We name the 24 male and female stars to watch in TRL Cup finals

Toowoomba Rugby League’s top senior teams go head-to-head in the Madsen Rasmussen and President’s Cup finals this Saturday. Here’s our look at the 24 male and female stars to watch.

Gatton’s Courtney-Lee Nolan takes on the Newtown line. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Toowoomba Rugby League’s top teams will go head-to-head this Saturday.

With the first round of senior competition wrapped – the first silverware of the season will be on offer at Clive Berghofer Stadium.

The top two teams after round one will compete for the President’s Cup (Open Women, Reserve Grade and Under-19 men) and the Hutchinson Builders A-grade men will battle for the Madsen Rasmussen Shield.

Ahead of the blockbuster day of footy here’s our look at the top players to watch in every game.

All matches will be played at Toowoomba’s Clive Berghofer Stadium on Saturday, July 1.

A-grade

Kick-off 6.30pm

VALLEYS

Dwayne Duncan: The Roosters five-eighth has been pulling the strings in attack all season.

A level-headed and calm veteran who steps up in the big moments and is capable of producing game-changing plays in the blink of an eye.

Dwayne Duncan fires off a pass. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Alexander Hinch: A constant threat out wide, Hinch is the Roosters leading tryscorer this season – crossing the line 13 times in the first 11 games.

If he gets the ball in space it’s a good bet he will find the line, and that’s what you want in big games.

Alexander Hinch scores a try for Valleys against Brothers. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Jackson Shelswell: A consistent and reliable performer in the forward pack. Shelswell works hard on both sides of the ball, making plenty of tough runs and stepping up in defence. The second rower is also a handy tryscorer.

Valleys players Jackson Shelswell (left) and Daniel Bain wrap up Eliki Rabisi of Brothers. Picture: Kevin Farmer

GATTON

Haydan Lipp: When the game is on the line you want the ball in Lipp’s hands.

The five-eighth is a natural leader who patiently waits for opportunities in attack, and pounces on the chance almost immediately.

Haydan Lipp kicks for Gatton. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Blake Appo: A proven performer who can line up just about anywhere and do a great job. Appo has scored 9 tries so far this season and shines in the big games.

George Tavita: A scheming hooker who expertly helps his halves and hits hard in defence.

George Tavita fires off a pass for Gatton. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Reserve grade

Kick-off 4.50pm

DALBY

Travis Babbington: Pencil in Babbington as one to watch.

The experienced fullback has trained this week after a stint on the sidelines with an ankle injury. If he plays, he will captain the side and the bulk of the Diehards attacking sets will go through him.

Chris Barry: The determined lock works hard to be a consistent presence in the middle. A cool head who can always be relied on to get the job done.

Andrew Champney: An 80-minute player who works hard on both sides of the ball and never backs down.

WATTLES

Braydon Wilson: A massive centre who plays an aggressive brand of footy and has speed to burn.

Jordan Henry: A hard working second rower who can break the defensive line. Henry’s quick play the ball troubles plenty of opposition teams.

Michael Duggan: The crafty halfback expertly steers his side round the park – setting up plenty of attacking raids.

Women

Kick-off 3.25pm

GATTON

Natalia Webb: The elusive centre added value to an already strong Hawks outfit when she signed last season. Webb is quick, can play anywhere in the backline and is the side’s leading tryscorer with 9 four-pointers this season.

Natalia Webb for Gatton tackled by Amanda Hinch and Taylah Ebzery for Newtown. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Courtney-Lee Nolan: The reigning Open Women’s Hancock Edwards medallist hasn’t been as prolific on the scoreboard this season but she has been no less influential.

Nolan is a great game manager and positive influence on her team.

Kirra Zampech: An unsung hero in the pack as both a starter and off the bench – Zampech runs hard and can break the line.

OAKEY

Antonia Vito: The Bears centre has been prolific this season scoring 11 tries in six games. She also the competition’s joint leading points scorer with 44.

Clarissa Janes: The centre scored a double in the Bears 20-18 loss to Gatton earlier this year – she 10 tries to her name in six games this season.

Clarissa Janes for Pacific tackles Lorna Murray for Emus during the 2023 TRL Cultural Cup, Open Womens game. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Erika Dean: Another one of the Bears strike weapons, the talented lock has 8 tries this season and is a natural leader.

Under-19s

Kick-off 1.50pm

DALBY

Charlie Cooper: A young talent, Cooper made his A-grade debut for the Diehards last week. The competitive five-eighth is a natural talent and hard worker who never backs down.

Wil Brady: The Western Clydesdales talent has a good footy brain, an impressive kicking game and steers his team around the field well. Brady has also lined up for the Diehards A-grade this season.

Bailey Rathmell: A hard running second rower who makes the tough runs when needed and is fully committed to his team.

Rathmell has also featured for the Western Clydesdales’ under-21s and Diehards’ A-grade this year.

Clydesdales Bailey Rathmell takes on the Ipswich Jets line during a Mal Meninga Cup match. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Hunter James: A raw talent who works hard on both sides of the ball and does whatever is asked of him.

VALLEYS

Jack Stenzel: The Roosters captain and halfback is a talented ballplayer that loves to take on the line in a bid to create opportunities for his side.

Jacob Robinson: The electric ball-running five-eighth is smart, consistent and positive on the field.

Kael Tremain: A tough, hard working and consistent front rower with good footwork at the line.

Mitchell Clem: A strike weapon in the second row, Clem is a good line runner, strong defensively and has formed a great partnership with Stenzel in attack.

Jack Stenzel with the ball for Valleys against Brothers in TRL A grade. Picture: Kevin Farmer