2025 Western Clydesdales Mal Meninga Cup season preview

After a midtable finish in 2024, the Western Clydesdales have their sights set on making a statement in this year’s Mal Meninga Cup. Check out our season preview here.

Western Clydesdales players run out for their Meninga Cup trial game against Brisbane Tigers. Picture: Supplied/Western Clydesdales.

The is much excitement surrounding the Western Clydesdales Mal Meninga Cup side and with a new coach at the helm, the side is hoping to break into the finals in 2025.

The Clydesdales are welcomed by an influx of young talent who starred at Cyril Connell level in 2024, giving new head coach Steven Rach several of selection headaches ahead of round 1.

“I am really excited, taken over from Gus (McKellar) so got big shoes to fill there,” Rach said.

“I have a lot of young talent and they are chomping at the bit to go get out there.

“We’re really excited for the season and we have a lot of selection headaches and that’s what you want.”

Rach said a major focus has been on upholding the team’s values with a major emphasis on effort in every aspect of the game, from conditioning to game time.

“We’ve just honed in on our core values as a team through pre-season and we worked on effort,” he said.

“If we stay true to that, there’s no reason why we can’t play finals.”

With several talented Cyril Connell Cup stars from 2024 making the step up this year, Rach has been impressed by the efforts of the younger cohort of players on his roster.

“They’ve handled it really well, they’re really tyring to take it to those older guys, which has helped elevate everyone’s game,” he said.

Jake Durie for Clydesdales. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Wildcard watch

Jake Durie

After picking up an ACL injury, Durie returned to form late in the 2024 Toowoomba Rugby League season and the playmaker is a game-changer in the halves when he is at his best.

His ball-running skills and ability to take on the line while creating opportunities for his teammates makes him a special player.

Shaun Elara

Elara was one of the breakout stars of the 2024 Cyril Connell Cup season as he made countless barnstorming runs.

The Clydesdales forward earned a call-up for the Queensland Country side and was a human highlight reel at under-17 level.

He is an absolute workhorse in attack and defence and will be one to watch this year as he makes the step up to Meninga Cup level.