We rank the top 20 Darling Downs sporting moments of 2024

As we enter the new year, we take a look back at some of the great Darling Downs sporting moments of 2024. From the controversies and inspiring Olympic moments, to history-making plays, see what we ranked as the 20 biggest sports moments of the year here.

From the Olympics, to Will Brown mania at Wellcamp Airport and classic Toowoomba Rugby League clashes, 2024 was an unforgettable year for sport in the region.

As we reflect on an action-packed sporting year, we have ranked the top 20 Darling Downs sporting moments of 2024.

See which moment tops our list below.

20. Northern Brothers break drought

Northern Brothers Diggers has long been one of the strongest clubs in Toowoomba cricket but for the last decade, the white ball format has eluded the club’s A-grade side.

However, led by captain Aidan Watterson, the Dragons ended their long wait for a one-day title as they defeated the Wests juggernaut by seven wickets.

Skipper of Rushour Drew Carruthers after the Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race on Sunday 29th December 2024. Picture: Linda Higginson

19. Builder sets Melbourne to Hobart record

Toowoomba builder Drew Carruthers etched his name into sailing history this year when he set a Melbourne to Hobart record – beating the previous best time by nearly 30 hours.

His multi-hull time of one day, 13 hours, 31 minutes and 50 seconds stunned Carruthers.

“We came down here just to go for a sail, and we thought we’d do the Melbourne to Hobart as part of our summer cruise,” Carruthers said.

“The goal of this whole trip was really just to do a lap of Tasmania.

“Sailing around the bottom of Tasmania is very enjoyable, its beautiful big swells, it’s not really about the sailing, it is a wild and unique place.”

18. Newtown kicked out of TRL

One of the most controversial moments of 2024 came after the completion of the Toowoomba Rugby League season, when the TRL announced it was terminating Newtown Lions’ membership ahead of the 2025 season.

TRL chairman at the time Joe Hannant said the decision was a result of deliberation with Newtown.

“After a review, which included a discussion with a Newtown representative, we decided to terminate Newtown’s membership with the TRL,” Hannant said.

“We thank Newtown for their recent participation and wish them well in the future.”

The Lions were left shocked by the announcement and vowed to fight for their future.

“We’re very disappointed to not be playing next season,” Newtown president Kerrin Suey said.

“But we’ve got a good plan in place already and we will be in regular contact with Toowoomba Rugby League to make sure we are doing things the right way.

“The goal is to come back in 2026 and step-by-step build for a better future.”

17. Pat Tiernan asserts himself as marathon star

Just three years ago, Patrick Tiernan represented Australia in the 10,000m run at the Tokyo Olympics.

Fast forward to 2024 and Tiernan not only represented Australia in the marathon at the Olympics, but also set an Australian Olympic record in the process with a time of 2:10.34.

16. Woodbridge goes back to back

Chris Woodbridge’s historic Toowoomba Rugby League run continued in 2024 as he claimed his second successive Webcke Price Medal.

He was as devastating as ever in attack, scoring 35 tries for the campaign – 12 more than his closest rival.

15. Big train makes his debut

While it wasn’t the result he would have hoped for – a TKO defeat just 63 seconds into the bout – Toowoomba’s Tom Nolan made his long awaited UFC debut in 2024.

After the disappointing debut, Nolan bounced back, picking up wins in his next two fights.

14. Emilee Cherry picks up major honour

Australian and Darling Downs rugby sevens legend Emilee Cherry’s contributions to rugby were recognised in 2024 as she was inducted in the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

The former Toowoomba Bear was a member of the 2016 Rio Olympics gold medal winning side and also took home silver at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Grammar First XV captain Joe Gray is lifted in celebration of winning the O'Callaghan Cup on Grammar Downlands Day hosted by Downlands College, Saturday, August 31, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

13. Big wins for elite schools

Some of the biggest days on the Toowoomba sports calendar include Grammar-Downlands Day – where the O’Callaghan and Selena Worsley Cups are contested – and the Merici Chevalier Cup, where St Ursula’s and Downlands battle it out on the netball court.

In the Merici Chevalier Cup, St Ursula’s broke an eight year drought to take out the Senior A game.

St Ursula's Senior A team lift the Merici-Chevalier Cup after defeating Downlands First VII in netball at Salo Centre, Friday, July 19, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The Glennie School was a class above in the Selena Worsley Cup rugby sevens games, while Toowoomba Grammar claimed a dominant win over Downlands in the O’Callaghan Cup.

12. Clydesdales’ dramatic finals berth

After a thrilling debut season, the Clydesdales BMD Premiership team was on the brink of a finals berth when Mitch Sargent’s side faced off with Souths Logan Magpies.

