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  1. #301
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    Faaleo Aholahi. The Logan Brothers front rower was in late 2018 selected in the 2019 Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad after playing a leading role in the GBJRL Nev Blair U18 competition this season with Logan Brothers last year.

    Instead of turning out for Burleigh in the MM Cup competition, Faaleo Aholahi turned out for Gatton in the Toowoomba Rugby League competition in 2019.

    In total in the Toowoomba Rugby League U18 regular season competition Faaleo Aholahi played in thirteen matches scoring three tries with those tries coming against Oakey, Wattles and Highfields.

    In Week One of the Toowoomba Rugby League U18 Finals series Faaleo Aholahi started in the front row for Gatton but they went down to Dalby 40 – 22.

    Week Two with Faaleo Aholahi once again starting in the front row and scoring, Gatton bounced back to defeat Highfields 28 – 24 to qualify for the Preliminary Final against Toowoomba Souths.

    In the Toowoomba 2019 U18 Rugby League Preliminary Final Faaleo Aholahi started in the front row as Gatton defeated Toowoomba Souths 38 – 24 to progress to the Grand Final against Dalby.

    In the 2019 Toowoomba Rugby League U18 Grand Final Faaleo Aholahi started in the front row as Gatton went down 42 – 22 to Dalby.

    In late May Faaleo Aholahi made his debut appearance in the Toowoomba Rugby League First Grade competition when he came off the bench for Gatton against Wattles.

    The way Faaleo Aholahi plays in attack has no subtlety involved, he just runs hard and straight throwing self-preservation out of the window, in a long run that probably not great for him but it does fire up his team mates when they see him charging at full speed into a set forward defensive line.

    I have not seen many offloads from Faaleo Aholahi but obviously the type of game he plays requires few mistakes although on rare occasions Faaleo Aholahi does lose a touch of focus and his technique suffers a touch and he can run too front on. I thing that the biggest reason why is that he is so determined to get the ball and run hard which is a great trait to have.

    Defensively Faaleo Aholahi hits very hard and usually aims for just under the ribs and is certainly someone opposing forwards look for when running the ball up and is adept at making sure the opposition do not get quick play the balls, read that he is very good at winning the wrestling battle in the ruck but just needs to adjust to how each referee controls a particular game.

    Faaleo Aholahi defends in the centre of the ruck and seems best suited in the long run defending there and adds a degree of intimidation to any forward pack he plays for, continued work from a stamina perspective will aid this as the game progresses.

    It will be interesting to see where Faaleo Aholahi plays in 2019, will he stay in Toowoomba or does he move back to Brisbane to play in the 2020 Hastings Deering’s competition for Souths Logan or even with Burleigh. It will be interesting to see.

    Faaleo Aholahi is probably considered by some as a bit of a late bloomer but that is not necessarily the case. Over the last couple of years, Faaleo Aholahi’s game has continued to develop and mature so his play this season would come as no surprise to anyone who has been him play over the last couple of seasons or the Logan Brothers coaching staff.

    From a position perspective I firmly believe that Faaleo Aholahi’s best position as he progresses in the junior rugby league ranks is where he is currently playing being the front row.

    Faaleo Aholahi’s game resembles that of former St George Dragon and Brisbane Bronco and current English Super League front rower Ashton Sims. Like Sims, Faaleo Aholahi seems to have little thought other than to crash head long into the opposition and then to get a quick play the ball.

  2. #302
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    Dion Samuela. The electric young fullback was outstanding for TSS in the GPS School Boy Rugby First XV competition in 2018 and in a great sign that we can keep him in rugby league, Dion Samuela was named in the Burleigh 2019 MM Cup squad however did not play in any matches.

    Dion Samuela started the 2019 schoolboy rugby season off as part of the TSS First XV side that played Toowoomba Grammar School in a trial as a curtain raiser to a Classic Wallabies match at Moree in Northern New South Wales in late March.

    In late April when Dion Samuela started at fullback for the TSS First XV that drew 29 all against touring New Zealand School New Plymouth Boys High.

    After starting at fullback in all of TSS’s First XV trials Dion Samuela was named there for their GPS Round One match against Nudgee College and was his usual elusive self in their last grasp one point victory.

    Dion Samuela had some outstanding individual pieces of play in the match none more so than his first half try assist. Dion Samuela split the Nudgee right side defence and just as he got through the line and was confronted with the Nudgee cover defence put in an outstanding grubber kick from forty metres out which sat up perfectly in the in goal area for TSS left winger Hamish Roberts to score.

    Dion Samuela was also outstanding at fullback in Round Two against Churchie producing some outstanding pieces of individual brilliance, including scoring two tries and numerous breaks in relation to returning kicks as well as in general play.

