We name the players, officials and team who starred in 2023
From the grassroots level to the international stage athletes from Toowoomba and the Darling Downs made their mark. Here’s our look at the top 50 stars of 2023.
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New chapters in Toowoomba and the Darling Downs rich sporting history were written this year.
From the grassroots level to the international our teams, officials and athletes proved their skills for all to see.
With the 2023 sporting season coming to a close here’s our look at the Top 50 performers.
50. Coolaroo AFC
Coolaroo are a big game team and this year’s AFLDD Allied Cup only served to prove that status further.
The men’s team were cool and clinical in their 2022 premiership defence beating Goondiwindi Hawks 13.5-93 to 7.5-47.
49. Toowoomba Rangers
Rangers’ 32-24 Risdon Cup victory was a fitting end to a remarkable season.
The win bought captain Jon Vinson to tears with the Rangers’ stalwart announcing plans to play rugby in Ireland in 2024.
48. Mountaineers Men
The 2023 QSL 1 season was another case of so near yet so far for the Mountaineers.
Led by skipper Cameron Weber and eventual QSL MVP Adam Gehrig proved their title credentials all season long only to fall short at the semi-final stage.
Riding a wave of momentum into the knockout match the Mountaineers lost 73-62 to rivals USC Rip City.
47. Mountaineers Women
For the first time in more than a decade the Mountaineers women were in the premiership mix.
Fresh from an impressive 2022 that saw them narrowly miss out on a playoff after finishing the regular season with eight wins and eight losses, the team were among the leading contenders all season.
Unfortunately like their clubmates they fell short in the semi-final beaten 60-55 by Gold Coast Rollers.
46. Dalby Diehards
Led by Webcke-Price medallist Chris Woodbridge, Dalby Diehards ground out an impressive Hutchinson Builders A-grade premiership win.
45. SWQ Thunder
They were soundly beaten 5-1 in the FQPL 1 Women’s grand final but the Thunder can hold their heads high.
Brisbane City were an unstoppable force this season, scoring 144 goals in just 21 games, on their way to winning the title.
Behind City (66 points), the Thunder were very impressive winning 14 games and played an aggressive attack minded style of game.
44. Toowoomba Tigers
Tigers clawed out another epic AFLQ Darling Downs grand final win this year.
After losing last year’s decider, the Tigers returned to the premiership winner’s circle with a gritty 3.5-23 to 2.2-14 defeat of University Cougars.
Tigers have now played in all nine women’s finals – winning eight.
43. Toowoomba Bears
Bears proved once again why they are the Emilee Cherry Cup benchmark.
The Toowoomba side defended their 2022 premiership with a gritty 12-10 win over 2023 favourite Roma Echidnas after the scores were locked 5-5 at halftime
Bears have now won five of the seven cups on offer since the women’s rugby 7s title was first introduced in 2017.
42. Gatton Hawks
The Hawks are a perfect three from three in Toowoomba Rugby League women’s grand finals.
Gatton, who beat rivals Newtown Lions 32-16 in this year’s decider, have won all three premierships since the TRL introduced a fully fledged women’s competition.
41. Darling Downs U15 Girls
The future of women’s rugby on the Darling Downs looks bright.
Despite trailing 10-0 in the final, the Downs rep side went on to secure a memorable 19-15 win over Brisbane.
40. Brian May
Often referred to as the ‘Bradman of the Bush’, May is one of country cricket’s true stars.
You would have to go a long way back to find a Toowoomba cricket season that didn’t feature May scoring.
The top order bat has been a key figure this one-day season and his leadership will be invaluable for Western Districts in the new year.
39. Patrick Malone
Patrick is young basketball star on the rise.
Ever since making the switch from rugby league to basketball, the 15-year-old Concordia College student, who hails from Cherbourg, has come along in leaps and bounds.
He makes our list though because, even at such a young age, he wants to inspire other Indigenous kids to chase their dreams.
38. Will Brown
He’s fallen off the pace a little in the last few months, but Brown is still one of V8 Supercars leading talents.
Brown, who currently sits in fifth place and was challenging for the title earlier this season, will join the Triple Eight race team in 2024.
37. Abbey Lloyd
Abbey returned home again this season to lead the SWQ Thunder attack.
The former Brisbane Roar W-League attacker was instrumental in the Thunder’s charge at the FQPL 1 title scoring 29 goals.
Abbey was the only non Brisbane City player to feature in the top five goalscorers list.
36. Ash Taylor
The former Gold Coast Titans and NRL star was exactly what a struggling Newtown Lions needed this season.
Taking on the A-grade men’s coaching gig, Taylor bought a much needed degree of passion and commitment to the club.
Taylor will coach Brothers next season, the club he played for as a junior, but he laid the groundwork for what will hopefully be a brighter future at Newtown.
35. Dom Haak
Haak has been an instrumental part of the Gatton Hawks success in the TRL women’s competition.
Expertly bringing together inexperienced and veteran players – the winning and team-first culture he has helped create ensures the club will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
34. Dan Malney
Maleny helped spearhead an off-field overhaul that paid instant dividends for Dalby Diehards.
