Noosa Dolphins, Caloundra Lighthouse and Nambour Toads claim 2024 Sunshine Coast rugby union titles
The 2024 Sunshine Coast rugby union champions have been decided as we highlight the major moments, key players and deciding factors. Read each match as it happened.
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The champions have been crowned and the celebrations have begun as the Sunshine Coast senior rugby union premiers have been decided for 2024.
After Maroochydore were able to edge out Nambour 25-3 in the Cricks Cup third-grade grand final on Friday night, the remaining six teams took to the field on Saturday at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
We were there to cover all of the action from play-by-play moments, game-breaking talking points and standout players.
Brothers vs Nambour – Senior Women’s
Brothers started hot and confident as they smothered Nambour inside their own 22m with constant defensive and attacking pressure.
The Toads were finally able to break out of their own half thanks to some nice runs from wing duo Dianne and Jennifer Ludewig before the Toads scored the first try of the match off the back of a regathered charge down.
That try only reignited the fire for Brothers as they rolled down the field before Lydian Alo-Emile was too hard to stop close to the line.
The trend continued as the two teams approached halftime as Brothers pinned Nambour deep in their own half but the Toads wide players were too quick to catch as Dianne Ludewig stormed away down the left-hand touchline for a wonderful full-field try.
The 14-5 scoreline flattered Nambour as the teams returned for the second half but it was Queensland Reds rising recruit Bliss Wilkins who barged over to shorten the gap to four points.
Brothers kept control of the footy and field position and after a few rolling phases they were able to complete a lovely team try.
With time ticking down Brothers had a one-point lead and after continuous penalties against Nambour, Brothers extended their lead thanks to a penalty conversion from fly half Maria Gabriela Graf.
It was a back and forth battle in the middle of the park for the final five minutes and with less than two minutes remaining Nambour thought they had scored the winner but their final pass was ruled forward.
As time ticked down, Brothers knocked the ball on which gave Nambour a final chance to score and it was some fancy footwork from Laura-May McGovern who beat her defender before stretching out to score the winning try.
The Toads claimed a 21-18 To make it three straight premierships.
Head coach Luke Zeremes said he was extremely proud.
“I feel we really wasted the first half, we had the wind behind us, our message was to take advantage of some field position and we didn’t do any of that,” he said.
“We knew if they got inside our 22m they would score so we invited that pressure and made it really hard for ourselves.
“Once we started to play with some good field position, they started to fade, I think we used our reserves well and started getting some good momentum off the back of some penalties which piggy backed us well.
“I’m over the moon, it would’ve been hard to lose that one but at the same time Brothers deserved the win based on the way they’ve played all season.
“We stuck to our mantra of self belief which really shone through in those final minutes.
“A big shout out to Brothers who have been outstanding all season and we know they’ll be back for sure.”
Player points rating:
3 - Bliss Wilkins (Brothers)
2 - Madison Collins (Nambour)
1 - Madison Pomerenke (Brothers)
Noosa vs Caloundra – Reserve Grade
It started as a tense battle between both sides with neither wanting to give an inch.
After back-to-back errors from Noosa it was Caloundra big man Suliano Mainavolau who sliced through the gap before throwing a dummy pass and scoring under the posts.
Noosa were quickly able to roll down the other end of the field and it was halfback Matthew Hasler who jumped out the back of the ruck before stepping off his inside foot and diving over.
Noosa’s Conrad Trotman was sent for 10 in the bin as Caloundra’s Todd Camm converted a penalty goal from in front.
Neither side were able to capitalise on the increasing wind conditions but Noosa were able to hit back thanks to a lovely team try which started on halfway.
Inside centre Jay Moffat threw a lovely inside ball to number eight Max Skinner who burst through the gap before drawing the fullback and passing to halfback Matt Hasler in support for his second of the match.
The teams returned from the halfback break with the scores locked at 10-all before the Dolphins rolled down their end with some good phases before Moffat burrowed his way over close to the line.
The kick was unsuccessful yet again as the wind continued to wreak havoc for both sides.
With ball in hand Caloundra looked dangerous as they played smart, conservative footy to roll down the field before Mainavolau scored his second try of the match and the conversion from Camm was successful.
The Lighthouse held a two-point lead before a mishap from the Dolphins in their own 22m, Caloundra struck through the smarts of Harry Mills who darted out from the back of the ruck and made it a 24-15 scoreline.
