We name Toowoomba Rugby League’s best male players
From dazzling halfbacks to barnstorming forwards, we have ranked Toowoomba Rugby League’s best men’s players of 2024. See who cracked the list from your club here.
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After a thrilling 2024 Toowoomba Rugby League filled with countless twists and turns, we have cast our eye over all the stats and nailbiting contests to rank our star male TRL players of 2024.
From under-19, to Reserve grade and A-grade, there were countless players who stepped up for their side.
With so many quality under-19 players transitioning between the under-19 and A-grade competitions, it was difficult to accurately rank the star players of the competition.
However, we have ranked the top 10 players from A-grade and Reserve grade and listed the players who starred for their sides at U19 level.
Check out the stars from each competition here and see who we ranked as the number one men’s player of 2024.
Under-19s
Matthew Drews (Dalby)
An electric outside back who is a proven talent at both A-grade and under-19 level.
The Clydesdales Meninga Cup young gun will be one to watch for years to come.
Joey Sankey (Dalby)
Sankey is a versatile talent who can pull the strings in attack for the Diehards.
He was front and centre for Dalby in the decider as he put in a player of the grand final performance to guide his side to glory.
Lyucian King-Togia (Dalby)
The younger brother of NRL breakthrough star Lyhkan king-Togia, Lyucian has proven that the talent runs in the family and has excelled in the under-19s and A-grade competitions for Dalby.
Deasharn Hebden Salase (Dalby)
The leading tryscorer for the Dalby under-19s, Deasharn Hebden Salase was a force to be reckoned with in the centres and scored 11 tries for the campaign.
Joseph Gillett (Dalby)
The imposing forward makes crunching tackles and crashing runs through the middle of the field.
Jake Durie (Souths)
Durie bounced back from an ACL injury to put the ball on a string in the second half of the Tigers’ under-19 campaign as he created countless opportunities for his teammates and proved himself as a game-changer.
Matt Simpkin (Souths)
The barnstorming front rower has an incredible engine behind him and makes countless runs and tackles. He was pivotal to the fairytale run to the grand final for Souths, with his gutsy work laying down a strong foundation for the backs to get to work.
Jack Stenzel (Valleys)
A natural leader in the halves, Stenzel has an elite kicking game and has been the cornerstone to the strong performances from Valleys over the last two years, which saw them make the preliminary final this year and the grand final last year.
Matt Moore (Valleys)
A Wetern Clydesdales rep, Moore is a true leader and formed an exciting partnership with Stenzel in attack this season.
Not only has he been a star for the under-19 Roosters, but he was also a key figure in the Valleys side which made it to the grand final in A-grade.
Ronan Delaney (Souths)
Delaney is a talented back who is the catalyst in attack for the Tigers. He was one of their leading players in their under-19s grand final defeat and ended the season with a competition-high 17 tries.
On top of being an elite tryscorer, he is also a strong defender, making priceless try-saving tackles in big games.
Thomas Fry (Souths)
Another tryscoring danger man in the Souths U19 line-up, Fry was a perennial threat in 2024, scoring the second most tries for the season with 16.
Steven Buhse and Patrick Nolan (Gatton)
Buhse and Nolan led the way for the Hawks under-19s this season with 10 tries each.
The duo have formed an elite partnership in the forward line as they power and size has been no match for opposing teams.
Shannon Elara (Highfields)
Entering the season off the back of an unforgettable grand final performance where he helped lead the Eagles to the 2023 under-19 premiership, Elara continued to dominate in 2024.
The dynamic hooker crossed over for a team-high 10 tries this season and has proven himself as one of the future stars of Toowoomba Rugby League.
Luke Cesari (Highfields)
One of several talented young guns to thrive at the Eagles’ nest over the last few years, Cesari has Meninga Cup experience and was a key member of the Highfields under-19 squad as he chipped in with seven tries.