However, with their Origin stars unavailable, the Clydesdales needed to dig deep to book a spot in finals.

Western Clydesdales players celebrate a try against Souths Logan Magpies. Picture: Benny Hassum Photography.

And dig deep they did.

Down by six points in the dying moments of the game, an electric run from young gun Kayla Jackson opened up the Magpies’ defence as she stepped past four opposing defenders before giving the ball to Natalia Webb, who scored off the back of the last ditch pass.

The converted try was enough to seal the draw and booked the Clydesdales into a first men’s or women’s senior finals campaign since their return to the top flight QRL competitions in 2023.

11. Clydesdales captain wins Steph Hancock Medal

After leading the Clydesdales as inaugural BMD Premiership captain alongside Shenae Ciesiolka, Tara Reinke was honoured for her stellar season when she was named the BMD Premiership player of the year at Queensland rugby league’s night of nights.

The moment was made all the more special as the award was named in honour of fellow Darling Downs star Steph Hancock – who lined up alongside Reinke as part of the dominant Clydesdales forward pack.

10. Controversial week of Darling Downs rugby league

Rugby league in the region was rocked by two controversial moments within the same week with separate incidents involving the TRL and Western Clydesdales Hostplus Cup side shocking league fans.

Western Clydesdales captain Emry Pere was sent off during his side’s clash with the Burleigh Bears after using a homophobic slur.

The captain could be heard saying “f---ing f----ot” and was immediately sent off by the match referee before receiving a two-game ban from the QRL.

Pere expressed his deep remorse following the incident, labelling the incident as a “lapse in judgment”.

“The words I used were completely unacceptable and do not reflect my values or the values of the Western Clydesdales,” Pere said in a statement to this masthead.

“I deeply regret the hurt and disappointment I have caused to my teammates, supporters, and the broader community.

“I take full responsibility for my mistake and have accepted the suspension handed down to

me.”

In the same weekend a TRL call team was stood down following the alleged use of a “mock Indigenous accent”.

During the live call of a game between Dalby and Pittsworth TRL commentator Andrew O’Brien could be heard saying “I’m all right brus you play the ball” before fellow commentator Anthony Breeze asks “Is that how he talks? He’s a white fella”.

O’Brien then replies, “No that is just how I talk”.

The pair were handed a three-week exclusion from any QRL sanctioned game of rugby league following the incident and were also required to complete an online Culture Awareness Course before returning to any QRL sanctioned matches.

Jackson 'Stoneleigh' Griffiths lands a punch on Thailand's Anuson Thonglueang during the fight for the WBC World Youth Welterweight Title. Picture: Darren Burns

9. Emotional scenes at The Big Fights 35

Every year in March, boxing promoter and trainer Brendon Smith has held a Big Fights card in honour of his late son Brayd Smith, who passed away after a bout in March 2015.

The high stakes bouts saw Pittsworth superstar Jackson “Stoneleigh” Griffiths win the WBC World Youth Title – a belt which was won by the late Brayd Smith.

The win secured Griffiths’ status as one of the most exciting up and coming boxing stars on the planet but that was not the only highlight of the unforgettable night.

Teenage boxing prodigy Lekaysha Woodbridge won the World United Championship Brayd Smith Belt, sparking emotional scenes.

Brendon Smith has been a father figure for Woodbridge since the death of her biological father in 2012, making the win all the more special for the TGW Smithy’s team.

Lekaysha Woodbridge celebrates her win on Friday, March 15, 2024 at Rumours International Toowoomba. Picture: Darren Burns

“That was a very special fight night for myself and for dad (Smith) and our close family as well and to keep that belt here was a very special moment,” Woodbridge said.

“I definitely look up to Brayd so much in and out of the boxing world and to have dad in my corner to win that fight with him and winning Brayd’s belt was definitely a memory to keep.

“It’s definitely a very big highlight in my boxing career and I don’t think I will be able to top that one for a little while because how special that night was to myself.

“It was a very special title to win and it will take a bit to get on top of that.”

David Armstrong of the Knights scores a try during the round eight NRL match between Dolphins and Newcastle Knights at Suncorp Stadium, on April 28, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

8. David Armstrong debut

The Mungindi magician had big boots to fill when he stepped in for the injured Kalyn Ponga on debut.

However, the former Goondiwindi Boar and Mungindi Grasshopper was unfazed by the daunting assignment as he starred on debut and scored a try just 10 minutes into his NRL career right in front of the travelling band of friends and family who turned out to support him.

“I couldn’t have scripted it any better … crossing over early into the game was a special moment,” he said.

“I would have liked to have gone and celebrated with them (his friends and family) but the boys jumped on me pretty quick and they were all pretty excited for me.