    For his first try Dion Samuela flew down the right touch line chasing a kick to outpace the Churchie cover defence in the first half. His second try came in the second half when from a maul fifteen metres out from the Churchie line, Dion Samuela received the ball on the right side of the field and stepped his way through the defence to score under the posts in what was one of the best individual tries that I have ever seen, regardless of code.

    In addition to scoring Dion Samuela also had a try assist in the second half when he got his head through the line before passing to replacement right winger Alex Walker to score in the corner and on the stroke of fulltime, he made yet another break and got the ball once again to Alex Walker who was taken into touch just short of the right corner flag.

    In the Round two match Dion Samuela’s tactical kicking was also outstanding regularly gaining ground with incredible distance and accuracy and it was also interesting to see that on occasion Dion Samuela would come up into the line and spend time at No. 10. For his performance, Dion Samuela was awarded three points in the 2019 TSS First XV Rounds Two points award by the First XV coach.

    Dion Samuela was also at fullback in Round Three against Brisbane State High School and well was superb scoring TSS’s first try when he dived over from close range and seemingly broke tackles at will. From a kicking perspective Dion Samuela continued to get great distance on his kicks constantly turning BSHS around.

    Round Four once again saw Dion Samuela line up at fullback as TSS travelled to Toowoomba to take on Toowoomba Grammar School and to suggest that he was outstanding would be an understatement.

    Dion Samuela added another two tries to his tally and multiple line breaks. Dion Samuela’s first try came in the first half, running with the ball on the right side of the field Dion Samuela made the initial line break by dummying to his right and splitting the line, approaching the fullback, Dion Sameula saw him cheating towards his support on the right and therefore he dummied that way again to beat the fullback to score untouched.

    Yes I know that I am a broken record but a key part of the try was that on each occasion that Dion Samuela approached the defensive line he ran with the ball in two hands, thus keeping his intentions masked from the defence.

    Dion Samuela scored his second try in the second half and after picking up an errant pass raced to his left to beat the cover defence to the left corner.

    Round Five against Brisbane Grammar School also saw Dion Samuela in the No. 15 jersey for the TSS First XV and producing a superb run with his first touch almost manufacturing a try out of nothing in the opening minutes.

    Dion Samuela had limited room and opportunities for the remainder of the match but producing some outstanding tactical kicks to get TSS out of their own territory late in the match as TSS held on to win 23 – 20.

    Dion Samuela added two further tries in Round Seven against Gregory Terrace, one in each half as TSS won 54 – 24 to close in on the GPS First XV title. On both occasions Dion Samuela moved into the first receiver position and took the ball to the line with speed and holding the ball in two hands. As the defence back peddled, Dion Samuela accelerated between defender to score.

    Dion Samuela started the critical Round Eight match against Ipswich Grammar School once again at fullback and scoring as TSS won the GPS First XV Premiership on the back of a 29 all draw.

    Dion Samuela’s try was critical as it tied the scores at 29 all with only a few minutes to go with Dion Samuela scoring the try in the left corner after he backed up a break by one of the TSS front rowers.

    Dion Samuela had a try assist earlier in the match when he dummied twice to get half way through the line before sending a long flick pass to the TSS right winger to score.

    Post the GPS season Dion Samuela was named in the U18 Reds Academy maroon side for a double header at Ballymore later in the year.

    For the TSS First XV side in 2018 season Dion Samuela started at fullback in all eight of their matches scoring three tries including a Round Three double against Toowoomba Grammar School and also a try in Round Nine against Nudgee College.

    Dion Samuela last played rugby league on the Gold Coast at the U15 Division One level in 2016 for Runaway Bay, a year he also represented South Coast at the QSSRL U15 Championships.

    In 2016 for Runaway Bay Dion Samuela played in eight matches in the U15 Division One competition scoring 44 points from four tries and fourteen goals. All of Dion Samuela’s tries came in a two week early season span when he scored doubles in consecutive weeks against the Southport Tigers and the Currumbin Eagles.

    Post the 2016 Gold Coast Junior Rugby League season, Dion Samuela transferred to TSS where this GPS season was a standout for the Gold Coast based school in the U16A competition in 2017.

    Even though he did starting any First XV games for TSS in 2017 Dion Samuela came off the bench on two occasions being against Ipswich Grammar School and Brisbane Grammar School. Against Ipswich Grammar School he made an outstanding break through the centre of the field after retrieving a kick and was unlucky not to score.

    In the Brisbane Grammar School First XV match in 2017 Dion Samuela was on the end of a great TSS back line movement to score in the left corner. Dion Samuela was also part of the Queensland U16 side that won the Australian U16 Championships and was selected at fullback in the 2017 Australian U16 merit side as a result.

