SCGRL A-grade 2025: Coaches reveal key players, finals aims and premiership predictions
The battle for a place in the top five is heating up as Sunshine Coast A-grade rugby league coaches reveal their 2025 report cards. See which players have been key, their end of season aims and premiership predictions now.
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The SCGRL A-grade premiership race is heating up following 14 rounds of enthralling footy.
In a season marked by unpredictable results and high-stakes clashes we’ve reached out to the top seven coaches who are still in the hunt for a finals spot.
Only the top five get their chance at lifting silverware on Sunday, September 14.
Read below to find out how each team is tracking as well as each side’s standout players, end-of-season aims and premiership predictions.
1. STANLEY
Wins: 12 Drawn: 0 Lost: 1 Byes: 1 Points: 52
Coach: Ethan Szendrey
Season so far and run home: “It’s been good, we had a loss against Noosa that I wasn’t happy with but as our first loss of the year I can’t be too disappointed with the season so far. It was good to get a win against Caboolture, we have Nambour next, then a bye, before finishing with Kawana and Maroochydore. It’s a mix of where teams are currently sitting on the table before we get into finals.”
Key players: “Logan Cox and Hudson Jones have been two big keys for us. Both have been great through the middle as has our captain Ben King. I could name a number of guys who have been impressive but those three have been great consistently. Cam Cullen has been impressive, inspirational when he’s played but he’s struggled to stay on the field consistently of late.”
Premiership favourite: “I think Coolum is up there as a favourite. They had only lost to us all year before their game against Kawana more recently.”
Finals dark horse: “For a bit of a smokey, I think Noosa will be handy if they keep all their players on the field. They gave us a touch-up in round 13 and then I don’t think you can ever forget about Beerwah. They seem to be coming right at the right time of the year.”
2. COOLUM
Wins: 9 Drawn: 0 Lost: 3 Byes: 2 Points: 44
Coach: Matt Smith
Season so far and run home: “We’ve been fairly consistent but haven’t found our mojo yet. We haven’t played a full 80 minutes of football that we’re capable of, only managing 40-50 minutes, letting sides have a sniff but holding on. I’m hoping we can find that complete effort in the next couple of weeks. As we approach the end of the season, a top two finish would be great. I doubt we’ll get the top spot since Rivers should stay there, but ideally, we won’t drop to third. We’d love a home semi, and that’s our aim right now. It’s still a week-by-week focus; we don’t want to look too far ahead but aim to improve our game as we approach the crunch time of the year.”
Key players: “Marlon Hawkins has gone from strength to strength, with his game improving significantly. He’s not afraid to get his hands on the ball, his work rate is phenomenal and he’s ultra-fit. At 21, he has a bright future ahead if he wants it. One of our recruits, Hayden Bartlett has been very consistent, locking up the middle for us. We needed a solid number nine, and he’s done a superb job as an 80-minute player. You can rely on him to do his job.”
Premiership favourite: “If Stanley Rivers get their full contingent on the paddock, they are formidable. They’re fast, big, strong and experienced.”
Finals dark horse: “If Noosa can field a full complement of players, they can upset a few sides at the season’s end and into finals. They have strike power out wide and tough forwards. Early injuries hurt them, but with key players back, they’re a quality side and they’ve shown that in the past few rounds. I’d be surprised if they’re not up there when the whips are cracking.”
3. MAROOCHYDORE
Wins: 8 Drawn: 1 Lost: 3 Byes: 2 Points: 42
Coach: Mick Duff
Season so far and run home: “We’ve been dealing with an injury cloud over the last four to five weeks, struggling to put teams on the paddock. Against Caboolture we were down in numbers, resulting in a draw which didn’t meet our expectations. We had a few players back against Beerwah on the weekend and secured a really pleasing win. We’re taking it week by week due to those players being out and the team won’t change much this week against Coolum. That’s at home and then again the week after against Kawana. We finish with Nambour away and then Stanley Rivers at home so we’re fortunate to have very little travel before the end of the season which is a bonus.”
Key players: “Louis Geraghty has been massive for us. He’s super consistent and nearly the best on the paddock week in, week out. Mikey Filiga, our fullback, has been exceptional with a huge workload. Jai Smoothy has been fantastic at number nine, but we’re missing him for a couple of weeks as he’s overseas, so the guys are stepping up and doing a great job.”
Premiership favourite: “Stanley Rivers have been exceptional all season, so they’re the benchmark and the team to beat.”
Finals dark horse: “I feel Kawana are hitting form at the right end of the year. We’ve got to be ready and up for our match against them that’s for sure.”
