SCGRL off-season transfer tracker: 2025 A-grade recruits and coaching changes

A former NRL premiership star has put pen to paper with a leading SCGRL A-grade club while a Falcons stalwart has returned to his junior club for 2025. See every new recruit and coaching change so far.

SCGRL off-season tracker: Every club’s new recruit, coaching change for 2025.

The Sunshine Coast rugby league off-season is in full swing with a handful of A-grade clubs already bringing in new talent.

Just a few months on from one of the competitions greatest ever grand final showdowns, clubs are already naming their fresh face recruits for the 2025 season.

Stay up to date with every move from around the grounds in our pre-season tracker below.

• SCGRL off-season tracker part one
• New SCGRL senior president reveals key competition plans
  

Former NRL premiership star joins Noosa

The Noosa Pirates have pulled off a major signing coup for the 2025 season, welcoming former NRL and England international star George Burgess to the club.

Burgess played 153 matches during his nine-year NRL career, including a premiership with the Rabbitohs in 2014.

Sam Burgess celebrates with brothers Tom and George the lap of honour in 2014 NRL Grand Final between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Gregg Porteous

In 2023 the damaging front row forward won a premiership with Cairns Brothers before returning to New South Wales and playing the back half of the 2024 season with South Eastern.

The 32-year-old said he was excited for the upcoming season.

“For me it’s very important to stay connected to the game that I have grown and evolved with as a person, it’s more than just a sport for me,” Burgess said.

Burgess is also expected to coach the club’s under-16s team.

“To be given the opportunity to pass on my teachings to the next generation of footy players is something special.

“As a 15 and 16-year-old young man I was definitely at a crossroads as to whether I was going to pursue rugby league as a career or not so to be able to work closely with the Pirates under-16’s is great for me to be able to play a pivotal role in their young sporting careers and give them valuable lessons they can use in their lives on and off the field.”

“I look forward to getting involved in the Noosa community and Pirates rugby league club as a whole and helping wherever I can.”

George Burgess in action last season. Picture: Adam Wrightson Photography.

Noosa Pirates club president Liam Anlezark said it was a major signing for the club.

“We’re excited to have someone of George’s experience and calibre involved with the Pirates for season 2025,” Anlezark said.

“I’m personally really excited to see him take the reins of our under-16’s boys team assisted by club legend Tom Prosser.

“I’m sure Big George’s professionalism on the training paddock will be positive for the culture that Tom Murphy is driving in our senior playing group and George’s playing debut at Pirate Park will be a massive day for the club.

“For someone that’s done so much in our great game, to be aligned with our vision and what we’re building as a club is pretty special.”

One Geraghty is better than none

Maroochydore have continued their off-season refresh adding Sunshine Coast Falcons stalwart Louis Geraghty to the side for the 2025 season.

Geraghty, 26, has played 102 matches for the Falcons since making his Queensland Cup debut in 2017 as a 19-year-old.

Sunshine Coast Falcons player Louis Geraghty in action. Picture: Nicola Anne Photography.

The Falcons stalwart went on to play eight consecutive seasons and is just the sixth player in the club’s history to play 100 games for the Falcons.

“It’s definitely been an enjoyable time with the Falcons and it’s not a decision I’ve taken lightly but it is a big commitment and I think it’s time I ease up a little bit,” Geraghty said.

“I just wanted to take a step back from the semi-professional side of it all but still obviously enjoy my footy and return to my junior club.”

During his rise the talented second row forward also represented Melbourne Storm under-20s side, Queensland under 20s and the Junior Kangaroos.

Geraghty last played for the Swans in 2016 after making his A-grade debut as a 17-year-old the year prior.

“I’m really excited to work with some of the younger players, I’ve got a couple of mates at the club that I’ve played with before and there’s already been some great signings in Jai Smoothy, Riley Moore and other guys so I think we’ll definitely have a good crack at the title,” he said.

Tom and Louis Geraghty will be playing together at the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

Geraghty is the younger brother of outgoing captain Tom but said he was doing all he could to share the field together one last time.

“It’s a bit of a shame because it would’ve been very cool to have played with him again,” Geraghty said.

“I’ll keep trying but he’s told me I need to let him retire in peace.”

Other recent signings and re-signing announcements have included Cody Button, Coen Searl and Riley Boaza.

Snakes playmaker eager to lace up the boots for 12th straight season

Caboolture have kept their signing announcements rolling over with a number of key returning and new players set to pull on the jersey in 2025.

Among the announcements is Snake’s stalwart Josh Totoro who will enter his 12th straight season in A-grade next season.

Josh Totoro in action for Caboolture.

Totoro made the switch from football to rugby league when he joined the club in under-15s and said he was excited for the coming months.

“It’s really special, there’s no other club I’d play for and it’s very much a family thing for me,” he said.

Totoro said he was eager to see how the Snakes performed this year as part of their longer term focus.

“Our new coach Ray (Ballantyne) is saying all the right things at the moment which has been good,” Totoro said.

“It’s not a one year thing, it’s a three, four year plan which is exciting for the entire club especially with the players we have coming through.”

Caboolture Snakes head coach Ray Ballantyne.

The Snakes under-19s team were dominant in 2024, taking out the minor premiership and the grand final with a 74-12 victory over Caloundra.

“There’ll still be a few players that will stay in under-19s, some will come up to seniors and some others are in the mix for Mal Meninga Cup,” Totoro said.

“There’s a fair chance that they’ll get some game time in A-grade this season because it’s better for everyone if they get that chance.

“I remember when I was coming in it was a different competition with different speeds, different physically and all the rest of it but it definitely makes you better and hungrier to compete.”

Coolum core back on board for 2025

After going agonisingly close in 2024, the Coolum Colts will no doubt be in the mix again next season after uncovering a number of re-signings and new recruits.

Matt Smith will return as head coach alongside Jack Noble with players Josh Rowe, Joppy Price, Jackson Shearer, Mitch Bebbington, Tristan Voll, Lachlan Turner, Seaton Reid and Dylan Glassie all putting pen to paper.

Coolum Colts player Seaton Reid kicks off. Picture: Phil Bradeley

Reid, who returned to his junior club last season, said he was eager for the coming months.

“It was unreal to be back at the club last season, especially to be around the younger players,” Reid said.

“The culture and vibe all season was great so it’s really positive to see plenty of re-signings already.”

Hayden Bartlett, Elliott Smethills, Collin Evans, Joe Clarke and Faamai Aleni have also been revealed as incoming new recruits.

“Obviously having Luke (Philp) out for majority of the season and myself having to fill that position it will be really nice to see what Hayden (Bartlett) can bring,” Reid said.

Originally published as SCGRL off-season transfer tracker: 2025 A-grade recruits and coaching changes