    In 2015 Dion Samuela was part of the U14 Titans development squad that defeated Samoa at Burleigh. Whilst he played the majority of his club football at five eight, Dion Samuela played at half for the Titans development squad, Dion Samuela has also represented the Gold Coast in Vikings and Kookaburra’ squads over the last number of years across multiple age groups starting at U13’s.

    Dion Samuela is in some respects a throwback to the 1970’s or 1980’s when fullbacks used to chime into the back line either between the two centres or even between the centre or winger especially in relation to looking to exploit a shorter blind side. When Dion Samuela chimes into a back line he does not look to run into his direct opponent but he runs into the gaps and anticipates where his inside play makers are going to pass the ball.

    From a running perspective, Dion Samuela just seems to glide across the field and it appears effortless, no matter who is chasing him, they will not catch Dion Samuela, I am talking James Roberts type of pace but he has a much more effortless running style to that of the current Brisbane Bronco.

    Dion Samuela does not necessarily have a side step per say, it is more of a swerve and he has a number of variations, with the scary part being that there is absolutely no loss of speed at all, making him incredibly difficult to stop when he is in open space. It is no surprise at all that he was in and around the Australian Men’s Rugby Sevens squad.

    Dion Samuela’s passing skills are also of the highest quality., he can pass equally well from either side of his body and can throw every type of pass imaginable, he can chime into a back line at full pace and then decelerate quickly to maintain his balance a pop a superb short ball to his supports, he can throw a great spiral pass to his backline or he can quickly anticipate the numbers a throw a great cut out pass to exploit over laps.

    Defensively Dion Samuela also stands out, with his closing speed and recovery speed to make an impact on that side of the ball as well. With his speed, Dion Samuela has the luxury of being able to stand a touch deeper than some fullbacks yet still be able to close quickly to negate breaks by reducing the decision making time of the attacking player.

    Dion Samuela’s defence is normally over shadowed by his running game but make no mistake, Dion Samuela is an outstanding defender both in terms of cover defence and front on defence when a forward makes a break through the centre of the field.

    Dion Sameula is also an outstanding tactical kicker blessed with range and accuracy which has kept TSS on the front foot or gotten them out of their own half regularly this season, especially against BBC when they were on the back foot on a number of occasions late in the match, but Dion Sameula regularly turned BBC around with long raking kicks from deep in his own half.

    Dion Samuela completes his senior year in 2019 at TSS and come 2020 it will be interesting to see if Dion Samuela stays with rugby or tries his luck in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition, staying with rugby is probably the more likely scenario if I am being honest.

    Dion Samuela is an outstanding ball runner with speed and elusiveness which was displayed on numerous occasions for the TSS First XV side this season and thus a future at fullback in rugby league (or for that matter rugby) seems the most logical outcome.

    For me the perfect player comparison for Dion Samuela is recently retired Melbourne Storm, Queensland State of Origin and Australian test fullback Billy Slater. Like Slater Dion Samuela can either slice through the opposition backline when he receives the ball early, beat forwards in the centre of the ruck with an outstanding side step and acceleration and is a nightmare for opposing defences when he chases short attacking kicks.

    Also like Slater Dion Samuela is an outstanding defender in the fullback position.

  3. #303
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    In the GBJRL U13 Division One Grand Final this afternoon Norths Lakes front rowers Peter Benjamin Uini and Joseph Pouniu were absolutely outstanding as North Lakes defeated Logan Brothers 22-16 with both scoring barnstorming second half tries.

  4. #304
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    Norths half Damascus Neemia and right second rower Joshua Daniels-Harris were in outstanding for the Devils U15 Division One GBJRL Grand Final winning side this afternoon as they defeated Easts 51-14.

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    In the Courier Mail 2019 GPS First XV team of the year fan pole star TSS First XV centre Jojo Fifita received 38.70% of the outside centre votes to be the outside centre of the year.

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    Jojo Fifita will start from the bench tomorrow for the Reds U18 Maroon side against the NSW Waratahs academy.

  7. #307
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    Quote Originally Posted by mdrew View Post
    Dion Samuela. The electric young fullback was outstanding for TSS in the GPS School Boy Rugby First XV competition in 2018 and in a great sign that we can keep him in rugby league, Dion Samuela was named in the Burleigh 2019 MM Cup squad however did not play in any matches.

    Dion Samuela started the 2019 schoolboy rugby season off as part of the TSS First XV side that played Toowoomba Grammar School in a trial as a curtain raiser to a Classic Wallabies match at Moree in Northern New South Wales in late March.

    In late April when Dion Samuela started at fullback for the TSS First XV that drew 29 all against touring New Zealand School New Plymouth Boys High.

    After starting at fullback in all of TSS’s First XV trials Dion Samuela was named there for their GPS Round One match against Nudgee College and was his usual elusive self in their last grasp one point victory.

