SHOOTING STARS: Toowoomba’s 40 junior league talents to watch in 2022

It’s long been a breeding ground for NRL talent and Toowoomba looks set to deliver again with another exciting fleet of junior rugby league players set to line up in 2022. SEE THE FULL LIST

RUGBY LEAGUE: With numbers growing every year alongside the QRL and NRL’s increased involvement in player development the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League competition is going from strength to strength.

The Darling Downs and South West Queensland regions have always produced top juniors and the future is bright according to TJRL president Dan Aldons.

“There’s never been a more exciting time than right now for our players and clubs,” Aldons said.

“Our players are benefiting from the QRL and NRL’s development framework and there’s a clear pathway to representative footy with the Western Clydesdales and now our Canterbury Bulldogs and their plans to introduce a football Academy in the region.

“All these things only strengthen the region’s status as a rugby league stronghold.”

Aldons also believes the TJRL’s clubs deserve praise for the strength of the game in the region.

“In the past there used to be a focus on premierships and attaining players to win titles,” he said.

“Now though the focus is on development from within – giving players the skills and opportunity to enjoy the game at every level and that is very important.”

With the 2022 season kicking we’ve created a list of the 40 TJRL stars to watch this season.

BROTHERS

James Currie (U13 boys): Elusive in attack and brilliant in defence, Currie is a strong, dependable player that can be relied on to always give 100 per cent.

William Paynter.

Will Paynter (U14 boys): Paynter is a tough no-nonsense player that can always be counted on. Loves hard work in attack and defence and can play anywhere on the field.

Jared Castle (U15 boys): A gifted running five-eighth with a massive boot. Castle is defensively sound and known for pulling off great one-on-one try saving tackles. Will captain the team this season.

Bodhi Sharpley (U16 boys): Captained the Western Clydesdales U16s this year and will be a leading figure in this side. Sharpley has great vision in attack and is a tenacious tackler

James Sipple-Hyne (U17 boys): Give Sipple-Hyne a metre of space and he will turn it into massive dash. A centre with blistering speed and the vision to match he is also a top notch defender.

Katelyn Doorley (U13 girls): Doorley has been training the house down in pre-season. Has great speed and isn’t afraid of contact – a tough and determined player.

Abby Sayeg (U15 girls): The experienced halfback has great vision and a mind to match – knowing when to throw the pass or run the ball. Has the defensive skills to match her attacking capabilities.

Macca Kennedy (U17 girls): The front and second rower loves the ‘collision’ and is aggressive in defence. Her experience and connection with her teammates make her a valuable asset to the team.

DALBY

Jack Lewis (U13 boys): A strong running lock forward with a great work rate and solid defensive skills. Lewis is already under the watchful eye of the Brisbane Broncos as a member of their early development program.

Waynos Salase-Edmonds (U15 boys): A strong hitter in defence with a good offload. Salase-Edmonds also has a good kicking game – an unusual trait for a lock forward.

Brodie Wright (left) and Ben Waters.

Ben Waters (U16 boys): Waters is the typical modern day fullback popping up everywhere in attack and defence. The Clydesdales custodian is a good organiser in defence and great talker.

Bailey Rathmell (U17 boys): The second row forward is a great line runner and never shies away from his defensive responsibilities. Played for the U18 Clydesdales this year.

Bailey Rathmell,

GATTON

Harry Armitage (U13 boys): A high energy halfback who competes on every play.

Willem Fedrick.

Willem Fedrick (U13 boys): A tireless worker who leads the hit ups and tackles every week and is turning into a really good ballplayer.

Archie Larfield (U13 boys): A hard working second row who loves to run and is physical on both sides of the ball.

Archie Larfield.

Kalen Potter (U14 boys): The representative star can play in the halves or at hooker. A great organiser, team leader and true competitor who can read the game very well.

Laythan Potter (U14 boys): Can play just about anywhere on the park. A good ball runner and organiser.

Harry Cole (U14 boys): Competes on every play and runs the ball strongly. Cole can play in the halves or back row and organises his team well.

Lleyton Thomas (U15 boys): What this lock lacks in size he makes up for with work rate – an absolute work horse

Regan Jackson (U15 boys): A great leader and runner at the fullback position.

OAKEY

Saxon Medland (U13 boys): The Bears number seven loves having the ball in his hands and will go looking for it when it’s not. Loves taking on the line for his forwards and never shies away from defence

Benji McCarthy (U13 boys): A keen young prop who loves working the ball up the middle, but is slippery enough to shift outside for his backs. His teammates draw off the energy he shows in defence.

Locklan Ryan (U13): After lining up at fullback last year, Ryan has made the move the five-eighth. Silky smooth on his feet and has the vision to match. Wears his heart on his sleeve and will never let you down in defence.

Jebb Thorpe (U15 boys): A passionate front rower that loves contact. He is a workhorse that always plays big minutes and leads every pack he features in. Inspires his team and intimidates his opposition.

Harry Pirake (U15 boys): The under-14 star is stepping up a grade but don’t expect him to take a backward step. He’s a damaging, ball running lock and is equally as effective in defence. Will probably spend a bit of time in the centres this year to use his speed out wide.

Ethan Altadonna (U15 boys): A crafty hooker with a head for the game and will tackle all day. He played every minute of every game in the 2021 season.

PITTSWORTH

Isabelle Duncombe (U13 girls): Based on current form you wouldn’t know Duncombe is in her first year of footy. Named best back at the recent Walker Challenge, she has a great work rate and is always determined to do more.

Isabelle Duncombe.

Ethan Burgess (U13 boys): The young lock leads by example with a great work ethic and commitment to showing up in defence that has earned him the respect of his teammates.

Ethan Burgess.

Alex White (U14 boys): His solid all-round game makes effective in the halves or at lock. A good defender who is never afraid to put his hand up when the ball needs to be taken forward.

Ella Hollis (U15 girls): A utility player with a great work ethic and a solid all-round game. Hollis is a very strong defender and elusive with the ball in hand.

Ella Hollis.

Will Hanlon (U15 boys): If you need someone to bend the line Hanlon is your player. Leads the way with his ball carries and strong defence.

Sam Gillis (U16 boys): A a good hole runner and solid defender out on the edge.

Lachlan Thompson (U17 boys): He’s not the biggest kid on the park but the young half is a born leader and one his team’s best defenders. His kicking game will trouble plenty of opposition defences this season.

SOUTHS

Gracie Facer (U13 girls): A great leader and strong runner of the football. Loves working in the middle in defence and attack.

Gracie Facer.

Temanu Taahi (U13 boys): New to the club but already showing signs of being right at home. A great pre-season carnival points suggests he’s in for a big year.

Harry Green (U14 boys): Solid right across the park with passing, running and defensive skills.

Pypah Ferguson (U15 girls): A strong runner and brilliant defender, Ferguson is already shaping up as representative football contender.

Lachlan Lyons.

Lachlan Lyons (U15 boys): The young star is the type of player every coach wants. Willing to do the work in the middle he runs the ball hard and is an excellent defender.

Jake Durie.

Jake Durie (U16 boys): Loves to take on the line and create holes for his ball runners. Durie’s Clydesdales experience will be an asset to the team.

Ally Ramsay (U17 girls): Gives 110 per cent every game with the ball in hand and in defence. Ramsay is a tackling machine and lined up for the Clydesdales under-19 women this year.