Fakamalinga Likio (Highfields)
A key member of the premiership winning Eagles of 2023, Likio was back at his best again this year with the Clydesdales junior rep team and the Highfields under-19s.
The seemingly unstoppable prop gains metres for fun and uses his size to his advantage.
Matthew Schultz (Brothers)
Schultz spearheaded the dangerous Brothers under-19s attack this season as he scored a team-high 10 tries to guide his side to third place on the ladder.
Lachlan Clements (Wattles)
The young fullback was instrumental in the under-19 Warriors’ run to the finals this season as he crossed over for a team-high eight tries.
Isaiah Hinch (Warwick)
One of the shining lights for the under-19 Cowboys this season, Hinch scored an impressive nine tries this campaign.
Ethan Brose (Pittsworth)
The versatile back was pivotal for the Danes despite their difficult season.
Whenever Pittsworth needed a spark Brose delivered and he chipped in with a solid seven tries for the year.
A-grade
Bailey Rathmell (Dalby)
One of the Darling Downs best young football talents, Rathmell has gone from strength to strength since making A-grade debut.
The Western Clydesdales Meninga Cup has the mindset, attitude and focus of players for more experienced and does all the little things right.
A bustling forward who eats up the metres and hits hard in defence.
Flynn Kaiser (Dalby)
A solid performer when called upon to play at hooker.
Kaiser, who was named in the TRL 47th Battalion squad earlier this year, was a reliable who did exactly what was expected and asked of him.
Matthew Christensen (Wattles)
Christensen expertly perfectly plugged the Austin Jennings sized hole in the Wattles backline.
The veteran star finished the season as his team’s leading try and points scorer - including a blistering six try haul against Goondiwindi the week before finals.
His contribution however was not on the scoreboard or stats sheets.
Christensen bought an immeasurable amount of experience and leadership to a young Wattles side.
Joe Willett (Wattles)
Willett was a fantastic utility player for the Warriors this season.
While he did his best work on the wing he played very effectively in a number of positions across the backline.
Out on the wing he put his speed to excellent scoring 15 tries in the season.
Matt Duggan (Wattles)
Duggan showed exactly why is seen as one of Toowoomba Rugby League’s greatest playmakers.
Back this season after a brief stint with the Western Clydesdales last year - Duggan was the leader and playmaker Wattles desperately needed.
Pulling the strings at halfback Duggan regularly pulled opposition defences apart.
A ball running half Duggan has a knack for drawing players in before offloading the perfect pass to create chances for his side.
Lachlan Watt (Wattles)
Swapping Newtown blue for Wattles green and gold, Watt fit straight into his new club midway through the season.
His willingness and ability to play anywhere in the backline made him an instant assist.
A hard running centre he crossed the line 13 for the Lions and Wattles.
Brock Diment (Valleys)
Valleys are a different team with Diment at fullback.
Since his early days with the Brothers A-grade to now he has grown in stature and ability.
A strong ball runner who never shirks his defensive abilities - Diment finished with 13 tries this season.
Hugh Sedger (Valleys)
The perfect man to steer Roosters big pack around the park.
Sedger knew exactly when to settle his team down and when to push the pass.
A great communicator, natural leader and crafty playmaker Sedger was consistent performer all year.
Cameron Charlton Bundock (Gatton)
His place in TRL folklore is assured after scoring the golden point try that sealed the premiership for Gatton this year.
The winger however deserved to be remembered for much more than that moment though.
He finished as the Hawks’ leading try scorer and the fourth best in the comp and was constant threat out wide.
Playing in his first TRL season Bundock was also a key contributor and consistent performer despite his young age.
Luke Self (Gatton)
Self is the type of veteran every coach wants in their side.
An unselfish player and committed player, Self had one of his best TRL season to date.
A calm and collected head at five-eighth he created countless attacking opportunities for his teammates.
The skipper, who chipped in with 13 tries this season, influenced his team through his actions as much as his words.