    Dion Samuela had some outstanding individual pieces of play in the match none more so than his first half try assist. Dion Samuela split the Nudgee right side defence and just as he got through the line and was confronted with the Nudgee cover defence put in an outstanding grubber kick from forty metres out which sat up perfectly in the in goal area for TSS left winger Hamish Roberts to score.

    Dion Samuela was also outstanding at fullback in Round Two against Churchie producing some outstanding pieces of individual brilliance, including scoring two tries and numerous breaks in relation to returning kicks as well as in general play.

    For his first try Dion Samuela flew down the right touch line chasing a kick to outpace the Churchie cover defence in the first half. His second try came in the second half when from a maul fifteen metres out from the Churchie line, Dion Samuela received the ball on the right side of the field and stepped his way through the defence to score under the posts in what was one of the best individual tries that I have ever seen, regardless of code.

    In addition to scoring Dion Samuela also had a try assist in the second half when he got his head through the line before passing to replacement right winger Alex Walker to score in the corner and on the stroke of fulltime, he made yet another break and got the ball once again to Alex Walker who was taken into touch just short of the right corner flag.

    In the Round two match Dion Samuela’s tactical kicking was also outstanding regularly gaining ground with incredible distance and accuracy and it was also interesting to see that on occasion Dion Samuela would come up into the line and spend time at No. 10. For his performance, Dion Samuela was awarded three points in the 2019 TSS First XV Rounds Two points award by the First XV coach.

    Dion Samuela was also at fullback in Round Three against Brisbane State High School and well was superb scoring TSS’s first try when he dived over from close range and seemingly broke tackles at will. From a kicking perspective Dion Samuela continued to get great distance on his kicks constantly turning BSHS around.

    Round Four once again saw Dion Samuela line up at fullback as TSS travelled to Toowoomba to take on Toowoomba Grammar School and to suggest that he was outstanding would be an understatement.

    Dion Samuela added another two tries to his tally and multiple line breaks. Dion Samuela’s first try came in the first half, running with the ball on the right side of the field Dion Samuela made the initial line break by dummying to his right and splitting the line, approaching the fullback, Dion Sameula saw him cheating towards his support on the right and therefore he dummied that way again to beat the fullback to score untouched.

    Yes I know that I am a broken record but a key part of the try was that on each occasion that Dion Samuela approached the defensive line he ran with the ball in two hands, thus keeping his intentions masked from the defence.

    Dion Samuela scored his second try in the second half and after picking up an errant pass raced to his left to beat the cover defence to the left corner.

    Round Five against Brisbane Grammar School also saw Dion Samuela in the No. 15 jersey for the TSS First XV and producing a superb run with his first touch almost manufacturing a try out of nothing in the opening minutes.

    Dion Samuela had limited room and opportunities for the remainder of the match but producing some outstanding tactical kicks to get TSS out of their own territory late in the match as TSS held on to win 23 – 20.

    Dion Samuela added two further tries in Round Seven against Gregory Terrace, one in each half as TSS won 54 – 24 to close in on the GPS First XV title. On both occasions Dion Samuela moved into the first receiver position and took the ball to the line with speed and holding the ball in two hands. As the defence back peddled, Dion Samuela accelerated between defender to score.

    Dion Samuela started the critical Round Eight match against Ipswich Grammar School once again at fullback and scoring as TSS won the GPS First XV Premiership on the back of a 29 all draw.

    Dion Samuela’s try was critical as it tied the scores at 29 all with only a few minutes to go with Dion Samuela scoring the try in the left corner after he backed up a break by one of the TSS front rowers.

    Dion Samuela had a try assist earlier in the match when he dummied twice to get half way through the line before sending a long flick pass to the TSS right winger to score.

    Post the GPS season Dion Samuela was named in the U18 Reds Academy maroon side for a double header at Ballymore later in the year.

    For the TSS First XV side in 2018 season Dion Samuela started at fullback in all eight of their matches scoring three tries including a Round Three double against Toowoomba Grammar School and also a try in Round Nine against Nudgee College.

    Dion Samuela last played rugby league on the Gold Coast at the U15 Division One level in 2016 for Runaway Bay, a year he also represented South Coast at the QSSRL U15 Championships.

    In 2016 for Runaway Bay Dion Samuela played in eight matches in the U15 Division One competition scoring 44 points from four tries and fourteen goals. All of Dion Samuela’s tries came in a two week early season span when he scored doubles in consecutive weeks against the Southport Tigers and the Currumbin Eagles.

    Post the 2016 Gold Coast Junior Rugby League season, Dion Samuela transferred to TSS where this GPS season was a standout for the Gold Coast based school in the U16A competition in 2017.

