Koori Knockout: 15 Indigenous hidden gems, future NRL/NRLW stars from grand final day
Koori Knockout grand final day saw some highlight moments and lesser known players stand tall. We take a look at 15 hidden gems from the day who could well be starring in the future.
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With the 51st edition of the Koori Knockout in the books, it’s time to look to the future.
A massive grand final day saw a number of players of the future put their names up in lights for higher honours in the future.
We look at 15 hidden gems not in the NRL or NRLW who have been flying under the radar to shine on grand final day.
CHRIS WOODBRIDGE (WALGETT)
His club season at Dalby in the Toowoomba RL was simply outstanding, claiming the player of the year and best on ground in the grand final, as well as scoring 46 tries and more than 400 points.
He starred as a utility for Walgett, including linking with Ben Barba for the try of the grand final, racing 50m to score.
LATRELL SIEGWALT (WALGETT)
The Wagga product represented NSW Country earlier this season and is a previous Canterbury pathways player.
Had a stellar Knockout campaign in a star-studded WAC side to be crowned as player of the tournament, impressing with his skill, speed and slotting a few goals as well.
LOCHLIN MOSES (LA PEROUSE)
A NSWCHS representative previously, Moses played a starring role for La Perouse in the U17s final in the back row.
Some of the shots he put on could be heard in Newcastle. Was a ferocious defender and is part of the Rabbitohs junior pathways.
EVAH MCEWEN (MINDARIBBA)
Played strong in the centres for the Minda Sisters in their U17s defeat, but the Country U17s representative certainly hold her head high.
Took some strong carries and ran a beautiful line for a runaway try, putting on some nice footwork in the process.
SAVANNAH ROBERTS-HICKLING (NORTHERN UNITED)
Was the star of the show for the Dirawongs in scoring all four tries to help her side win the U17s title.
Naturally gifted, Roberts-Hickling got it done on both sides of the ball after an impressive season with the Tweed U19s at the junior rep level.
SAXON LESTER (LA PEROUSE)
Formed a lethal edge combo with Moses for the Panthers U17s side and helped them get the scoring underway with a breakaway try, showcasing his blistering pace to leave the opposition burnt.
Was part of the Rabbitohs SG Ball squad this season despite being just 17.
NEIHANNA HIPPI (BUNDJALUNG)
The long-flowing locks certainly were on show with the turn of foot the young Warriors winger displayed.
Capped off a strong first day by scoring one of the tries of grand final day with a 70m kick return to leave La Perouse stunned.
JOSHUA DONOVAN (BUNDJALUNG)
A Grafton young gun who we can expect to see a lot more in the future after linking with the Melbourne Storm.
A five-eighth or fullback with explosive ability, the Palm Beach Currumbin student was a key pillar in Bundjalung’s success over the weekend.
KALIYAH BROWNING (NORTHERN UNITED)
Has already signed a two-year deal with the Gold Coast Titans NRLW side, Browning showed that was a wise decision by the club.
Played in the front row and was dominant in the middle of the field, as well as being able to slot goals from near the sideline.
HARRISON ROOKE (LA PEROUSE)
In the system with the Rabbitohs for the SG Ball next year and was one of La Perouse’s most impressive throughout the tournament.
A hard hitter, leads by example with his workrate at lock and has a big boot when he gets a hold of it. Enjoyed a strong campaign.
AFFRICA-JADE HIPPI (NORTHERN UNITED)
There was a lot to like about the way Hippi went about her business for the U17s, getting through a stack of work in the middle at lock.
Getting recognition with the Queensland U16s schoolgirls this season, Hippi is inching closer to NRLW systems in the near future.
KATE FALLON (REDFERN)
Made the leap to the NSW U19s level after a stint with the Rabbitohs in the Tarsha Gale Cup, but surprisingly didn’t make an NRLW roster.
Was outstanding in the final, taking the tough carries and wearing some shots, but always getting up for more and taking it to a strong Newcastle side.
TARNAYAR HINCH (NEWCASTLE YOWIES)
There’s a lot to like about Hinch as she continues to push towards the NRLW after previous junior reps stints with Canberra.
Looked really good out on an edge in the centres, continually finding open space and even set up the first Yowies try.
TAZMYNE LUSCHWITZ (NEWCASTLE YOWIES)
Been on the radar of NRLW for a while without quite cracking it after HNWP honours with South Sydney and Central Coast.
Will certainly be pushing for selection in 2024 after an almighty performance and effort to play a key role in the grand final win.
