By Casey OÇonnor
Timahna Tandy is a young man with rugby league talent and the drive and dedication to go after his goals.
Earlier this month, the 15-year-old former Warwick Eastern Suburbs junior signed a three-year contract with the NRL Redcliffe Dolphins Rugby League club.
While this was a significant moment for Timahna he sees it as just another step towards his goal of becoming a full time professional NRL player.
Tandy has a strong rugby league pedigree.
His father Coedie Tandy had a long and successful career in the Border Rugby League and TRL and in July 2022 was voted one of the top 17 Indigenous players in the TRL since 2010.
Coedie, a very proud father, said his son has worked hard to get where he is.
“In 2022, at 14 Timahna made the decision to leave the Eastern Suburbs Club, his teammates and family in Warwick and move to Brisbane,” Codie said.
“He was adamant he wanted to receive the best education possible and test himself in the stronger Brisbane competition.”
Timahna enrolled in Year Nine at Wavell State High School, one of Queensland’s elite Rugby League schools, and for the first term lived with a home stay family. A big move for someone so young.
Greg Inglis, Ashley Harrison, Sam Kasiano and current Dolphins recruit Kodi Nikorima are just some of the elite players who have come through the Wavell State High rugby league program.
The Warwick youngster was already in the Broncos system in Toowoomba and when he moved to Brisbane began training at Bronco’s headquarters at Red Hill.
He impressed Wavell High School coach Ben Colly with his training and work ethic and was selected as five eighth and the team’s goal kicker.
Tandy made the most of the opportunity and excelled, playing a big role in his team’s successes which included a third place in the prestigious Hancock Cup.
Glen Polsen coach of the local Division One under 14’s Norths Devils identified Tandy’s talent inviting him to join his squad. Polsen switched Tandy from the halves to fullback and his game went to another level.
In his first season with the club, he was the team’s highest point scorer, and second highest try scorer. The team finished the season undefeated Minor Premiers and won the Final against Wynnum Seagulls 40-16. Tandy scored one try, set up several others and finished the game with a clean slate with the boot.
Throughout the year he had many other successes including selection in the Velocity All-Stars, North Brisbane team in the Battle of the Bridge comepitition where he was named co-captain of the side.
Tandy caught the eye of several NRL club scouts including the Roosters, Redcliffe Dolphins and the West Tigers.
He was invited by the Roosters, Daniel Anderson to trial for the club in a game on the Central Coast.
Tandy scored two tries and set up others with his slick passing skills and running game. One try, an intercept said to be reminiscent of a play locals have seen many times from his father during his playing days in the TRL and BRL.
Warwick Cowboys old boy and club legend Peter Nolan was another keeping tabs on Timahna’s development and Nolan is now acting as Timahna’s football advisor.
The Warwick connection stretched even further.
After impressing the coaching staff at the Dolphin’s academy Mahna was called into a meeting with Kurt Richards and the legendary NRL coach of the Dolphins, Wayne Bennett.
Bennett and Richards invited Timahna to consider his future as a Dolphin offering him a three year contract.
After some discussion with his family, he signed the Dolphin’s contract once 1 January rolled around.
Timahna has been busy in the off season. He trialled for the North’s Devils, Cyril Connell under 15’s team and has been selected in the final squad, In the pre-season he trains four times a week with the squad.
“It has been a very busy time for Mahna between training with the academies, club footy and school footy,” Coedie said.
“There were a lot of late-nights, travel and training as well as study.
“He made a lot of sacrifices as he pushed himself to excel, and we are very proud of him”.
The young man has set himself some big goals in 2023. They include making the top squad for Cyril Connell competition (he is a year younger than most players); making the Wavell High School squad; a push for selection in the Metropolitan North team and Queensland selection mid-year.
Amid all this is a young man who has not forgotten that he began playing at six for the Tenterfield Tigers in a team coached by Chris Battersby and his late uncle Bruce Binge.
When the family moved to Warwick, he played for Hornets under 10’s and was coached by Robert Baguley and his father Coedie until he left for Brisbane.
Timahna Tandy has made great strides in his quest for a career in the NRL and while signing a contract is an exciting step forward, he knows he is faced with a long and difficult road.
He is ready he says for the challenges and hard work that lie ahead. He understands he must be consistent in his training and attitude both on and off the field if he is to reach his ultimate goal.
