SQUAD ANALYSIS: Breaking down the Clydesdales U18s 33-player roster

After a strong 2021 campaign, the Clydesdales U18s are gearing up for big Mal Meninga Cup campaign. Read up on the 33-player Clydesdales squad and what every player brings to the team.

Bailey Rathmell, Riley Wockner and Harrison Schwenke.

YOUTH and enthusiasm is on the Western Clydesdales side as they prepare to tackle the U18s Mal Meninga Cup.

A strong campaign last year saw them pick up a handful of wins over the short season, and a pair of pre-season victories over Wide Bay and Redcliffe have their confidence up for the year ahead.

With a squad of 33-players to fight it out for 17 spots each week, a healthy competition is present with a team looking to mix it with the best in Queensland.

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“Overall I’m fairly positive on what we can accomplish together,” coach Brendan Wilson said.

“I have no doubt about that.

“It’s important we get away to a good start. We have a few players coming back mid-year.”

The Chronicle caught up with the Clydesdales U18s coach to run through the playing roster for the year ahead.

Riley Wockner kicks off. Picture: Kevin Farmer

FULLBACKS

Two talents that showed plenty of promise throughout the TRL season will be in the race for the fullback jersey.

Wockner made his A-grade debut for Brothers in 2021, while Falvey was fullback in Dalby’s U18s title.

Riley Wockner: “A good position fullback. Gives us good shape out the back, and has good communication skills in defence.”

Brayden Falvey: “Can play at fullback or centre. Covers a few positions and has a good foot brain and is a good communicator.”

Luke Cesari. Picture: Kevin Farmer

OUTSIDE BACKS

Four spots are up for grabs with a lot of players putting their hand up for the roles.

A good mix of size and pace across the board will give the halves plenty of options to attack from anywhere on the field.

“As a unit they’re starting to understand what’s required of them at the next level,” Wilson said.

“They’re getting plenty of carry for us and we’re working on getting them out of that junior way of thinking.

“Getting out of our own end is a really important part of the game and we want to make sure they buy into the work they need to do.”

Mason Bloom: “A big body and a strong carry back.”

Rueben Tatow: “Brings a good work ethic and does some hard work for us.”

Hunter James: “Hunter is a willing worker.”

Cruz Williamson: “Brings plenty of speed to the team.”

Kaden Buhse: “Has plenty of speed as well and has a good football brain.”

Bailey Nash: “Is good on his feet and very strong defensively.”

Harry Eyers: “Harry is strong defensively and pushes well into holes.”

Luke Cesari: “Has got plenty of speed and can finish off a try well.”

Jeffrey Lingwoodock: “Does some of the tough stuff and the hard yards from the back.”

Josh Truscott: “Is safe at the back and makes plenty of metres.”

Lyhkan King-Togia. Picture: Kevin Farmer

HALVES

The generals of the team, with a pair of Dalby halves leading the charge.

Brady led the Dalby U18s to the TRL premiership last year, with King-Togia playing up above his age in the side as well.

A big pre-season from Valleys half Jacob Robinson has him in the mix as well.

“They’re going well,” Wilson said.

“We’re playing a bit of a different style this year. We haven’t got a lot of size so we’ll be looking to get to the edges (in attack).”

Lyhkan King-Togia: “He’s just a good footballer. He’s defensively strong and takes the right options in attack most of the time. Destined to play at a higher level.”

Wil Brady: “Plays with good tempo, is a strong player and has improved defensively.”

Jacob Robinson: “Has really jumped out of the ground in the pre-season. Has come on board and bought into everything we’ve done. Is pushing hard for a spot.”

Declan Ryan. Picture: Kevin Farmer

BACK ROWERS

We’ve been more accustomed to seeing the likes of Declan Ryan, Kobe Timms and Kooper Diment in the backs, but the talented trio find themselves in the race for positions in the back row.

Bailey Rathmell steps up from captaining the Cyril Connell Challenge team last year.

“There’s plenty of football in our back rowers,” Wilson said.

“They can all pass and run a good line. There’s a lot of different styles there but they’ve bought into what we’re trying to achieve.”

Declan Ryan: “Only just pushing into a lock position, but has good footwork and skills. Ties in with the style we want him to play.”

Kobe Timms: “Is new to the position but has bought into what we want to do. Has put on about 6kg and has done everything we’ve asked.”

Bailey Rathmell: “Fast, enthusiastic and gives it everything. Was the U16s captain and is a big effort player.”

Bud Smith: “Runs a nice, hard line and has plenty of football in him Good defensively.”

Dom Whittingham: “There’s plenty of football in him. Can tun a tough line and knows his job.”

Mitch Clem: “Another player that can run a nice line and defensively knows his job there on the edge.”

Kooper Diment: “Can play in the outside backs. Gives us a bit of versatility on an edge or in the centres.”

Lleyton Dodd. Picture: Kevin Farmer

MIDDLE FORWARDS

While size isn’t in abundance for the middle men, it’s hoped a wealth of skilful, talented players will be able to get the job done in the engine room.

A number of younger players have thrown their hats into the ring for round one on the back of good pre-season campaigns, with some returning faces adding stability.

“While they’re not overly big, they’ve been working hard and all trying to push on the ball and support each other,” Wilson said.

“They’ve been training well and have really stuck together.”

Lleyton Dodd: “Is quick around the ruck, plays good eyes-up football and can spot a lazy defender and get at him. Takes the right options.”

Matt York: “Travels in and comes into the hooking position this year. Is getting better every week and has a solid build.”

Mason Potter: “A bit crafty around the ruck, brings the front rowers onto the ball.

Darcy Carswell: “A big, strong player that can take the tough carries. Controls the ruck really well in defence.”

Clayton Andrews: “A bit of a late developer in the middle. Takes tough carries and can find his front and play on the back of it.”

Toby Evans: “Still learning the middle after playing an edge. He’s working hard and getting better at his game.”

Harry Schwenke: “Coming back from a serious knee injury. Had a good opportunity to trial and we will keep working with him.”

Joey Gillett: “Is a year younger but has worked hard on improving himself.”

Shoneton Karapen: “We moved him into the middle from the outside backs. Is on the improve and is doing some nice, tough things for us.”

Oliver Chaffey: “Coming back from injury after being part of the squad last year. Hoping to get him into the side by the end of March (injury).”

Jai Purser: “A middle/back-rower. A big body that has come through the junior rep programs.”