Western Clydesdales players write names in Hostplus Cup history

The Western Clydesdales were soundly beaten in Round 1 but 10 history-making moments were recorded in the match. Find out each one here.

Western Clydesdales captain Emry Pere played his 100th Hostplus Cup game at the weekend. Picture: Benny Hassum Photography.

No two milestones are the same and that is doubly true for the Western Clydesdales history-makers last weekend.

Emry Pere led the way figuratively and literally at weekend – wearing the captain’s armband as he ran out onto the field at Toowoomba Sports Ground.

Pere joined the Hostplus Cup centurion in the Clydesdales clash with Norths Devils.

In stark contrast eight of the players who ran out behind Pere were making their Hostplus Cup debuts and Heath Gibbs, who was making his Clydesdales debut, was playing just his second game in the elite league competition.

This Saturday another player, Joel Hughes, will make his Hostplus debut and Stanford Talita will wear the Clydesdales jersey for the first time.

Here’s a look at the players who wrote their names into the Clydesdales history books last weekend and the duo set to run out against the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

Emery Pere

Made his debut for the Cairns Pride in 2018 playing 24 games.

Pere played three seasons with Mackay Cutters before moving to Townsville Blackhawks and Burleigh Bears.

He joined the Clydesdales in 2024 and played 17 games.

Carsen Huth

Hostplus Cup debut

The 23-year-old winger made the move from Gladstone having played in the lower grades for CQ Capras.

Ryder Huth

Made the move south with his brother Carsen. The 20-year-old who can play at five-eighth or fullback played in the lower grades for CQ Capras.

Jack Leigh

Hostplus Cup debut

Junior club: Campbeltown City Kangaroos

Born in Sydney, the 20-year-old back rower played Jersey Flegg footy with Melbourne Storm in 2024.

Logona Vetemotu

Hostplus Cup debut

No stranger to the region Vetemotu played for Oakey Bears in 2023 and Valleys Roosters last year. A talented back rower he hails from Auckland.

Joseph Litidamu in action for Southern Suburbs against Dalby in the 2021 Toowoomba Junior Rugby League season. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Joseph Litidamu

Former club: Southern Suburbs Tigers – Toowoomba

Hostplus Cup debut

At 17 years of age the St Mary’s Toowoomba talent become the second youngest Clydesdales debutant last Saturday.

Tevita Petelo

Hostplus Cup Debut

Junior club: Campbeltown City Kangaroos

21 years old

Born in New Zealand Petelo, 21, played Jersey Flegg footy with Melbourne Storm in 2024.

Lachlan Mears-Crabbe

Hostplus Cup debut

A talented prop Mears-Crabbe featured for Parramatta Eels during the 2023 NSW Cup season.

Lopini Kioa

Hostplus Cup debut

Made the move from New Zealand this season after playing for Richmond Rovers.

Heath Gibbs

Western Clydesdales debut

Played one game for Burleigh Bears in 2023.

Gibbs brings plenty of elite league experience having played for Newcastle Knights in the Canterbury Cup (2019 and 2021) and the 2022 NSW Cup.

Round 2 rookies

Joel Hughes

Hostplus Cup debut

Joined the Clydesdales after winning the Toowoomba Rugby League A-grade premiership with Gatton Hawks last season. Played for Ipswich State High School and the Ipswich Jets in the Cyril Connell Cup.

Stanford Talita

Western Clydesdales Debut

Played for the Hela Wigmen in the Papua New Guinea Digicel Cup leading them to a title as their co captain. Debuted for Wynum Manly Seagulls in 2023 in round 11 and featured for the team in 2024 as well.

Played for PNG in the International 9s competition in 2019.