There were times last year when West Brisbane took the field with just 16 fit players but a restructure and recruitment drive means the club is well stocked for 2016.
Despite the shortages, the Panthers battled their way into the top six on the back of a final round 42-30 win over Logan Brothers.
Their season ended with a week one elimination final loss but by that point it had already exceeded predictions.
“No one expected us to make the finals but I think the expectations have gone up a bit again this year,” Panthers head coach Wayne Weekes said.
Weekes said an off-season assessment of the Panthers’ structure identified on obvious need for a larger player base to draw on.
The club has fostered a relationship with three affiliates and formed links with a premier league side, which currently sits in second place.
“We’ve got a squad of about 45 players now to choose from,” Weekes explained.
“So we’re no longer scrapping for players ... it’s created plenty of competition for spots in the side too.”
Winger Kyran Tanuvasa stole the show with four tries against Carina last weekend but his inside man Kennedy Pettybourne should take plenty of credit according to Weekes.
Pettybourne, a former South Sydney Rabbitohs Under 20s player, moved to Brisbane from New South Wales in the summer.
“He’s been a great addition and without him there, I don’t think Kyran gets those four,” Weekes said.
With one win and one loss to their name after the opening fortnight, West Brisbane take on the table-topping Gaters at Southpine Sporting Complex on Saturday.
The Albany Creek-based club are undefeated after beating Nomanby and holding Easts scoreless last weekend.
“We’ve developed a healthy rivalry with Gaters and a friendship off the field,” Weekes said.
“They’re a very social club and we often socialise at their home ground, and they do at ours.
“They’re always a tough team no matter when we play them."
ROUND THREE TEAMS
Redcliffe Dolphins v Easts Tigers at Burpengary Sports Ground, Saturday April 23, 12:15pm
Redcliffe
1. Josh Beehag 2. Evander Cummins 3. Kyle Van Klaveren 4. Rinsma Saueha 5. Glen Ellis 6. John Brady 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Taylor Brown 9. Christian Hazard 10. Tyson Cleal 11. Jaz Nahu-Main 12. Ashley Harawira 13. Hayden Hansen 14. Mitchell Wilson 15. Jayden Best 16. Dujuan Liolevave 17. Daniel Graham
Coach: Daniel Green
Easts
1. Brandon Downey 2. Jack Schaffer 3. Jacob Paul 4. Adam Crear 5. Josh Evertt 6. Mackenzie Reid 7. James Salter 8. 9. Nathan Smith 10. John Puna 11. Foisa Peni 12. Dwayne Craft 13. Sam Bielefeld 14. Kurt Hatfield 15. Liufau Hala 16. Samuel Gee 17. Kevin Bell
Coach: Jason Di Lizio
Valleys Diehards v Wynnum Manly Redland City at Emerson Park, Saturday April 23, 3:00pm
Valleys
1. Andrew Lancaster 2. Tom Collins 3. Shane Picker 4. Arthur Brown 5. David Mayfield 6. Trent Williamson 7. Dan Murphy 8. Rez Phillips 9. Dayne Rogers 10. Billy Solah 11. Tristan Lumley 12. Liam Herrington 13. Chris Aiton 14. Kobi Mills 15. Dylan Mislov 16. Ryley Kajewski 17. James Hicks
Coach: Don Gailer
Wynnum Manly Redland City
1. Jeriah Goodrich 2. Braydon Mitchell 3. Tyson Brookes 4. Mitch McMillan 5. Hayden Crowley 6. Josh Marshman 7. Brayden Josephs 8. Josh Hoffman 9. Alehana Mara 10. Andrew Clayton 11. Tanu Wulf 12. Te Carew 13. Corey Davis 14. Ben Davey 15. Junior Pita 16. Misi Afoai 17. Jacob Paulo
Coach: Ron Troutman
Carina v Logan Brothers at Leo Williams Oval, Saturday April 23, 3:00pm
Carina
1. Benjamin Lanskey 2. Ash Bull 3. Paul Cullen 4. Matthew Craven 5. Jade Hoy 6. Joel Keune 7. Tyrone Lowry 8. Thomas Price 9. Benjamin Moore 10. Shane Gillham 11. Ayden Lee 12. Steven Tyrrell 13. Cameron Robertson 14. Christopher Cook 15. Tom O’Keefe 16. Mauiuia Poe 17. Griffin Freeman
Coach: Peter Edwards
Logan Brothers
1. Peter Lee 2. Tim Brooks 3. Ellery Tusa 4. Codey Kennedy 5. Kieran Battelley 6. Cameron Boga 7. Ben Jackson 8. Terry Kepu 9. Grayson Putu 10. Elliott Boyle 11. Francis Fafita 12. Les Aumua 13. Niu Mauigoa 15. Charles Burchell 16. Te Rore Puke 17. John Maireroa 18. Zac Lee
Coach: Steven Bretheton
Normanby Hounds v Ipswich Jets at Purtell Park, Saturday April 23, 3:00pm
Normanby
1. Jonathon Kent 2. Etipuke Collins 3. Joe Henderson 4. Mitchell Hallinan 5. Sebastian Russell-Sharam 6. Matthew Currie 7. Jacob Thomas 8. Tikiko Noke 9. James Bannerman 10. Benjamin Faulkner 11. Michael Crosby 12. Antony Cheng 13. Tyson Skyring 14. Jordan Eaton 15. Ryan Dornan 16. Thomas Dempsey 17. Matthew Butler
Coach: Wayne Treleaven
Ipswich
1. Ono So'Oialo 2. Max Fesolai 3. Ben White 4. Josh Damen 6. Mikaere Beattie 7. Chris Ash 9. Peter Whittaker 10. Rowan Winterfield 11. Jackson Tynan 12. Mitch Koina 13. Hugh Sedger 14. Ben Sullivan 16. Matthew Brown 17. Lachlan Roe 18. Tuú Maori 19. Francis Leger 20. Nathan Gaulton
Coach: Mark Bishop
Gaters v West Brisbane Panthers at South Pine Sports Complex, Saturday April 23, 3:30pm
LIVE STREAM
Gaters
1. Adam Wickins 2. Justin Sleep 3. Zac Russ 4. Kierrn English 5. Shaun Rees 6. Jarrod Watson 7. Marlon Doak 8. Brendan Tailford 9. Tyler Jones 10. Simon Malcolm 11. Josh Benjamin 20.Troyden Watene 13. Takai Tikinau 14. Derek Wolfenden 15. Dwayne Duncan 16. Troy Swift 17. TBA
Coach: Craig Rodgers
West Brisbane
1. Jack Mackin 2. Kyran Tanuvasa 3. Kennedy Pettyborne 4. Luke Pollock 5. Hayden Potts 6. Ryan Millard 7. Ollie Olds 8. Sam Carsons 9. Tyrone Lockery 10. Erick Koelbel 11. Harry Pondekas 12. James Sharkie 13. Kristian Wanka 14. Michael Rasmusssen 15. Sebastian Sinapati 16. Alex Taumaoe 17. John Tasi
Coach: Wayne Weekes
