SCGRL: Open Women’s 2024 season preview
Ahead of round one Sunshine Coast rugby league women’s head coaches have lifted the lid on their pre-season, team expectations and key players for the 2024 season. Read the full preview.
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With kick-off looming, every Sunshine Coast open women’s rugby league head coach has uncovered their off-season takeaways, season aims and players to watch.
In 2024 the women’s season will kick off slightly earlier than the A-grade, reserve grade, C-grade and under-19s season, with round one beginning on March 16 and the grand final being played on the first weekend of August.
The rest of the senior divisions will begin on April 6 and play their grand finals on September 14.
The women’s competition has been reduced to six teams this season with Gympie and Nambour folding but Maroochydore stepping back into the ring for the first time since their 2019 premiership.
Kawana Dolphins mentor Geoff Wheeler is also the only competition head coach to be returning in 2024 and will be looking to go back-to-back following his side’s 14-4 grand final victory against Caboolture last season.
The SCGRL have also made the decision this season to have three widespread bye rounds for the Easter Long Weekend (March 30-31), NRL Magic Round (May 18-19) and the 47th Battalion (July 13-14).
Ahead of round one the Daily caught up with each team’s head coach to find out how pre-season had gone, their 2024 competition aims and which players they believe are ones to keep an eye on.
KAWANA DOLPHINS
Head Coach: Geoff Wheeler
2023 Result: Premiers
Pre-season Takeaways: “I gave the girls a fair amount of time off because last season we went for about 11 months, which paid off but they needed a well earned rest. Ever since we’ve been back we’ve had a great squad and great commitment so I’m very happy with what’s gone on so far.
Why they’ll be competitive: “We’ve got pretty much the base of what we had last year plus added a few extra guns and there’s also eight BMD and five under-19s with the Falcons currently. For our depth that’s really really good and with that shortened season it will be a matter of working the squad around our opposition each week.”
Season Aim: “We want exactly what we got last year. I think we’re a stronger side this year but in saying that I think the competition will be stronger as well. If we can get our full side on the paddock we’ll be very very competitive.”
Key Players: “One of our new recruits is Courtney Lockwood from Beerwah, she adds a lot of experience to our halves. We’ve also got Malia Ting who in my opinion is BMD standard. She’s always been an awesome player but lacked a bit of commitment in the past so she’s really turned that around and everyone saw in the 9s how damaging she was. I’m very excited for her and we also got Shae Holliday, she’s an under-17s Queensland player so she’ll be great. Obviously all the girls with the Falcons but one I’m really looking forward to getting back is Remi Hinckesman. She’s playing lock at the moment but last year was her first year of rugby league and I have never seen anyone take to the game like she did. She’ll be learning so much more in the company she’s in at the moment so she’s another exciting one for us.”
NOOSA PIRATES
Head Coach: Barry Goldthorpe
2023 Result: Fifth
Pre-season Takeaways: “It’s all been really good, we’ve got 20 players on the books at the moment and we’ve pretty much been getting that many turning up to every training session. There’s also a few with the Falcons currently and one with the Brisbane Tigers who are still to come back so it’s all been positive so far.”
Why they’ll be competitive: “I’ve watched these girls and been around them since they entered the competition so although it’s my first time coaching them I’ve made a few positional changes that I think will benefit the team. Our trials have been good and our performances in the 9s were solid as we have a slightly new dynamic this season.”
Season Aim: “Everyone wants to win it all, we want to be better than what we have been in recent seasons. We seem to just miss out on finals every other year so our main goal is to get ourselves in that top four to give ourselves the best chance of making that big dance.”
Key Players: “There’s a few new girls that are really picking up the skills and rules pretty quickly. I’ve actually been quite surprised with how they’ve been going which is great but those positional changes have been and will be pretty key. Kat Anderson is slotting in a hooker this year and Keara Woods will play in the halves. They’ll join Allyce Garrett who’s the other half so our spine will be pretty crucial and should gel really well with out already strong forward pack.”
MAROOCHYDORE SWANS
Head Coach: Rob Brough
2023 Result: N/A
Pre-season Takeaways: “It was a slow start because we didn’t really know how many players we actually had. We started with four and for a while to be honest we didn’t think we’d have a team but it kept expanding and then just in the last few weeks we’ve picked up a handful more players. We’ve got a lot who are new to the sport, some are from different sports and others that are travelling right down from Maryborough and Bundaberg. We’ve slowly developed a squad and now we’re building a team.”
