We run the rule over every TRL A-grade side ahead of new season
SEASON PREVIEW: We run the rule over every Toowoomba Rugby League A-grade squad and rank their finals hopes ahead of 2025 season kick-off.
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Toowoomba Rugby League with a Saturday ‘triple header’ kicking off the Hutchinson Builders A-grade season.
Warwick play host to Brothers, Valleys square off with rivals Gatton and Pittsworth will face Highfields on Saturday April 5.
Here’s our look at every club and squad and their finals hopes.
DALBY DIEHARDS
Coach: James Galligan
Captain: Dylan Taylor
Key star: Chris Woodbridge
Rundown: Finishing the 2024 regular season in fifth and beaten 56-26 by Warwick Cowboys in the semi-final, Dalby never reached the lofty heights of their 2023 premiership winning season.
The Diehards lost a fair chunk of experience and forward firepower in the off-season but more than few young players have made the move junior Devils prospects to senior stars in recent years.
There is also the Chris Woodbridge Factor. The back-to-back Shane Webcke Price medal winner makes any team he’s in an instant title contender.
Tip: Top 5 and a serious title push.
Ins: Geoff Prince (Warialda)
Outs: Flynn Kaiser-Capewell (Clydesdales/Brothers), Danny Wassell (Jandowae), Max Brady
(knee reconstruction) Mike Gaur (Jandowae), Blake Mara (Work)
Squad: Chris Woodbridge, Geoff Prince, Dylan Taylor, Alexander Dunemann, Hunter James,
Max Brady, Matthew Drews, Xavier Manley, Max Brady, Bailey Rathmell, Sam Fermor, Ryan
Welsh, Lyucian King-Togia, Joey Sankey, Connor Sullivan, Andrew Champney, Toby Harms,
Joe Gillett, Brodie Wright, Charlie Cooper, Wil Brady, Albert Dynevor, Josh Chappell, Fletch
Prendergast
BROTHERS
Coach: Scott Schultz
Captains: Cory McGrady and Sam Betros
Key stars: Cory McGrady and Sam Betros
Rundown: After more than a few years lost in the TRL A-grade wilderness Brothers are slowing finding their way home.
After committing to a ground up rebuild Brothers have been increasingly competitive and consistent in recent seasons.
Active in the off-season they have been in a solid of experienced and proven competitors and some handy young guns.
The signing of Cory McGrady from cross-town rivals Valleys is arguably the biggest coup of the TRL off-season and he will no doubt form a lethal attacking partnership with prodigal Brothers ‘son’ Sam Betros who is home after a few seasons with Valleys.
Tip: If the club’s new signing gel quickly and effectively they will push for the number five spot and a finals berth.
Ins: Corey McGrady, Sam Betros Josh Keoller, (Valleys), Harry Sterling (Kingaroy), Lachlan
Kennedy (Evans Head), Jeffery Lingwoodock (Wellington Cowboys), Mal Sandow (Brisbane
Wests), Jack Leigh (Melbourne) Jacob Mouatt (Wattles), Jackson Lenzo (Wynumm) Brock
Patti, Hayden Ensbey, Nick Carrie (Warwick) Darcy Carswell (Highfields), Flynn Kaiser-
Capewell (Dalby) Josh Keoller (Valleys)
Outs: Ash Taylor, Tony Clevin (Oakey) Jarryd Dodd (Retired) Jacob Robinson (Valleys)
Squad: Riley Wockner, Jarred Brewer, Michael Cochrane, Braden Leigh, Jeffery
Lingwoodock, Dwaine Jacobs, Sam Betros, Corey McGrady, Lachlan Kennedy, Wade Austin,
Braith Clark, Jacob Mouatt, Oliver Chaffey, Harry Eyers, Jack Leigh, Simi Ata, Brock Patti,
Hayden Ensbey, Darcy Carswell, Flynn Kaiser-Capewell, Jackson Lenzo, Nick Carrie, Harry
Sterling, Josh Keoller, Mal Sandow, Patty Muir, Jacob Mundy, Ashton Wilson
HIGHFIELDS EAGLES
Coach: Steve Haywood
Captains: Kyle Betros and Cory Haywood
Key player: Cory Haywood
Rundown: Highfields have been stuck in the midtable for a few seasons now. The club has always had a solid core of players and great young talent but have struggled for wins. They beat the teams they needed to beat last season but struggled against the top sides.
