Top 11 performers of GCDRU trial round revealed, 70+ pictures
A former Argentinian Rugby Sevens star, returning Gold Coast heroes and more made strong impressions in the weekend’s local rugby union trials. See the results, pictures and who caught our eye.
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Griffith Uni Colleges Knights’ Saturday trial victory over Darling Downs preliminary finalist Toowoomba Rangers wasn’t just a statement of intent - it was a declaration of war that has rung out across Gold Coast rugby.
Colleges lost count of the score as they tossed the Rangers aside by about eight tries to one in a brutal pre-season display that announced the Knights are coming for the crown they conceded to Nerang six months ago.
So dominant were Colleges that players wondered whether the Rangers had sent down the same side that went within a game of the Toowoomba grand final last season.
“Our team went pretty good. Still a bit scrappy because it’s obviously pre-season but they went good,” injured captain Jaye Paton said.
“I couldn’t tell you the exact score because we didn’t end up keeping it. It was a bit much.”
It was an ominous sign of the work Colleges have already put in a month out from competition play.
Paton said the complacency that had crept into his side - culminating in the grand final defeat that cost the team its fifth straight Gold Coast title - had been stamped out.
“It (complacency) caught up with us, as it always does,” Paton said.
“There’s definitely a little fire in the boys. We are definitely keen this year to get back.”
Few players embodied that cultural shift better than rampaging No.8 Devontay To’a, who has shed 15 kilograms in an effort to give more of his bruising best to the Knights.
Palm Beach Currumbin and Gold Coast Eagles played out a much tighter affair, with all three senior grades sharing the field in an earlier trial at James Overell Park that ended in stalemate.
Incoming Palm Beach coach Jack Moon said he had been impressed by the 10 club debutants who took the field in the first two periods, which the Alleygators used to road test their A team.
“I came to the club last year (as an assistant coach) and we were in a situation where we needed to bring players in,” Moon said.
“We brought a lot of young players into the club. It’s no secret that our club hadn’t had a first grade team for a number of seasons so we’ve tried really hard to bring in players who can fill that void.
“I was really happy with our set piece. Last year we really struggled in that department at times so that’s been a focal point in this year.”
Reigning champions Nerang defeated Riverside Rebels by about six tries to one.
TOP PERFORMERS OF MARCH 15 TRIALS
Devontay To’a, Colleges No.8
The player of the match who produced the big ball carries and got the Knights’ forward momentum the entire match. No Rangers players wanted to tackle the big man. To’a has trimmed down 15kg this off-season and once he gets his match fitness back he will be a big problem for the rest of the competition.
Ross Morrin, PBC tighthead prop
Palm Beach’s scrum dominated the Eagles with tighthead Morrin the spearhead of an impressive, undersized unit.
Harrison Cummings, Colleges openside flanker
Tough carries and tough tackling in a vintage Cummings performance. The flanker’s controlled aggression was a standout.
Henry Morris and Kerrod Martorella, Colleges locks
The absence of lineout general Jaye Paton to a long-term achilles injury meant someone else needed to step up and manage one of the key facets of the game, the lineout. Colleges’ locking duo of captain Martorella and sidekick Morris did a capable job disguising lifts and ensuring the Knights brought down their own ball. Martorella
Matt Leybourne, PBC loosehead prop
The other half of PBC’s success at scrumtime. Leybourne refused to be split apart from hooker Tama Voyce, denting the Eagles’ shove at set-piece time.
Tereina McLean, Colleges tighthead prop
Arguably the most successful prop in Gold Coast rugby history, with long stints at Sunnybank and championships with the Eagles and Knights locally, Colleges were thrilled to welcome back veteran Tereina McLean to the front row. McLean moved away in 2024 but will be a key pillar again in 2025.
Max Greatwood, PBC inside centre
The English import made several classy linebreaks on club debut and looked exceptionally dangerous in open play.
Jason Beeton, Colleges fullback
The former Sunnybank representative’s class has long been obvious on the Gold Coast rugby scene and his stardom shows no signs of softening in 2025. Beeton was incredibly difficult to tackle against Rangers and his elusivity gave defenders headaches.
Tomas Grenon, PBC No.8
The former Argentinian Sevens player has linked with PBC locally as he mounts a rugby comeback from concussion issues that derailed his 2024 season. The mobile eightman has Queensland Premier Rugby pedigree and on early showings will be a key weapon for the Alleygators.
Blake Griffin, Colleges winger
The veteran winger scored two tries and looked as fast as he has in several seasons. Griffin’s 10th season could be another big year for the Fijian flyer already one of the Gold Coast’s all-time great tryscorers.
IN PICTURES: Eagles v Alleygators
IN PICTURES: Colleges v Rangers
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