Thomas Luhrman (Gatton)
A modern day No. 9 who loves nothing better than scooting away from the play ball area to keep opposition defences guessing and on the back foot.
Amazingly Luhrman finished the season as the Hawks second highest try scorer - crossing the line 15 times.
Tye Gray (Gatton)
Gatton’s iron man.
It wasn’t unusual to see Gray put in a Reserve Grade stint before throwing on the A-grade jersey this year.
Despite the high workload he remained very dangerous in defence in attack and never let his side down in defence.
Ash Taylor (Brothers)
Taylor showed all the skills that made him an NRL star.
He might have lost a step of pace or two since his NRL retirement but his quick mind, vision and experience made him a threat that had to be addressed.
Taylor expertly pulled the strings for Brothers and his combination with Clevin was one the few bright points in Brothers season.
Josh Fanning (Highfields)
Fanning has proven himself to be one the Eagles more reliable players in recent seasons.
The star fullback never gives up on the play and runs the ball well.
Mac Puafisi (Highfields)
The young five-eighth only scored nine tries for the Eagles this season but he deserves credit considering how his season played out.
Puafisi split his time almost evenly between the Eagles and Western Clydesdales - making solid contributions for both.
His ability to adjust between the two systems was commendable.
Jacob Little (Pittsworth)
The Danes toiled away all season - always testing more fancied teams but never quite getting over the line.
Playing in a team packed with potential Little proved to be one of the standouts most weeks.
A constant threat on the edge he finished the year with nine tries.
Connor Williams (Souths)
Like Pittsworth - Souths spent the season on the outside looking in at the top five.
Williams was a key player all bending the line with big runs out of second row.
He proved to be a great utility player for the Tigers - lining up in a few different positions - and scored a try in their stunning 32-22 defeat of Dalby in round 11.
Michael Hazard (Goondiwindi)
Back after a season of Aussie rules with the Goondiwindi Hawks, Hazard was the Boars top performer this season.
The crafty halfback always managed to find space and time on the ball and finished with 102 points for the year.
AJ Ma Chong (Oakey)
It was a difficult season for the Bears in 2024 as they conceded 788 points, but that didn’t stop Oakey captain AJ Ma Chong giving his all each game.
Ma Chong’s versatility was crucial for Oakey was he showed his class in a variety of positions, whether it was hooker, fullback or in the centres.
Top 10
10. Cory McGrady (Valleys)
When he hangs up his boots McGrady will be remembered as one of TRL’s greatest playmakers.
He didn’t show up on the scoreboard as much this season, but his influence on the Roosters game was immense all the same.
McGrady can find and exploit a gap in the blink of an eye - throwing inch perfect passes or sliding through the line himself.
He also has an expert kicking game and regularly kicked his team out trouble alongside setting up try scoring chances this season.
9. Tony Clevin (Brothers)
Brothers didn’t have a lot to celebrate this season, but Clevin was a revelation.
A livewire at fullback he didn’t get a lot of opportunities but he made the most of the ones he did.
Clevin often slipped the through the smallest of gaps before putting his speed to good use.
He finished the season as Brothers’ leading try (11) and points scorer (102).
8. Blake Mara (Dalby)
The veteran head in what was an times very young Diehards forward pack.
Mara ran and tackled hard every game from the first whistle to the last.
He lead by example and the likes of Fletch Prendergast, Bailey Rathmell and Flynn Kaiser will have learned a lot from his commitment and attitude.
Mara’s efforts were rewarded as he featured in the XXX City vs Country game recently.
7. Joseph Vite (Warwick)
A breakout star in his first season of TRL action.
The aggressive and athletic centre was a real handful out wide scoring 14 for the Cowboys.
A standout performer for Toowoomba in the 47th Battalion - he was named player of the grand final and series.
6. Caleb Murphy (Warwick)
The Cowboys ran through Murphy and the halfback ran through and around his opponents.
Despite lining up alongside several different players in the halves, Murphy was ‘Mr Consistent’ for the Cowboys.