    Even though he did starting any First XV games for TSS in 2017 Dion Samuela came off the bench on two occasions being against Ipswich Grammar School and Brisbane Grammar School. Against Ipswich Grammar School he made an outstanding break through the centre of the field after retrieving a kick and was unlucky not to score.

    In the Brisbane Grammar School First XV match in 2017 Dion Samuela was on the end of a great TSS back line movement to score in the left corner. Dion Samuela was also part of the Queensland U16 side that won the Australian U16 Championships and was selected at fullback in the 2017 Australian U16 merit side as a result.

    In 2015 Dion Samuela was part of the U14 Titans development squad that defeated Samoa at Burleigh. Whilst he played the majority of his club football at five eight, Dion Samuela played at half for the Titans development squad, Dion Samuela has also represented the Gold Coast in Vikings and Kookaburra’ squads over the last number of years across multiple age groups starting at U13’s.

    Dion Samuela is in some respects a throwback to the 1970’s or 1980’s when fullbacks used to chime into the back line either between the two centres or even between the centre or winger especially in relation to looking to exploit a shorter blind side. When Dion Samuela chimes into a back line he does not look to run into his direct opponent but he runs into the gaps and anticipates where his inside play makers are going to pass the ball.

    From a running perspective, Dion Samuela just seems to glide across the field and it appears effortless, no matter who is chasing him, they will not catch Dion Samuela, I am talking James Roberts type of pace but he has a much more effortless running style to that of the current Brisbane Bronco.

    Dion Samuela does not necessarily have a side step per say, it is more of a swerve and he has a number of variations, with the scary part being that there is absolutely no loss of speed at all, making him incredibly difficult to stop when he is in open space. It is no surprise at all that he was in and around the Australian Men’s Rugby Sevens squad.

    Dion Samuela’s passing skills are also of the highest quality., he can pass equally well from either side of his body and can throw every type of pass imaginable, he can chime into a back line at full pace and then decelerate quickly to maintain his balance a pop a superb short ball to his supports, he can throw a great spiral pass to his backline or he can quickly anticipate the numbers a throw a great cut out pass to exploit over laps.

    Defensively Dion Samuela also stands out, with his closing speed and recovery speed to make an impact on that side of the ball as well. With his speed, Dion Samuela has the luxury of being able to stand a touch deeper than some fullbacks yet still be able to close quickly to negate breaks by reducing the decision making time of the attacking player.

    Dion Samuela’s defence is normally over shadowed by his running game but make no mistake, Dion Samuela is an outstanding defender both in terms of cover defence and front on defence when a forward makes a break through the centre of the field.

    Dion Sameula is also an outstanding tactical kicker blessed with range and accuracy which has kept TSS on the front foot or gotten them out of their own half regularly this season, especially against BBC when they were on the back foot on a number of occasions late in the match, but Dion Sameula regularly turned BBC around with long raking kicks from deep in his own half.

    Dion Samuela completes his senior year in 2019 at TSS and come 2020 it will be interesting to see if Dion Samuela stays with rugby or tries his luck in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition, staying with rugby is probably the more likely scenario if I am being honest.

    Dion Samuela is an outstanding ball runner with speed and elusiveness which was displayed on numerous occasions for the TSS First XV side this season and thus a future at fullback in rugby league (or for that matter rugby) seems the most logical outcome.

    For me the perfect player comparison for Dion Samuela is recently retired Melbourne Storm, Queensland State of Origin and Australian test fullback Billy Slater. Like Slater Dion Samuela can either slice through the opposition backline when he receives the ball early, beat forwards in the centre of the ruck with an outstanding side step and acceleration and is a nightmare for opposing defences when he chases short attacking kicks.

    Also like Slater Dion Samuela is an outstanding defender in the fullback position.
    I see he had made the Australian Rugby Schoolboys. He is a brilliant prospect and wonder what the issue is with the Titans

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    He certainly is a talent and TSS have a good record of getting their players to stay in rugby.

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    The Ipswich Rugby League 2020 Ipswich Jets Hastings Deering’s Colts initial train on squad is a good mix of Ipswich based players who were part of the MM Cup and Colts squad this season as well as a number of players from other areas including the Toowoomba region as well as others.

    One young player in the initial squad from outside Ipswich is Scone (NSW Country) winger Ronin Hadden.

    In 2019 Ronin Hadden played for Scone in the Bengalla Hunter Valley Group 21 competition.

    In addition to playing one Group 21 Reserve Grade game, Ronin Hadden made is presence known by scoring eleven tries from just sixteen matches in his first season in First Grade after graduating from the U18 competition in 2018.

