TRL TALK: Are unbeaten Warwick Cowboys the real deal this year?

With round 6 of the Toowoomba Rugby League wrapping up here’s our look at the major talking points – including why Warwick Cowboys are the real deal and the young stars leading the charge for the region on the elite stage.

David Armstrong scores for the Newcastle Knights against Wests Tigers. Picture: Getty Images

The 2024 Toowoomba Rugby League season is only six rounds old but it is already shaping up as one the best in recent memory.

At the weekend two Hutchinson Builders A-grade sides sent warnings to their rivals with impressive wins and an unlikely club sits atop the Toowoomba Sports Club women’s ladder.

Ahead of this weekend’s competition wide bye round as TRL celebrates the NRL’s Magic Round in Brisbane here our biggest talking points from round 6.

Woodbridge is back

The 2023 Webcke Price Medallist is back to his electrifying best.

Compared to his dazzling early season form last year Woodbridge 2024 start was slow – scoring just four tries in his first two games – with a round three washout halting his progress.

Woodbridge has been unstoppable in the last three rounds though scoring eight tries.

The lightning quick fullback’s best effort was a 90m intercept try just three minutes into his side’s clash with Gatton Hawks at the weekend.

The Dalby Diehards star now leads all try scorers with 12 four pointers in five games.

Warwick the real deal

The Cowboys sent ripples through the A-grade competition with a key win at the weekend.

Up against perennial TRL powerhouses Valleys Roosters, the Cowboys went home to Warwick with a 30-16 win under their belts on Saturday night.

Coach Col Speed’s side hit the ground running this season – kicking off the year with an easy 48-14 win over Newtown Lions before beating longtime rivals Wattles Warriors 38-14.

The Cowboys are unbeaten in six matches this year having scored the most points of any team (252) points and conceded the least (76).

With a settled squad able to freely score points, a steely defence and wins over Wattles and Valleys already this year the Cowboys look like the team to beat.

Gatton also made a big statement in round 6 – beating defending premiers Dalby Diehards 42-16 away from home.

Action from a Reserve Grade match between Valleys and Southern Suburbs earlier this season. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Stiff competition

Just three points separate second placed Dalby and seventh placed Southern Suburbs in Reserve Grade.

Dalby have thrilled their fans this season averaging 54.5 points a game (327 in total) but they sit behind the unbeaten Warwick Cowboys who are a perfect six from six this year.

The depth of competition across the board is amazing and no team is assured a win in Reserve grade this year.

Kaden Buhse scored another try for Western Clydesdales at the weekend. Picture: Benny Hassum Photography

Brothers lead charge

It’s no surprise to see Gatton Hawks sitting at the top of the TRL Women’s competition.

The Hawks have won every premiership since the competition was introduced in 2021 and are the standard every club measures themselves by.

They are unbeaten this season, winning four from four, but sit second on points difference.

After sitting out the 2023 season due to a lack of player numbers – Brothers currently hold top spot in the competition.

The Hursley Road club have been impressive this year winning four of their five matches with their only loss at the hands of Gatton.

There’s still a long way to go but Brothers, who are averaging 30.5 points a game, can keep up their early form it will be great for the competition and the club’s title hopes.

Rising stars

Two of the Darling Downs and South West Queensland’s brightest stars proved themselves on ‘grand’ stages at the weekend.

In the NRL former Goondiwindi Boars star David Armstrong scored another try for the Newcastle Knights in their 20-14 win over Wests Tigers.

Closer to home Kaden Buhse scored again for the Western Clydesdales.

Buhse, who scored in his Hostplus Cup debut against Redcliffe Dolphins in Round 9, opened the scoring against Souths Logans Magpies on Saturday.

The talented young winger has now scored in consecutive games for the Clydesdales.

Originally published as TRL TALK: Are unbeaten Warwick Cowboys the real deal this year?