Surging Brothers too good for Souths in Brett Johnson Memorial

REVEALED: Why annual Brett Johnson Memorial clashes ignite the league passions of Brothers and Souths – plus all the star players, stat leaders, injuries and talking points from TRL.

Mitchell Murphy of Southern Suburbs against Brothers in a 2023 TRL A Grade match. Brothers and Souths played for the Brett Johnson Memorial Shield at the weekend. Picture: Kevin Farmer

One of Toowoomba Rugby League’s most treasured sons, Brett Johnson, was honoured

Southern Suburbs Tigers are already plotting their Brett Johnson Memorial Trophy redemption after two sound defeats on Saturday night.

Tigers squared off with Brothers at Gold Park with the combined results of the men’s A and Reserve grade games determining where the silverware would reside for the remainder of the 2025 Toowoomba Rugby League season.

A resurgent Brothers were too good on the road winning 36-16 (A-grade) and 12-10 (Reserve grade) to claim the highly coveted trophy.

The trophy is named in honour of Brett, a passionate and dedicated Souths stalwart, who lost his battle Ewing’s Sarcoma in 2016.

Alongside his family, Brett was committed to growing rugby league as a whole across the Darling Downs.

While Brett ‘bled’ the orange and black of Souths his father Pat held the presidential reins of Brothers for a period ensuring the memorial round matches were played with passion and intensity.

Brett’s legacy lives on in the match and the Johnson Star award for Men of League volunteer of the year.

The memorial matches were first played in 2015.

Gatton Hawks celebrate their 2024 Toowoomba Rugby League grand final win.

Terrific trios

With four rounds in the bag two uncanny stat lines have formed in the Toowoomba Sports Club Women’s and Hutchinson Builder’s A-grade Men’s competition.

In the women’s competition Oakey, Valleys and Brothers share a 3 win, 1 loss record while Gatton, Wattles and Brothers are unbeaten in the men’s comp.

It’s no surprise seeing Gatton and Wattles at the top of the men’s ladder but the continued rise of Brothers will have stunned more than a few TRL fans.

Brothers have been consistent to date, improving slightly with each match, but will need to lift their game ahead of a round 6 showdown with premiers Gatton.

Thankfully they will be in prime position to perform with a round 5 bye before the big clash.

One perfect record will end this weekend with Gatton playing host to Wattles.

In the women’s competition Brothers (vs. Gatton), Oakey (vs. Highfields) and Valleys (vs. Souths) all have the chance to go 4 and 1 this weekend.

Best of the Best

We can wax lyrical here with a plethora of stats and ‘expert commentary’ but we’re going to hit the line like a rampaging forward instead.

In five words or less here’s why these teams are the best of the best.

Gatton A-grade: Shared attack, points haul, defence.

Wattles A-grade: 80-minute play, grit, experience

Brothers A-grade: Excitement, X-factor, veteran stars

Oakey women: Attack, defence, grit

Valleys women: Team play, defence, experience

Brothers women: Shared attack, team mix, passions.

Matthew Christensen has been a top performer for Wattles this season. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Star players

A-grade men

Luke Self (Gatton): 6 tries

Matthew Christensen (Wattles): 5 tries

Jeffrey Lingwoodock (Brothers): 5 tries

Jack Pattie (Goondiwindi): 5 tries

Leonard Thomas (Wattles) 38 points)

Tom Hatch (Wattles) 34 points)

Chris Woodbridge (Dalby) 34 points

Tony Clevin (Brothers) 32 points.

Women

Morgan Prentice (Highfields): 6 tries, 24 points

Chontelle Orcher (Brothers): 5 tries, 28 points

Emma-Lea Herridge (Brothers) 4 tries

Kiara Taylor (Oakey) 4 tries

Abbey Markey (Highfields) 20 points

Zoe Cook (Valleys) 16 points)