tackle, a key pass or a well designed play call.
With more than 15 years’ experience at an A-grade level, playing across competitions in Canterbury New Zealand, Cairns, Mackay and now the Sunshine Coast, the dual threat big man that holds an excellent running and passing game has been a standout performer for the Pirates in recent years.
Jackson Moule
Club: Maroochydore Swans
Position: Halfback
In just his second season with the Swans, Moule has stamped his feet as arguably the competition’s leading playmaker and halfback.
The former Caboolture star guided the Swans to a premiership in 2022 and his work with the ball in hand continues to put opposition players on the back foot.
Moule earned a Sunshine Coast Falcons pre-season call up and has served as a great leader both on and off the field.
Hsed Faaee
Club: Coolum Colts
Position: Five-eight/lock
A quality player that can slot in anywhere on the field and you’ll know he’ll do a job. Bounces around everywhere on the field and is a menace in attack.
Josh Totoro
Club: Caboolture Snakes
Position: Halfback
He brings a really good kicking game to the Snakes and thrives at controlling the tempo of the match.
Ipswich
Cameron Bundock
Club: Brothers Ipswich
Position: Wing
Bundock isn’t a playmaker but he is a finisher – a winger with flair.
With the help of try scoring half Travis Turnbull’s finger on the trigger, Bundock’s speed and involvement ends in points more often than not.
Khan Towler
Club: Redbank Plains Bears
Position: Halfback
It must be nice for teammates having a half like Khan Towler – a player who can straighten up the attack.
The point of difference with Towler is that not only does he enjoy putting his teammates over, especially Ono Sooialo, but he can dazzle himself.
Ty-James Marshall
Club: Norths Tigers
Position: Five-eighth
Marshall brings a mixed bag of tricks to the Tigers and it has been on show for years now.
A Norths veteran, Marshall had been scoring and assisting four pointers in Tigers colours season after season.
Bryson O’Sullivan
Club: Fassifern Bombers
Position: Five-eighth
Sullivan has been doing his thing in Ipswich’s A-grade competition for more than half a decade and he’s been doing it in style.
A player capable of playing various positions, O’Sullivan is a dream No. 6 for any team.
Mackay
Kyle Barnwell
Club: Souths Sharks
Position: Hooker
The 22-year-old is one of the hardest working players at the Sharks, and his craftiness around the ruck is what sets him apart from other playmakers.
Kauri Aupouri-Puketapu
Club: Mackay Magpies
Position: halfback
Not only crafty but light and agile on his feet, with his playmaking abilities enhanced by his great kicking game.
Has featured at both Queensland and NSW Cup level, most notably captaining the Western Suburbs Magpies in the 2019 season, where he was also their leading points scorer with 48.
Yosepha Kepa
Club: Mackay Magpies
Position: Five-eighth
He’s strong in defence and a strong ballrunner.
Organises and leads his Magpies team extremely well.
Managed four tries across 12 Queensland Cup appearances for the Mackay Cutters across 2016 and 2017.
Kel Sheather
Club: Whitsunday Brahmans
Position: Five-eighth
A hard-nosed defender and the best communicator on his team defensively.
Sheather also poses a significant threat going forward – he’s quick, he’s smart, and if he’s not scoring himself most of the Brahmans tries have his fingerprints all over them.
Adam Crear
Club: Whitsunday Brahmans
Position: Hooker
A hard-worker who plays above his weight more often than not, Adam’s another good communicator that defends with a hard-edge for the Brahmans.
However, it’s his ability to get the forwards on the front foot and lead the attack that sets him apart.
Rockhampton
Mitchell Power
Club: Rockhampton Brothers
An experienced campaigner, Power is a genuine game-breaker who can do things other players cannot.
He can tear a game apart with his impressive skill set, be it a cut-out pass, chip-chase or show and go.
A former Ollie Howden Medal winner, he is outstanding in the halves and creates plenty of opportunities for his teammates.
Mark Johnstone
Club: Rockhampton Brothers
Johnstone is one of Rockhampton Brothers’ most consistent performers.
Dynamic in the halves, his versatility allows him to fill a number of other positions, something which makes him invaluable to his team and cements his place in the starting 17 every week.
A match winner who makes everyone around him better, he is described by coach Damien Seibold as one of the best ball players he has ever coached.
George Grant
Club: Yeppoon Seagulls
The talented hooker has been pivotal in Yeppoon’s recent domination of the Rockhampton Rugby League A-grade competition.
Grant is a creative player whose unpredictability makes him one of the most dangerous players in the competition.
He has a great kicking game, can open up opposition defences with his pinpoint passing and possesses good vision.
Mitchell Wyatte
Club: Yeppoon Seagulls
A relative newcomer to the Yeppoon Seagulls, Wyatte brings stability and creativity to the halves.
He has a good kick and pass and is an explosive ball runner.
He is currently the second highest try scorer in the A-grade competition.
He is a consistent performer who gives 110 per cent every time he takes the field.
Tiko Hooper
Club: Emu Park
A former Capras under-20 player and a grand final winner with Hervey Bay in the Bundaberg Rugby League last year, Hooper has established himself as a key player in the Emu Park A-grade line-up this year.
He has great game management and a strong kicking game but is also super-effective defensively.
He is a key player within this team.
Blayton Vea Vea Youse
Club: Emu Park
Playing a new role this year at hooker, Vea Vea Youse’s ability to read the play is second to none and he is capable of splitting teams to pieces with his decisive running game from dummy half.
He represented the Rockhampton Rustlers this year and was a member of the Reef side for the annual representative battle against the Beef team.
Kazzi Doyle
Club: Norths Chargers
The young gun plays at 6 for Norths but can also play at 1 or 7.
Doyle is a wonderfully gifted young player who created history in 2021 when, in his A-grade debut season, won Rookie of the Year and the prestigious Ollie Howden Medal for Rockhampton’s best and fairest player, a feat never before achieved.
He continues to grow as a player and produces a consistently high level of performance each week.
Jackson Harris
Club: Norths Chargers
Harris plays 7 for Norths and can play 9 as well.
He is a high-quality player who had a wonderful year in 2021 and was on the verge of cracking the CQ Capras men’s squad in early 2022 when an ACL injury put paid to his season.
He returned from that injury this year, quickly finding the form that will no doubt have the Capras knocking on his door again.
He is one of the premier players in the Rockhampton A-grade competition and his combination with teammate Kazzi Doyle should assure Norths are very competitive at the business end of the season.
Cyron Tull
Club: Fitzroy/Gracemere
A freakish young talent who is not afraid to back himself, Cyron has the ability to create something out of nothing.
He is electric in attack with his chip and chase and show and go but equally as impressive in defence, putting his body on the line to take down opposition forwards.
He has incredible potential and is definitely one to watch.
Caleb Tull
Club: Fitzroy/Gracemere
A gifted ball-playing lock who is a handful for opposition teams.
An inspiration for his teammates and respected by his rivals, he has great skills and lightning speed and is a monster in defence.
He is a very smart footballer who reads the play incredibly well.
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