The club president, his committee and key coaching staff worked hard to strengthen the bond between the junior and senior pillars of the club.
The signs are already positive with a strong vocal travelling group turning out for the club’s A-grade premiership win against Valleys Roosters.
33. Brielle Erbacher
This year Erbacher has shown glimpses of the ability which saw her ranked among Australia’s top junior steeplechase athletes a few years ago.
She finished fourth in the national steeplechase finals in March – racing against a red hot field.
Erbacher was also named in the Australian team for the Budapest World Championships, her third national team selection in the past year, and finished 11th in her heat in Turkey.
32. Tim Taylor
Thanks to a combination of astute signings and an attacking game plan, Taylor helped steer the South West Queensland Thunder to this year’s FQPL 1 women’s grand final.
The Thunder lost 5-1 to competition juggernaut Brisbane City but they were one of the division’s most exciting teams to watch this season and they have Taylor to thank for that.
31. Sean Connelly
Connelly didn’t mix his words when he took charge of the Toowoomba Mountaineers men’s team this year.
He wanted to win a championship but USC Rip City put a stop to those hopes with a semi-final win.
The Mountaineers however were an impressive outfit under Connelly building and improving on the great promise they showed in 2022.
Connelly rewarded in-form players with court time regardless of their status and the culture he developed helped steer the team through difficult periods.
30. Matt Cox
For the first time in more than a decade the Mountaineers women were a serious title contender and they have coach Cox to thank for it.
Cox oversaw a breakout season in 2022 with the Mountaineers narrowly missing the play-offs after finishing with eight wins and eight losses.
The rookie young guns he ‘blooded’ in 2022 were key figures this year – combining with the team’s veterans star to form a championship contender.
The Mountaineers were beaten 60-55 in the semi-final but all signs point to a positive future.
29. Maddy Sears
The biggest win of Sears’ career to date was on December 31, 2022, but it did happen after this masthead published its 2022 Power 50 list so we need to mention it here.
Maddy and her father Tony saddled up the inaugural Clifford Park King of the Mountain winner Yellow Brick.
Since winning the $750,000 showpiece race the Sears have combined for countless more winners and Maddy is establishing herself as one of the region’s top trainers.
28. Keegan Popowski
Popowski is at the forefront of hockey’s newest ‘revolution’.
The Toowoomba hockey mentor was handed the coaching reins of Australia’s Hockey5s women’s team.
Played on a smaller field at a faster pace than regular hockey it is hoped new format will attract more people to the sport.
Popowski’s primary goal as the new coach is to prepare Australia for the 2024 Hockey5s World Cup in Oman.
27. Mel Lloyd
The heart and soul of the South West Queensland Thunder’s women’s program.
Mel laced up in her 100th game for the Thunder this season – a remarkable feat considering the challenges she has faced over the years.
In 10 seasons with the Thunder she has suffered countless injuries, three of which required major surgery, and put her body on the line when lesser players would back out.
She has captained her side nearly every season, sits on the club committee and is head of the women’s program.
26. Francis Donders
The talented Dutch point guard was the veteran star the Mountaineers needed to guide their young side.
As well as helping guide her team on and off the court Donders average 12.8 points, 8.13 rebound, 5.93 assists and 5.33 steals per game.
Other players put up bigger numbers this year but nothing can beat experience and effort on the court when you have a young team testing themselves against more fancied rivals.
25. Jai Purser, Bailey Nash, Bud Smith
Like Ryan, this star trio are a step closer to their NRL dreams having signed Jersey Flegg and SG Ball deals with New South Wales clubs.
24. Declan Ryan
Ryan rounded out his Highfields Eagles in perfect style.
The talented five-eighth and Eagles captain, who will play Jersey Flegg for the Canberra Raiders in 2024, kicked the golden point field goal that secured the Eagles back-to-back under-19 TRL premiership wins.
23. Sophie Daley
In the space of just three short years, Sophie went from promising gymnast to elite Australian representative weightlifter.
Representing Australia in the F64kg division at the 2023 Oceania Youth Championships in Samoa, Sophie claimed a silver medal.
22. Lizzy King
The Toowoomba Racing recently accepted a position with Queensland Racing, but her lasting legacy at Clifford Park is a positive one.
King steered Clifford Park through Covid lockdowns and straight into one of the industry’s most successful periods over the past few years.
21. Stephanie Robbie
The South Toowoomba stalwart had another great season for the Bombers.
Bombers missed out on grand final footy, but Stephanie further proved her place as one of AFLQ Darling Downs top players with second straight Heather Green Medallist victory.
20. Zara Kruger
From Warwick to Sydney, teen sensation Zara Kruger is stamping her mark on women’s football in Australia.
The former Scots PGC (Warwick) student and Young Matildas under-20s star has signed with current A-League Women’s champions Sydney FC.
The 17-year-old played 10 games for the Brisbane Roar in her debut season this year before switching clubs in September.
19. Jessie McCartney
Toowoomba and elite hockey go hand-in-hand.
