Sunshine Coast Falcons head coach Brad Henderson previews 2025 Queensland Cup season

Sunshine Coast Falcons head coach Brad Henderson has highlighted what excites him most about his new-look squad and breaks down his key off-season recruits, rising stars to watch and aims for the 2025 season.

Sunshine Coast Falcons head coach Brad Henderson. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The Sunshine Coast Falcons will begin their 2025 Queensland Cup campaign this weekend with a new look squad and a greater sense of enthusiasm.

In what will be his fourth straight season at the helm, head coach Brad Henderson will be joined by Leon Cherry and Cam Boaza as assistant coaches.

“It’s a bit of a trip that it’s my fourth year already but it has been immensely enjoyable being able to work with the football and admin staff we have here at the Falcons, everyone here punches above their weight,” Henderson said.

The Falcons had the bye in Round 1 but their delayed start to the season doesn’t mean too much given Cyclone Alfred postponed all seven matches that were due to be played.

They will meet the Hunters in their opening match of the season and will be spurred on by the memory of the PNG side ending their finals run last season.

Their opening fixture will be one of 10 home games at the Sunshine Coast Stadium this season.

Prior to Saturday’s 5pm kick-off we caught up with Henderson to get the complete rundown on how his squad was shaping up.

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Pre-season takeaways

The Falcons waved goodbye to a number of players following the 2024 season with a handful signing deals to play in the UK Super League, some transferring to other Queensland Cup squads and others taking a step back from the semi-professional scene.

From the list of names damaging forward Caius Faatili has joined Wakefield Trinity, playmaker Luke Polselli is with the London Broncos, outside back Zac Miles has headed down the Bruce Highway to the Redcliffe Dolphins and club stalwart Louis Gereghty is returning to his local A-grade side the Maroochydore Swans.

Former Sunshine Coast Falcons player Luke Polselli in action. Picture: Nicola Anne Photography.

Following a busy recruitment period and an enjoyable pre-season, Henderson said it was once again a new look Falcons side.

“The only notable difference through the years is the playing rosters, there is always new faces, either recruited or graduating up into the HPC Cup squad,” he said.

“This year is not really any different as far as our roster goes, outside of our leadership group of Patrice Siolo, Sam Burns and Scott Galeano, this is a very young squad.”

“In fact, that’s been our recruitment and development strategy for quite some time now where we look to target young potential HPC level players that we believe can develop at a significant rate and that we believe could also go through to the NRL.

Sam Burns pictured after his 100th Sunshine Coast Falcons game last season. Picture: Nicola Anne Photography.

“Truth be told this is the only process we can financially afford to implement also.

“We simply can’t match with the cashed-up clubs we compete against when it comes to money.

“We also have a narrow focus on 2 high end recruits that we believe would develop further with a Melbourne Storm Preseason.

“Since losing our statewide under-21’s competition, our reliance on recruitment has increased significantly, because it is an enormous jump up from Mal Meninga Cup (Under 19’s) to Hostplus Cup and it is unreasonable to think we can expose many, if any of our better young players to that level just yet.”

Key Recruits

Despite the losses of their 2024 squad, the Falcons have welcomed just as many fresh faces to the nest for 2025.

Cooper Page-Wilson and Josh Billing headline the list after both players endured a 10-week pre-season camp with the Melbourne Storm.
“I will say our retention of quality players has me just as excited about the year ahead as our new recruits do.

“I don’t really like saying too much too early in the season, but as far as our recruits go, all signs are great.

“Cooper Page-Wilson in the middle and Josh Billing on the edge are two quality signings that I expect will excel in this environment,” Henderson said.

New Sunshine Coast Falcons signing Josh Billing.

Former Raiders signed halfback Mitch Henderson and rugby union convert Fletcher Spicer are also two exciting players to keep an eye on.

“I couldn’t be happier with the personnel we have brought to the club and I fully expect all our new faces to play some HPC through the year, how many games they play is up to them and their performances,” Henderson said.

2025 INS: Gideon Afemui (Woden Valley Rams), Josh Billing (Canberra Raiders), Samual Elara (Coolum Colts), Jett Elich (Melbourne Storm), Denver Ford (Gerringong Lions), Mitch Henderson (Canberra Raiders), Zion Johnson (West Brisbane Panthers), Takai Mokohar (Western Clydesdales), Blake Moore (Penrith Panthers Jersey Flegg), Neihana Oldham (Western Clydesdales), Cooper Page-Wilson (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Taj Ridley (Newcastle Knights), Jeremiah Schuster (New Zealand Warriors), Fletcher Spicer (West Bulldogs Premier Rugby), Drew Timms (Western Clydesdales) and Joseph Vite (Warwick Cowboys).

2025 OUTS: Matt Baker (Central Queensland Capras), Jed Bignell (Mackay Cutters), Caius Faatili (Wakefield Trinity), Louis Geraghty (Maroochydore Swans), Jason Gillard (released), Kane Jackson (Townsville Blackhawks), Poasi Manu (Norths Devils), Morgan McWhirter (released), Zac Miles (Redcliffe Dolphins), Harrison O’Toole (released), Kyle Paterson (medically retired), Javvier Pitovao (relocated to Sydney), Luke Polselli (London Broncos) and Joseph Price (Coolum Colts).

Rising stars to watch

With the statewide under-21s competition absent for the second straight year the Falcons have taken on a wider regular season squad, filled with emerging young talent.

“The obvious young standouts to me so far this season have been Harry Dwyer (middle forward) and Taine Couper (fullback and outside back),” Henderson said.

Noosa Pirates player Harry Dwyer in action. Picture: Herdo Photography

“Harry is yet to debut in HPC, but with his recent trial form and his stronger focus on his training and preparation, he is certainly looking as though he will get a debut.

“Taine is an incredibly competitive and skilful young outside back who made nine appearances in 2024 and has had an enormous pre-season so far so he’s another that will be a big part of our 2025 campaign.

“Kaleb Sutton is another young local player that I think is about to have his best season to date.

“The back end of 2024 was the best football we have seen from Sutto at this level and he has maintained those standards through all three trials and pre-season.

“He’s a cornerstone of our pack now.”

Falcons excitement factor

With the competition start point just days away Henderson said he was extremely eager to see what his side could produce.

“The excitement s in the unknown, but this is a seriously competitive, fast and physical group of young players that have completely bought into everything we have asked of or thrown at them,” Henderson said.

Sunshine Coast Falcons new recruit Denver Ford in action. Picture: Nicola Anne Photography

“For the last three years we have hung our hat on being one the better defensive teams in the competition, and that focus won’t change at all, but I’m asking for more physicality and a bit of brutality to go with what I think are already very good defensive processes.

“Add to that, we have recruited some really exciting players that I know can find us points either through the middle or on the edges.”

Season aims and expectations

Twelve wins and seven losses meant the Falcons finished in fourth spot in 2024 before losing in week one and week two of the finals.

Henderson said another top four finish was key if his side wanted to pose a real threat of reaching the grand final.

“I’ve got a lot of love and respect for the whole playing group after what was a great pre-season, but it all comes down to performance now and buying into the ‘team first’ mentality of being a good teammate. They’ve all got a job to do, and that is to ‘protect the nest’,” Henderson said.

“Our aim is always to be playing finals football and a top four finish is the best way to be a chance of playing in September.

“But it is a long year, and a lot of challenges will be thrown at us as it unfolds.

“I believe we have the squad depth to be able to deal with those challenges and hopefully have a bit of luck along the way.

“Any Coach will tell you that you need a bit of luck on your side, particularly when it comes to injuries but to answer the question, my aim is the top four and a premiership, my expectation is finals.”