Tip: The Eagles should finish midtable again this season who knows what their season could look like with a few upset wins though.
Ins: Curtly Hammond (Valleys), Tallis Murray (Sunshine Coast), Dave Woodbridge (Sunshine
Coast), Samuel Dowling (Oakey), Dillon Sullivan (Nanango), Hugh Clarke (Dalby), Dylan
Flanagan (Gatton), Vinnie Law (Cherbourg), James Pere (Western Clydesdales)
Outs: Darcy Carswell (Brothers/Clydesdales), Luke Cesari (Melbourne Storm) Cooper
Bowyer (Pittsworth), Ted Stuart (Pittsworth) Kai Thompson (Rugby Union), Danny Dean
(work), Lachlan Thom (work), Josh Croft (work), Josh Fanning (retired) Jack Tranberg (retired)
Squad: Curtly Hammond, Tallis Murray, Dave Woodbridge, Jake Brauer, Alex Brighton, Diesel Bergsma, Dylan Flanagan, Cory Haywood, Dillon Sullivan, Shannon Elara, Sam Dowling, Josh Quinlan, Kyle Betros, Lachlan Fanning, Ryan Fisher, Maling Likio, Hugh Clarke, Connor Nicholls, James Pere
GOONDIWINDI BOARS
Coach: Callum Skinner
Captains: Jack Pattie and David McGrady
Key players: David McGrady and Jack Patti
Rundown: The Boars haven’t been the same since breaking a 16-year drought to win the premiership in 2021. However they have been a fairly competitive outfit in that time. Boisterous home crowds and the Glen, Brayden and David McGrady will make the Boars a tough team this season.
Tip: Just outside the top five.
Ins: Glen McGrady (Brisbane Norths Devils) and David McGrady, Liam Close, (Warialda).
Brayden McGrady (Redcliffe Dolphins) Malik Woodbridge (Texas Terriers)
Outs: Travis Waddell (Fassifern Bombers)
Squad: David McGrady, Glen McGrady, Brayden McGrady, Malik Woodbridge, Dallas
Dennison, Ronnie Duncan, Dion Sandow, Liam Close, Jack Pattie, Noah Gafa, Aaron
Robinson, Hugh Wilkes, Jed Kindt, Tyrell Swan, Kahn Jarrett, Brady Martyn
PITTSWORTH DANES
Coach: James Quinn
Captains: Tom O’Sullivan and Alex Kahler
Key players: Tom O’Sullivan and Alex Kahler
Rundown: 2025 is shaping up as the year of the ‘Great Dane’. Last season will go down as the one that got away with for the Danes who finished in sixth – seven points behind Dalby. Things could’ve been a lot different though with the losing to Dalby by four and two points and six points to Highfields. The side also drew two games which proves they were a legitimate finals team. With a returning core of veterans leading a young fit squad the Danes will be a hard team to beat.
Tip: It’s finals time – Pittsworth are primed to crack the top five in 2025.
Ins: Ted Stuart, Cooper Bowyer (Highfields), Harry Cooke, Stuart Free (returning).