At the grassroots level Toowoomba has one of the strongest competitions in Queensland and the Garden City is well known as a rep team and player powerhouse.
McCarntney, alongside a committed Toowoomba Hockey leadership team, has played a key role in overseeing the continued growth of the game in region.
18. Sally Johnston
The Downs Rugby general manager played a leading hand in creating more opportunities for women and young girls to play rugby this year.
Johnston and her committee introduced 15-a-side rugby for women to complement the region’s already strong rugby sevens program.
17. Jana Anderson
The 2023 ALFQ Darling Downs was one of the best in recent memory.
Anderson has been in charge of Aussie rules in the Garden City for sometime now and the game continues to grow under her watch.
16. Dan Aldons
As Toowoomba Junior Rugby League president Aldons oversaw a period of growth and great success.
Navigating the highs and lows of managing a massive junior competition is never easy but Aldons lead by example and was a great administrator.
He has accepted a new position at the Central Divison level but he leaves the game in a better position than when he started.
15. Joe Hannant
He doesn’t do it alone, but rugby league on the Darling Downs would not be what it is today without Hannant.
The TRL president navigated the high and lows of grassroot rugby league this year and had more than his fair share of wins.
The decision to break with tradition and host a Saturday night A-grade grand final was ultimately good for the game.
14. Steve Spark
Spark was robbed in Mexico this year.
The loss and Spark’s reaction to the ‘farce’ did nothing to damage his reputation though.
Spark, who is currently recovering from hand surgery, will be the king of the ring when he returns to action in 2024.
13. Ava Black
Black obviously made an impression on the Sunshine Coast Lightning coaching staff last year.
Her dedication and passion has paid off with the talented midcourter signing a full-time contract for the 2024 Suncorp Super Netball season.
12. Tom Nolan
Tom ‘Big Train’ Nolan took just one minute and 20 seconds to stake his UFC claim.
Nolan, who was a plumber before turning pro six months ago, will make his UFC debut against Brazilian Nikolas Motta in January of 2024.
11. Brendon Smith
Smith works just as hard as the boxers he trains and manages.
From working the corner of his junior fighters to preparing his fighter Dylan Biggs for a showdown with Australian boxing Tim Tszyu, Smith is the ultimate professional.
Smith also struck up the deal that saw his boxer Steve Spark fight on the Canelo Alvarez versus John Ryder undercard – one of the biggest fights of the year.
10. Mick Smith
Since 1999 Smith and the Sports Darling Downs committee has raised more than $1 million which has helped athletes live out their state, national and international sporting dreams.
Smith has ‘retired’ in the past 12 months but he’s working just as hard now as the day SDD first kicked off.
9. Melino Fineanganofo
The Western Clydesdales centre caught the eye of Canterbury Bulldogs officials and has now joined the club.
Fineanganofo will take part in the NRL Club’s pre-season with the aim of earning a spot in their Top 30 squad for the 2024 season.
8. Jason Alchin
Alchin stepped, pivoted and tackled problems just as well the players he prepared for the Western Clydesdales this season.
The former Bulldogs halfback was the perfect man for the inaugural coaching gig this season – expertly building a great culture on and off the field.
7. Shane Sullivan
Running any football club is difficult – running a Hostplus Cup club is even harder again.
Sullivan made sure the Western Clydesdales were always in the public eye thanks to some great community focused initiatives and helped secure a major win for the club at the end of the season.
Less than a year after the return of their men’s team, Sullivan announced the Clydesdales will feature in the BMD Premiership in 2024.
6. Natalia Webb
Natalia Webb ‘schooled’ more than a few footballers this year.
With her deft footwork and pace the secondary school teacher and Gatton Hawks fullback has turned more than a few opposition defences inside-out on her way to securing the TRLW Hancock Edwards medal.
5. Chris Woodbridge
The electrifying fullback was an unstoppable force this year for the Dalby Diehards.
Woodbridge scored 46 tries and racked up 416 points on his to picking up the Webcke Price Medal as the Toowoomba Rugby League’s best A-grade men’s player of the year.
4. Adam Gehrig
Gehrig finished the Queensland State League season with a MVP double.
The dynamic guard was named the Mountaineers and the competition’s top player after a season to remember.
Gehrig averaged 17.07 points, 6.33 rebounds, 3.4 assists and nearly two steals per game.
3. Shenae Ciesiolka
Every football she touched turned to gold for Ciesiolka.
She was a shining light at club, NRLW and State of Origin putting her speed and power to use to score plenty of tries.
Ciesiolka will line up in the inaugural Clydesdales BMD Premiership side in 2024 and even managed to convince Australian rugby league Ali Brigginshaw to sign up as well.
2. Matthew Denny
Denny staked his Olympic claims with a record-breaking throw in September.
The Australian discus star recorded his first Diamond League win, scored himself a $46,000 bonus and set a national record with a 68.43m throw in Oregon, USA.
1. Tatum Stewart
Stewart is Toowoomba Hockey’s newest Australian superstar.
Stewart, who scored two goals and was named player of the match against India in May, has now played 13 times for the Hockeyroos this year.
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