Defending premiers show ominous form in opening A-grade rounds
The 2025 TRL season is only three-weeks-old but there have already been plenty of flashpoints. From early premiership contenders to fallen giants here’s our look at the TRL Talking Points, including an early title tip.
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Three rounds of the TRL competition are in the bag and preseason is a distant memory.
Heading into Round 4 of the season here’s our look at the major talking points from the Hutchinson Builders A-grade men’s and Toowoomba Sports Club women’s competition.
Ominous Hawks soar
Just months after lifting the 2024 premiership trophy Gatton Hawks officials were back at work preparing for their club’s title defence.
Re-signing key players and bringing in new talent from Brisbane and beyond, including bringing a few talent stacked juniors home, the Hawks knew they would be playing with a massive target on their backs.
So far the Lockyer Valley club have taken the smallest hits – conceding just 10 points across the first three all of which came in five minute period against Southern Suburbs Tigers.
It’s very early days but Hawks already have a firm hand on the trophy.
From jersey 1 through to 17 the Hawks are a competitive and dangerous outfit.
Proof of their strength is the fact that Leonard Thomas leads all pointscorers this season despite starting on the bench.
Averaging 54.6 points a game they have scored 164 to date.
Alarming for the rest of the competition Gatton’s unbeaten run includes a 68-0 hammering of Dalby Diehards in round 2.
The Hawks are flying and with winnable matches against Oakey and Brothers in the coming weeks they could easily get a big early jump on their rivals in the title race.
A Round 5 clash with Wattles, who are also unbeaten after three games, will give us a true idea of just how good Gatton are.
Right now though it is Gatton’s title to lose.
Dynamic duo
Alongside ladders leaders Gatton – Wattles and Brothers are also unbeaten in their first three games of the season.
It’s not unusual to see Wattles at the top of the table but Brothers are a different story.
The Hursley Road have been slowly rebuilding over the past few seasons adding key figures on and off the field in a bid to return to their glory days.
Up against a winless Souths this weekend – Brothers have a real opportunity to go 4-0 before a Round 5 bye.
The Brethren are looking good this season but will need to sharpen up their defence having conceded 58 points to date while scoring 104.
Wattles are in a similar boat scoring 132 and letting 52 points in with coach Travis Burns no doubt keen to see his side tighten the defensive reins.
Fallen giant
Valleys are a traditionally tight-lipped club in the off-season – quietly going about their business as they prep for the season ahead.
However this off-season was different with no even a rumour or whisper involving the club – only a mass exodus of top players.
Seemingly short of players Valleys have struggled winning just one from three and conceding 96 points in the process.
The next three weeks – Goondiwindi, Warwick and Highfields – will be crucial for the Roosters.
Wonder women
All signs point to one of the most exciting women’s season in recent memories.
Defending premiers Highfields sit in fourth and competition benchmark Gatton languish in seventh place just a point ahead of last-placed Dalby.
Surprise packets Brothers lead the comp ahead of Valleys and Oakey in a sign of just how much the women’s game has strengthened in recent years.
It’s anyone’s game this year and league fans should expect a season full of twists and turns.
Originally published as Defending premiers show ominous form in opening A-grade rounds
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