We name our Toowoomba Rugby League City vs Country dream teams

After a thrilling season of Toowoomba Rugby League, we have run the rule across every club and named our TRL City and Country dream teams. Did we get it right and who would win if these two sides faced off?

Jake Speed for Warwick. Picture: Nev Madsen.

As we look back on what was an unforgettable 2024 Toowoomba Rugby League season, which featured countless twists and turns and of the all-time great grand finals, we have run the rule across the competition to name our TRL City v Country dream teams.

We have split the competition evenly, allocating six teams to each side.

Our six City teams include Brothers, Southern Suburbs, Newtown, Valleys, Warwick and Highfields, while Oakey, Goondiwindi, Pittsworth, Dalby, Wattles and Gatton are in the Country allocation.

One of the parameters decided by The Chronicle Sports team when building these two squads was that each club must have at least one representative, creating an interesting challenge to assemble the best possible team.

Check out our two dream teams below and see which players made the cut from you club.

City

1. Tony Clevin (Brothers)

Clevin made the switch from Newtown to Brothers for the 2024 season alongside former NRL playmaker Ash Taylor and the duo were a force to be reckoned with.

Clevin’s electric work at fullback saw him cross over for 11 tries and score 104 points.

2. Jake Speed (Warwick)

Throughout the first three months of the season, all eyes were on Jake Speed as he helped Warwick storm ahead of the competition.

While the Cowboys did drop off in the back end of the campaign, Speed was still a perennial threat as he scored 19 tries and earned a call-up to the Queensland Country team.

3. Joseph Vite (Warwick)

Between Speed and Vite, the Cowboys were always an attacking threat out wide.

The young centre had a breakout campaign as he crossed over for 14 tries and was one of the stars in the Toowoomba Clydesdales’ 47th Battalion title run.

Dylan Chown of Valleys. Picture: Kevin Farmer

4. Dylan Chown (Valleys)

As reliable as they come, Chown joins Vite in the centres for the City team after another standout campaign where he scored 14 tries.

5. Brock Diment (Valleys)

While it may not be his natural position with Diment doing his best work at fullback, the Valleys back is too good to turn away and his versatility would put him in good stead out wide.

Diment was a central figure in the Roosters’ climb up the ladder after their slow start to the campaign, chipping in with an impressive 13 tries.

6. Caleb Murphy (Warwick)

One of the major contributes to the Cowboys’ stellar season, Murphy pulled the strings for Warwick in the halves and ended the campaign with a competition-high 220 points.

Mac Puafisi of the Western Clydesdales. Picture: Benny Hassum Photography.

7. Mac Puafisi (Highfields)

While Puafisi may not have been a consistent figure in the Eagles set up, as he split his time almost evenly between the TRL and Western Clydesdales, when he was lining up for Highfields, he was near unstoppable.

Puafisi was pivotal in the halves for the Eagles during their late season run where they won four of their last five games and scored 144 points across their last three clashes.

8. Tui Oloapu (Warwick)

The barnstorming prop was an exciting addition to the Cowboys this season and was an attacking threat whenever he had the ball.

9. Hugh Sedger (Valleys)

The experienced playmaker was a bedrock in the number nine jersey for the Roosters as he controlled the attack and led from the front as captain.

Harry Tombs of Valleys. Picture: Kevin Farmer

10. Harry Tombs (Valleys)

Tombs was one of the best players on the field during the grand final and was as reliable as they come on the biggest stage.

His countless hit-ups and game-changing runs throughout the season laid down the foundations for his playmakers to get to work.

11. Jamie Te Amo (Newtown)

The Newtown second row was a shining light for the Lions and featured in the Toowoomba Clydesdales 47th Battalion side.

12. Cooper Howlett (Souths)

Having made his Hostplus Cup debut for the Western Clydesdales in 2023, Howlett drew upon his Queensland Cup experience to produce some key performances for the Tigers throughout 2024.

