Second Townsville rugby union team collapses in 13 months as Western Suburbs Dragons withdraw from A Grade

Townsville and District Rugby Union has lost its second A Grade team in two seasons after 11th hour meetings to save the Western Suburbs Dragons failed. What that means for your clubs:

Townsville A Grade rugby union match between Teachers West and Western Suburbs at Warrina Park. Teachers Shamus Howlett and Suburbs Hamish Wood. Picture: Evan Morgan

Townsville and District Rugby Union has lost its second A Grade team in 12 months after 11th hour meetings to save the Western Suburbs Dragons were unsuccessful.

The withdrawal follows the loss of the Charters Towers Bulls from the 2023 competition, leaving just four teams to contest the A Grade trophy: Teachers West, Brothers, North Ward and Burdekin.

Club officials informed the TDRU that Western Suburbs would be unable to fulfil its A Grade commitments at a meeting on Monday night.

TDRU director of rugby Dan Withers expressed his disappointment at the withdrawal, having signed off on a postponement of Western Suburbs’ Round 1 fixture against North Ward to buy time for a last-ditch recruitment drive.

“We’re disappointed that they are not able to fulfil their commitment to nominating in the first grade competition,” Withers said.

Star Western Suburbs Dragons prop George Konik. Picture: Evan Morgan

“They made us aware that they were going to have some struggles this year with a heavy Defence contingent at their club. They were unable to recruit well enough to backfill the team with civilians to play through the whole year.

“It’s a challenge a number of our clubs have faced in the past, be that North Ward or LARC (Laverack Army Rugby Club). It’s one of the challenges that we are working with them to overcome in 2025 so they can re-enter our first grade competition.”

Western Suburbs’ John Thompson. Picture: Evan Morgan

Withers conceded the loss of two A Grade sides in two seasons was cause for concern but blamed a “difficult sporting climate” for the reduction in participation.

That has been felt in other codes too.

Northern Beaches dropped out of A Grade cricket this season while women’s teams in local Aussie rules (Garbutt) and soccer (Rebels and Wulguru United) have also withdrawn from their completions in the last 12 months.

“It’s absolutely a concern, any time you lose a team it’s not a good result, but it’s been a pretty difficult climate for community sport since Covid,” Withers said.

Burkekin's Kelsey Hesp tackled by Dragons flanker Alex Vile. Picture: Evan Morgan

“We’ve just got to keep working hard with our clubs to make them sustainable from under-eights through to A Grade.

“There is still plenty of good rugby out there to spectate or be part of and we’re looking forward to cracking on with the footy.”

The impact of the Dragons’ grounding on the wider competition is expected to be minimal, with a six per cent reduction in games played from 16 to 15 and competition-wide bye rounds instead of rotating weekly byes.

The finals format will not change either, meaning all four remaining clubs have qualified for the semi-finals.

The grand final will not be moved from September 7.

“It won’t be too disruptive,” Withers promised.

“The players initially signed up (for Dragons first grade) are looking to support Ingham, their sister club, in second grade.

“They will also put together some opportunities to play some trial matches towards the end of the year, so we’re looking at putting the building blocks in place to facilitate their return next year.”

Western Suburbs returned to A Grade in 2020 after folding two weeks into the 2017 season.

The Dragons had absorbed players from now-defunct clubs University and LARCs.

Originally published as Second Townsville rugby union team collapses in 13 months as Western Suburbs Dragons withdraw from A Grade