Outs: Laurie Jocumsen (Injury)
Squad: Alex Kahler, Alex Sinclair, Ashley Steel, Blair Wright, Blake Cullen, Cameron Millar,
Clay Dempsey, Cody Evans, Cooper Bowyer, Darby Manktelow, Dom Briggs, Ethan Brose,
Harry Cooke, Jed Garratt, Jordan O’Shea, Kyle Brose, Lachlan Thompson, Liam Ruhle, Liam Short, Nick Nairn, Patrick Quinn, Ryan Cattarin, Scott Hunter, Stewart Free, Ted Stuart, Tom O’Sullivan, Zac Kahler
WATTLES
Coach: Travis Burns
Captain: Nick Van Der Poel
Key players: Dwayne Duncan, Austin Jennings
Rundown: The green and gold Warriors have been the ‘team first’ footy benchmark for a few years now and this season will be no different. Coach Travis Burns has built a team that will be tough to beat right across the park. Sidelined by a knee injury last season the return of Austin Jennings is basically a brand new signing for Wattles and Dwayne Duncan is an exciting addition. Wattles have plenty of star firepower but the club is more known for its team first play.
Tip: A legitimate contender for the premiership
Ins: Dwayne Duncan, Alex Hinch, Jackson Shelswell (Valleys), Daniel Jennings, Ryan Kelly-
Payne (Fassifern), Connor Williams (Western Clydesdales/Souths) Tom Ramsey
(Highfields), Adam Tuimavave – Gerrard (permit with Ipswich Jets)
Outs: Jacob Mouatt (Brothers), Jackson Green (retired), Brayden Paix
Squad: Matt Christensen, Mitch Bourke, Connor Williams, Tom Ramsay, Alex Hinch, Dwayne Duncan, Tommy Hatch, Alex Donn, Ryan Kelly-Payne, Tyson Stevens, Jackson Shelswell, Nick Van Der Poel, Daniel Jennings, Jacob Leach, Cooper Tate- Roche, Dom Whittingham, Adam Tuimavave- Gerrard
GATTON HAWKS
Coach: John Flint
Captains: Ben Haviland and Luke Self
Key players: Luke Self, James Robinson, Joshua Lee
Rundown: The Hawks will need to fly high to avoid what is sure to a passionate and committed pack of teams eager to knock the premiers off their perch. Having retained the bulk of their title winning squad and strengthened with some key stars including former junior James Robinson and a few players with Brisbane and Ipswich league experience the Hawks will be the benchmark again this year.
Tip: Grand finalists and premiership chance.
Ins: JJ Wilson (Jets), James Robinson (Wynumnn) Brad Zampech (Ipswich Jets), Jake Self
(Newcastle)
Outs: Tye Gray (injury)
Squad: Yet to be confirmed with TRL media team.
VALLEYS ROOSTERS
Coach: Josh Barnett
Captain: TBC
Key player: Denzel Burns
Rundown: You’d have to dig deep into the history books to find a Valleys off-season like the one the Pillar Street club have just gone through. The Roosters lost a huge contingent of top tier talent including Cory McGrady, Sam Betros and Dwayne Duncan with their ‘out list’ looking a lot bigger than the ‘in list’. Write the Roosters off at your own risk though – they’ve always been a top club and know how to win when it matters.
Tip: Just outside the top five.
Ins: AJ Ma Chong, Wes Anamu (Oakey)
Outs: Dylan Chown, Jon Palavi (Valleys), Sam Betros, Josh Kellior (Brothers), Dwayne
Duncan, Alex Hinch, Jackson Shellswell (Wattles),
Squad: Yet to be confirmed with TRL Media.
WARWICK COWBOYS
Coach: Col Speed
Captain: Brandon McGrady
Key players: Jake Speed, Brandon McGrady
Rundown: The Cowboys had one of the best runs in TRL history starting last season with 14 straight wins (13 outright wins and a Newtown Lions forfeit) and finished the regular season with the best attack and second best defence. You can expect more of the same this season with coach Col Speed building another solid team.
Tip: Top 3 and a legitimate premiership threat.