AALIYAH HAUMONO (REDFERN)
The daughter of Solomon was really strong at the back for the Redfern All Blacks, coping with a barrage from Akira Kelly and Caitlin Moran.
Held her own and will look to improve on her Tarsha Gale season with Manly as she looks to crack it in the big time.
GRAND FINAL WRAP + GALLERY
A huge weekend of rugby league has wrapped up with Walgett and Newcastle Yowies claiming the two main prizes at the Koori Knockout.
There was a sense of redemption for both, with the Walgett men and Yowies women both defeated in last year’s respective grand finals.
Here’s a look back on an enthralling grand final day.
MEN - WALGETT 22-12 WIRADJURI
Walgett Aboriginal Connection claimed its first title since 2014 after coming from behind to down Wiradjuri Aboriginal Rivers 22-12.
It was all WAR early in the piece with Braydon Trindall putting Treymain Spry into a huge gap before chipping inside for excitement machine Matt Milson to continue his incredible weekend with another try.
Their lead was extended to 12 inside the opening 20 minutes with Brian Kelly working the short-side off a scrum, putting Spry over in the corner for one of his own.
Then it was WAC’s turn to attack, with a familiar face in Ben Barba getting them on the board approaching the half-hour mark.
That was followed up by an inspired play from Barba to Dalby’s Chris Woodbridge for the moment of the game.
Pinned in their own 30m on the last tackle, Barba put a chip over the top with Woodbridge reaching high to regather on the halfway line, burning a pair of WAR defenders to race away for the thrilling try.
It took an hour but Walgett finally hit the front on the back of some Nathan Rose brilliance, making a clean break after selling a dummy and putting Isaiah Tass under the posts.
Their win was sealed when Latrell Siegwalt put a lethal step on Trindall close to the line to extend the lead to 10.
“There’s nothing better than the Knockout,” Walgett’s George Rose told NITV.
“There’s no better feeling than participating and putting everything into it. I’m so grateful to be here.
“It was about 11pm on Friday night I decided I was playing. To do that with my kids sitting on the sidelines, it’s the first time they’ve watched me have a good crack.”
WOMEN - NEWCASTLE 13-12 REDFERN
A piece of Caitlin Moran magic lifted the Newcastle Yowies to a 13-12 golden point win over Redfern.
After Akira Kelly hit the middle of the post in the first period of extra time, Moran stepped up to the plate and slotted the match winner with 15 seconds remaining to etch her name into Yowies folklore.
It was a fitting end to a fantastic contest that started with RAB scoring inside the opening through minutes as Bec Riley worked her way over from dummy half.
That lead was pushed to 8-0 when Darci Simpson-Carr had an easy passage to the line.
Tarnayar Hinch threw a lovely long ball over the head of a defender to find Kayla Fleming to get the Yowies on the board just before halftime.
They turned that momentum into their first lead of the contest as Kelly sold a dummy inside the RAB 10, before converting to make it 12-8.
Just when the Yowies threatened to pull away, Simpson-Carr’s second inside the final six minutes helped to tie the scores and set up a grandstand finish.
“It’s up there with one of the toughest games,” Rikka Lamb told NITV.
“Both teams were grinding until that last field goal. Only Caitlin Moran would come up with something like that to seal the deal.
“I was out of the game for 12 months. My last game was this time last year. When we put on that jersey we play with heart and soul.”
JUNIOR DIVISIONS
La Perouse has continues its strong form through the junior boys with a 12-6 win over Bundjalung in the U17s final.
With a number of players from last years U15s success in the side, the Panthers returned home with a trophy to cap off a successful weekend.
Saxon Lester provided a highlight moment, racing 50m from dummy half down a narrow passageway to show his blistering speed and open the scoring.
That was matched by some equal brilliance by Bundjalung’s Naihana Hippi who ran 70m after taking a kick on the full to streak away and tie scores at the break.
Ben Askew’s lone try in the second half proved the difference.
The Northern United Dirawongs proved far too strong in the U17s girls, racing away for a 20-4 defeat of the Minda Sisters.
The Mindaribba Warriors edged out the Campbelltown Ghosts 18-16 in the U15 boys, the Newcastle Yowies were strong in a 20-0 win over Bundjalung Connections in the U15s girls, and Mindaribba took down La Perouse 30-0 in the U13 boys.
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Originally published as Koori Knockout: 15 Indigenous hidden gems, future NRL/NRLW stars from grand final day
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