However a pair of heavyweights have recruited strongly in the off-season as they hunt to stay atop of the competition, while a club’s 50th year celebrations could be all the motivation needed to thrive.

Here we sit down with every teams coach and reveal who their key men will be once the first whistle sounds on Saturday April 15.

HELENSVALE HOGS

Top Recruit: Hayden McCaa

He is not exactly a fresh face, having captained the Hogs to the 2019 grand final, but Hayden McCaa’s absence in recent seasons makes his comeback a crucial one for the club.

The fullback may have foggy memories of that last premiership triumph, having been taken to hospital as a precaution following a sickening head clash.

Not that it stopped him joining in the post-game celebrations later in the night, and that adoration for the Helensvale colours is what coach Taione Vea will be relying on by kick off.

Vea said McCaa had some “personal stuff to deal with” when he decided to temporarily hang up the boots, after a season in which the club donned special jerseys that were auctioned off to raise funds in his fight against testicular cancer.

And his inclusion for 2023 is set to inject much needed leadership into an outfit brimming with youth and exuberance.

“He’s back and just really happy to be around the club. He’s the same player, he’s someone who’s played over 150 first grade games and been around the club a long time,” Vea said.

“He’s still very twig like, he loves to put his body on the line and he’s got a great rugby IQ and understands of the game really well.

“He’s a great leader and gives the young guys a lot of confidence and direction in the team.”

Rookies to Watch: Ezikiel Stewart and Liam Burgess

A pair of Helensvale juniors fresh off stints with Bond’s colts program will be eager to make their mark at the top, and Vea has already entrusted them with a wealth of responsibility.

Ezikiel Stewart is well in the frame to assume the halfback responsibilities this year, and his coach has backed him to bring plenty of spark to the ruck.

“He’s just got all around skills; he’s a solid defender and plays a good heads up game,” Vea said.

“He’s a good kicker, has a good pass and the fact he’s young really brings that youth it’s hard to find those players who are willing to mix it at the senior level and he seems to be one.”

Meanwhile Liam Burgess has been tipped to bring the same energy and speed to the backline that he did throughout his days within the Kings Christian College rugby program.

Set to take a place on the Hogs’ wing in 2023, the 20-year-old has been lauded as a player Vea said the whole club was “really excited to watch”.

“He’s had an awesome attitude all pre-season and hasn’t missed a beat,” he said.

“He has lightning quick pace, he’s eager and just really exciting to watch. They (Stewart and Burgess) are very keen to show the rest of the competition what they’ve got.”

Key Player: Squad mentality

Given this season marks the return of the club to the Phil Temperton Trophy, Vea said he could not target one player to set the standard.

In order to return to the pinnacle of the competition where they left he said a collective effort right down to third-grade would be paramount.

“Everyone across all three grades are gunning for trophies this year. The vibe has been positive, it’s been inspiring around the club — they seem to be buzzing,” Vea said.

“Everyone seems to be hungry.”

Team to Beat: Griffith Uni Colleges Knights

While Vea declared he and his side would go into the competition as the dark horses, he put the pressure on the reigning champions to be the ones to beat.

Griffith Uni Colleges have set the standard on the Gold Coast for years, featuring in six straight grand finals and taking plenty of silverware home with them.

The last time Hogs took the field in first-grade it was in a title-deciding defeat to the Knights, and Vea said those same rivals would be public enemy one once the first whistle blew.

However he said the developing threat Nerang posed would also keep he and his unit on high alert when the two ultimately clashed this year.

“I know you can’t write off anyone like Colleges, they’ve been strong for the last few years and prove they deserve it,” Vea said.

“I know Nerang have gone strong this pre-season, so it’ll be interesting to see how they go. “We’re probably the dark horses, people aren’t expecting much with us which is fine.

“Not having a team last year was a crucial period for the club and back in the mix this year I wouldn’t think people are expecting too much, but I think we’ll surprise everyone.”

GOLD COAST EAGLES

Top Recruits: Tevita Fifita and Codey Fernley

This season will mark the dawning of a new era for Eagles, with coach Scott Hyde estimating approximately 70 per cent of the squad will be fresh faces to the blue and gold jumper.

Having identified the need for more depth in the loose forwards and centres, the club embarked on a recruitment drive outside of the Gold Coast in a bid to instil more experience and leadership into their ranks.

And in Tevita Fifita and Codey Fernley, Hyde believes he has found his key men.

