Ranked: Six of the biggest names who currently feature in Queensland Cup
There are some big name players who feature regularly in Australia’s Queensland Cup, with some Super League clubs having already recruited from the NRL reserves division.
Incoming Castleford recruit Nixon Putt has made 20 appearances in 2023 with Central Queensland Capras, and will fulfil his ‘dream’ upon his move to Super League.
Hooker Liam Horne also featured for Norths Devils before being picked up by the Tigers.
Leeds boss Rohan Smith previously coached Norths Devils, with the likes of Tyrone Roberts and Robert Lui most recently featuring in the competition.
Here are six more big names that have made more than 10 appearances in the Queensland Cup this year, with the play-offs now underway.
Ben Hampton
Former Melbourne Storm playmaker Ben Hampton has been a regular for Townsville Blackhawks, and his experience could be of interest to Super League clubs.
Hampton, 31, had made 117 appearances in the NRL but his contract with North Queensland Cowboys expires at the end of the season, having featured just once in the 2023 campaign.
He made his debut with Melbourne Storm in 2013 and went on to make 35 appearances under Craig Bellamy.
Jordan Pereira
The Brisbane Broncos winger scored twice on his first NRL appearance of the year against Melbourne Storm in Round 27, suffering a 32-22 defeat.
He is off-contract at the end of the season, with 12 tries in 45 NRL appearances, having started his career with St George Illawarra Dragons.
The 30-year-old has featured 20 times in the Queensland Cup this year with the Souths Logan Magpies, who claimed second spot on the table and recently secured their place in week two of the finals.
Dunamis Lui
The one-time Queensland representative has been plying his trade with the Redcliffe Dolphins in 2023 with 14 appearances.
At 33, the forward is coming towards the end of his career, having made 173 NRL appearances across stints with Brisbane Broncos, Manly Sea Eagles, St George Illawarra Dragons, Canberra Raiders and New Zealand Warriors.
Robert Jennings
Having joined the Dolphins under Wayne Bennett for their inaugural season in the NRL, outside-back Robert Jennings has found more game time in the Queensland Cup this year.
Redcliffe Dolphins reached the play-offs, but fell short in the first week to the Falcons.
Jennings, 27, has made 74 NRL appearances with Penrith Panthers, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers. He also represented Tonga in 2018.
Brendan Elliot
Former Leigh outside-back Brendan Elliot has made 15 appearances for the Blackhawks in 2023, crossing for six tries.
The journeyman utility has featured 72 times in the NRL, and played for then-Centurions back in 2021, having been forced to wait to make his Super League debut due to a nine-month injury sustained with Manly Sea Eagles.
He made 11 appearances in England, scoring three tries and remains off-contract at the end of 2023 with the North Queensland Cowboys Cowboys.
Edrick Lee
With 73 tries in 133 NRL appearances, Edrick Lee is arguably one of the biggest names in the Queensland Cup this year, playing for the Capras.
The former Canberra, Cronulla and Newcastle winger joined the Dolphins for 2023 on a two-year deal, with cousin Brenko Lee previously linked with a Super League move.
30-year-old Edrick Lee has scored 14 tries in 15 Queensland Cup appearances this year. His side face Falcons in week two of the play-offs.
RUMOUR MILL: Leeds Rhinos target NRL half-back; Huddersfield exit all but confirmed; Ken Sio’s Salford future