4. NOOSA
Wins: 7 Drawn: 1 Lost: 5 Byes: 1 Points: 34
Coach: Tom Murphy
Season so far and run home: “We came out of the gates pretty hard and had a good start to the year. Towards the middle our depth was really tested with injuries and unavailability but hopefully we can get a bit of luck coming into the back end of the year. It’s very close from second to sixth on the ladder, anyone can drop out or put themselves in contention so the next couple of weeks for not just us but every side is going to be critical.”
Key players: “Jackson Ricotta has developed a lot this year. He’s been quite consistent and solid on the edge. Pat McGinn and Dyllan Cousens have also been playing well. It’s hard to single anyone out but those three have really put their best foot forward.”
Premiership favourite: “Stanley and Coolum are the frontrunners. They’re first and second with really good success and win rates, so either of them could take it.”
Finals dark horse: “Kawana on their day can mix it with the rest of us.”
5. KAWANA
Wins: 6 Drawn: 0 Lost: 6 Byes: 2 Points: 32
Coach: Chris Corbett
Season so far and run home: “It’s been good in a rebuilding year but we’ve also got more depth this season. There are some games we haven’t managed to close out, leading to a couple of tough losses but despite a fair few injuries, we’re set up pretty well. We’re getting a few players back which should position us well for the finals.”
Key players: “Billy Lawrence who’s a Kawana junior, has been massive for us this year. He was on a trial and train and then got a contract with the Falcons so he’s been huge for us. Sean Slater, a young English hooker and half has been really big for us. He’s guided us through many games and brings great vision to our side. Brad Higgins and Aidan McClellan, two young front rowers that have been solid all year, consistently getting the job done.”
Premiership favourite: “Most people would say Stanley is the benchmark and well deserved favourites.”
Finals dark horse: “The dark horse is very hard to pick, there’s so many teams that could do it but I think if Maroochydore have their full squad they’re going to be tough.”
6. BEERWAH
Wins: 6 Drawn: 0 Lost: 7 Byes: 1 Points: 28
Coach: Greg Corkin
Season so far and run home: “It’s been up and down but a little bit inconsistent throughout the season. We’ve had a few injuries which have taken their toll, but they’re coming back. We’re looking to finish strong and might hit our straps now. We’re ready to fire in the finals but it is very close so my aim is to finish in that top five and then go from there.”
Key players: “Probably a couple of recruits, Callum Elton and Alex Crust. Especially in the last couple of weeks they have really stood out. Their running game has been fantastic, so they’ve really been the key to getting us going forward.”
Premiership favourite: “Obviously the favourites are Stanley Rivers, they’ve only lost the one game and deserve their spot on the ladder.”
Finals dark horse: “Probably Coolum. I think they learned a lot from last year, they’re really grinding games out, staying in the contest right to the end, which is what is needed in the finals.”
7. CALOUNDRA
Wins: 3 Drawn: 1 Lost: 8 Byes: 2 Points: 22
Coach: Craig Cleary
Season so far and run home: “We had a slow start due to not having our team set early and having zero trials. The first five games weren’t great, but we found form putting three wins together. Then had a draw against Noosa, a close one with Maroochydore and we were ahead against Stanley Rivers but lost by a try. We’ve come good through the middle but now face more injuries so we need to fight through the next four weeks. The competition is tight, especially for the fourth and fifth spots. We’re not going to know the final standings for a while but it’s us Kawana and Beerwah shooting for that fifth spot. If we beat Kawana this week results go our way it’ll be a very close finish.”
Key players: “The main one has been Travis Waddell. He’s been solid, playing through injuries and whatever else, just a true warrior. We’ve also had several young blokes debut, including four 19-year-olds that are Caloundra juniors. We’ve got a good mix.”
Premiership favourite: “I feel Maroochydore would be the ones that I think could possibly go the distance. If they can keep everyone fit, I think they are probably the hardest to beat.”
Finals dark horse: “I’d say us.”
8. NAMBOUR
Wins: 3 Drawn: 0 Lost: 9 Byes: 2 Points: 20
Coach: Marty Cordwell
Premiership favourite: “This year you can’t go past Stanley River as favourites but I do think it will be the most tightly contested finals series in a long time. Any team can beat the other and there will be some good footy being played.”
Finals dark horse: “A smokey would be Maroochydore. I think they have a healthy contingency of Falcons players, along with key guys that have Queensland Cup experience. The Geraghty brothers will take some stopping too.”
9. CABOOLTURE
Wins: 0 Drawn: 1 Lost: 12 Byes: 1 Points: 2
Coach: Ray Ballantyne
Premiership favourite: “Stanley Rivers are the outright favourites. They really look the goods, their team is stacked with quality players and it would be extremely surprising if they don’t come away with the trophy.”
Finals dark horse: “Kawana have stayed under the radar all year, just quietly going about their business. It’s really coming together for them and they definitely have the players to step it up for the run to the finish.”
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Originally published as SCGRL A-grade 2025: Coaches reveal key players, finals aims and premiership predictions
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