    In his First Grade debut Ronin Hadden scored against the Denham Devils and try scoring exploits in 2019 included a double against the Aberdeen Tigers

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    Jack Sullivan. (Revised) The big strong young front rower in 2019 played with the South Burnett Club in the U18 Toowoomba Rugby League Competition as well as in the MM Cup competition for the Western Mustangs but in 2020 will move to be part of the Ipswich Jets 2020 Hastings Deering’s Colts squad.

    For the Western Mustangs in the 2019 MM Cup competition, Jack Sullivan played in all six of the Western Mustangs matches, starting Round One in the front row against Tweed Heads and coming off the bench in the remaining five matches.

    Jack Sullivan’s sole 2019 MM Cup try came in Round Three against the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

    Post the MM Cup competition, Jack Sullivan played for South Burnett in the 2019 Toowoomba Rugby League U18 competition and was a standout finishing with twelve tries from as many matches.

    Jack Sullivan scored a hat trick mid-season against Oakey and also scored doubles against Gatton and Goondiwindi. Jack Sullivan’s other 2019 TRL U18 tries came against Toowoomba Brothers, Pittsworth twice, Valleys and Souths.

    The 2018 season was Jack Sullivan’s First in the senior rugby league ranks after graduating from the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League U16 competition. Including the Elimination Final Jack Sullivan played in thirteen matches scoring nine tries for a strike rate of 69.23%.

    Jack Sullivan scored a hat trick against Pittsworth and the following weekend scored a double against Wattles. Jack Sullivan’s other four tries came against Toowoomba Brothers in two separate matches, Oakey and Toowoomba Valleys.

    In the Toowoomba Rugby League U18 Elimination final Jack Sullivan started in the front row for South Burnett who were knocked out by a Southern Suburbs side 44 – 16 that contained multiple Titans linked players.

    In 2018 Jack Sullivan was also selected in the Queensland Regional U18 side after representing the South Burnett Eagles in the trials and played against a South East Queensland U18 side at Wynnum Manly.

    Jack Sullivan was also part of the Titans camp at Lennox Heads for the 2017 Western Mustangs Development Squad members including playing a match at the camp for the Mustangs against the Titans were he started in the front row and has subsequently signed a Titans scholarship deal. In previous seasons Jack Sullivan was part of the Brisbane Bronco’s Elite Development Squad.

    In 2017 Jack Sullivan finished the Toowoomba Rugby League U16 season with twelve tries from his twelve matches including scoring a hat trick early in the season against Pittsworth and doubles against Valleys, Pittsworth and Brothers. Jack Sullivan started in the front row for Highfields in the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League U16 Grand Final however his U16 side was defeated by the talented Toowoomba Souths U16 squad.

    The young front rower is an all effort type of forward who runs with determination, he takes the ball to the line with speed, but he does not just put his head down and rush forward, he uses quick and subtle footwork prior to the line and seems to targets the gaps between defenders and will actively seek out opposing forwards who are slow to move up.

    When the opposition are on the back foot Jack Sullivan will target the smaller defenders on the edge of the ruck and burst through and for a big young bloke he has very good speed over the medium term and has the strength to drag defenders with him.

    It is the intensity and speed that he plays the game at that holds Jack Sullivan in good stead as he starts to be selected in representative sides and plays against a higher quality of opposition.

    Jack Sullivan is also very effective close to the opposition try line with his ability to burst through tackles. If the defenders do not come off the try he will just drag them across the try line, with his continued development of which running lines he can utilise, such as running an inside shoulder line when close to the opposition try line he will become even more effective and will be an asset to the entire team as defences compress to combat his running thus leaving more room our wide.

    One area of development for Jack Sullivan moving forward is his off-loading, his off-loading skill attributes in my eyes could be considered untapped. Jack Sullivan shows flashes of ability to off load when in contact with the defensive line, but on occasion can try to off load the miracle pass with multiple defenders handing off him, I am sure however that he will become more selective as he progresses.

    The defensive side of his game is similarly impressive, Jack Sullivan does not just charge wildly up looking for a huge hit, but is calculating in where and when to hit. Jack Sullivan drives hard with his legs and always uses his shoulder and core body strength to drive into his opponent.

    Jack Sullivan sets a strong lower base by setting his legs and generating force by driving through the tackle with his lower body, gaining leverage and momentum enabling his initial contact to be outstanding and more than enough to stop the momentum of the attacker regardless of their size attributes.

    Jack Sullivan’s defensive dominance will not continue at its current rate as he starts to play against higher quality opposition but the timing and defensive technique that he has will mean that he will always likely be a plus defender. He really does have a very good tackling technique.

    Jack Sullivan will play the 2020 season with the Ipswich Jets in the QRL Hastings Deering’s Colts competition and is Colts eligible again in 2021.

    Jack Sullivan is a big strong young man who has played essentially his entire junior rugby league career in the front row and I believe with his ascension to the senior rugby league ranks in 2018 will also stay in the same position that being in the front row.

