Sunshine Coast rugby league players prepare for footy fight night

A handful of Sunshine Coast rugby league talents will step into the ring this Saturday in a bid to back up their on field chat and walk away with the ultimate bragging rights. See what each fighter had to say.

Fighters taking part in Saturday's event. Pictures: P4P Promotions Instagram.

Sunshine Coast rugby league, Aussie rules and boxing stars will come together this weekend for an exhibition fight night at the Caloundra RSL.

Local players will be looking to back up their on field chat after the Maroochydore Swans launched their Swans VS The Rest Footy Fight Night Supremacy event.

Hinterland Boxing Club owner and P4P Promotions founder Stephen Pitt said the event first came about after being approached by Swans President Jack Dreger.

“I first met Dreger when I coached him as a junior Sunshine Coast Falcons player and he reached out with the idea and a number of keen Maroochydore players that wanted to step into the ring,” Pitt said.

“Once we had some fighters we started to ramp it up in terms of promoting, social media posts and respectful opponent call outs.

“It got some good traction from the other Sunshine Coast clubs and we’ve now been able to lock in six male and one female fight for the evening as well as an exhibition bout between intercontinental featherweight champion Dana Coolwell and amateur champion Jackson Thomas.”

Hinterland Boxing Club owner and P4P Promotions founder Stephen Pitt alongside star boxer Dana Coolwell. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The eight fight card will be held on Saturday October 5 at the Caloundra RSL.

Pitt said he was excited for the inaugural event.

“Things can get heated on the field but fighting is meant to happen in the ring so everyone that’s fighting is keen to put their hand up, have a crack and put on a good show,” Pitt said.

“They’re all competitive athletes on the field but now want to partake in the experience of training, preparing for a fight, walking out to music, stepping into the ring and throwing a few punches in front of family and friends.

“It’s also a good opportunity for clubs, players and supporters to come together and socialise whilst cheering for their club in a different setting.

“It’ll be a great evening of footy fight night supremacy and ultimately, key bragging rights.”

Final tickets for the event are available here.

Ahead of the action, we caught up with the fighters stepping into the ring.

TOM GERAGHTY VS MARK STIMSON

Swans A-grade captain Tom Geraghty, 31 will face Caboolture forward Mark Stimson, 35 in the main event with both fighters eager to put on a show.

Q: What made you want to get in the ring?

Geraghty: “There’s been chat about it all season at Maroochydore and so being a proud clubman and captain I felt like it would be a good opportunity for me to help out where I can. I honestly don’t know what to expect, I’m someone that loves a challenge which is why I wanted to give it a crack.”

Stimson: “This will be my first fight, I’ve been doing some boxing training on the side for about six months as a bit of a fitness push and have really enjoyed it. The opportunity came up to actually have a fight and I thought why not.”

Q: How do you think your fight will play out?

Geraghty: “I know Mark is a handy player but don’t know too much about him other than that which makes it a bit of a surprise package fight. I’m pretty open to it all, I have no clue how it’s going to go but hopefully it’s a good fight and a great night for everyone.”

Stimson: “Tom is a bit heavier and a bit taller than me which will make it tough. I think I’ve got to be smart about it and can’t just go in all guns blazing but I think it should be a good fight and hopefully after we feel each other out a few bombs will go off.”

CODY BUTTON VS SEATON REID

Swans young gun Cody Button, 20 will welcome Coolum Colts star Seaton Reid, 28 into the ring on Saturday night with both fighters throwing some friendly jabs in the lead up.

Q: What made you want to get in the ring?

Button: “I’ve never boxed before, I’ve done a fair bit of martial arts and things like that so I was pretty keen once I heard about the fight night.”

Reid: “I’ve always done some training in the gym but I’ve never had a fight before. Dreger reached out and got me on board but I guess I enjoy the competitiveness and physical contact so just thought why not. I’ve got to get surgery on my knee too afterwards but I’m still feeling good and fit so I thought why not go out with a bang before resting and recovering properly.”

Q: How do you think your fight will play out?

Button: “I’m hoping it will be quick but we’ll see what happens. They’re hyping him up a fair bit so we’ll look to shut that down I reckon.”

Reid: “I think Cody will be tough, he’s a country lad but I think I’ve got him in the first round. I’m hoping for an early stoppage for sure.”

KAILUM FREEMAN VS KEIRAN WHITEHEAD

Kailum ‘Buddha’ Freeman, 26 has thrown his hand up to match it with Coolum reserve grader and experienced amatuer boxer Kieran Whitehead, 24.

Q: What made you want to get in the ring?

Freeman: “I’ve got no idea to be honest. I started training in the gym after footy season last year so I think it would be cool to experience the whole fight night environment. I like pleasing people so hopefully I can give them what they want.”

Whitehead: “I boxed a fair bit as an amatuer, I’m not sure on the certain amount but it would be around 30 fights I reckon. I’m jumping back in the ring this time for some fun and to dust the gloves off. I want to prove to myself that I can still do it but also raise some money for Maroochydore and put on a good show.”

Q: How do you think your fight will play out?

Freeman: “I’m not too sure, I know my opponent has had about 40 amatuer fights so he’s got a fair bit of experience. I just want to try and pressure him as much as I can to then land a few big shots. I won’t be boxing him that’s for sure, it’ll be a proper scrap. Good luck to him.”