Why they’ll be competitive: “The best thing about the group is that they’re all having a go and giving it their best effort. You never know where that hard work and commitment will take you but from my perspective the first thing you’re after is a good attitude and someone who wants to keep getting up and having a go. We seem to have a number of girls in our squad that are determined to get the best out of their game which is exciting.”
Season Aim: “We just want to be the best we can be based on the preparation we have. Whatever that brings will be up to us.”
Key Players: “We will hopefully get a few back from the Falcons but even with the squad we have currently there’s some good smart rugby league players. Jade Shuttlewood, Laura Birklimore, A’Eisha Jeffs are some keys ones and then Georgia Bartlett and Teagan Vaughan were promising in the 9s carnival as well. I love that because you can talk footy with them, we can discuss how we want to play and they understand and bounce their thoughts and ideas around as well. I think that’s important because you want them to own the team and I’ll be relying on them to implement the game plan we want to play with.”
CALOUNDRA SHARKS
Head Coach: Danny Joiner
2023 Result: Third
Pre-season Takeaways: “It’s been a bit up and down this year with numbers and the Falcons girls away. It’s my first year coaching the girls but there’s a solid influx of new players so there’s a good mix in our squad this season.”
Why they’ll be competitive: “I’ve been watching and following for a few years and from what I’ve seen they have plenty of heart and club spirit. I think that gets them a long way because they’re very gritty and passionate so although it’s new to me I’m very excited.”
Season Aim: “A top four spot and semi-finals would be really good for us I think. The girls fell short last year but if we can go one better it gives us a shot at making the grand final which is everyone's goal really.”
Key Players: “We’ve got about three or four local Caloundra players currently with BMD so they’ll come back, there's a few others we've been allocated and then I think there’s three under-19s that will be competing to play open women’s. Sky Antoniolli is one I’m keen to get back, there’s a lot of chat around her so it’ll be exciting to have her in Caloundra colours. Then it’s going to be the usual suspects like Ella-J Harris, our captain and leader, Makayla ‘Betty’ Henry who I personally think is the best fullback or even best player in the women’s competition.”
CABOOLTURE SNAKES
Head Coach: Shane Powell
2023 Result: Second
Pre-season Takeaways: “The big thing for me has been the real mixture of ladies we have in our squad this year. We’ve got a number of players that have been playing for a while but then we have some new younger players and some others who have come back after some time off. Everyone’s gelling really well, especially because I think those players who might've played in their younger years, took a step back for work or family, have now come back due to the popularity of the sport and those females doing something for themselves.”
Why they’ll be competitive: “The girls made the grand final last year and unfortunately went down so that’s a driving force but it’s also a hard one to explain because on paper there’s 10 players that haven't returned from last years side. We were a bit worried about getting numbers but we’re in the mid twenties and the season hasn’t even started so that’s a good sign. We’ve got that mix of talent and experience which will make us competitive for sure.”
Season Aim: “We’re just looking at taking the season week-by-week. I don’t like to set to many goals, I’d rather focus and making sure we’re improving each week and achieving those smaller goals each round or even each training sessions. I think we have the base to make it to the grand final again.”
Key Players: “I think we’ll get four players back from Falcons BMD and then I don’t really like to single anyone out or name names. We’re a team and that’s our strong suit.”
BEERWAH BULLDOGS
Head Coach: Ray Ballantyne
2023 Result: Fourth
Pre-season Takeaways: “At the start of last year the numbers were down due to retirement, players moving away and that sort of thing but we built the team okay. We’ve had a really positive take from all of the players that are there and have had a few players return as well that haven't played for a while. The commitment level, drive and competitiveness has been really good so it’s quite exciting to be a part of.”
Why they’ll be competitive: “To con the phrase we are in a building process so what excites me the most is what’s still to come. With the path we’re on and how we’re tracking, we’ll be competitive this season as we tighten up our skills and put some plans in place for how we want to play.”
Season Aim: “I think we’ll get four definite and maybe two others come back once BMD and the under-19 representative season wraps up. We’ll be competitive that’s for sure and whatever results come this year is a bonus as we strive for bigger and better things at the back end of this season and into the next.”
Key Players: “Shanae Gray, Jordan Jackson and Annette Brander are all still with us once they finish up with the Falcons so they’ll be massive ins. Jordy is a fantastic hooker, has great service of the footy and is just exciting to watch. We know what Annette can do and then Shanae has had a real lift up and come into her own this year. She’s very fit at the moment and will be a powerhouse for us through the middle. Reegan Hicks will come back to us as well, she had a fantastic debut season and I’m not the only one to say it but she’s got a very big future in women’s rugby league.”
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