The Dolphins had their chances in their attacking half but failed to capitalise when it mattered as Caloundra kept the trophy at an arm’s length.
Caloundra kept defending and kept kicking the ball down the other end but the Dolphins remained persistent as they fired plenty of shots at their opposition.
A knock-on in the backfield from the Dolphins quickly changed the momentum for Caloundra as Camm converted his second penalty conversion of the match from just over half way.
With less than a minute to go Noosa were finally able to break through after some great hands from Flynn O’Connor put them over in the corner.
Noosa’s conversion attempt was off to the right as the referee called full time with Caloundra winning 27-20.
Caloundra captain Luke Frisby, who remained on the bench after being ruled out with a head knock in the elimination final, was overcome with emotion following the win.
“It’s absolutely unreal, we’ve worked so hard for this and it’s been a long time since we last had success,” he said.
“There’s so many great people behind us so this victory means a lot to everyone.
“I didn’t have to do much today but the boys showed a lot of heart which I’m really proud of.”
Head coach Ben Thelwall was proud of his side’s efforts.
“It was a hot, hard game and we Noosa was going to come hard as they always do,” he said.
“They beat us twice this year but we had some good momentum coming into the finals.
“Luke (Frisby) is a massive part of not only our team but our entire club.
“It is unfortunate he couldn’t take to the field today but we wouldn’t be here this season without him.”
Player points rating:
3 - Todd Camm (Caloundra)
2 - Suliano Mainavolau (Caloundra)
1 - Ben Condon (Noosa)
University vs Noosa – A-Grade
The stage was set for a cracking A-grade grand final and Noosa were quick to get on the front foot as Josh Munro went over to open the scoring in the first three minutes of the match.
The Dolphins forward pack started with plenty of aggression as they were able to out-muscle the Barbarians big lads.
As the Dolphins strung together some strong phases it was New Zealand recruit Gideon Kautai who was able to beat his opposite number before diving over close to the line.
The minor premiers red-hot start continued with Ben Rogers crossing for Noosa’s third-straight try as they extended the lead to 19-0.
Tensions continued to rise from both sides as it eventually boiled over with referee Rohan Hoffmann sending Noosa’s Ben Ashman and USC’s Tom McKee to the sin bin.
Dolphins fly half Joey Caputo showed his class with the boot once again as he knocked back-to-back penalty conversions to further extend the lead.
The Barbarians finally found some footy and some decent field position as they barged over for their first of the match.
The teams resumed the second half with the scores 27-7 but it was USC who flipped the script to barge out of the gates and score two quick tries.
The Barbarians had momentum on their side as they found themselves just six points down but Noosa were quick to respond as they piled on some goal line pressure in front of the USC faithful.
Some good scramble defence from USC meant Noosa opted for the penalty kick from right in front as they pushed the scores out 30-21.
With 10 minutes to go the Barbarians remained on the attack and despite some inspiring Noosa defence it was USC who crossed the stripe to make it a two point match.
A crucial USC turnover saw them kick down the field well before winning the lineout and a second penalty from a rolling maul.
Barbarians were making some dents in the Dolphins defence but the minor premiers stuck strong in the middle as time ticked down.
The Dolphins were awarded a penalty just in front of halfway and in their final few plays the referee called full time with the score 30-28.
Noosa head coach Jim McKay joked it must’ve been a poor halftime speech on his behalf.
“We’ve got a lot of respect for University, I take my hat off to them for what they’ve been able to achieve but we let them back into the game in the second half,” he said.
“They clawed back really well, it took us plenty of heroics late on as we were down on our knees but very proud of the effort from everyone.”
Dolphins captain Levi Shaw echoed his coach’s comments.
“When we get excited for some reason we just go away from our structure and game-plan,” he said.
“Everyone just wants to shift the footy or go for the glory play but we defended really strong.
“I’ve been at Noosa for three years now, my first few were pretty rough and sometimes not super enjoyable for everyone but we hit the reset button with Jim coming in and his control on not only the team but the whole community has been unreal.”
McKay said it was nice to reflect on a full circle moment.
“I’ve achieved a lot of great things at the top but every moment like this is very special and it’s been a terrific season for the club,” he said.
“It’s been a privilege to be a part of club rugby again and I’m very thankful for the support I’ve received.”
Player points rating:
3 - Gideon Kautai (Noosa)
2 - Ben Rogers (Noosa)
1 - Levi Wairau (USC) and Jock Hanson (Noosa)
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