The crafty expertly steered his forwards around the park and marshalled his team well in defence.
Murphy finished as the competition’s leading points scorer with the bulk of his 220 points coming off the kicking tee.
5. Dwayne Duncan (Valleys)
Duncan is only getting better with age and played a huge role in the Roosters’ run to the grand final this season.
One of TRL’s premier playmakers his vision, passing game and kicking gave opposition teams plenty of headaches this season.
He finished the season as Roosters top points scorer and fourth in TRL but it was his decision making ability that makes him a standout.
Duncan always seemed to know when to pass, run or kick.
He also knew when to take a back seat to fellow playmaker Cory McGrady and when he needed to take control of a game.
4. Jake Speed (Warwick)
A highlight of Warwick’s play this season was their willingness to spread the ball wide in attack.
Speed was the chief beneficiary of Warwick’s attacking prowess with the fullback scoring 19 tries this season.
Quick and crafty, Speed knew exactly where he needed to and was hard to stop due to his excellent line running.
3. Joel Hughes (Gatton)
The ultimate big-game player who was a class above during the finals series and took home the John ‘Cracker’ McDonald Medal on grand final day.
The elusive halfback had his opponents in all sorts as they desperately tried to thwart his impact - to little avail
2. Mitch Wilson (Warwick)
Keen league fans could’ve been forgiven for questioning TRL’s regular Webcke Price Medal count updates this season and Wilson is the reason why.
Despite not scoring a try or any points for that matter the Cowboys captain sat atop the list most weeks and was leading when the count went ‘behind closed doors’ after round 14.
Unfortunately his team’s late season form dip probably cost but he was still a standout player.
Wilson was brutally effective in defensive and could always be relied to take the hard runs out of trouble for his team.
1. Chris Woodbridge (Dalby)
Lightning does strike twice - at least as far as Woodbridge is concerned.
The Diehards fullback had another amazing year scoring 35 tries and amassing 208 points on his way to earning the Webcke Price Medal for a second straight season.
He didn’t reach the lofty heights of 2023 - 46 tries and 416 points - but he was still the competition’s attacking benchmark.
His speed, elusive running style and ability to spot and break through defensive gaps made him a constant threat.
Woodbridge was the focal point of his side’s attack - Hunter James was the only other Dalby try scorer to reach double - but opposition defences still struggled to contain him.
Reserve Grade
Uraia Koroi (Valleys)
The X-factor coaches love to have in their side.
The lightning quick winger was a threat every time he touched the ball this season.
His willingness to hug the touchline and attack at every opportunity caused teams plenty of headaches this season.
Koroi was Roosters second highest try scorer this year with nine - including a well deserved four pointer in the final.
Jeffrey Ross (Warwick)
The winger was hard to contain out wide.
With speed to burn he danced around more than his fair share of defenders and was an X-factor hugging the touchline.
Alex Lindsay (Dalby)
They finished the regular season in fourth but Dalby (645) were the competition’s best attacking team - 60 points clear of next Warwick.
Lindsay was a big part of that success with the winger often given the kicking duties.
Nearly all 122 of points came off the boot this season.
Justin Dalton (Dalby)
Dalton was a reliable option at centre all season for the Diehards.
Good for more than a handful of tries his versatility was also a great asset with Dalton having the skills to line up just about anywhere in the backline when needed.
Isaac Leach (Wattles)
Leach was in and out of the side over the course of the season, but when he was on the park he was a weapon.
The winger crossed the line 12 times to finish as his side’s leading try scorer.
Zac Alberts (Souths)
The Tigers ended the campaign with an impressive run of form and Alberts’ ability to create opportunities from the halves was pivotal to that.
He ended the year as Souths’ leading tryscorer with 11 tries.
Luke Hill (Pittsworth)
For the majority of the season, the Danes well were and truly in the finals race and a key reason why was Luke Hill’s presence in attack.