“That’s the type of club and the way the boys are here, they are a real loving, caring group and they want to see you succeed.”

7. Georgia Voll scores statement ton

In just her second international appearance, Georgia Voll sent a statement to the cricketing world with a century against India.

The young Toowoomba star was a force to be reckoned with during her maiden one-day series for Australia, scoring 173 runs at an average of 86.5.

Tatum Stewart of Team Australia (2L) celebrates scoring her team's second goal with teammates during the Quarter Final Women's match between Australia and People's Republic of China. Photo: Luke Hales/Getty Images

6. Stewart stunner

Toowoomba hockey rising star Tatum Stewart made her Olympics debut with the Hockeyroos this year and the set-piece specialist was immediately thrust into the action as she scored a game-winning goal in Australia’s opening pool game.

Stewart was a pivotal player for Australia, scoring three goals throughout their run to the quarter-finals in Paris.

Reece Walsh at the Queensland Maroons fan day at Toowoomba Sports Ground. Picture: Kevin Farmer

5. Origin fan day

Toowoomba was painted maroon in June when the Queensland Maroons trained at Clive Berghofer Stadium for their fan day ahead of Origin two.

Thousands of Queensland rugby league fans packed out the stadium to watch the state’s top rugby league players with the Origin stars amazed by the incredible reception they received.

“It’s amazing, as we were driving in, you could sort of sense it in the streets, looking out the window in the bus it was going to be busy,” Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans said.

“To have the whole field two and three deep with Queensland people, it’s amazing, it makes us feel very special and we’re really grateful to be standing here as Queensland players.”

Brisbane Broncos and Maroons superstar Reece Walsh was the centre of attention throughout the day with thousands of fans eager to meet the fullback.

“It’s good to get back out here in Toowoomba and see all the Queenslanders coming out to support,” he said.

“It brings a smile to your face being out here and just grateful for what we do really, it is amazing.

“We touch on who we do it for throughout the whole week and it’s a credit to the Queenslanders.

“There are five and a half million people that support their rugby league team and us as players, just extremely grateful and honoured to pull on this jersey and do it for them.

“To have all the kids out here and all the families come out and show support for their team, it is amazing.

“We know who we do it for and they turn up for us each and every game and just to have them out here supporting us, it’s the next generation and it’s pretty amazing to see all the kids out here.”

Olympian Matthew Denny in the Grand Central Floral Parade of the Carnival of Flowers. Picture: Kevin Farmer

4. Matt Denny shines

Matt Denny moved to within touching distance of breaking the 70m barrier this year as he continued to break national record after national record in the men’s discus throw.

The boy from Allora made up for his Tokyo Olympics heartache when he claimed his first Olympics medal after finishing third in Paris.

However, there was no time for Denny to sit back and relax as he claimed his second successive Diamond League title in September with a Diamond League and Australian record throw of 69.96m.

Ali Brigginshaw for the Western Clydesdales. Picture: Kevin Farmer

3. Perfect inauguration for BMD Clydesdales

2024 was always going to be a big year for the Western Clydesdales women’s side as they embarked on their inaugural BMD Premiership venture with a stacked line-up featuring some Australian rugby league legends.

The campaign could not have started any better with Ali Brigginshaw crossing over for the team’s first try and helping the Clydesdales claim a thrilling 22-18 win against the CQ Capras in front of a packed Clive Berghofer Stadium.

Supercar champion Will Brown with his parents Leanne and Shane Brown at an appearance at Cars Galore in Toowoomba. Picture: Kevin Farmer

2. Will Brown’s unforgettable year

What a year it was for Will Brown.

It was such an incredible year that we have compiled multiple moments into this one category.

The year started with thousands of Darling Downs revheads packing out Wellcamp Airport for the Red Bull Ampol Racing 2024 livery launch.

After his rockstar welcome, Brown had a stellar debut year with Triple Eight, claiming a podium in every round and going on to claim his maiden V8 Supercars Championship.

Brown then returned to the Garden City following his title with his championship winning car where he was once again welcomed by countless fans.

1. TRL golden point history

In one of the biggest days on the Toowoomba sporting calendar, one of the most incredible moments in Toowoomba Rugby League history occurred during the men’s A-grade grand final.

It was a clash of the titans as Valleys and Gatton fought tooth and nail in a all-time epic where there was nothing to separate the two sides after 80 minutes.

With the season finale headed to golden point, the Hawks were in need of a hero to come up clutch with everything on the line.

On the last tackle of the first set of extra time, Gatton was 60m out from the tryline but Travis Turnbull was unfazed as he made a barnstorming run out of dummy half before passing the ball to Cameron Bundock who ran home to score the premiership winning try in the corner.