We reveal the best individual TRL finals performances of the 2020s

From hat-trick heroes to goalkicking superstars we reveal the best individual male and female Toowoomba Rugby League finals performances of the 2020s. Find out cracked the list from your club here.

David Armstrong on his way to score a try for Goondiwindi in the 2021 A-grade TRL grand final. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The Toowoomba Rugby League community is buzzing with anticipation for this year’s TRL grand finals which are set to take place at Toowoomba Sports Ground this Saturday.

In recent years, there have been some simply phenomenal individual performances in the TRL finals and we have run the rule over the best of the best from the 2020s.

See which players have taken their game up a level for finals below.

Declan Ryan – 2023 under-19 grand final

In his final game in Highfields colours, Declan Ryan produced a captain’s performance which will go down in TRL history during the 2023 under-19 men’s grand final.

It was a clash for the ages, as Valleys and Highfields went blow-for-blow with the lead changing multiple times.

With scores tied at 26-all at full time, Ryan stepped up as captain in golden point and slotted through a premiership-clinching field goal in the third-minute of extra time.

The field goal capped off an captivating performance from the star playmaker who also chipped in with a try early in the second half.

Highfields Eagles Under 19 captain Declan Ryan receives the trophy on TRL grand final day at Clive Berghofer Stadium on Saturday September 16, 2023.

Shannon Elara – 2023 under-19 grand final

There was only one man who could match the efforts of Declan Ryan in the under-19 grand final last year and that was electric hooker Shannon Elara.

The elusive playmaker was unstoppable as he scored a brace of quick tries in the first half and very nearly made it a hat-trick in the second half after falling agonisingly close from a mesmerising run.

Elara’s stunning performance in attack and defence saw him take home the player of the grand final medal.

David Armstrong – 2021 A-grade men’s grand final

Before he broke into the national limelight with the Newcastle Knights, David Armstrong was the knight in shining armour which led Goondiwindi to the holy grail in the 2021 decider.

Throughout the 2021 campaign, Armstrong was a force to be reckoned with, scoring more than 35 tries for the Boars and he made sure to sign off in style in the grand final.

The dazzling fullback scored a stunning hat-trick to help Goondiwindi to a 26-20 win over Highfields.

The Dalby Diehards celebrate their victory over Valleys in the TRL 2023 grand final.

Chris Woodbridge – 2023 A-grade men’s grand final

The perfect ending to what was in many ways, the perfect season from Dalby’s Chris Woodbridge.

With 46 tries and 416 points for the campaign, the 2023 Webcke-Price Medallist single-handedly scored more points than three teams in the competition and led his side to the premiership in style with two tries, three conversions and a penalty goal in Dalby’s 20-14 win over Valleys.

Courtney-Lee Nolan for Gatton. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Courtney-Lee Nolan – 2021 women’s grand final

Courtney-Lee Nolan helped lead the Gatton Hawks to the inaugural women’s premiership back in 2021 as her side downed the Warwick Cowboys 30-10.

The classy playmaker was at her unstoppable best as she crossed over for three crucial tries to guide the Hawks to victory.

She proved she is a consistent big-game performer in the grand final the following year as she scored another hat-trick, this time against Newtown in a blistering 42-12 win.

Dylan Chown and James Dempsey – 2023 A-grade men’s semi-final

With a spot in the grand final up for grabs, Valleys and Dalby played out an absolute classic in last year’s major semi-final.

Chown and Dempsey were a class above for the Roosters as they both scored hat-tricks for Valleys but incredibly, it still wasn’t enough as Dalby claimed a thrilling 38-34 win.

The two sides would meet again in the grand final two weeks later where the Diehards once again prevailed.

Jaren Bender – 2023 men’s Reserve grade semi-final

One of the ultimate big-game players, you could choose several finals games of his in recent years – including last year’s grand final where he was best on ground.

However, we have gone with the game which helped Valleys make it to the big dance.

The talented playmaker and reliable captain of the Valleys reserve grade side helped the Roosters grind out a gutsy 13-12 win over Wattles.

In a surprise to no one, Bender came up clutch with one conversion, a penalty goal and the game-winning field goal.

He also proved it was not a one-off as he kicked a field goal in golden point during the elimination final this year against Gatton.

Travis Babington of Dalby. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Travis Babington – 2023 men’s Reserve grade semi-final

In the other reserve grade semi-final, crafty fullback Travis Babington put on a show as his Diehards claimed a dominant 28-4 win over the Warwick Cowboys.

The Dalby reserves captain was impossible to stop as he crossed over for three tries.

Matt Duggan for Wattles in the 2022 A-grade grand final. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Matt Duggan – 2022 men’s A-grade grand final

You could name almost the entire Wattles squad from the 2022 decider in this list such was the incredible performance from the team.

Matt Duggan spearheaded a stunning Wattles Warriors bombardment as they claimed a 51-20 win over Gatton in a day which will live long in the memory of those in attendance.

Duggan scored a try and kicked a field goal in a superb performance in the halves and was rewarded for his efforts with best on ground honours.

This performance capped of a sensational finals series for Duggan after he put Gatton to the sword in the major semi-final two weeks earlier when he scored a hat-trick in his side’s 38-22 win.

Jeffrey Ross – 2022 under-19 men’s semi-final

The young fullback was a man on a mission during the 2022 semi-final as he scored a scintillating hat-trick in his side’s 32-16 win over Brothers Ipswich Colts.

Lance McGrady Dennison – 2024 men’s Reserve grade semi-final

The Warwick juggernaut made light work of its qualifying final this season as it punched its ticket into the decider with a dominant 38-4 win over Wattles.

Lance McGrady Dennison was in the thick of the action as he crossed over the stripe three times.

Zoe Cook. Picture: Benny Hassum Photography

Zoe Cook – 2024 women’s semi-final

In a do-or-die semi-final between Valleys and Brothers, Western Clydesdales gun Zoe Cook rose to the occasion to keep the Roosters alive for another week.

Cook scored three of her side’s four tries and also made two conversions in a 20-8 win.

Mitchell Saunders – 2023 under-19 men’s quarter-final

Young winger Mitchell Saunders kickstarted the 2023 Highfields finals campaign in style with four tries in his side’s 30-16 win over Dalby to book a spot in the major semi-final.

Paige Edwards for Newtown. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Paige Edwards – 2023 women’s preliminary final

One of the stars of the women’s competition and the very first signing by the Western Clydesdales BMD Premiership side, Edwards was a class above in last year’s preliminary final.

The fullback was unstoppable as she scored a hat-trick in Newtown’s comprehensive 40-12 win over Oakey.

Brenton Clement – 2022 A-grade men’s preliminary final

One of the great performances from a losing side in one of the all-time great games of Toowoomba Rugby League.

With a place in the grand final on the line, Highfields and Gatton went toe-to-toe in a clash which had an astonishing 15 tries and 80 points scored.

Dangerous centre Brenton Clement was in the thick of the action with a hat-trick for the Eagles but it was all in vain as his side fell 42-38.

Jackson Green – 2022 A-grade men’s quarter-final

In the opening weekend of the 2022 finals, Wattles showed they meant business as they put nine tries past Highfields in a stunning 52-14 win.

Jackson Green was one of the stars of the show with three tries.

James Schroeder – 2021 Reserve grade semi-final

Gatton booked its spot in the 2021 reserves grand final thanks to a James Schroeder clinic.

The Hawks five-eighth was a force to be reckoned with and scored three tries in his side’s 26-10 win over Valleys.

The Hawks would face Wattles in the grand final two weeks later where they claimed a 32-18 win.