The Chronicle looks at the 26 young guns set to light up Downs Rugby teenage grand final day

As Downs Rugby prepares for its showcase event for the teenage boys and girls, The Chronicle looks at the players to watch from every club competing on grand final day. Check out the full list of 26 players.

RUGBY UNION: Downs Rugby’s best teenage talents will chase premiership gold this Friday with Toowoomba Sports Ground hosting the teenage rugby grand finals.

The code’s junior competition has gone from strength to strength in recent years with nearly 1200 players between 5 and 17 years of age registered this year.

“It (the finals) are a great opportunity to showcase our best young players,” Downs Rugby general manager Matt Hammond said.

“The teenage competition serves as a pathway for our top young male and females players who hopefully go on to become our top senior players and part of our representative programs.

“Many of the players in action Friday will also be representing Downs Rugby at the Southern Queensland Country Championships the following weekend.”

Here are the 26 boys and girls to watch on Downs Rugby’s Teenage Grand Final Day:

U13 BOYS

HIGHFIELDS REDBACKS

CHARLIE PARK

“He’s a strong runner, great ball carrier and quality tackler,” coach Lucas Hampson said of his tighthead prop.

“Charlie’s a real all-rounder who works hard across the field.”

JACKSON CLARK

“Jackson is still pretty new to rugby but he’s come along in leaps and bounds this season.

“He’s dynamic player at outside centre. He’s quick and strong with the ball in his hand.”

BEARS

XAVIER DAVEY

“A standout player for all the clubs, who is our number eight,” coach Mark Penberthy said.

“Scored a load of tries and is an elusive runner with the ball. Quick and a real threat to the opposition.”

LIAM RODERICK

“Plays at halfback and is heavily involved in the game,” Penberthy said.

“His defence is exceptional. It doesn’t matter the size of the opponent, he’ll take them on.”’

U14 BOYS

SOUTH TOOWOOMBA

ASHTON MESSENGER

“Ahston plays fullback and he’s a really talented footballer,” coach Gary Campbell said.

“He has a good game sense and seems to be able to find the gap. A good finisher and scores a lot of our tries.”

CHARLIE MCLEAN

“One of our locks and is a really dynamic player,” Campbell said.

“Big and strong, he likes to carry the ball up and others follow him when he gets to the ruck.”

USQ SAINTS

HARRY BATE

“Charlie comes to us with a rugby league background and he’s really developed in just his second year,” assistant coach Scott Johnston said.

“He’s tough in defence, does all the hard work up the middle with no fuss and is a strong ball runner. We can always rely on him to do a job.”

COOPER BROWN

“Cooper is still learning the five eighth role having played half in the past,” Johnston said.

“He’s got the silky skills though and a great ability to put our big outside backs into the hole.”

MATTHEW JOHNSTON

“We’re hoping to see a big game out of Matthew at fullback,” coach Ross Akroyd said.

“He’s been one our best in attack all season, but he’s been a little quiet of late. He’s told he’s ready to go for the final though - he really wants to inject himself.”

U14 GIRLS

BEARS

CLAUDIA WOODHEAD

“Claudia is a Glennie girl and plays as a dynamic forward,” Craig Coetzee said.

“She works really hard in defence and is a defensive stalwart of the team.”

GABBY GILLIES

“A Fairholme winger who is really quick. She has electric page,” Coetzee said.

“She’s the finisher in the team. Has crossed for a few tries and is one of the quicker kids on the Downs.”

DALBY

CARLA NOBBS

“Plays at five-eighth and has a good running game,” coach Brett Crothers said.

“She has a good passing game and is a solid all-round player.”

KARLEE FALVEY

“Plays as our hooker/loose forward,” Crothers said.

“Her work around the paddock is immense. She’s a very busy player and a good tackler.”

U15 BOYS

SAINTS

FRASER COLEBORN

“A big hard running front rower who loves doing the hard work in the middle of the field,” coach Anthony Ahearn said.

“Fraser is also one of his team’s hardest workers in defence.

SAM ELMS

“The linchpin in our attack. As our halfback he provides great service to the backline and directs team,” Ahearn said.

“He’s one of the smallest players out there but that doesn’t matter because he’s one of the hardest hitters in defence.”

HIGHFIELDS

JACK DAY

“Reliable and dependable. Jack’s a workhorse who always gets the job done,” Redbacks coaching said.

“He’s not a flashy player but he’s important to us.”

DAVID NUNN

“We’re hoping for a big from David.

“He’s a great communicator, marshalls our backline perfectly and is strong in defence.”

U16 GIRLS

BEARS

AMBER HURLEY

“A defensive forward from Downlands,” coach Craig Coetzee said.

“Has no fear. She plays hard and rugged, and will tackle anything that moves.”

MERCIA ZILLMAN

“A St Joseph’s girl who can play on the centre or wing,” Coetzee said.

“Mercia has a high work rate and also finishes really well.”

Redbacks Roses- Ashley North

ALICIA PRIOR

The young winger has picked up the Lightning McQueen ‘handle’ this season because “she is speed” according to coach Ashley North.

“She is super quick in attack and defence and tackles hard.”

FRANCESCA DABOUL

“Frankie is a pocket rocket,” North said.

“She runs out the full game, works hard in defence and attack and plays every minute with passion.”

MARIAH BROWN

In a team that prides itself on hard work Brown, who was recently selected in the Queensland under-18 girls rugby league side, is one of the hardest workers.

“She works hard for the team all game. Maria is a great tackler and excellent at pilfering.”

U16 BOYS

BEARS

JAKE STEPHENS

“Our number eight, and a Darwin boy boarding at Downlands,” coach Shannon Tunstead said.

“He came down to give it a go down here. His ball running and defence is unbelievable.”

BEN LOTZ

“An Adelaide boy also boarding at Downlands,” Tunstead said.

“Plays in the centres, has great ball-running skills and is really quick. Noone can catch him.”

USQ SAINTS

NOAH TAYLOR

“A real workhorse right across the park,” coach Darren Buckley said of his ‘number 8’.

“He leads by example in the forward and when the ball is rolling he’s great at helping maintain that forward momentum.”

CLANCY MCCOSKER

“Clancy has a great ability to steer the players around him into the perfect spot and put them through the gap.”

GRAND FINAL DAY SCHEDULE

4.30pm - U13B Bears vs Highfields

5.40pm - U14B USQ vs Souths

6.50pm - U14G Dalby vs Bears

7.20pm - U15B Highfields vs USQ

8.30pm - U16G Bears Blue vs Highfields Red

9pm - U16B Bears vs USQ

The 26 players to watch on Downs Rugby teenage grand final day.