Hyde likened Fifita to “an image of Ardie Savea” — the All Blacks sensation whose name has become synonymous with success across the ditch.

The Auckland product is tipped to bring plenty of size, aggression and class to the Eagles’ forward pack, but it was his influence on the rest of the squad that garnered the most praise from his new coach.

“He arrived in early February and just the immediate impact he had on the others around him was massive,” Hyde said.

“It showed massively, he lifted everyone around him and he has huge expectations of himself.

“He certainly in the trials was not afraid to do the hard stuff, but along with that he’s a great loose forward who will add some impact.”

Meanwhile, Fernley has been tipped to assume a job in the centres, bringing with him plenty of skills and guidance according to Hyde.

“He’s another voice, he’s been good for the group because Codey as a back has an opinion on everything. He’s got some new and good ideas that he’s added in, but always that constant voice and chat around the group that would be the biggest thing,” Hyde said.

“He’s got a really good rugby brain on him so very good at playing what’s in front of him. “Defensively for the size of the guy he’s very good and not afraid to get stuck in.”

Rookie to Watch: Jayden Waharoa

The speed of Jayden Waharoa will prove to be one of Eagles’ biggest assets, according to Hyde, who has tipped the youngster to make a rapid rise through their senior ranks.

Set to claim a spot on the wing, Waharoa comes with plenty of versatility and an ability to cover across the backline as needed.

“Jayden is an outside back who’s only 19, but again sets high expectations for himself and he’s out and out quick,” Hyde said.

“Defensively he’s very strong and what we’re looking for in the outside backs.”

Key Player: Tyler Wright

Hyde has called on fly-half Tyler Wright to not only find a new gear with the ball in hand but set the standards within the Eagles ranks.

The young playmaker has been elevated to the leadership group, named as vice-captain for the 2023 season.

After a challenging campaign for the Gold Coast outfit, Hyde said Wright had sought more one-on-one coaching in a bid to take his game to the next level as he supports captain Michael Armstrong.

“He’s had more one-on-one coaching and has grown as a person. He’s been adopted into a leadership role and he’s really listening to our backs coaches and just adapting to what they’re throwing at him,” Hyde said.

“He’ll be pivotal for us guiding us around the field as most 10s are, his key role will be he’s a very calm bloke, he’s naturally quiet but can step up where required and that’s what we’re looking at him for to step up when we need him to.”

Team to Beat: Griffith Uni Colleges Knights

Hyde has declared this season will be the closest fought in recent memory, as returning teams aim to make an impression and the traditionally juggernauts continue to cement their reputations as leaders of the competition.

However he backed the defending champions to stand above and prove to be the hunted, with one ever-developing unit hot on their tail.

“I think this year will be closer than ever … I think compared to last year it’s not just going to be three top teams,” Hyde said.

“Deep down I think Nerang will be there or there abouts somewhere, but I can’t go past Colleges. They know how to keep winning and I’ll put that expectation on them to be there.”

GRIFFITH UNI COLLEGES KNIGHTS

Top Recruits: Robert Ulaula and Max Hennessey

A chance encounter at skipper Jaye Paton’s gym drew Robert Ulaula to the Knights crusade, and coach Shaun Cole is tipping the powerhouse inside centre to wreak havoc in 2023.

A representative star and captain in Wellington, Ulaula was quick to make an impact in the pre-season, dominant in the trials and proving to be one of the most fierce defensive competitors in the Griffith ranks.

And Cole has backed his new man to move away from the ‘second five-eighth’ style of number 12 other teams may adopt. This recruit “just likes to hit people”.

“You can tell Rob has played, he was captain of a lot of the rep teams he’s played in in Wellington so you can see that leadership side of him,” he said.

“Once we get into any opposed sessions and the contact starts he loves it, running the ball and tackling he wants to hit people. He’s going to be handful.”

Meanwhile the versatile Max Hennessey looms as the perfect utility man needed for any premiership campaign, as the Knights bid to win four titles on the trot.

Having performed strongly in the Dubai competition as a cunning fly-half, Hennessey is set to claim the fullback jersey for the opening round clash against Surfers Paradise in the expected absence of Connor Kennedy.

Cole said the rising star’s adaptability was on show for the Gold Coast Barbarians throughout the colts competition, and that ability could prove crucial as the season wears on.

“He just looks like a big strong kid, a lot of speed and really fit and good skills,” he said.

“In the colts tournament they played he played a bit of inside centre, he’s trained on the wing and at fullback and 10, so he just looks like footballer.

