We reveal the biggest talking points from round 7 of Toowoomba Rugby League

After a week-off the TRL returned to action on the weekend with several teams and players making their mark on the competition. Check out the biggest talking points from the round here.

Matthew Drews of Western Clydesdales in the Meninga Cup earlier this season. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Rugby league returned to Toowoomba on the weekend after a competition wide bye for the NRL’s Magic Round and the TRL’s 2024 contenders wasted no time hitting their straps.

Check out the biggest talking points from the round here.

Invincible sides to lock horns

The Warwick Cowboys and Gatton Hawks trains continued to roll on in round 7 as they both claimed convincing wins.

The Cowboys showed their class with an impressive 34-16 win over Goondiwindi, while the Hawks made their mark felt with an emphatic 48-12 win over Souths.

Warwick has been the benchmark of the competition and has won all seven of its games, while Gatton has played one less game due to a washout but is currently six from six.

Both sides lead the way in terms of points scored and conceded and will face-off in round 8 in what is set to be an early contender for game of the season.

Matthew Waites of Valleys. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Valleys bounce back in style

It has been somewhat of a topsy-turvy campaign for Valleys this year after the Roosters were near unstoppable in the regular season last year.

After suffering a 30-16 defeat to Warwick in round 6, the Roosters bounced back after the break with a relentless performance against the Bears, claiming a 52-4 win.

Valleys are currently one game outside of the top five but will have plenty of work to do in their next match as they take on Dalby in a grand final rematch this Saturday.

Drews rises above

With Chris Woodbridge going from strength to strength in the last two years, it has not been an uncommon sight for a player to put in a scintillating individual performance in Dalby colours.

However, against Highfields, it was Matthew Drews who stole the headlines for the Diehards as he crossed over for four tries en route to a 44-10 win over the Eagles.

While Drews rightfully earned the applause for his stunning performance, Woodbridge was still among the action as he added another two tries to his season tally.

Chris Woodbridge in the 2023 Warriors Reconciliation Knockout Carnival. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Webcke-Price contender?

One of the keys to Warwick’s success this season has been the exquisite play from Caleb Murphy in the halves.

Murphy has been an electric playmaker for the Cowboys and made his presence felt against Goondiwindi as he made five of six conversions and also scored a try.

Despite being without his halves partner Nicholas Carrie in recent weeks, who has made the step up to the Western Clydesdales, Murphy has remained as dominant as ever and is a focal point in the unstoppable Warwick offence.

With four tries and a league-high 94 points after seven games, Murphy has asserted himself as a potential contender for the Webcke-Price Medal.