BRL Premier A grade club-by-club preview

Another exciting Brisbane Rugby League Premier A grade competition jam-packed full of Hostplus Cup quality talent is upon us.

Ten teams will contest the BRL in 2024, with Redcliffe Dolphins returning to the competition after five years away under the guidance of renowned development coach Chris Little.

Wynnum Manly Juniors will be out to defend their title, but have lost a host of grand final stars, with Jalen Reweti and Luke Maddaford pushing for further Hostplus Cup opportunities, centre Willie Malala off to West Brisbane Panthers and skipper Savaan Tahere gone to Souths Juniors.

West Brisbane Panthers are the rivals' tips to be the big movers back up the ladder, with incoming coach Daniel Green retaining their key men from 2023 while adding the likes of former Brighton skipper Samson Graham and Hostplus Cup half Cameron Cullen.

Souths and Carina are upbeat about their chances to climb up the ladder and mix it with the 2023 finalists, taking high hopes into their Round 1 contests.

All five games take place on Saturday, starting with Carina and Normanby kicking off the season at 3pm.

Here's how the teams are shaping up for 2024.

 

Souths Juniors

Coach: Wayne Barnett

Captain: Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard (pictured)

Signings/retains: Savaan Tahere (Wynnum Manly Juniors), Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard (retained), Travis Turnbull (Brothers Ipswich), Ryan Franks (Wynnum Manly Juniors), Wilson Maliaga (Redbank Plains Bears)

Player losses: Owen McCarron (Whitehaven, UK), Hayden Bartlett (Sunshine Coast), Hayden O'Hara (Beenleigh Pride), Benaia Bowie (retired), Izzy Ignatius (NSW Group 20)

How will your team improve in 2024?

Just getting us into the grind each week and being able to compete with the big clubs. Player driven accountability.

What can fans expect from your game style?

Exciting, free flowing, with a touch of Magpies of old.

Who is the team to beat and why?

Wynnum are always a team that have good feed from above levels and are well coached and just seem to hang in there. They have some really good BRL experienced players like James Robinson and Kelepi Faukafa to name a few.

Bulimba Valleys Bulldogs

Coach: Mitch Edwards

Captains: Bradley Russell (pictured) and Izaac Skyring

Signings/retains: Rhys Sparey (Normanby/Souths Logan), Junior Teroi (Wests Brisbane Panthers), Brock Ashton (Brisbane Tigers), Dan Smith (Carina Tigers), Nic Flocas (Ipswich Jets)

Player losses: Jack Stafford (Wynnum Manly Juniors), Connor Miller (Valleys), Mark Hubner (retired), Harry Blake (Valleys), Anthony Cheng (retired)

How will your team improve in 2024?

A large section of the core group that achieved success in 2023 has stayed on, so we are hopeful of integrating our new recruits with our core squad to keep advancing our game.

What can fans expect from your game style?

Fun

Who is the team to beat and why?

They will all be underselling themselves as is the norm in this competition, But Wynnum obviously followed by the usual suspects in Wests, Valleys. Carina with the money they’ve thrown at it should improve.

Beenleigh Pride

Coach: Ian Frame

Captain: Will Armstrong (pictured)

Signings/retains: Sam Mataora, Will Armstrong, LJ Waddups, Jamie Zaghini, Andrew Petaia

Player losses: David Quinlan, Sharmah Kendrick

How will your team improve in 2024?

Depth in the club.

What can fans expect from your game style?

Competitive with great culture

Who is the team to beat and why?

Brighton, they were finishing strong in 2023, thought they had good depth and look dangerous.

Wynnum Manly Juniors 

Coach: Jason Harris

Captains: Kelepi Faukafa & James Robinson 

Signings/retains: Just have gained some good, experienced players, retained many of the 2023 squad. Some young guys who have stood up so far across the preseason, a lot of these guys will fill the void of guys who have moved on.

Player losses: Savaan Tahere (Souths Juniors), Luke Maddaford (Ipswich Jets), Jalen Reweti (Norths), Willie Malala (Wests), Tim Tupou (Caboolture)

How will your team improve in 2024?

Just being better in respecting the footy and possession when the opportunities are there. 

What can fans expect from your game style?

Our style is pretty simple keep - working hard and compete. With new players across the board, maybe a different style in some areas. 

Who is the team to beat and why?

All sides are going to be very tough. You must respect all sides and anyone can win on their day. 

