Penrith District Rugby League season preview: Ultimate guide to the 2025 season
The Penrith District RL season is scheduled to kick off in April, and with plenty of changes across the board we preview each club starting with Brothers, Colyton and Minchinbury.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Local footy is back, and the best A-grade talent are gearing up for another season in the Penrith and District Junior Rugby League.
In a major change, newcomers Riverstone replace Glenmore Park in a nine-team competition that is scheduled to kick-off in early April.
In the countdown to round 1 of the Don Feltis Cup, we profile every club to see how they’re shaping up starting with Brothers, Colyton and Minchinbury.
BROTHERS
Captain: TBA
Coaches: Damien Lane, Nikolas Savage
Home ground: Parker Street Reserve
Major new signings: PJ Tevaga (Berkeley Vale), Raymond Mikaele (Ryde-Eastwood SS), David Faaeteete (Wentworthville SS 2023), Eddie Wulf (rugby union)
Major departures: Harrison Reid-Porter (Colyton), John Hanson (Cambridge Park), Brendan Randall (Emu Plains), Braidan Goodchild (Hills Bulls RMC)
Players to watch:Siaosi Huihui turned heads midway through last season. Tall and explosive, the long striding former Tongan rugby international showcased his sevens skills, scoring seven tries in limited appearances. Still learning the game, he’s only going to get better.
Brothers might have lost some upfront grunt, but they won’t be lacking size with the arrival of Eddie Wulf. A genuine skyscraper, the mobile lock brings experience and leadership following stints in the Manly pathways and Shute Shield rugby.
Well travelled utility forward PJ Tevaga returns to Brothers after spending last season on the Central Coast. Equally effective at lock or hooker, his rise through the ranks from the Penrith pathways includes time in Sydney Shield.
Of the young brigade, Cooper Bonney and centre Ejaya Agbere have been earmarked to step up from under-19s.
Surprise packet: Nudging two metres, David Faaeteete is difficult to miss. Played for Wenty a couple of seasons ago and his size and strength are sure to be a valuable addition.
Why they will be competitive: After a slow start last season, Brothers turned the corner and charged into the finals in fourth spot. While they’ve lost several big names, co-coach Damien Lane is confident of a strong showing in 2025.
“Some players have left and quite a few have moved to Sydney Shield, but we’ll still field a pretty strong side,” said Lane.
“Nathan Jones and Jaxon Savage are among a core of key players returning from last year and we’ve gained quite a few experienced players to cover for those who have moved on.
“Our trial results don’t look great on paper but we used those games to give 40-45 players a run. I can’t wait for the season start, and we’ll get a better guide how the top squad is shaping up during the opening rounds.”
Opening three rounds: TBA
Last season: Quarter final
COLYTON COLTS
Captain: Ben Bragg
Coach: Todd Councillor
Home ground: Cec Blinkhorn Oval
Major new signings: Harrison Reid-Porter (Brothers), Lifi Tiakalifi (Minchinbury)
Major departures: Shaun Va’alepu (South West Goannas), James Ross, Kohen Wright (Newcastle competition), Billy Thompson (St Marys SS)
Players to watch: Fullback Jesse Poulsen almost carried the Colts to the premiership last year. Electric on his feet, the dynamic No.1 was named player of the grand final in the Colts’ two-point loss to Emu Plains.
The arrival of Harrison Reid-Porter from Brothers provides depth in key positions. A gifted playmaker, he orchestrated a couple of important come-from-behind victories last season, and has the ability to cover in the No.9 jumper.
Inspirational skipper Ben Bragg is always one to keep an eye on around the ruck. Always in the thick of the action, the hooker often backs himself from close range and finished last season with seven tries.
Workaholic prop Leslie Kini got better with every outing in 2024 and is once again set to become the cornerstone of the Colyton pack.
Surprise packet: Edge backrower Ravuama Akauola is an unknown quantity. Brought up on rugby union in New Zealand, he’s done all the hard stuff in the pre-season and is shaping up to make a big impression.
Why they will be competitive: With a record that includes 12 seasons guiding the St Marys juniors, Todd Councillor takes over the reins from departing coach Scott Thompson who is now assistant for Penrith in the NSW Cup.
“The boys had a cracking season last year, and with the bulk of the squad returning everyone can’t wait to go again,” said Councillor, who coached the Blacktown Red Belly Warriors for three seasons.
“There’s some new faces, but we’ve still got Jayden Murphy-Hinton and Damon Finn running the show in the halves. Everyone is getting around each other and we’d like to replicate the connection the boys showed throughout their finals run last season.”
Opening three rounds: TBA
Last season: Runner-up
MINCHINBURY JETS
Captain: Carl Winterstein
Coaches: Ryan Jones, Gavin Dunn
Home ground: Federation Forest
Major new signings: Brad Pittman (St Patricks)
Major departures: Royvirianthy Faimanifo (St Marys)
Players to watch: Rising young half Jayden Kouka has already caught the eye of respected judges and is currently honing his craft with St George in SG Ball. A Jets junior, he’s expected to make the No.7 jumper his own following the retirement of club legend, Ryan Jones.
The arrival of Brad Pittman is a welcome addition. A tireless defender, the reliable middle forward can also cover at dummy half.
If you missed vision of Tuafale Aiomalaga last season, you’re missing out. An absolute beast from close range, the 23-year-old wrecking ball made a habit of scattering defenders on his way to the tryline.
Surprise packet: A young hooker, Ben Spiers is expected to make the transition from U19s this season. Knows how to control the ruck and is nippy behind a dominant pack.
Why they will be competitive: The Jets finished with the wooden spoon last season, but they caused plenty of surprises with a belated surge in the closing rounds. In 2025, Ryan Jones joins Gavin Dunn in the coaching hot seat as they aim to get the majority of last season’s squad heading in the same direction.
“The focus of the pre-season has been on bringing up players from C-grade (U19s),” said Jones.
“We haven’t really made a point of recruiting big names. We want to continue improving on what the boys produced at the end of last year. The squad have worked through a tough pre-season and have made a big effort in buying into the culture of the club”
Opening three rounds: TBA
Last season: 9th
‘Out of the woodwork’: Why Colts comp throwing up future rugby guns
It’s a comp helping launch young talent and identifying others who may have slipped under the radar and Waratah selectors will be monitoring every game of Colts in 2025 for future stars
Stars of the Australian Youth Volleyball Championships
Brisbane 2032 Olympic hopefuls were in action on the Gold Coast this week for the 2025 Youth Beach Volleyball Championships. See the MVPS from each age group and all the winning teams as well as our action gallery here.