Meninga Cup deep dive: 30 Quiet Achievers getting the job done for their team named here ahead of defining round 9

Ahead of a defining regular season finale in the under-19s representative rugby league competition, we cast a spotlight on the quiet achievers who have been brilliant this year.

The Clydesdales, headed by a bunch of quiet achievers, have shot up from a wooden spoon finish in 2025 to be ninth entering round 9, just one point behind Norths and one win behind Ipswich, Tweed and Burleigh, all of whom are fighting for a finals berth this weekend.

The Ned Murphy coached Clydesdales are rife with underdog Darlings Downs boys who have beaten Easts, given Redcliffe a run for their money, flexed muscle against the Sunshine Coast, and taken it to Mackay in a positive, 4-4 season. A home game against Souths is their final chapter on Sunday.

The gutsy Clydesdales have rarely been overwhelmed this season and have punched above their weight with quiet achievers like Lawson Braithwaite, Max Murphy, Matt Doherty, Charlie Barnes and Cooper Hayes enjoying stellar campaigns.

Braithwaite has commuted to and from his family home in South Burnett (Wide Bay) more than 30 times to ensure his spot in the centres this season.

For a 17-year-old in school, Braithwaite has risen to the challenge without a shadow of a doubt.

Hooker Murphy has also done this with a no-nonsense attitude and competitive nature. The Clydesdales’ season has been spurred on by less-is-more skipper Matt Doherty, who leads through his actions more than anything.

Doherty was originally from the Darling Downs before moving to Wynnum for high school at Iona College. He and his family then moved back home, leading to Doherty signing up at the Clydesdales and quickly making a lasting impression as a leader.

“He led by example and bought into everything we talked about,” coach Murphy said of his decision to make new-face Doherty captain.

“He brought the boys together. Nothing was a hassle with him and he went above and beyond.”

This season has also brought about improvement, most notably in Gatton prop Cooper Hayes who missed out on selection last year and returned with mite this year to play every game.

The quiet achiever from the Hawks has worked well in tandem with a slightly less quiet achiever who has spearheaded the Clydesdales charge off the bench — powerhouse prop Liam Marshall.

The fearsome Marshall, who ditched his headgear this year and has been outstanding of late, entered the season unsigned but will finish it with plans to move to the nation’s capital after graduating St Mary’s College.

Signed by the Raiders because of his standard of play, Marshall has been loud and proud, banging down the barn door to earn a maiden contract.

Elite against Redcliffe in a loss and the game-winner against Easts last weekend in Brisbane, Marshall has been building a reputation on the Darling Downs.

So, who else has been stepping up to the challenge? Uncovered here are the competition’s quiet achievers who have delivered the goods this season.

MENINGA CUP QUIET ACHIEVERS HONOUR ROLL

Zane Cordi (Cutters)

Cordi has come to the Cutters all the way from Sydney’s Southern Suburbs and been a brilliant pick up at left centre.

With past experience in New South Wales’ SG Ball Cup competition for the Bulldogs, Cordi was always going to fit in at this level.

His trademark has been strong, stelly defence. In attack, he takes a load of hard carries in yardage to get Mackay moving up field.

Cordi hasn’t scored many tries this season but he has set plenty up and saved just as many with outstanding defence and high effort in the kick chases.

Quiet and humble.

Caleb O’Brien (Cutters)

O’Brien is one of the babies of the Cutters squad having made the jump from the Connell Cup outfit that last year made the grand final.

O’Brien has stepped up to the plate and played every game as an energetic interchange middle forward who constantly churns out 30 tackles and more than 100m.

A red-headed aggressor, O’Brien has brought the goods off the bench and maintained a high work rate when Isaiah Wilson is given a breather.

Tavita Pomale (Jets)

Power. Consistency. Reliability.

These are three things the explosive Pomale has brought with him across the ditch and used in Ipswich State High and Ipswich Jets teams over the past 12 months.

Rarely putting a foot wrong, Pomale has played centre on both sides for Ipswich and had his hand in countless tries, most of which have gone to injured, try-machine winger Cole Finter.

Eddie Fa’amausili (Jets)

The Jets skipper has been an unsung hero, playing strongly at edge forward and in the middle with a great work ethic and toughness.

Consistent every week with his effort, Fa’amausili is a no-nonsense type who hasn’t bought into anything but doing his job and doing it very well for his peers.

The Ipswich skipper has to deliver again on Saturday in a very important game against Redcliffe.

The Jets wouldn’t trade him for anyone.