The winger regularly found himself in dangerous positions and he was a force to be reckoned with in round 6, when he scored four tries in a 40-thrashing of Goondiwindi.
Reily Land (Highfields)
The Highfields captain was the halfback maestro for the Eagles who was a perennial attacking threat.
He chipped in with an impressive seven tries.
Hayden Campbell (Brothers)
The Brothers halfback and captain was a pivotal player throughout the campaign and he chipped in with five tries and 40 points.
Trey Fernando (Oakey)
The exciting outside back produced some big moments throughout the season and was pivotal in the Bears’ 34-12 win over Newtown in round 2.
Top 10
10. Curtly Hammond (Valleys)
Roosters willingness to spread the ball was the key to their success this season.
They were capable of scoring from just about anywhere with Hammond the chief beneficiary.
The Roosters fullback finished as his side’s top try scorer - crossing the line 12 times.
A calm and reliable presence at the back he marshalled his team’s defence well during the season.
9. Eamon Brownlie (Warwick)
The skipper’s effort don’t show up on the stats sheet but he played a huge role in the Cowboys success this year.
His influence on and off the park was immeasurable with his knowledge, willingness to help other and passion important to the team.
Brownlie is a natural and his positive talk on and off the field helped his teammates develop and improve their game.
8. Alifeleti Vite (Warwick)
An old school prop who chewed up the metres all season for the Cowboys.
Vite bent the line with hard runs, was tough to take and rattled bones with his uncompromising tackles.
7. Dylan Nobbs (Dalby)
One of the Diehards form players for a number of seasons now.
Nobbs is a scheming hooker whose darting runs trouble opposition defenders around the play area and give his team the go forward it needs.
He works hard on both sides of the ball and scored 14 tries this year - third behind teammate Babington (18) and Gatton’s Allan Morris (16).
6. Allan Morris (Gatton)
An exciting second row who had an incredible knack for scoring pivotal tries in Gatton’s run to the finals this year.
He ended the campaign with 16 tries for the year, with Babington (18) the only reserve grade player with more four-pointers.
5. Lance McGrady Dennison (Warwick)
One of the grade’s premier playmakers and an excitement machine.
Dennison expertly shaped his side’s attack and defence this year with the Cowboys finishing number one in both categories.
The halfback had the vision and capability to set up his teammates but was also a major attacking threat himself.
He scored 53 points in the regular season with 52 of them coming from tries.
4. Harrison Burns (Valleys)
Formed an excellent partnership with skipper Jared Bender in the halves.
With the ball in hand he is a dynamic playmaker and his kicking game is second to none.
A cool and calming presence, Burns is at his best when setting up teammates to score but was also a handy try threat
3. Travis Babington (Dalby)
An experienced campaigner who has only improved with age.
Babington topped the try scorers list this season - crossing the line 18 times.
He is a crafty fullback who glides through gap and tears downfield as soon as he gets a glimmer of space and time.
2. Thomas Morris (Wattles)
The halfback expertly steered his team round the park all season.
He ended the campaign as one of the leading points-scorers in the competition with 176 points which included eight tries.
Morris has always been one of the star players in the TRL Reserve grade competition and he took home this year’s best and fairest award.
1. Jaren Bender (Valleys)
The two-time premiership winning captain is a proven finals performer and natural leader.
His performance in the Roosters 28-20 grand final win over Warwick Cowboys was just another example of the type of play he produced all season.
The highly intelligent five-eighth knows how to control and dictate the flow of a game - pushing his team when he needs and slowing it down when appropriate.
Bender has all to skills to find the right player in space and the capability to go out on his own when needed.
Bender finished the year as Roosters leading points scorer (127) with only Warwick’s Matthew Henry (196) and Wattles Thomas Morris (176) finishing ahead of him in the competition.
He was a proven clutch player who the Roosters can rely on when in need of a hero.
himself - crossing the line eight times to finish as Roosters third highest try scorer.
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