Vote for the Cyril Connell Cup weapon of the year

UPDATE: Burleigh Bears centre Caleb Cresswell has taken out this year's weapon vote. Full article on QRL.com.au tomorrow.

The next generation of male rugby league stars have been on show in the Cyril Connell Cup for the past two months.

Over the seven weeks of the regular season, the talent of the Under 17 competition has shone through, highlighting the promising future of the game in Queensland.

Each week, one player was highlighted as the "weapon" of the round, celebrating some of the performances in the Cyril Connell Cup.

Now, as attention turns towards the upcoming finals series, it is time for the fans to decide which player deserves the title of "weapon of the year".

Voting is open now and closes on Monday, April 8 at 5pm, with the winner to be announced the following day on Tuesday, April 9.

The nominees - based off the weekly winners - are below.

Cyril Connell Cup weapons

Round 1: Jared Horne (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)

The barnstorming lock burst into Round 1 ready to get his season off to a red hot start. In a commanding 28-12 victory over the Tweed Seagulls, Horne was hard to handle, smashing his way through 116 run metres with 10 tackle busts and one line break. He earned a try for his destructive efforts with the ball in hand and also recorded one offload and 14 tackles.

Round 2: Santino Pekepo-Tevaga (Tweed Seagulls)

In a Round 2 bounce back, Tweed notched up their first win of the season with a 26-10 victory over the Brisbane Tigers. Key to this was centre Pekepo-Tevaga who ran riot. A real metre eater, Pekepo-Tevaga proved difficult to stop and bagged a double to help his side get the two points.

Round 3: James Grey (Norths Devils)

Speedster Grey hit the accelerator in Round 3 of the Cyril Connell Cup, with Norths racing away to a massive 40-10 win over Tweed. A breakaway Grey scored a double against the Seagulls and set up another try, while also amassing 133 run metres. Grey also notched up four tackle breaks, three line breaks, one line break assist, an offload and 10 tackles.

Round 4: Shaun Elara (Western Clydesdales)

It was a very impressive all-round performance from lock Elara in Round 4 of the competition. Not only was he a wrecking ball in attack - with the Sunshine Coast Falcons struggling to bring him down - but he aimed up in defence, with one particular try-saver helping his table-topping Clydesdales secure a 32-22 win.

Round 5: Charlie Dickson (Redcliffe Dolphins)

It was a narrow win for the Redcliffe Dolphins in Round 5. In a preview to what fans can expect in the first week of Cyril Connell Cup finals, the Dolphins and Souths Logan Magpies went to battle, with Redcliffe pipping them at the finishing line 16-14. Dickson's role in this was massive - two tries, 114 run metres, seven tackle breaks, two line breaks, one offload and 20 tackles.

Round 6: Adam McSherry (Mackay Cutters)

Young Mackay fullback McSherry blitzed the opposition in Round 6, with a standout performance in both attack and defence. With fast feet, McSherry danced and dodged his way to two tries, 115 run metres, eight tackle breaks and two line breaks, and made 10 tackles as well, showing up for his teammates close to the line.

Round 7: Caleb Cresswell (Burleigh Bears)

The Bears and Cresswell ended their 2024 season with a bang. Not only did Burleigh notch up a 36-0 victory over close rivals, the Tweed Seagulls, but centre Cresswell scored a stunning four tries to go above and beyond in his role for the team.

Vote for your Cyril Connell Cup weapon of the year