Players to watch: Rocky Junior League 2025 grand final preview

The region’s up-and-coming footy stars will be in action as the 2025 champions are crowned this weekend. Check out our grand final preview.

The Rocky Junior League grand finals will be played at the Barmaryee Sports Complex, Yeppoon, this weekend.

The region’s up-and-coming footy stars will be on show with the Rocky Junior League grand finals to be decided this weekend.

The action will start with the Tier 2 deciders on Friday night before seven champions are crowned on Saturday, with games from 9am at the Barmaryee Sporting Complex in Yeppoon.

Six clubs feature in the nine finals, with Cap Coast Brothers the best represented, appearing in five of them.

They will take on Brothers Blue in the first game on 5pm Friday - the Tier 2 under-13 final.

Yeppoon Gold and Tigers will then battle it out in the Tier 2 under-14 final at 6.30pm.

This is the first time in more than 10 years the RJL has been able to provide these players with a taste of grand final action, with the competition designed to keep players in the game.

Saturday’s jam-packed program starts at 9am with the under-13 final and rounds out with the under-17 final between Yeppoon and Cap Coast Brothers.

We preview Saturday’s grand finals.

9am, U13, Norths Blue vs Yeppoon Gold

Norths Blue come into this contest undefeated in 2025, which included a nail-biting 20-18 win over Yeppoon Gold in Week 1 of the finals.

If that clash is any indication, Saturday’s match-up promises to be a cracker.

Norths will look for a big showing from their fullback Kade Scott, who has been strong all year.

They also have plenty of points in them, with Elea Waterton and Eric Williams finding the tryline regularly this season.

But Yeppoon, too, has plenty of strike power, with Jacob Hinds having notched up 70 points this season (17 tries and one goal), and Charlie Suttle in the front row scoring 50 points (three tries and 19 goals).

10.15am, U14 girls, Tigers vs Norths

The Rockhampton Tigers are looking to go back-to-back in this division up against Norths, who advanced with a hard-fought two-point win over minor premiers Yeppoon last week.

Key to the Tigers’ prospects will be the experienced trio of five-eighth Lylia Bidgood, hooker Charlee Fouracre and fullback Maddi Johns, who has scored 30 tries and landed 23 conversions for an incredible total of 166 individual points this season.

Rockhampton Tigers Maddi Johns.

The Tigers have won the teams’ three meetings this year but Norths, who have come from third, will be keen to get their hands on the trophy.

Their skilful hooker Lilly McLean and hard-working second rowers Trinity Sadler and Kiarnie Songoro will have a big say on the result.

11.30am, U14 boys, Cap Coast Brothers vs Brothers Blue

You can’t get much closer than this one, with both sides having finished on equal points and Cap Coast claiming the minor premiership on for and against.

Cap Coast got away with an eight-point win in Week 1 of the semis, while Brothers bounced back with a strong win last week to make the decider.

Cap Coast lock Axel Hinds will look to add to his points tally that currently sits at 132 points (22 tries and 22 goals).

They will also look to hooker Harlen Oberhardt to control play, with Nate Caplick up front giving them metres to attack.

Brothers also have fire power across the park, with second rower Ollie Villiers, lock Mav Everingham and prop Hugh McKinley leading a very strong forward pack.

This promises to be a close, physical game.

12.45pm, U15 boys, Yeppoon Gold vs Cap Coast Brothers

Minor premiers and the undefeated Yeppoon Gold go into this clash full of confidence after a tough win in Week 1 of the semi finals.

Cap Coast Brothers had a nervous semi last week but prevailed to get back for another shot at the Seagulls.

Yeppoon will be looking to their nine and seven combination of Kobe Booth and Joseph Mosby to guide them around the field and hulking second rower Taitum Eyre to give them plenty of go-forward.

Cap Coast’s halfback Jyren Kyle will be calling the shots, while lock Lucas McLean will bring plenty to the contest.

Their fullback Renni Smith has been consistent and a great contributor on the scoreboard. He has kicked 29 conversions, with that accuracy vital in these big games.

2.15pm, U16 boys, Cap Coast Brothers vs Norths

Norths have come from fourth to get a shot at grand final glory, knocking off Fitzroys in Week 1 then Yeppoon last week.

They will be led by captain and halfback Harry McQuillan and look to strong second rower Mannix Busch to get the needed meters in attack.

Hooker Malcolm Frame and fullback Landon Cole will be keen to continue their outstanding forward.

Cap Coast has been the most consistent side this year, brilliantly led by front rowers Cooper Stacpoole and Brock Wren who will need to lay a good foundation again on Saturday.

Cap Coast fullback Kobe Oberhardt.

Fullback Kobe Oberhardt has had a great year, while centre Bronson Toby has run in 12 tries in 2025.

There are plenty of future Capras players running around in this game and it’s definitely one to watch.

3.45pm, U17 girls, Fitzroys vs Tigers

Norths Knights have dominated this competition over the years but they’ll meet a determined opponent on Saturday.

Fitzroys upset the minor premiers in Week 1 of the finals with a 10-8 win and now, after a week off, they come up against the always consistent Tigers.

They will need to stay strong and provide prolific scorer Emmalena Ingui with plenty of opportunities.

They have a strong bench, with Offiliah Chippendale sure to add value once on the field.

Tigers will not give this opportunity up lightly.

Rockhampton Tigers star Kyra Kent.

They also have a point-scoring machine in Kyra Kent, who has a mean boot with 30 conversion points this year, and keep an eye on Leilani Penaia who is strong in both defence and attack.

5pm, U17 boys, Yeppoon vs Cap Coast Brothers

Norths might have been the minor premiers but Yeppoon and Cap Coast Brothers earned their place in the big dance.

Yeppoon had a hard fought win in Week 1 of the semis to earn a week off, while Cap Coast Brothers had to find plenty, with a Morgan Hair penalty goal the difference in their preliminary final.

These sides have meet twice this year, with Yeppoon winning both by two and four points.

The spine for Yeppoon has been outstanding this year, with five-eighth Slayter Marshall, halfback Walt Lanson and fullback Noah Wright in rare form, and Cap Coast will need to be at its best to stop these playmakers.

Cap Coast aren’t short on talent, with their crafty hooker Kobi Wren combining well with lock Lachy Anderson to get plenty of ball to speedy winger Narasi Jimmy.

There is plenty on the line for these players, many of whom will be playing their last grand final in the junior ranks.

Originally published as Players to watch: Rocky Junior League 2025 grand final preview