The Toowoomba Rugby League senior season will kick off again on Saturday April 2, with the men's A grade predicted to be one of the strongest competitions in recent memory.
Twelve clubs will take part in this year’s competition, including Highfields, Valleys, Wattles, Warwick, Dalby, Gatton, Souths, Pittsworth, Brothers, Oakey and reigning premiers, Goondiwindi.
There is no doubt that despite some changes, Goondiwindi will be strong again as they attempt to defend their 2021 premiership.
Last season’s star David Armstrong has been contracted to the Newcastle Knights on the back of his excellent form, but in his place they gain Pittsworth flyer Chris Woodbridge.
Meanwhile the grand finalists in Highfields will be looking to go one better this season.
They welcome Goondiwindi premiership prop Carl Clement and have Jarrod Lee taking over as A grade coach, with last season’s coach, Gus MacKellar, moving to coaching director.
However, last season’s playmaker, Pat Templeman, has moved on and is trying his luck in France.
Other changes around the competition see former XXXX Queensland Rangers player Josh Afoa join the Valleys, with former juniors Patty O’Callaghan and Jarryd Dodd returning after Hostplus Cup stints.
Wattles Warriors and Dalby Diehards have also recruited well, with the Warriors welcoming Austin Jennings from Brothers as well as the return of former grand final player Nick Van Der Poel.
Dalby have bolstered their club with a number of quality Ipswich players, including Ramon Filipine and Saunda Seumanutafa from Goodna, and grand final players Denman Ah You and Loia Fetaoai from Ipswich Brothers.
Former XXXX Queensland Rangers player Andrew Petaia also joins the club.
Oakey, Souths and Gatton will be confident going into this season.
International heavyweight boxer Herman Ene Purcell takes over the coaching at Oakey and he has attracted many players, while Souths have a number of former Mustangs players finally returning for a full season.
The Tigers welcome 2019 grand final star Ben Cook to the fold and the Gatton Hawks welcome Regan Wilde from Ipswich, as well as gun centre Steve Elliot from Wattles.
Pittsworth and Brothers have excellent juniors bases to call on and are sure to continue their encouraging form from last season while the Newtown Lions enter their second season after a number of years away.
In the women’s competition, three new teams will join the league in just its second year.
Oakey, Highfields and Goondiwindi will join existing clubs Newtown, Pittsworth, Valleys, Dalby, Brothers and the reigning premiers, Gatton, while last season’s grand finalists Warwick will not field a side this season.
Meanwhile, the Toowoomba Rugby League have changed their under 18 format to under 19s this season. Under 17s will be introduced under the junior banner this year.
Main image: Goondiwindi celebrate after winning the 2021 A grade premiership. Photo: Jay Smith