Whitehead: “I just love getting in the ring so it will be cool if our fight can be entertaining and even go the distance so it’s enjoyable for the crowd. I want it to be an even match up so everyone enjoys themselves as much as they can.”

BAYLEY BARTON VS JAMES COSTELLO

This fight will be a battle of backrowers with Swans 22-year-old Bayley Barton coming up against Colts enforcer James Costello, 29.

Q: What made you want to get in the ring?

Barton: “I’ve never boxed before, I didn’t even know how to throw a punch until recently but I’ve played for Swans since I was a kid and thought this idea was a great opportunity to raise some money for the club. It’s hard to explain how it’s all been for me, after a full footy season I felt I was going to be really fit but that’s been the biggest difference by far. It’s something you never really get prepared for how tiring it is and then on top of that you’re getting punched in the face. In saying that though it’s been good fun so far and as it gets closer I’m getting more and more excited but also nervous.”

Costello: “I’ve never had a proper fight before but my younger brother Matt plays for Maroochydore and he mentioned Bayley didn’t have a fight partner and pushed me to put my hand up. It’s been a very different experience compared to training and playing footy but it’s been a lot of fun as well so I’m looking forward to it.”

Q: How do you think your fight will play out?

Barton: “I know he’s heavier and older than me so at the end of the day I don’t think I’ll have the power to knock him out. I’d like to go in there and rattle him as much as I can so if that happens and I can land some hits to finish him or just go the distance and win on points that’d be great.”

Costello: “I just want to get in there and land some big shots I guess. I haven’t really planned too much into it all, just excited for the challenge and to see how I go.”

REI BALLINGER VS KALEB COOLWELL

Fresh off a Beerwah Bulldogs A-grade premiership, Kaleb Coolwell, 23, is hoping to emulate his older brother Dana’s form in the ring when he comes up against Swans hardman Rei Ballinger.

Q: What made you want to get in the ring?

Coolwell: “I’ve never had a fight, always trained at the gym for cardio and fitness but never anything too serious. I just saw the opportunity to try something new and be a part of the experience so I’m excited to give it a crack.”

Ballinger: Was unavailable for comment prior to publishing.

Q: How do you think your fight will play out?

Coolwell: “To be honest I was fully focused on the grand final before switching my attention to the ring a lot more recently but I think I can come away with the win. I’ve got a bit more weight on him and I’m a bit taller which will help.”

Ballinger: Was unavailable for comment prior to publishing.

JAMES LESTER VS DAMIEN JOHNSON

After numerous pull outs, Swans reserve grade player James Lester will face Glasshouse Hinterland Lions player Damien Johnson in a cross-code showdown.

Q: What made you want to get in the ring?

Lester: “This is my first time jumping in the ring but I’ve always enjoyed the sport so it’s something I’ve always wanted to give a crack. I originally had a fight against Harry Tombs from Toowoomba Valley Roosters but he pulled out due to injury which made me try and call out a few people. I kept getting online and getting into different people but unfortunately they weren’t game enough to accept so now I’m in a cross-code fight against Damien from the Hinterland Lions.”

Johnson: “I’ve had a handful of amateur and a few professional fights now so I took this exhibition fight to help Pitty out. He reached out and explained the situation and asked if I’d be keen to jump in and move around with one of the Swans boys which I’m looking forward to.”

Q: How do you think your fight will play out?

Lester: “I’m expecting it to be really tough, the more I train the more I realise the harder it’s going to be. Hopefully I can get in there and get on top of him early to come away with the win.”

Johnson: “I’m honestly just taking it as a bit of fun, it’s nothing too serious and the night as a whole should be fun for the fighters and the spectators.”

LAURA BARKLIMORE VS SACHA DRYDEN RYAN

In the female matchip, Swans fullback Laura Barklimore, 27, will contest 35-year-old professional boxer Sacha Dryden Ryan.

Ryan has had over 40 amautuer bouts before making her two professional fights but after a lack of opportunities this would be her first fight since July 2022.

Q: What made you want to get in the ring?

Barklimore: “I was asked during the season by Jack Dreger if I wanted to do a fight night for the club and after a bit of hesitation I thought why not. If it helps raise money for the club I’m all for it.”

Ryan: “I’ve been really struggling to get fights at my level as a professional as people making their pro debuts don’t want to fight me because of my amateur record and then on the other side there’s no point for the higher ranked pros to come down and fight me. A win for them against me wouldn’t benefit or reward them so I took this fight because no one else wanted it and it’ll be good to blow the cobwebs off and move around in a much more relaxed setting.”

Q: How do you think your fight will play out?

Barklimore: “I’m hoping I don’t get knocked out to be honest. Sacha is a pro and I’ve only ever really hit the pads at UBX and had a few sparring sessions at HBC. I’m hoping to put on a show for the crowd and put my training from HBC to work. Pitty, Alex and Dana have been amazing leading up to this weekend and we are all very appreciative of the experience, knowledge and support they’ve shown. I’m excited for Saturday and excited to see if we can do it all again next year.”

Ryan: “I’m honestly just happy to jump back into the ring, be under the lights and move around. Pitty has always been a great ally to myself and my coach Israel (Kani) so everyone wins here I think.”