Seven things learnt from round one of the Toowoomba Rugby League

With the TRL back underway, these are the seven things we learnt from the opening round of men and women’s action.

Tevita Cocker. Picture: Nev Madsen.

RUGBY LEAGUE: Footy made its glorious return to Toowoomba at the weekend.

The opening round of the TRL Premiership and the first ever competition games of the open women’s competition took centre stage.

As always, The Chronicle looks back at the seven things we learnt from the weekend’s games.

HIGHFIELDS NAIL THEIR SPINE
Two years ago Highfields struggled to keep the same 1, 6, 7 and 9 on the paddock in consecutive weeks.

Those positions were in fine form in their opening win over Pittsworth, with Jarrod Lee at the back and Nick Bainbridge at nine gelling well with Pat Templeman and Cory McGrady in the halves.

If they can keep the four together this season, good things will happen at Highfields.

GATTON’S DEPTH SCARILY GOOD

There was a lot to like about the Hawks across all three men’s grades at the weekend, particularly their seniors.

Reserve grade had a big win over Newtown, and there are plenty of players in that team that wouldn’t look out of place in the top flight.

A-grade also had a comfortable win, and you get the feeling they won’t lose much if a player is to go down throughout the year.

FRANCISCUS MOVE PAYS DIVIDENDS

I was shocked when seeing Dalby stalwart Steve Franciscus would start the season at fullback, particularly given the impact he’s had at centre in this league.

Despite a bit of a slow start against Wattles, he really worked his way into the game well, adding a new dimension to the side by being able to control things from the back.

He picked the right times to chime in, and caps off a really strong Dalby backline.

OAKEY KEEPS ITSELF IN THE HUNT

After a challenging pre-season, we really needed to see some fight from Oakey as they hosted Goondiwindi.

The signs looked worrying at 20-0 down midway through the first half, but the Bears didn’t drop their heads.

They fought back to get themselves within two scores late in the game, before eventually going down 30-16.

It’s a result they can take a lot out of.

SOUTHS HAVE TICKER

With a big crowd at Glenholme Park and finding themselves on the wrong end of a 10-0 scoreline early on, Southern Suburbs’ fortunes could’ve ended much differently.

They stuck to the task, working their way back into an intriguing contest against Brothers and taking the lead into halftime.

That will do the confidence of this young roster a world of good, particularly heading into a big cash with Highfields this weekend.

VALLEYS THE TEAM TO BEAT

They say you need to beat the man to be the man.

If that’s the case, the Roosters still hold that perch as the benchmark of the TRL.

The back-to-back defending champions were clinical against Warwick, in a game where a lot of people were picking the Cowboys.

It’s scary to think there is still a lot of improvement to come.

GATTON WOMEN SET THE TONE

Gatton and Newtown are already building a rivalry in the open women’s division.

After a pair of close encounters in the Tom Gorman Challenge, the Hawks were able to edge out the Lions at Cahill Park.

There’s a lot to like about the composition of this Gatton roster with a big forward pack and some talented outside backs.