    From a player comparison perspective think of Titans and Queensland State of Origin front rower Jarrod Wallace as a big strong powerful hard running and hardworking forward and someone who his team mates will follow as he leads by example in the most taxing position on the field

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    Great to see youngster Daron Bligh selected in the Ipswich Jets 2020 Hastings Deering’s Colts Initial squad.

    The outstanding centre prospect finished the 2019 season at the Toowoomba Rugby League U18’s second leading try scorer.

    For South Burnett Daron Bligh played fifteen matches finishing with 24 tries (and one goal) and a try scoring strike rate of 160%.

    Daron Bligh scored five tries late in the season against Toowoomba Souths and scored four tries twice being against Oakey and Toowoomba Brothers and added a hat trick in the final regular season round against Pittsworth.

    This season also saw Daron Bligh play a number of matches for Cherbourg in the South Burnett First Grade competition including starting all three final on the wing.

    In Week One of the Finals Daron Bligh scored a second half try in a 31 – 26 loss to Murgon and backed that up with a try in each half in a 54 – 28 Preliminary Final victory over Kingaroy.

    In the Grand Final Daron Bligh was on the wing as Cherbourg went down 30 – 14 against Murgon.

    In his South Burnett First Grade debut in early July this season Daron Bligh scored against Wondai to mark the occasion.

    Daron Bligh also played in the Toowoomba Rugby League U18 competition in 2018, playing in thirteen matches for South Burnett scoring in consecutive matches late in the season against the Warwick Cowboys and Pittsworth. Daron Bligh’s first points in the U18 competition had come earlier in the 2018 season when he kicked a conversion against Highfields and Districts.

    The exciting young centre from the Cherbourg Junior Rugby League club who play in the South Burnett Junior Rugby League competition had a flying start in the U16 competition, his second in that age group, scoring 17 tries from just the first six matches of the season.

    In total over the course of the 2017 season, Daron Bligh finished as the competitions leading try scorer with twenty eight tries from fourteen matches. In March of 2017 Daron Bligh was selected on the wing for the South Burnett U16 47th Battalion side representative side.

    In that span of matches to start the season Daron Bligh scored five tries against the Central Burnett Brumbies and in Round One scored four against Wondai. He also scored a hat trick against Nanango and doubles against Chinchilla and Kingaroy. Daron Bligh scored two further hat tricks in the 2017 season which came against Chinchilla and Nanango and he also scored a mid-season double against Wondai Murgon

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    Explosive centre Elone Taufa will prove a handful for defences in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition in 2020 after being named in the Ipswich Jets squad.

    This season the powerful centre and was one of the Ipswich Jets most impressive players in the 2019 MM Cup competition starting all six of the jets matches in the centres a finishing the season with a 100% strike rate and finishing the season being named the Jets best back at the Jets Awards Night.

    Elone Taufa scored doubles in Round One against Townsville and Round Five against Redcliffe and also scored against the Easts Tigers in Round Three and Norths in Round Six.

    He was also a stand out for Ipswich State High School in the 2019 Langer Cup competition.

    For Goodna and Districts in the Ipswich Rugby League U18 competition this season Elone Taufa finished as the competitions leading try scorer with 15 tries from eleven matches (136% strike rate).

    Elone Taufa scored four tries in a late July match against Brothers Ipswich White and also scored four doubles which came against Swifts Bluebirds, the Redbank Plains Bears (twice) and also against Brothers Ipswich White.

    Brothers Ipswich White also kicked three goals in 2019 including two goals in June against Redbank Plains.

    Elone Taufa also played five Ipswich Rugby League U20 matches this season scoring a double in just his second match against the Norths Tigers

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    Daron Bligh (Saltner-Bligh). (Updated) Daron Bligh after an outstanding 2019 season will play the 2020 season for the Ipswich Jets in the 2020 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition.

    The outstanding centre prospect finished the 2019 season at the Toowoomba Rugby League U18’s second leading try scorer. For South Burnett Daron Bligh played fifteen matches finishing with 24 tries (and one goal) and a strike rate of 160%.

    Daron Bligh scored five tries late in the season against Toowoomba Souths and scored four tries twice being against Oakey and Toowoomba Brothers and added a hat trick in the final regular season round against Pittsworth.

    This season also saw Daron Bligh play a number of matches for Cherbourg in the South Burnett First Grade competition including starting all three final on the wing.

    In Week One of the Finals Daron Bligh scored a second half try in a 31 – 26 loss to Murgon and backed that up with a try in each half in a 54 – 28 Preliminary Final victory over Kingaroy.

    In the Grand Final Daron Bligh was on the wing as Cherbourg went down 30 – 14 against Murgon.