Ins: Jeremiah Tatupu (NZ) Luke Pollock (Fassifern), Brandon McGrady (Warialda) Tavita
Schuster (Burleigh Bears), Charlie Christensen (Fassifern) Nate Davies (St George), Connor
Larkham (St George), Jackson Lepou (Currumbin)
Outs: Joseph Vite (Sunshine Coast Falcons), Nick Chapman (retired) Nick Carrie
(Clydesdales/Brothers), Brock Patti (Clydesdales/Brothers), Hayden Ensbey
(Clydesdales/Brothers), Josh Robinson (Valleys) Tui Oloapu (Retired), Byron Creighton
(Brisbane Brothers), Mitch Wilson (Retired), Caleb Murphy (Work) Patrick Conn (Knee Injury)
Squad: Jake Speed, Jone Rarabalavu, Tom Bell, Patrick Losefo, Jason Schirnack, Harry
Sullivan, Dan Conn, Luke Pollock, Brandon McGrady, Tavita Schuster, Charlie Christensen,
Nate Davies, Connor Larkham, Jackson Lepou, Ben Sullivan, Alfred Vite, Jayden Newbould
OAKEY BEARS
Coach: Ash Taylor and Lee Addison
Captain: TBC
Key players: Dylan Chown, Tony Clevin, Ash Taylor
Rundown: Plenty of teams will be worried about bear attacks this season and for good reason. Oakey were arguably the biggest force in the off-season player market snapping up some of TRL’s best talent from a number of clubs. And forget about the shock departure of new coach Alan Kilshaw just months into his ‘stint’ with the team – it’s certainly a negative for the club but with so much experience and talent in the squad new coaches Ash Taylor and Lee Addison should have no problems getting the team rolling.
Tip: The competition smokies – if they can win a few games early the Bears will claw and maul their way up the table. Sixth place or maybe even finals.
Ins: Dylan Chown, Jon Palavi, Harry Burns, Angus Taylor (Valleys), Fine Fiangaa (Ipswich),
Tony Clevin, Ash Taylor, Damon Anderson (Brothers), Richard Murray (Newtown)
Outs: AJ Ma Chong, Wes Aumau, Salafuauli Falelua-Malio (Valleys)
Squad: Dylan Chown, Jake Edwards, Dylan Court, Joey Alberts, Charlie Adams, Tony Clevin, Ash Taylor, Harrison Burns, John Palavi, Fine Faingaa, Damon Anderson, Angus Taylor, Joey Eising, Kaleb Cooper Cam Hewitt, Richard Murray, Semu Sasulu, Christian Bond, Jacon Lingwoodock.
SOUTHS TIGERS
Coach: Brendan Wilson
Captains: Luke Maiden and Haydan Lipp
Key players: Haydan Lipp, Luke Maiden
Rundown: The Tigers have shown steady improvement the last few seasons but have unfortunately struggled against the big teams. The addition of Haydan Lipp is a massive coup for the Tigers with the ex-Ipswich Jets Hostplus Cup star bringing experience, a calm head and attacking prowess.
Tip: Mid table
Ins: Hayden Lipp (injury) Coby Fechner Tate McCormick.
Outs: Ben Cook Connor Williams
Squad: Angus Hearn, Anton Hearn, Anton Bolton, Braith Ashurst, Brandan Byles, Ben
Howard, Cameron Matheson, Coby Fechner, Dane Nillsen, Darnell Blades, Haydan Lipp, Jack
Fogarty, Jake Durrie, Jett Day, Jordan Crocker, Josh Lee, Kuwanon Dickman, Kye Wilson, Kyle Jarvis, Kyle Petersen, Liam Dawes, Luke Maiden, Matt Simpkin, Milo Bolton, Mitchell
Matheson, Mitch Murphy, Pat Sanderson, Raey Cotti-Widders, Riley Wilson, Russell Fletcher, Tait Cameron, Tate McCormick, Tom Fry, Wally Pegler
Originally published as We run the rule over every TRL A-grade side ahead of new season
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