Dalby Diehards sign talented pair ahead of their A-grade premiership defence

TRL TRACKER: With pre-season well and truly underway, the Dalby Diehards have sent a major statement of intent ahead of the 2024 Toowoomba Rugby League season with two huge signings. Check out the latest signings from the TRL here.

The Dalby Diehards have shown they mean business ahead of the 2024 Toowoomba Rugby League season with the announcement of some big-name signings.

The 2023 premiers have bolstered their forward stocks with the acquisition of Patrick O'Callaghan from Valleys.

O'Callaghan was a member of the Western Clydesdales side last year, playing three games in the Hostplus Cup and helped the Roosters to the grand final.

Dalby has also signed talented halfback Josh Chappell.

Chappell spent three years with the Parramatta Eels and was a part of the Sunshine Coast Falcons set up in 2023.

The Diehards are not the only side making big moves, with Goondiwindi also adding to its roster.

The Boars have acquired the services of classy back and hooker Joel Holdsworth.

He is a versatile playmaker who was a part of the St George Illawarra Dragons system and has spent the last three seasons playing in the Hostplus Cup for the Central Queensland Capras and the Ipswich Jets.

Goondiwindi has also signed former player Michael Hazard.

Hazard returns to the club after spending the 2023 playing Aussie Rules for the Goondiwindi Hawks.

He is a lightning quick player who is an exciting talent and will bring plenty of energy to the Boars line up in 2024.

Leprechauns sign talented forward

Former Southport Tigers second row star Simi Ata has joined the Leprechauns for the 2024 season.

Brothers approached Ata after connections on the Gold Coast told them he and his family were moving to the Garden City this year.

“He’s exactly the type of player we want at the club right now,” a Brothers official said.

“Simi is a talented footballer and he brings plenty of experience to the side.

“More importantly though he is the type of character we want right now.

“He’s passionate, determined and committed to helping the club on and off the field.”

Ash Taylor returns home

Brothers has made the first big signing of the Toowoomba Rugby League off-season with the addition of Ashley Taylor.

Taylor, who played more than 100 NRL games, returns to the club he once called his own as a junior as captain-coach for the 2024 season.

The former Gold Coast Titans halfback joins from Newtown, where he signed on for his first ever coaching role before later taking to the field in a handful of games later in the season.

Taylor was one of the most promising talents in the NRL before injury forced him to retire from the sport professionally in 2022.

Ash Taylor of Gold Coast Titans takes on the St George Illawarra Dragons line during the NRL round 3 game between the sides at Toowoomba’s Clive Berghofer Stadium in 2018.

With Taylor departing as coach of the Lions, Newtown has brought in Anthony Watt to as their new A-grade coach.

Elsewhere, Valleys Roosters have confirmed Matthew Schulze and Josh Barrett will return as coaches of their A-grade side after narrowly missing out on the title this year, while Travis Burns will return as coach of the Wattles Warriors with Ty Gardner as club captain.

James Quinn continues as coach of Pittsworth, while Colin Speed resumes his role as head coach of the Warwick Cowboys and Brendan Wilson has taken the reigns as coach of Souths.