13. Mitchell Wilson (Warwick)

For most of the season, Wilson was in the box seat to claim the Webcke-Price Medal for player of the year but was ultimately pipped at the end by Dalby’s Chris Woodbridge.

The inspiring lock was resolute in defence and gained several metres with his runs.

Country

AJ Ma Chong (left) of Oakey tackles Mitchell Murphy. Picture: Kevin Farmer

1. AJ Ma Chong (Oakey)

Ma Chong took home the player of the year award for the Bears with his leadership and versatility earning him the number one jersey in this team.

Whether it was in the forward pack, or in the backline, Ma Chong can be relied upon to lead from the front.

2. Cameron Bundock (Gatton)

The man who etched his name into TRL history, Bundock deservedly lines up on the wing for this country team after an unforgettable campaign.

The Hawks winger crossed over for 16 tries in 2024, with none more important than his premiership-winning four-pointer for Gatton in golden-point in the grand final.

3. Matthew Christensen (Wattles)

Christensen was a force to be reckoned with for the Warriors this season as he scored an impressive 23 tries, with only Chris Woodbridge scoring more.

With star centre Austin Jennings picking up a season-ending injury during pre-season, Christensen filled the void superbly.

4. Lachlan Watt (Wattles)

Watt swapped Newtown for Wattles midway through the season but fitted into the new system seamlessly as he continued to score tries for Wattles in their charge towards finals.

The centre chipped in with an impressive 13 tries throughout the campaign in a Warriors team where there were several attacking weapons.

5. Luke Self (Gatton)

While it may not be his natural fullback position, Self can play out wide and was at his vintage best throughout the 2024 campaign on the way to the premiership.

The Hawks veteran scored 13 tries this season and featured in the Clydesdales 47th Battalion team.

Chris Woodbridge puts a step on in the 2023 Men's Koori Knockout grand final. Picture: Andrea Francolini

6. Chris Woodbridge (Dalby)

In this TRL Country team, the Webcke-Price Medallist would line up in the halves instead of fullback.

However, as he showed for the Toowoomba Clydesdales and Queensland Country, this was not an issue for him as he fitted in seamlessly into the role.

Woodbridge did not produce quiet the same levels of stardom this year compared to last year but he was still by far the most electric and game-changing player in the competition as he scored a league-high 35 tries.

In the last two years, the Dalby gun has scored an astonishing 81 tries in the TRL.

Joel Hughes for Gatton. Picture: Kevin Farmer

7. Joel Hughes (Gatton)

Hughes is a big-time player who orchestrated the Hawks in their impressive run to the premiership at halfback.

He was a deserved John “Cracker” McDonald Medallist after a sensational grand final performance and is illusive with the ball in hand.

8. Blake Cullen (Pittsworth)

For the majority of the season, the Danes were well and truly in the finals battle and Cullen was one of the major reasons why.

The powerful forward produced countless tireless performances and was named he Danes’ A-grade best and fairest after a stellar year.

9. Jack Pattie (Goondiwindi)

The Goondiwindi gun featured in the Queensland Country team as starting hooker and was an inspiring captain for the Boars in 2024.

He was as reliable as ever and led from the front during a challenging year for Goondiwindi.

10. Ben Haviland (Gatton)

Haviland made countless massive runs throughout the year and was a true leader in the Hawks forward ranks.

He was a force to be reckoned with every time he stepped out onto the field and was a key figure in the Toowoomba Clydesdales side.

11. Leonard Thomas (Gatton)

A strong second row who has an incredible knack for creating try-scoring opportunities at pivotal moments.

He ended the campaign as Gatton’s leading points-scorer as well, with 132 points.

12. Bailey Rathmell (Dalby)

A young gun with plenty of energy who was unfazed by the proposition of taking on older opponents.

He is an impressive athlete and brings plenty of effort every game.

13. Blake Mara (Dalby)

The cool, calm and collected head of Blake Mara was pivotal for the Diehards’ young forward pack this year.

Mara scored seven tries for Dalby and was a key player in Queensland Country’s win over Queensland City.