Who to watch: Players of the Mal Meninga Cup qualifying finals

Four teams are vying for a place in this year's Mal Meninga Cup grand final, with the Tweed Seagulls, Redcliffe Dolphins, Burleigh Bears and Ipswich Jets the last sides standing.

Minor premiers Tweed will play host to Ipswich on Saturday in one qualifying final while the reigning premiers Redcliffe will take on Burleigh, also on Saturday.

The talent across all four teams has been something to behold this season, with a number of rising guns coming to the forefront.

Ahead of this weekend's do-or-die matches, here are some players to watch out for as they bid for the chance to play in the May 25 premiership decider.

Who to watch: Mal Meninga Cup qualifying finals

Bailey McConnell (Burleigh Bears)

The son of former Burleigh player Brent McConnell, the young playmaker has been instrumental in helping to guide the Bears to this year's qualifying finals.

After a pre-season with the Cup team, his coach Ben Linde said it was clear that he is looked up to within the Mal Meninga Cup squad and that's why he will be one to watch this weekend.

"He brings leadership," Linde said.

"He's just a natural leader. Guys follow him and listen to him. When he talks, they listen.

"I worked that out pretty early, that the guys had a lot of respect for him, so that's why we put him into a leadership role.

"On and off field, that's what he brings."

Five-eighth McConnell - who partners with Coby Black in the halves - scored a try in last week's elimination final victory over Wynnum Manly and also bagged a double in Burleigh's massive win over Wide Bay two weeks ago, and has earned a reputation as a tough competitor.

Brady Turner (Burleigh Bears)

Hailing from Murwillumbah, the hard-working prop has toiled away for the Bears this year.

Brought to Burleigh by coach Ben Linde, Turner is the type of player who "won't die wondering", making him a massive threat this weekend as the Bears push for the premiership decider.

A reliable forward, Linde said you know he will always give his best.

"Brady's work ethic in the gym, on the training paddock and then on the field, is very, very high. He sets very high standards," Linde said.

"Sometimes you see it for two or three weeks in a pre-season and it fades away but he's continuing to go to higher levels with his ethic.

"Give him something to work on and he does it. He won't die wondering, put it that way.

"He's a really good kid with a great work ethic. I chased him when I realised he wasn't affiliated to any clubs.

"I couldn't understand why he wasn't affiliated with or chased hard by anyone. He was someone I identified that I wanted to bring to the club.

"Being from Murwillumbah, the travel on that alone, for him to come to Burleigh, it shows a big commitment."

Nathan Fraser (Ipswich Jets)

In his first year in the No.9 jersey, Ipswich rake Fraser has succeeded.

The former half was moved into hooker by his Mal Meninga Cup coach Tye Ingebrigtsen and the move has paid dividends.

"He’s been our most consistent player week in, week out," Ingebrigtsen said.

"He’s become a really, really good dummy-half over the course of the 10 games we’ve played. He’s starting to get really familiar with the role and this year he’s been outstanding.

"Hopefully some clubs are looking at him or rep selectors looking at the work he's doing."

With Fraser only 18-years-old, he has another year of Mal Meninga Cup footy ahead of him.

But the young gun will be crucial this Saturday if Ipswich are to progress to this year's grand final ahead of the minor premiers.

"He has a really strong pass and kicking game," Ingebrigtsen said.

"We worked on his craft and he’s come along in leaps and bounds. He’s been awesome for us.

"His attitude around everything is great and his confidence. When I spoke to him about the positional change, he never questioned it and said, 'if you think that’s best, I’ll give it everything.'

"He’s just always had that willing-to-learn attitude."

Lyncoln Cliffe (Ipswich Jets)

A former Ipswich Grammar student like Fraser, Cliffe is also one of the younger members of the Jets' Mal Meninga Cup squad.

He enjoyed a Hostplus Cup pre-season with Ipswich heading into 2024 and has brought lots of experience back to the Under 19 level.

Ingebrigtsen expects the lock to lead from the front this weekend.

"After Christmas when he came to training with us in the Mal Meninga squad, his leadership was among the traits we noticed straight away," Ingebrigtsen said.

"Even though he’s only 18, he really had that professional mindset. It was awesome for the boys to have someone of his calibre drop back.

"I think he learnt a lot in that Cup pre-season... he’s a tough, competitive forward and he runs hard, tackles hard and has played a full game in the middle multiple times.

"He has a big motor and goes all day. He’s another player that hopefully, later down the track, there’s rep opportunities for him as well.

"He’s been one of the best forwards in the competition."

Tevita Naufahu (Redcliffe Dolphins)

The Queensland Rugby League's Round 1 "weapon" of the week, Naufahu has been in electric form for the Dolphins this year.

The centre's strike will be key this weekend against the Bears and coach Scott Tronc is laying out that challenge for the young NRL hopeful.

"He’s just one of those players who is starting to hit a bit of a form," Tronc said.

"I’m looking forward to him taking up the challenge in the final. He’s just come across this year to the Dolphins.

"He did pre-season with the Dolphins NRL. He’s just a real nice kid, a gentle-natured kid. He gets on with everybody.

"He’s had a couple of injuries along the way and it’s good to see he’ll be up and about there this weekend and getting his opportunity at that level of football."

Sam Stephenson (Tweed Seagulls)

A former Burleigh Bears back, Stephenson switched to Tweed this year in line with the Gold Coast Titans affiliation.

The centre - who attends Palm Beach Currumbin and is a Queensland Rugby League Emerging Origin squad member - has been a consistent leader for the minor premiers this year and coach Sam Meskell knows he will be a powerful force, particularly in attack, this Saturday.

"He’s a respected player in the team," Meskell said.

"He got an opportunity to do some pre-season with the Titans and has brought some experience back to our level.

"On the field, he’s more of a leader with his actions. He often gets our attack going with his size and his strength and he enables us to play off the back of him.

"He’s a game breaker."

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