SCGRL: Leading A-grade coaches name key players, 2024 takeaways and finals aims

The Sunshine Coast A-grade rugby league season is quickly approaching finals with competition head coaches revealing their team’s key players, major takeaways and run home aims.

Sunshine Coast A-grade rugby league players. Pictures: Facebook, Tegan's Photos, Patrick Woods, Abby Kite, Herdo Photography and Cordelia Turner

After 15 rounds of entertaining rugby league across the Sunshine Coast, we’re quickly approaching the pointy end of the 2024 senior A-grade season.

With just three rounds in the regular season remaining, teams are still battling it out for their place in the finals before the eventual grand final on September 14.

In a rollercoaster season of unpredictable results, we’ve spoken to leading coaches to gauge their side’s strengths, weaknesses, standout players and finals aims.

Read below to see how each side is tracking.

Stay tuned for the senior women’s grand final preview and coverage later this week!

MEN’S A-GRADE

NOOSA

Current position: 1st (11 wins, 2 losses, 0 draws)

Head Coach: Mick Duff

Key Players: “It is tough because a lot of the boys have been fantastic this year. I know Harry Dwyer has been immense when he’s been back with us. He makes a lot of line breaks, creates plenty of opportunities and is just really solid in the middle. Pickles (Dyllan Cousens) has really stepped up this year as a young hooker. He’s still not even 21-years-old but always gives 100 percent, wears our jersey with pride and has a big future. Matt Craven at five-eight came down with big wraps from Bundaberg and he’s been a bit of what we’ve been missing the past few seasons. He’s a big, ball running half and has a nice kicking game so his consistency and stability has been great. It hasn’t really mattered who’s partnered him in the halves as that’s been shared throughout the year.”

Noosa Pirates A-grade head coach Mick Duff with club president Liam Anlezark. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Biggest Positive: “Defence definitely. We reviewed last season, looked at where we went well and where we didn’t and defense was easily the biggest standout. We could always score tries but our problem was holding teams out so we’ve worked really hard this season, especially around the ruck and it’s been a pleasure to watch most weeks, maybe not the last few.”

What needs improvement: “Consistency is the focus. We’ve had a few slow starts so if we can be a bit more consistent and if we can play a complete game of footy anything really is possible. We’re a well balanced side all across the park but if we start a bit slow we’re chasing the game and making it hard for ourselves.”

COOLUM

Current position: 2nd (10 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw)

Head Coach: Matt Smith

Key Players: “We’ve had a lot of consistent players, obviously some standouts being our representative guys like Sam Elara and Dan Moevao are two guys that lead from the front. They’re both well experienced players so a lot of the younger guys look up to them and feed off their energy and field presence. From the other side two young guys in Josh Rowe and Marlon Hawkins have played nearly every game this year and are two quality players that don’t get as much recognition as they should.”

Coolum Colts rugby league club president Simon Kidman and head coach Matt Smith. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Biggest Positive: “Towards the start of the year we all agreed we wanted to focus on our defence and off the back of that we should be winning a few close games. We probably weren't as strong as I or anyone would’ve liked in the beginning but the second half of the year has been good. We’ve really made teams work to earn their tries which I think has helped us a lot and it’s something we want to keep improving on as we head into finals.”

What needs improvement: “Our discipline I think. We’ve let a lot of teams into games due to our ill-discipline so we’re working hard at that, completing our sets obviously and sometimes just playing boring footy. Sometimes that’s what wins you matches so if we can work hard in those areas it will go a long way.”

BEERWAH

Current position: 3rd (8 wins, 5 losses, 0 draw)

Head Coach: Brett Hill

Key Players: “It’s honestly hard to say because I wouldn’t say we’ve had any clear standouts. That’s been the good part about us in that it’s been a really big team effort. We’ve had plenty of suspensions and a lot of guys that have had to put their hands up to play in different positions so overall I’ve been pleased with a number of guys.”

Beerwah Rugby League coach Brett Hill and player Daniel Kidd. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Biggest Positive: “Our never give in attitude I’d say. We’ve had to bring a lot of new players into the team so it’s taken us a while to gel but they’ve stuck at it and we’re coming together nicely at the right time.”

What needs improvement: “I think it’s one of the competitions that whoever has the ball is going to do some damage. Ball possession is a big focus for us because I think any team can score points against anyone now.”

MAROOCHYDORE

Current position: 4th (6 wins, 7 losses, 0 draws)

Head Coach: Bart Hold

Key Players: “Obviously Tom Geraghty has been huge for our side. He’s always one of the standouts each week as well as young Levi Filiga. He’s been really impressive as his talk has been good and he’s always willing to learn. Then both Hayden Bartlett and Cody Button have been outstanding for us as well. Both guys have massive work rates and get through plenty of tough stuff for our side.”

Maroochydore Swans A-grade rugby league captain Tom Geraghty and head coach Bart Hold. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Biggest Positive: “We’ve had a few injuries this season like every side has but I’ve been impressed with our unity. Just to see the boys come together, work for each other when times get tough has been our biggest strength at the moment.”

What needs improvement: “I’d say our completions. We’re still making a few silly little errors but if we can hold the ball and create momentum then everything else will look after itself.”

CALOUNDRA

Current position: 5th (5 wins, 6 losses, 2 draws)

Head Coach: Craig Cleary

Key Players: “I think Rueben Olive has really been hitting his straps this season. He’s found where he’s comfortable on both sides of the field which has been really good for us. Two of our younger guys Caileb Dimes and Tyrell Hopkins have both been putting in every week which is good to see.”