“He’s a good ball runner so you could play him anywhere which will be good.”

Rookies to Watch: Tom Osborne and Lachie O’Keoffe

He got a taste of playing at the top level last year, and now Tom Osborne is tipped to cement a wing spot for the Knights title tilt in 2023.

The 20-year-old sustained an injury in the opening round of the 2022 campaign in second grade, however worked his way back to ultimately start on the first-grade flank in their semi-final win over Nerang.

He would then go on to feature on the Griffith bench in their triumphant grand final over the Dolphins.

Now Cole has thrust his support behind Osborne as one who will make an impact at the top.

“He’s a young guy with plenty of speed and just is a natural ball runner old Tommy,” he said.

“He’s only just turned 20 and he’ll be pushing for a first grade wing spot there and he can also play fullback.”

While much of the Knights pack will have a familiar look about it, Cole has backed flank Lachie O’Keoffe to keep the veterans of the squad on their toes.

Working with new forwards coach Des Kissane has seemed to work wonders for the second grade regular, who turned in a formidable display in the pre-season trial with Caboolture.

“He got a start at six and was just enormous, I think he scored in the first minute and went all day for the whole 80 minutes,” Cole said.

“He was super impressive, so he’s well and truly pushing for a spot.”

Key Player: Jaye Paton

Cole can only say it so many times: “He’s the best player on the Coast”.

Knights captain Jaye Paton is coming off a remarkable campaign yet again; during which he claimed the Bob Sinclair Medal for player of the year as well as lifting the Phil Temperton Trophy yet again.

The workhorse number eight is at the heart of everything Griffith achieves, and Cole said his leadership onus was only made more impressive given the calibre of leaders around him in Kerrod Martorella, Lesi Tawake and Seb Gallagher.

But he said this year those credentials may need to come to the fore even more, as the club hunts for new ways to ensure they stay at the top of the podium.

“I’d say a big one is always going to be Jaye Paton; I’ve said it many times that he s arguably the best player on the coast,” Cole said.

“I’m a bit biased but I don’t think many would disagree with the resume he’s put together. “He’ll be the one leading the charge. I think then last two years it’s hard to get them up to go and you have to find a bit of extra motivation.

“But I think how tight the boys are it’s hard to step away. You have the option of letting someone have the premiership for free or you can put up a fight until someone takes it off you.

“That’s the motivation at the moment, if you’re already at the top you may as well stay there.”

Team to Beat: Nerang Bulls

Any team that has Will Bird in it has Cole admittedly on edge, hence his prediction that the Nerang Bulls will loom as a force in 2023.

The Bulls have constantly been there or there abouts since returning to first-grade in 2018, and last year appeared destined for a breakthrough title having been the only side to take down the Knights.

However come semi-final day, Cole’s men found their mojo and broke Nerang hearts.

But the premiership-winning coach said the presence of Queensland Country fullback Bird would ensure the Bulls were never far off the mark, and would possess a game-changing threat that any outfit would need to be on alert for.

“Any team where I see Will Bird standing across in the opposition jersey is always a danger team,” Cole said.

“They got us a couple of times last year and we had to dig deep in the semi. I’d be surprised if they’re not up there.”

SURFERS PARADISE DOLPHINS

Top Recruits: International Flavour

Surfers Paradise have injected a wealth of players from overseas clubs into their mix, in a move which coach Johnny Ngauamo says will open the doors for Dolphins’ products to globe-trott themselves.

Among the incoming brigade include English flanker Harry Rogerson and fullback Pedro De La Lastra, who previously plied his trade in Spain.

“Harry played well, considering the heat which he’s not used to,” Ngaumao said.

“I think it’s their game awareness, I think Harry and (former captain) Alex Behns complement each other, and Pedro at the back there his game awareness as well works with his attack.

“We’ve got a few from England, players who played in Spain and New Zealand; we’re making and building relationships with overseas clubs as well and that way they can send players over to them.

“It’s not just an experiment they’re coming for, it’s give and take.”

Rookie to Watch: Mitch Currie

Ngaumao estimates that the average age of his squad would hover under 25, and that was by design.

As the club celebrates their 50th anniversary, the former Tongan international was determined to cement the future of the green and gold jumper and nurture the next generation through to the senior ranks.

Fly-half in particular was a position he wanted to shore up, and Mitch Currie stepped up to the plate — his goal kicking the difference in the Dolphins’ win over Knights to open the season.