Cooper Cracknell (Jets)

Cracknell’s value within the Jets team doesn’t just boil down to his consistency at edge forward.

It is his leadership off the field which his teammates and coaches like most.

A calming influence with a high level of maturity after successfully rehabilitating a shoulder reconstruction this time last year, Cracknell does his job on the field well and has the nature of a born leader off it which deserves praise.

Doujon Kanak (Capras)

Kanak is a courageous high achiever in a Capras team with a never-say-die attitude.

After missing two months with a knee and shoulder injury, Kanak returned in style by knocking over six conversions and a penalty goal to draw 38-all with Norths in round 9.

He did not miss a training session while injured and in his return played 70 minutes.

That match highlighted how composed and effective he can be when under fatigue.

Luckily for the Capras, Kanak can go again next year where the No. 9 jersey would be his to lose.

Lachie Anderson (Capras)

Aside from exhaustive country kid Jake Symes who has been all effort, there has been another Capras ace with unsung written all over him this season.

It is five-eighth Lachie Anderson.

Teams are familiar with Anderson because he is always imposing himself in one way or another, whether it be running the ball or causing panic with his deft, short kicks.

Anderson, the Capras co-captain, is a natural leader who has played every game and been the Capras’ backbone throughout a campaign where they have had four losses decided by 10 points or less.

Quentin Ofahulu (Blackhawks)

Kirwan State High’s school sports captain last year, Ofahulu has built on a big senior year of rep footy by playing a vital role at prop.

Flying slightly under the radar up north, Ofahulu has put in about 40-50 minutes of magic each week, churning through the hard yakka and coming out on the other side with a ton of tackles and most contact metres.

A bit of a friendly giant, Ofahulu has started in every game for the Blackhawks playing in one of the most demanding positions on the field.

Taakoi Benioni (Blackhawks)

The powerful Benioni, 18, has been going well in the centres for Townsville and been a staple of consistency each week.

Surely one of the first picked when it comes to selection time, Benioni has brought power, explosive running and defensive reliability to his role.

He is getting better with every game.

Tavake Tau’a’alo (Bears)

Big Tau’a’alo has maintained the rage from his senior year at Keebra Park where he was the prop behind the team’s run to the national title.

Playing with typical Tau’a’alo passion, power and energy, the monstrous middle forward has done well laying a platform for the Burleigh halves to play with space and time.

Throwing blows with his old school mate Tomasi Vaitai, Tau’a’alo has gone about his thunderous business with bruising implications for opponents.

Cooper Murphy (Bears)

Murphy’s deeds at hooker have been rock solid as they always are. Sporting bright pink headgear and skins, Murphy has scurried from A to B without a fuss or much error this season.

A smart player near the line, Murphy has lashed out with a few tries, a handful of try assists in close and textbook service from the feet of his forwards.

The Burleigh skipper kept his troops grounded and with laser focus in round 8 against the Jets, and all season long after a slow start.

Nixon Pasese (Dolphins)

A rising forward within the Dolphins’ NRL academy, Pasese has enjoyed one of his most consistent seasons of the last five years in 2026.

Fully healthy, fit and firing on all cylinders, Pasese has gone out with a bang in his final Meninga Cup campaign.

Operating as Redcliffe’s fearsome middle, Pasese has used his strength and mobility to move players out of his way and get a quick play the ball for hookers Amare Wynyard and Jhye Leis to pounce on.

Adam McSherry (Dolphins)

McSherry has long been a leading halfback in his age group. The difference this year is he is doing this away from home.

From Mackay, McSherry has moved to the Peninsula and his footy has remained at the highest standard despite being away from his family and friends.

Slotting the goals and setting up tries with a classy kicking game and astute passing, McSherry has lived up to the hype in his first season at Kayo Stadium.

Dyer Akauola (Devils)

Another top Dolphins prospect, Akauola has aimed up at prop in all eight games.

Starting in every one of them and playing big minutes, Akauola has been first chosen each week in a turbulent season for a Devils side always changing.

Akauola’s output hasn’t. He has been a strongarm prop with agility and skill to burn.

Romarion Tuitama (Devils)

Big Tuitama has puffed his chest out and channelled his best as part of Norths’ engine room. It has him primed for a big senior year at Wavell State High.

Used as a starting prop or lock and a middle forward marvel off the bench, Tuitama has held up his end of the bargain and rarely gone backwards in the tackle.

There are few that run as hard into contact as this Norths junior. Tuitama accelerates into his opposition and plays at full throttle.

