2025 NRL CAST Championships: Western Australia locked and loaded for title crusade

Western Australia’s best league players have their sites set on a national titles raid as they prepare for the NRL Combined Affiliated States and Territories Championships. Find out how to watch it LIVE.

WA captain and fullback Kainoa Gudgeon in action for the WA state side. Picture: NRL WA

“We want to win both Championships, that is what we are coming for.”

It is a bold statement that NRL WA operations manager Caleb Reedy is adamant his players can back up at this weekend’s NRL Combined Affiliated States and Territories Championships.

Every match of the Championships will be exclusively live streamed on KommunityTV from June 6-8.

WATCH THE NRL CAST CHAMPIONSHIPS LIVE

The West will have to overcome their tag as underdogs in the Open Men’s division as they aim to snap a two-year winning streak of host state Victoria.

WA captain and fullback Kainoa Gudgeon in action for the WA state side. Picture: NRL WA

With former Newcastle Knights Under-20s speedster Kainoa Gudgeon at the helm of an exciting squad, Reedy said there was a confidence brewing in the west.

The championships have proven an opportunity to springboard players into the top grades, with former Broncos players Jordan Pereira and Josh Rodgers coming through the WA system.

With the announcement of the Perth Bears as the next NRL expansion franchise, Reedy said it had created a ‘buzz’ around the game and the opportunities coming out of it.

“With the Bears announcement there is a lot of excitement around the game in WA,” Reedy said.

“We have seen an uptick in players, but it is not just players. We have had more people want to come and coach and sports train and just be involved at clubs. It is a general excitement brewing around rugby league.

“We have got a really good mix across our squads of experience and exciting youth coming through. The veterans want to go out and win the titles for their state, but then there are the guys who are still wanting to have a shot and prove themselves.”

WA young gun Kobi Aiesi in action for the Perth Kiwis. Picture: NRL WA

WA young guns Kobi Aiesi and Jayden Evans were identified as players to keep an eye on across the weekend’s tournament.

Reedy said that balance of experience and youth also spilled into the WA Open Women’s squad – with the WA girls producing the strongest line-up they have in years.

“We have been very successful in the CAS model and have had good results at nationals, but it has been a lean couple of years,” Reedy said.

Rising star Brianna Young in action for the WA state side. Picture: NRL WA

“This year we have got the strongest squad we have had in years. We have a great mix of senior heads and a lot of up and coming youth players.

“The veterans are able to educate the newbies on how to play at the champs and perform on that big stage, while the young ones inject that excitement into the squad.”