“Our average age is under 25, so our squad is really young and that was another thing we were trying to do – bring through the young fellas from last year in second and third grade just to get some experience in first grade and take over,” Ngaumao said.

“I think our 10 is probably a spot we wanted to cement with our young fellas and Mitch Currie stepped up, he was sin seconds last year and played a couple of games form the bench in first grade

“This year he’s put his foot forward and trained hard and it showed on Saturday. Just with his commitment, last year he was struggling to get to training due to work, he works a lot in Brisbane so he was finishing late and not getting to training.

“This year he’s made the effort and it’s well done to him.”

Key Players: Club Mentality

Surfers Paradise will once again take a formidable and seasoned forward pack into the campaign opener — the likes of Elliott Aisthorpe, Lachlan Currie and Tyler Meredith setting the tone up front.

Former All Black Alby Matthewson also remains around the club, juggling the opening of a new businesses with his family.

However Ngaumao stressed there was no one player who steered the ship, nor did they approach the season with a 1-23 mentality.

Victory would require a collective approach from third grade through to the top level.

On Saturday against Griffith several players backed up from third grade into second grade, with another small contingent coming up to play first-grade as well.

That resolve is what Ngaumao believed drove his side to the 17-14 triumph, and would continue to reap rewards the more the campaign wore on.

“They were buggered, so buggered, so it was a whole group effort. I suppose that’s what spurred the win on in first grade,” he said.

“We didn’t worry about the result, we were just fielding a team to get the season started. The boys were raring to go, but things out of your control, players were sick, injured, working — it couldn’t be helped so we had to come together.

“Some might say we were hungrier, but I don’t think that’s true; you never play to lose at home so I think the boys defended well, the defence really won the game.”

COOMERA CRUSHERS

Top Recruits: Strength from Within

Very little has happened on the recruitment front at Coomera, and that is exactly how new coach Mika Tufuga wanted it to be.

The Crushers’ return to first-grade, after withdrawing from the 2022 campaign, will be one for the orange and black faithful, with four father-son duos set to line up in the top side.

Tufuga said the blend of youth and experience within the squad would make them a competitive force, and he was impressed by the trial form his side showed.

Now he said it was just a matter of “getting the nerves out” and re-establishing the belief they can compete at the highest level.

“I think they’re very capable, we’ve got a mixture of oldies and then a couple of young ones in there as well,” Tufuga said.

“I’m pretty confident they’ll do pretty well and we’ll learn some lessons on the way and hopefully just get better and better.

“We’ve basically just worked down what we’ve got … the boys are pretty excited but it’s a matter of getting the nerves out and back into first grade.”

Rookies to Watch: Ethan Healy and Kyan White

Their dads will be taking the field by their side, but this will be the chance for Ethan Healy and Kyan White to establish themselves as the future of the Crushers.

The young forwards have been tipped by Tufuga to make strong impressions in the Phil Temperton Trophy, blessed with the youth and exuberance to put themselves in positions to strike around the ruck.

Both yet to turn 20, Tufuga said the pair would blossom the more the campaign wore on.

“They’re pretty exciting young players, a bit of speed in both of them and Ethan is a bit more of a — unit but has some wheels,” he said.

“Kyan is one of those players who reads games really well. He’s a flanker as well and just tends to be in the right spot at the right time.

”They’re young and they’ve got the youth to sort of just be on the spot. They go really well and they’re not scared.”

Key Players: Sean Barcley and Nela Tuivai

While Tufuga admits he does not have one standout player who he expects to set the standard, a pair of leaders within his ranks will ultimately be the ones who inspire the charge.

Co-captains Sean Barcley and Nela Tuivai will take ownership of the forwards and backs respectively, and Tufuga said the duo were quick to command the respect of their teammates.

“Sean’s a worker, he leads by example and Nela is a devastating player in the middle field,” he said.

‘He (Tuivai) is a good communicator, he runs the ball pretty hard and is a big unit in the back field so he just does his job and the boys listen to him.”

Team to Beat: Griffith Uni Colleges Knights

Having previous worked within the Knights coaching ranks, Tufuga is backing the three-time defending champions to be the team to beat once again in 2023.

However whenever he has witnessed the Nerang Bulls in action he said the makings of a premiership outfit were there, and believed if anyone was going to knock Griffith off their perch it would be them.

“I would say Knights because I know the boys from when I was there but also I’ve got Nerang down. Either one of those two will be there,” Tufuga said.