Fletcher O’Doherty (Tweed)

O’Doherty’s deeds at Tweed have earnt him a call up into the Titans NRLQ side. This says everything about the season he has had.

Coming up from Newcastle where he was born and raised, O’Doherty became a favourite at the club after showing in the early rounds he was willing to work his backside off in training and in games to help the Tweed cause.

O’Doherty’s fend, offload, power and general presence has been top notch in attack. What has stood out most however has been his effort and involvement in defence.

The 18-year-old from the Dudley-Redhead Magpies junior club in south Newcastle has had a tremendous campaign.

Brodie Saunders (Tweed)

High work rate runs in the Saunders family. His brother Will, a hooker, has prided himself on this and Brodie has followed suit at lock with tireless, repeat efforts helping Tweed this season.

Saunders does a lot of the clean-up work in defence and has had to play out of position to help the Seagulls at times this season.

From local schoolboy rugby league nursery Palm Beach Currumbin, Saunders has maintained his high standards under PBC coach Sam Meskell.

Ethan Jackson and Mostyn Bowen (Magpies)

Every team needs a bloke like Ethan Jackson or Mostyn Bowen.

Jackson is the Magpies skipper who wears his heart on his sleeve and has quick feet and pace for a big man.

Bowen is his bruising middle forward counterpart whose match fitness has been impressive.

In an up-and-down season, the pair’s output has remained the same to ensure they are named at No. 8 and No. 10 respectively each week.

Zack Lotaki (Magpies)

A leading young player at Marsden State High coming through the ranks, Lotaki has lapped up exposure to older, bigger and more established players this season.

It is preparing the young lock well for the upcoming Langer Trophy season. Lotaki has had all bases covered in the middle, with his driving power through contact a standout trait.

Arguably Souths’ best on ground in their round 8 game against Tweed, Lotaki plays without fear and hits hard for a 17-year-old.

Hudson Bishop (Tigers)

Bishop is by no means quiet on the field. He has leadership qualities from the top of his bright headgear to the bottom of his boots and it shows in huddles.

But in a competition rife with elite hookers, Bishop is standing tall and playing strongly in a season of vast improvement.

Tough, uncompromising and always alert, Bishop has had his best junior representative season yet at Tigerland.

Jonah Wilde (Tigers)

In the wider channels, Jonah Wilde has also enjoyed a stellar campaign where he has not missed a game and been consistently good.

The club’s Connell Cup player of the year in 2025, Wilde has kickstarted his senior year at Brisbane Boys’ College in fine fashion by making a sound transition from lock to the second row.

A sponge at training and a very hard worker, Wilde has quietly gone about his business at a high level.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu (Wynnum Manly)

You won’t find many kids playing as much football as Perenara-Livapulu this year.

He has played every game for the Seagulls, at either centre or in the second row, and soon enough he will play for Mabel Park in the Langer Trophy.

All this training and game time has brought out the best in ‘JZ’ because his effort, turn of foot and ball carrying has never been in a better place.

Note his long-distance effort against the Blackhawks to prevent a try.

He stepped up defensively in Townsville and made that stunning chase-down tackle when his team was in the clear.

Tristan MacDonald (Wynnum Manly)

MacDonald has quietly had a stellar comeback season after having his 2025 senior year at Iona College wiped out with a shoulder injury.

After successfully rehabilatiting a shoulder reconstruction, MacDonald has earnt a start in all eight games so far and moved from the wing to centre in round 8 and played strongly.

For someone who didn’t play a game in 2025, MacDonald is making up for lost time by scoring tries for the competition leaders.

Jackson Clark (Pride)

Clark was having a cracking campaign up until breaking his hand against Burleigh in round 7. Despite this, Clark dtill turned up at training this week along with six other injured and impressive Pride players.

Clark’s unsung campaign was the product of a great off-season where he transitioned from hooker to lock.

Indeed Clark did not even get a game at this level last year but through sheer determination and great effort, he earnt his spot and has done a top job in a new position.

Miller Thompson (Falcons)

The Falcons’ ultimate utility, Thompson serves as the team’s tactical glue by plugging critical gaps anywhere on the field.

He punches well above his weight with a relentless, team-first intensity, consistently putting his body on the line to support his teammates.

A true coach’s dream, Thompson is the reliable engine who never lets the side down, regardless of the pressure and score line.

Originally published as Meninga Cup deep dive: 30 Quiet Achievers getting the job done for their team named here ahead of defining round 9