Best 'Player to bank on' in 2021?
The Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup competition has showcased some of the best under 18 talent across the state.
Each round of the regular season, one player was highlighted as the Auswide Bank 'Player to bank on'. Vote now for who you think was best; voting closes Monday at 3pm.
Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup 'Player to bank on'
Round 1 - Dudley Dotoi
Townsville Blackhawks centre Dudley Dotoi was dangerous with the ball, scoring two tries, during his side's 48-10 win over Mackay Cutters in Round 1. Throughout the regular season, Dudley secured a double every time he played, with six tries in three games. Coach Stephen Sheppard said "Dudley is an excitement machine who looked dangerous every time he touched the ball".
Player to bank on - Dudley Dotoi
Round 2 - Ragarive Wavik
Townsville Blackhawks fullback Ragarive Wavik scored four tries in Round 2 during his side's 66-0 win over Northern Pride. Coach Stephen Sheppard said "Ragarive is a very smart footballer who understands the game well and he’s a great leader to have around the group".
Player to bank on - Ragarive Wavik
Round 3 - Toby Strecker
Mackay Cutters centre Toby Strecker scored a hat-trick during his side's 44-10 Round 3 win over Northern Pride. Coach Nick Swan said said Strecker, who scored five tries during the regular season, was "a very good team player". "He’s pretty loud and vocal and is a great guy to have around the group because he makes all of the boys feel comfortable," Swan said, adding "he’s a big, strong, fast kid that understands footy plus he is really coachable and takes feedback on board".
Player to bank on - Toby Strecker
Round 4 - Cassius Cowley
Wynnum Manly Seagulls halfback Cassius Cowley scored a hat-trick during his side's 42-18 win over Norths Devils in Round 4. Coach Jesse Maclean said "on field, Cassius is just scratching the surface of his capabilities". "He missed half the pre-season and yet each game he has just gotten better and better... he is a ball running half with a great kicking game," Maclean said. "Off field, he is a very hardworking, humble, polite and respectful kid and is a credit to his family the way he carries himself.”
Player to bank on - Cassius Cowley
Round 5 - Ryan Hargreaves
The Sunshine Coast Falcons talent scored a whopping five tries and kicked three goals during his side's 76-0 win over Wide Bay Bulls in Round 5. Coach Danny Gray said Hargreaves, who scored nine tries during the regular season, was "a pretty quiet, unassuming, shy sort of kid but he’s a really hard worker who’s developing really well". "Being a bottom age Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup player, he will be really exciting again next year, " Gray said. “In the game against the Wide Bay Bulls, he was in the right place at the right time and he kept putting himself in the right place.”
Player to bank on - Ryan Hargreaves
Round 6 - Tom Duffy
The Townsville Blackhawks young gun scored a hat-trick and kicked seven goals during his side's 56-0 win over Northern Pride in Round 6. Duffy scored four tries during the regular season and kicked 29 from 36 goals; he was best in Round 2, kicking 11 from 11. Coach Stephen Sheppard said "Tom is a very smart footballer who has great vision and excellent game management".
Player to bank on - Tom Duffy
