Kai O'Donnell explained

Kai O'Donnell
Birth Date:1999 2, df=yes
Birth Place:Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Height:181cm (71inches)
Weight:98kg (216lb)
Year1start:2020
Appearances1:4
Tries1:1
Goals1:0
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:28
Club2:Leigh Leopards
Year2start:2022
Year2end:24
Appearances2:43
Tries2:16
Goals2:0
Fieldgoals2:0
Points2:64
Club3:North Qld Cowboys
Year3start:2025
Year3end:present
Appearances3:0
Tries3:0
Goals3:0
Fieldgoals3:0
Points3:0
Source:[1]
Updated:5 January 2023

Kai O'Donnell (born 21 February 1999) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a forward for the Leigh Leopards in the Betfred Super League.

Background

Born 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

In 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 in their Grand Final loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.[8]

2020

In 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

On 8 April, O'Donnell signed a contract to join RFL Championship side Leigh.[12]

2023

In 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

He was highly praised by head coach Adrian Lam after scoring four tries in Leigh's 42-12 victory over Hull FC[16]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/kai-o--donnell/summary.html Rugby League Project
  2. Web site: Talent in Cowboys academy. 1 June 2016. Queensland Times.
  3. Web site: 2017 ASSRL 18 Years Championship guide. 7 July 2017. 18th Man.
  4. Web site: Five junior Brahmans picked in Cutters' squads. 6 February 2015. Whitsunday Times.
  5. Web site: Bears post opening MM Cup win. 29 March 2017. QRL.
  6. Web site: Super Cup debut for our Kai. 28 July 2018. Whitsunday Times.
  7. Web site: Watch trial live stream this Saturday. 21 February 2019. Gold Coast Titans.
  8. Web site: Canberra v South Sydney. 18th Man.
  9. Web site: Whitehead to captain Raiders at NRL Nines. 11 February 2020. Canberra Times.
  10. Web site: Raider 365 - Kai O'Donnell. 7 July 2020. Canberra Raiders.
  11. Web site: Parramatta beats Wests Tigers to claim third spot on NRL ladder, Panthers and Raiders score wins. www.abc.net.au.
  12. Web site: Leigh Centurions sign NRL forward Kai O'Donnell. www.leighjournal.co.uk.
  13. Web site: York Knights 14 Leigh Leopards 34: Plucky underdogs give Super League high-flyers huge scare on proud night. www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
  14. Web site: Josh Griffin: Hull FC centre gets seven-game ban after red card in Challenge Cup loss. www.bbc.co.uk.
  15. Web site: Leigh Leopards 2023 season in review. www.leighleopards.co.uk.
  16. Web site: Love Rugby League . 12 Aug 2024. Kai O’Donnell makes Leigh Leopards history as coach makes ‘best in Super League’ call.