Caloundra Sharks 2024 A-grade captain Ethan Gaffney. Picture: Queensland Rugby League.

Biggest Positive: “Winning on the road has been a big thing for us. We’ve had two draws and three losses at home but seem to travel really well. As far as the team itself, the boys are taking it a lot more seriously. They’re all doing the extra work away from training so their commitment and bond together has been first class. The other thing I would put it down to would be our reserve grade side. We’re all training together this year which has been really big for us. The reggies are top of the table this season and the guys coming through and stepping up to play A-grade are a lot more ready than maybe years gone by.”

What needs improvement: “We just need to learn how to ice games I think. There’s been at least two games we should’ve won and we would’ve been a bit healthier on the ladder. That’s something we’re looking to work on, mainly on how the boys think instead of necessarily what they do on the field. That takes habit sometimes so it’s about getting them into that mindset of knowing how good they actually are but it’s happening slowly but surely. That also comes down to our injury list and looking at which key players we’re missing but hopefully they start to roll back soon as we head into the final games and finals.”

CABOOLTURE

Current position: 6th (6 wins, 7 losses, 1 draw)

Head Coach: Jamie Floss

Key Players: “I’d give a wrap to Hunter Smallhorn, Tim Tupou, Logan Pouhotaua, Alex Crust and a big one to Josh Totoro. All those boys have been really good for us every week and the other would be Hamo-Tama Hamo off the bench. He’s been adding some great x-factor off the bench which only adds to our attack. A young guy as well would be Regan O’Connell, he’s in our under-19s but has backed up for us a fair bit over the last few weeks which has been a huge positive. It’s not an easy ask for a young kid but he’s been great.”

Caboolture Snakes A-grade head coaches for 2024. Picture: Facebook.

Biggest Positive: “I’ve been really pleased with how they all keep turning up for each other. They have a real want to get better each week and at every training session which has really helped us as we look to go deep into the finals. Our squad is starting to tie together well now which is good to see.”

What needs improvement: “Just our basics. That’s what I said at the start of the year and it still remains our key focus. Just simple, one percent things that each individual can do goes a long way to producing a strong team effort. Sometimes we just drift off a bit and leak some easy points but if we stick together and stick to how we want to play we can give every team a fair shake.”

NAMBOUR

Current position: 7th (3 wins, 8 losses, 2 draws)

Head Coach: Marty Cordwell

Key Players: “Having Jaiden Zanchetta back in our side and leading the boys around the park will be a big positive. Taylor Hyland is back in the mix now as well which is exciting. He had some visa issues at the start of the season so had to head home for a stint but credit to him, he wanted to come back and finish the season with us. He’s flown home and flown back and should stick around for next season as well which will be great.”

Nambour half Jaiden Zanchetta alongside head coach and captain Marty Cordwell. Picture: Facebook.

Biggest Positive: “I think we’ve done a really good job this year in terms of where we’re at. We’ve been a bit disappointed with our results in the last couple of weeks but looking at injuries and availability of players has hurt us a bit. The boys have shown their resilience despite these hurdles and that’s something that’s really impressed me. I think we can still take so much away from this season and would have to push pretty hard for these final games.”

What needs improvement: “I think the biggest thing for us now is to not get too focused on the result, more so looking at our effort areas and little on-field components. It’s about doing the tough work that’s not the flashiest on both sides of the footy.”

KAWANA

Current position: 8th (4 wins, 9 losses, 1 draw)

Head Coach: Chris Corbett

Key Players: “It’s been pretty hard because we’ve had so many injuries but our standouts have been Luke McBeath in the middle and Jack Heyman at the back.”

Kawana Dolphins head coach Chris Corbett. Picture: Patrick Woods

Biggest Positive: “We’re going through a rebuilding season but I’ve been impressed with how the boys have come together. It’s been tough with so many new players but they’re all learning how to play that tough brand of footy when it’s needed. We had 18 A-grade players out the other week so they’ve stepped up when called upon. We’ve blooded 10 new players which is going to be extremely beneficial for us next year and in seasons to follow. Those younger guys have all been really strong which has been a proud point for me.”

What needs improvement: “The last few games we’ve been able to cut out our silly errors and just play tough footy. We’ve been a lot more patient, which is an area we’ve been looking to improve on. At the start of the year we were losing matches by beating ourselves rather than going down to strong opposition. I think if we can continue along this recent trend that should be a nicer note to end on and take into next season.”

STANLEY RIVER

Current position: 9th (3 wins, 9 losses, 1 draw)

Head Coach: Ethan Szendrey

Key Players: “A big one for me I’d love to give a shout out to Jaye Allery. With the season we’ve had he’s the only guy that’s played every game bar one so he’s been a stalwart for us. Ben King has been excellent as well and Alex Clegg in the centres. He’s the only guy that’s played every game and has been strong each week.”

Stanley River Wolves head coach Ethan Szendrey.

Biggest Positive: “Our season hasn’t gone how we wanted it to go but I’ve been really impressed by each player’s mental toughness. To keep turning up each week, giving it a crack at training and on game day and getting a few results here and there has been pleasing. Everyone’s dug their heels in and I think that’s a pretty solid foundation to build on for next season.”

What needs improvement: “Keeping players on the paddock. I know every team goes through rough patches but we’ve used 45 different players in A-grade this season. We can sit here and complain about what the season should’ve looked like but it would be great to build some consistency over the last few games and show what we would’ve been capable of if we had the cattle available.”

Originally published as SCGRL: Leading A-grade coaches name key players, 2024 takeaways and finals aims