    In his South Burnett First Grade debut in early July 2019 Daron Bligh scored against Wondai to mark the occasion.

    Daron Bligh also played in the Toowoomba Rugby League U18 competition in 2018, playing in thirteen matches for South Burnett scoring in consecutive matches late in the season against the Warwick Cowboys and Pittsworth. Daron Bligh’s first points in the U18 competition had come earlier in the 2018 season when he kicked a conversion against Highfields and Districts.

    The exciting young centre from the Cherbourg Junior Rugby League club who play in the South Burnett Junior Rugby League competition had a flying start in the U16 competition, his second in that age group, scoring 17 tries from just the first six matches of the season.

    In total over the course of the 2017 season, Daron Bligh finished as the competitions leading try scorer with twenty eight tries from fourteen matches. In March of 2017 Daron Bligh was selected on the wing for the South Burnett U16 47th Battalion side representative side.

    In that span of matches to start the season Daron Bligh scored five tries against the Central Burnett Brumbies and in Round One scored four against Wondai. He also scored a hat trick against Nanango and doubles against Chinchilla and Kingaroy. Daron Bligh scored two further hat tricks in the 2017 season which came against Chinchilla and Nanango and he also scored a mid-season double against Wondai Murgon.

    In terms of his attacking play Daron Bligh is a smooth runner of the ball who has above average to plus top end speed and good evasiveness to get on the outside of his opposing defender with a decent fend that enables him to keep opposing defenders at a distance and away from his body. When playing at centre he just needs to be aware to straighten up the axis of attack on occasion to ensure his outside supports have room to move and exploit any advantages identified.

    Daron Bligh has quite a good step, predominately off the left foot, so he certainly has the skills to adjust his running line as he gains more experience and develops a better rapport with his teams play makers. Daron Bligh does not have the size or strength to run over the top of opposing defenders thus he needs to use his speed and guile to make an impact and the earlier he gets the ball the better but as noted just needs to straighten up the attack on occasion. In the games that I have seen he lines up mainly on the left hand side of the field.

    Defensively Daron Bligh has a very good low tackling technique, he is by no means a big player but his defensive low tackling technique is very good, he can defend opposing centres one on one, and is one of the better low tacklers I have seen in junior rugby league. Tackling around the legs seems to have become a lost art, but when done right it is in my opinion it is still the most effective way of defending.

    He is not the biggest or strongest, thus when he looks to tackle his oppose number around the chest area, he can have difficulty. Due to the defensive attributes noted Daron Bligh is clearly more effective defending in a side with a sliding defensive methodology rather than an up and in approach.

    Daron Bligh has been named to play the 2020 season with the Ipswich Jets in the 2020 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition.

    With his speed and elusiveness there is nothing to suggest that Daron Bligh cannot stay in the centres long term although he could also certainly be able to wing on the wing at a high standard and potentially at fullback as well.

    From a player comparison perspective for Daron Bligh, think of someone along the lines of the Newcastle Knights and Queensland State of Origin centre Dane Gagai as a smooth moving centre who is elusive and difficult to defend against as a result

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    One interesting player to keep an eye on in 2020 in the Hastings Deering's Colts competition is winger Marcel Connal who is making the move over from the Ellerslie Eagles in Auckland to play for the Norths Devils.

    Recently he scored a double for the New Zealand U19 side in their big win against a touring France U19 side.

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    One very intriguing player to keep an eye on in coming seasons in front rower or lock Mitchell Prest, the young man was part of the Raiders Harold Matthews squad this season but did not play in any matches but has recently been named in the 2020 U18 SG Ball squad.

    He started off the 2019 season as part of the Riverina U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad starting at lock in Rounds One and Three against the Wests Tigers and Monaro Colts respectively.

    This season Mitchell Prest played for the Young Cherrypickers in the Group Nine U16 competition playing in sixteen matches, including starting in the front row in the Cherrypickers 12-10 Grand Final victory over the Gundagai Tigers.

    In his sixteen matches Mitchell Prest scored six tries and kicked four goals for a season points tally of 32.

    In addition to a mid-season double against the Temora Dragons, he also scored tries against the Southcity Bulls, Gundagai Tigers, Tumut Blues and Albury Thunder.

    From a goal kicking perspective Mitchell Prest kicked three against Temora Dragons (the same match that he scored a double) with his other goal coming the week prior against Brothers Wagga.

    In 2018 he played for Young in the U15 competition scoring ten tries from 14 matches including a great month of July when he scored a hat trick against Turvey Park and doubles against Cootamundra and harden/Boorwa in his three matches that month.

    Mitchell Prest has represented Group Nine on a number of occasions previously including scoring against Group 11 for the Group Nine U14 side in 2017.


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