We rank the biggest moments of the 2024 Western Clydesdales season
From the controversial moments, to the history-making moments and thrilling finishes, we rank the top 10 moments of the 2024 Western Clydesdales season. See what made the list here.
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The 2024 Queensland Rugby League season was one which will go down in history for Darling Downs sport as the Western Clydesdales fielded six teams for the first time.
From the senior stars in the Hostplus Cup and BMD Premiership, to the young guns of the Harvey Norman girls’ competitions and the Mal Meninga and Cyril Connell Cups, there were countless unforgettable moments from the campaign.
From the controversial, to the inspiring, check out our biggest moments of the Clydesdales season here.
Honourable mentions include a record number of local players featuring in the Clydesdales’ clash with Ipswich Jets, Corey Fenning starring in his first Hostplus Cup season following a run of injuries, and BMD coach Mitch Sargent joining the Wests Tigers as NRLW assistant coach.
10. Shenae Ciesiolka lights up Clive Berghofer Stadium
After missing the opening two games of the BMD Premiership season through injury, inaugural co-captain and Darling Downs NRLW superstar Shenae Ciesiolka made her long-awaited debut for the club in a dominant 28-4 win over the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
Speaking after the game, Ciesiolka described the game as a moment she will always remember.
9. Juniors’ impressive run to finals
The Cyril Connell Cup and Harvey Norman under-19s were a force to be reckoned with during the regular season with both sides winning all six games en route to the finals.
However, both teams runs came to a sudden end in the semi-finals, with the Harvey Norman side suffering an 18-10 defeat to Mackay, while Cyril Connell team lost 18-26 against the Townsville Blackhawks.
8. First grade debuts for Western Clydesdales graduates
In the space of a month, three players who made their mark for the Western Clydesdales made their debut in the NRL or NRLW.
Lyhkan King-Togia, De La Salle Va’a and Georgia Sim all made their top flight debuts for their respective clubs and all featured for the Clydesdales at some point.
Va’a and King-Togia were key members in the Clydesdales junior rep system, while Sim featured in the inaugural BMD Premiership side this year.
7. Clydesdales combine for pivotal Origin try
The Clydesdales were strongly represented in the Women’s State of Origin with Shenae Ciesiolka, Ali Brigginshaw, Keeley Davis and Kezie Apps all representing their states.
The Clydesdales were at the forefront during game 2, when Brigginshaw and Ciesiolka combined for a pivotal try for the Maroons in a clash they would win 11-10.
6. Young guns earn QLD Country honours
The potential of achieving future honours from the Clydesdales pathway was clear to see at the end of the under-17 season as seven players were selected for the under-17 sides.
Shaun Elara, Braithen Scott, Brodie Hilt, Joseph Litidamu, Mia Byrnes, Tayla Horrobin and Pypah Ferguson all starred for the Clydesdales junior rep sides and were rewarded for their efforts with Queensland Country selection.
5. Clydesdales captain sent off
One of the most controversial moments of the Hostplus Cup season occurred during the Clydesdales clash with the Burleigh Bears when captain Emry Pere was sent off in the 10th minute for the use of a homophobic slur.
Pere could be heard saying “f---ing f----ot” and was immediately sent from the field by the match referee.
The Clydesdales captain expressed his remorse following the incident, issuing an apology to the Clydesdales community, stating that he was “truly sorry” for the incident and that it was a lapse in Judgement.
4. Gatton young gun guides Hostplus Cup side to drought-breaking win
It was the debut to remember for young gun Kaden Buhse as he helped lead the Western Clydesdales to a thrilling 32-30 win over the Redcliffe Dolphins in round 8.
3. Finals berth sealed in dramatic fashion
It wasn’t easy, but the BMD Clydesdales earned a finals berth in the last round of the season in an unbelievable contest with Souths Logan Magpies.
The Western Clydesdales trailed by six points with less than five minutes to play and needed at least a draw to progress.
2. Captain takes out biggest prize
BMD co-captain Tara Reinke etched her name into history in 2024 as she won the QRL Steph Hancock Medal for best and fairest in the BMD Premiership.
In 2021, she stepped onto the rugby league field for the first time in the inaugural TRL women’s competition with the Gatton hawks.
In 2022, she made her BMD Premiership debut for the Brisbane Tigers.
In 2023, she made her NRLW debut for the Canberra Raiders, before joining the Wests Tigers and co-captaining her local Western Clydesdales in 2024.
1. BMD Clydesdales’ perfect inauguration day
The Western Clydesdales kicked off their inaugural BMD Premiership campaign off in style with a thrilling win 22-18 over the CQ Capras in front of a packed Clive Berghofer Stadium.
The Capras valiantly fought back late in the game to set up a thrilling finale but the Clydesdales survived the scare to claim an unforgettable victory.
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