Kai O'Donnell (born 21 February 1999) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the North Qld Cowboys in the NRL.
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Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 21 February 1999 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 181 cm (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 98 kg (15 st 6 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Second-row, Lock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [1] As of 5 January 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Background
editBorn in Brisbane, Queensland, O'Donnell played his junior rugby league for the Proserpine Brahmans and attended Proserpine State High School before being signed by the Gold Coast Titans.[2] While on the Gold Coast, he attended Palm Beach Currumbin State High School.[3]
Playing career
editIn 2015, O'Donnell played for the Mackay Cutters Cyril Connell Cup side.[4] In 2017, he played for the Burleigh Bears Mal Meninga Cup side and moved up to their Hastings Deering Colts side in 2018.[5] Later in 2018, O'Donnell made his debut for the Bears' Queensland Cup side.[6]
In February 2019, O'Donnell came off the bench in the Gold Coast Titans pre-season trial loss to the North Queensland Cowboys.[7] In April 2019, he made a mid-season move to the Canberra Raiders, joining their Jersey Flegg Cup side and starting at second-row in their Grand Final loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.[8]
2020
editIn February, O'Donnell was a member of the Raiders' NRL Nines squad.[9]
In round 9 of the 2020 NRL season, O'Donnell made his NRL debut for Canberra against the Melbourne Storm.[10]
In round 20, he scored his first try in the top grade during a 38-28 victory over Cronulla-Sutherland at Kogarah Oval.[11]
2022
editOn 8 April, O'Donnell signed a contract to join RFL Championship side Leigh.[12]
2023
editIn the 2023 Challenge Cup quarter-final, O'Donnell was sent off for a spear tackle in Leigh's 34-14 victory over York RLFC.[13] On 20 June, O'Donnell was given a six-game ban by the RFL over the incident.[14] O'Donnell played 22 games for Leigh in the 2023 Super League season as the club finished fifth on the table and qualified for the playoffs.[15]
2024
editHe was highly praised by head coach Adrian Lam after scoring four tries in Leigh's 42-12 victory over Hull F.C..[16] O'Donnell played 27 games for Leigh in the 2024 Super League season which saw the club finish fifth on the table.[17]
References
edit- ^ Rugby League Project
- ^ "Talent in Cowboys academy". Queensland Times. 1 June 2016.
- ^ "2017 ASSRL 18 Years Championship guide". 18th Man. 7 July 2017.
- ^ "Five junior Brahmans picked in Cutters' squads". Whitsunday Times. 6 February 2015.
- ^ "Bears post opening MM Cup win". QRL. 29 March 2017.
- ^ "Super Cup debut for our Kai". Whitsunday Times. 28 July 2018.
- ^ "Watch trial live stream this Saturday". Gold Coast Titans. 21 February 2019.
- ^ "Canberra v South Sydney". 18th Man.
- ^ "Whitehead to captain Raiders at NRL Nines". Canberra Times. 11 February 2020.
- ^ "Raider 365 - Kai O'Donnell". Canberra Raiders. 7 July 2020.
- ^ "Parramatta beats Wests Tigers to claim third spot on NRL ladder, Panthers and Raiders score wins". www.abc.net.au.
- ^ "Leigh Centurions sign NRL forward Kai O'Donnell". www.leighjournal.co.uk.
- ^ "York Knights 14 Leigh Leopards 34: Plucky underdogs give Super League high-flyers huge scare on proud night". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
- ^ "Josh Griffin: Hull FC centre gets seven-game ban after red card in Challenge Cup loss". www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Leigh Leopards 2023 season in review". www.leighleopards.co.uk.
- ^ "Kai O'Donnell makes Leigh Leopards history as coach makes 'best in Super League' call". Love Rugby League. 12 August 2024.
- ^ "Super League semi-finals: Wigan Warriors cruise past Leigh Leopards- live commentary and video clips". www.skysports.com.