Brighton Roosters 

Coach: Andrew Wynyard 

Captain: Brayden Dee (pictured)

Signings/retains: Dilbert Issac, Brayden Dee, Logan Cox, Manu Fatialofa (Auckland) Will Dobson (Redcliffe Dolphins) 

Player losses: Samson Graham (Wests), Thomas McKenzie (Wests) Jacek McLaurin (Tweed Seagulls), Joe Clarke (injured), Michael McGrath (Redcliffe Dolphins) 

How will your team improve in 2024?

Look to start the season stronger and close out some of the tighter games that we felt like we should have won earlier in the season last year. 

What can fans expect from your game style?

A very fit and hard-working style where the boys are competing on everything for the whole 80 minutes. 

Who is the team to beat and why?

Redcliffe will be a fit, young and hungry team and should be hard to beat. 

Redcliffe Dolphins

Coach: Chris Little

Captain: Tauaalo Vaipulu (pictured)

Biggest signings: Tauaalo Vaipulu (Norths), Marcus Spence, Levi Wilson, Braith Major (Redcliffe), Jordan Davies (Wynnum Manly Juniors)

What can fans expect from your game style?

The aim is to be competitive every week, regardless of who we have available or who we play. We have strong values with an emphasis on discipline, communication and patience.

Who is the team to beat and why?

West Brisbane Panthers. They signed a new coach and a significant amount of players this year. They have been the benchmark for a number of years and would be looking to get value for money.

Carina Juniors

Coach: Michael Spragg

Captain: Brayden Torpy (pictured)

Signings: Brayden Torpy, Cameron Torpy, Dredin Sorensen, Jack Svendsen (Souths), Cole Waaka (Clydesdales)

Player losses: None

How will your team improve in 2024?

Much better defensive efforts this year.

What can fans expect from your game style?

A very competitive football team.

Who is the team to beat and why?

Wests and both 2023 grand finalist teams as they have the runs on the board.

Valleys Diehards

Coach: Nathan Hughes and Jason Di Lizio

Captains: Connor Miller (BRL A grade) and Joshua Fauid (club captain, pictured)

Signings/retains: Faafetai Vaavale (Wests), Eddie Tautali (from Wests), Isaac Nokes (Ipswich Jets), Cody Payne, Esera Esera and Mose Esera

Player losses: Kenneth Taviri (Tweed Seagulls), Dylan Briggs (Brighton Roosters), James Antonio (rugby union), Levi Moger (Beenleigh), Benton Leme Pyako (Beenleigh)

How will your team improve in 2024?

Valleys Diehards aims to improve on their 2023 performance by strengthening their squad with key signings and retaining core players. The team has focused on bolstering their forwards and backs, enhancing their depth and versatility. Additionally, under coaches Nathan Hughes and Jason Di Lizio, there is a renewed emphasis on tactical awareness and teamwork, which are crucial aspects for success in the BRL A Grade competition.

What can fans expect from your game style?

Valleys supporters are passionate and they can expect an exciting and dynamic game style from Valleys Diehards in 2024. With a blend of skillful playmaking, strong running lines, and solid defense, the team aims to entertain supporters while delivering results on the field. Expect to see a high-tempo, expansive brand of rugby league that prioritises ball movement and attacking opportunities, while remaining disciplined in defense.

Who is the team to beat and why?

The team to beat in the BRL A Grade competition is likely to be Wynnum Manly Juniors. The reigning premiers always seem to have a formidable squad at the back end of the season when it matters, with a good mix of experienced players and emerging talents. Their consistent performance in recent seasons, coupled with strong recruitment, makes them a formidable opponent. Additionally, their cohesive playing style and astute coaching make them a challenging prospect for any team in the league.

West Brisbane Panthers 

Coach: Daniel Green

Captains: Kyle Van Klaveren (pictured) and Sam Collins

Signings/retains: Cameron Cullen (Redcliffe Dolphins), Samson Graham (Brighton), Shane Pumipi, Sam Collins, Kyle Van Klaveren, Nathan Brown (retained)

Player losses: Eddie Tautali (Valleys), Tai Vaavale (Valleys), Joe Waqalevu (Valleys), Toby Westcott (Wynnum Manly Juniors)

How will your team improve in 2024?

Greeny (coach) wasn’t involved last year, so it’s a clean slate as far as improvement, but his main focus is based around defensive attitude and commitment.

What can fans expect from your game style in 2024?

We are a fast-moving team in attack and defence, pretty but gritty.

Who is the team to beat and why?

We honestly haven’t worried about other teams as we are focusing on what we do well and what we can control.

Normanby Hounds

Coach: Azz Fyrer

Captain: Edward Downing-Brown

Signings/retains: Billy Mozer, Harry Medlicott, Kyle Amer, Riccardo Evans, Michael McKinnon, Edward Downing-Brown, