TRL’s best 22 players since 2000 ranked: Matt Duggan, Ned Murphy, Steve Franciscus, Dennis Burgoyne

Toowoomba Rugby League is considered among the best country leagues across Australia and has produced countless stars. Here are our 22 best players of the TRL since 2000. DID WE GET IT RIGHT? VOTE NOW

RUGBY LEAGUE: From the local competition to the iconic Clydesdales teams of years gone by, Toowoomba and the Darling Downs has produced some legendary league stars.

Toowoomba Rugby League player of the year award is the Webcke-Price Medal – named after NRL legends Shane Webcke and Steve Price.

Aside from Webcke and Price – countless other juniors played their first games in the region before going on to star at Origin, national and international level.

The TRL is considered one of Australia’s premier country rugby league competitions and its ‘spirit’ plays a huge role in the development of its players.

“There have been 50 players who have lived in the region and gone on to be internationals,” Western Clydesdales chairman Tony Coonan said.

“I think the TRL is one of Australia’s premier country league competitions and we have been able to produce some wonderfully talented players.

“When you think about Clydesdales you think about spirit, resilience and effort – all of that comes from how the game has been played for years here.

“Everything about the competition – the towns where the games are played, the officials and volunteers, even the environment and weather – it all contributes to how our players develop.”

Working with TRL and local league identities The Chronicle has produced a list of the 22 best players who have lined up in the TRL since 2000.

22. BJ BAILEY

Alongside the likes of McKellar, Seddon and Murphy – Bailey was a key man in Valleys title winning teams of the mid 2000s. A steely player with a never-say-die attitude.

21. DON SAUNDERS

If you’re looking for a player who epitomises the TRL and Clydesdales spirit – Saunders is your man. Saunders led by example as much as he did with his voice.

Eugene Seddon

20. EUGENE SEDDON

Longevity and Seddon go hand-in-hand with the front rower finally calling time on his playing days last season.

Another bright star in Valleys’ talent-laden squad of the mid 2000s, Seddon never took a backward step in attack or defence.

David McGrady (right).

19. DAVID McGRADY

There’s nothing standard about the way he sends it downfield, but McGrady has one of the game’s best kicking games.

As well as knowing how to turn teams around off his boot he can also ‘read’ the game with the best.

Jarrod Lee (centre)

18. JARROD LEE

One of the game’s most highly rated fullbacks for a number of years, Lee has bags of pace and knows how to ‘break’ the line.

Dale Perkins (right)

17. DALE PERKINS

A metre eater that has been the ‘go to’ frontrower for years now. Rarely makes a mistake and runs hard.

Daniel York (with ball).

16. DANIEL YORK

A workrate that matches his fantastic skillset. A stalwart in the back-row for Pittsworth and is now taking on player-coach duties at the Danes.

Drew Jackson

15. DREW JACKSON

They set the bar at Valleys and Jackson has always met expectations.

A great leader, communicator and captain – Jackson is a man that can always be relied on.

Dwayne Duncan.

14. DWAYNE DUNCAN

Simply put, he’s a game changer who often leaves players and fans asking ‘how did he do that?’.

Haydan Lipp (left).

13. HAYDAN LIPP

Near on impossible for defenders to read, Lipp has way of bamboozling his opponents.

One of the TRL’s top players right now.

Jackson Green.

12. JACKSON GREEN

Elusive in attack, Green is known for his ability to create something out of nothing as he slips past defenders.

Teammates love knowing they can focus on their job in defence as Green is among the game’s best cover defenders.

Xavier Manley.

11. XAVIER MANLEY

The TRL’s premier front rower over the past five years.

A real game changer with an amazing work rate.

Travis Burns.

10. TRAVIS BURNS

The former NRL star made an instant impact at Wattles.

He has only been at Wattles for a few seasons now but he deserves to be counted among the competition’s best.

As well as a personal skill set second to none in the competition, Burns has an uncanny ability to improve and bring the best out of the players around him.

Trevor Sharpley.

9. TREVOR SHARPLEY

An honest hard working front rower with a huge motor.

Sharpley was always the first player to tuck the ball under his wing in any set no matter how times he had touched it in previous tackles.

Danny Wassell (with ball).

8. DANNY WASSELL

The focused, energetic hooker you see today is the exact same player of 10 years ago. Explosive out of dummy half, the former Webcke-Price medal winner knows how to read the game and take advantage of what’s in front of him.

Wassell also has a knack for forcing errors in defence with his hard tackling style.

Cory McGrady (with ball).

7. CORY MCGRADY

When McGrady runs his teammates follow and he knows exactly how to get them involved. McGrady has made a name for himself as a brilliant attacker but also deserves praise for his quality defensive work.

The speedy fullback has taken Highfields to another level since joining a few seasons ago.

Gus McKellar.

6. GUS MCKELLAR

Winning six premierships in a row (2006-2011), Valleys were the TRL benchmark and McKellar was a huge part of that success.

At his playing peak, McKellar’s blistering line speed, pace off the mark and mistake-free play were the envy of countless players.

Now working the sidelines as a coach it is clear that Highfields style of play is shaped heavily by McKellar’s focus as a player.

Corey Blades.

5. COREY BLADES

Electrifying is the simplest way to describe Blades.

The talented fullback has played for numerous TRL clubs and starred in every jersey he’s worn.

If there was a record of game changing ‘involvements’ Blades would be at the top of the list. Blades also has a fantastic ability to ‘map out’ opposition kick chasers to boost his kick return yards.

Denis Burgoyne.

4. DENNIS BURGOYNE

A barnstorming forward with a fantastic ability to bend the line. Like Franciscus – most oppositions simply resorted to lessening Burgoyne’s mark on the game.

Steve Franciscus.

3. STEVE FRANCISCUS

Known in some TRL circles as “The Spider” for his uncanny ability to seemingly extend his arms and legs to catch opponents in his web – Franciscus is one of the TRL’s toughest big men.

Even now, years after his debut, he is still one of the hardest players to bring down in attack. Most oppositions resort to simply trying to lessen his impact rather than stopping him completely.

Gus McKellar, Nathan. Max and Justin Murphy celebrate Valleys 2010 premiership win.

2. NED MURPHY

Few players possess the vision and competitive spirit Murphy showed every time he pulled on a jersey. One of the TRL’s best all-round talents, Murphy was a great manager with top-notch kicking and tackling skills.

A legend for Valleys and later Souths (after a stint in rugby union), Murphy always seemed to be three plays ahead of his opposition.

Murphy played in five of Valleys’ six premiership winning sides between 2006 and 2011 but his fondest memories centre more around the bonds he formed with old friends.

“There was a core of us who played a lot of footy together in school and were really great mates,” Murphy said.

“And then a few of us came back to Valleys after playing Queensland Cup.

“Being able to play with guys like Tony Gollan, Eugene (Seddon) and Gus (McKellar) was fantastic.

“Having a laugh and giving each other a bit of stick in the dressing room after games is what I remember the most after the premierships.”

After his golden run with Valleys, Murphy added a (rugby union) Risdon Cup to his trophy cabinet before returning to the TRL with Souths.

The now 41-year-old’s career came to an abrupt end in 2013 when he injured his knee after colliding with a goal in Souths grand final qualifier.

Murphy has never been out of the game though.

After a stint as Toowoomba Clydesdales coach he now splits his time between work and coaching his children’s football teams.

“I really enjoy watching my kids play sport and I figured if I’m there I might as well help out,” he said.

“I coach my son’s under-14 Valleys team and my daughter’s touch team.

“It’s all about giving back for me, making sure everyone is involved, having fun and if they pick up or improve their skills even better.”

Matt Duggan.

1. MATT DUGGAN

The 2021 Webcke-Price medal winner has been at the top of his game and the competition’s benchmark half for so long it’s hard to picture the TRL without him.

What makes Duggan’s achievements and reputation all the more amazing is his style of play. Duggan, who has won multiple premierships with Valleys and Wattles, consistently puts his body at risk running into the line to get opposition defences on the back foot.