“Nerang have been up there and been unlucky … I’d say they’ll be looking for some revenge.”

NERANG BULLS

Top Recruits and Rookies to Watch: The Ashburton Invasion

Nerang coach Yohan Huria calls it “the Ashburton Invasion”.

Seven players haling from the New Zealand southern island town have linked up with the Bulls in the club’s 40th year, bringing with them a wealth of high level experience across the ditch.

Close friendships with Nerang hooker and strength and conditioning coach Liam Cordell-Hull brought the contingent to their ranks, and Huria has revealed two will line up to make their first-grade debuts.

Jack Harrex will take his place at lock, while Cam Butler will slot into inside centre for the Phil Temperton Trophy dark horses, and Huria said the pair — along with the rest of the Ashburton core — had brought with them a no-nonsense approach to their pre-season training.

“Harrex is a prototypical lock; he works really hard around the field, he’s a line out gun who understands the intricacies of playing that line out role,” Huria said.

“He’s brought a bit of experience and some tips already into the side around that piece.

“On Cam Butler, he’s a 10 or 12 and very much like Jack and the rest of the Ashburton boys has a no nonsense style about his training, very easy to get along with like all these boys.

“He’s a big bodied 10 and 12, who like Jack has played a high level of footy back in New Zealand — in first grade locally as well as rep teams. He’s got a big punt on him, he’s got smooth delivery on both sides distributing to the backs and he runs holes.

“In the case of all the boys, not just those two but all the guys part of this invasion, they basically have come from a real high level of footy in New Zealand.

“What they’ve been bringing to us since they started is just a no nonsense attitude towards their training first off. They all show up after work, big smiles on their faces, easy going guys and when they get onto the pitch and train they’re absolute.”

Key Players: Will Bird and Sheldon Fidow

A Queensland Country representative and a man regularly lauded by even his rivals as a player to be on constant alert for.

Will Bird was edged out for the Bob Sinclair Medal last year, but his efforts proved crucial in the Bulls charge towards what they hoped to be a breakthrough title.

Having bested the Knights on three occasions throughout the season that vision appeared on the cusp, only for the Surfers Paradise Dolphins and Griffith to then end their finals journey.

However in Bird, Nerang arguably have the finest fullback in the Gold Coast competition, with his tackle breaking ability from the backfield regularly on show.

Despite being just 25, Huria said this would be Bird’s 20th year in Bulls colours — coinciding with the club’s 40th year celebrations — and he was been rewarded for his dedication to the club with the co-captaincy.

He will share those leadership duties with tireless number eight, Sheldon Fidow, whose father was the club’s last first-grade premiership winning captain.

“At Nerang we’re a club full of recognised and respected leaders across all grades, every grade has four, five, six guys who have been around the club for a while,” Huria said.

“They have worked really hard for the club on and off the field and being a part of helping the club resurrect from it’s days where there was only one senior side in 2018.

“In the case of Will Bird and Sheldon Fidow they for me represent the end of that rebirth process for Nerang and they represent the dawn of a new Nerang.

“If you look at both Will and Sheldon, Will represents aspiration, grit and punching above your weight and Sheldon’s story, he’s the only player I believe that’s played a full season in all three grades at Nerang.

“He’s made the number eight jersey his own at the club, and he’s sort of leader that leads through actions first and for a relatively young guy around the club he’s widely respected by everyone.”

Team to Beat: Griffith Uni Colleges Knights

For Huria it is “pretty straightforward” who the team to beat in 2023 will be.

“You can’t win the first grade comp consecutively without being mentioned as potential finalists so that would be Colleges. They’re the ones to measure up to, they’re the ones to try and overcome,” Huria said.

“I’m not just saying in the regular season either, because last year Nerang did beat Colleges and basically Colleges shook off the undefeated tag due to us.

“But what we learnt last year was it doesn’t amount to much come finals, there needs to be another level gained and taken by everyone across the whole club.

“(It’s to) ensure if we get to finals and we’re starring across at Colleges on the other side that we produce a game that will ultimately see the cup go somewhere else for change.”

BOND PIRATES

Bond Pirates will head into the opening round with a bye, and with that an extra week to piece together the make up of their starting 15.

With a new coaching regimen taking the reigns, it could be a very different make up as they launch a 2023 title assault.

MORE TO FOLLOW ON THE BOND PIRATES’ SEASON AHEAD

nick.wright@news.com.au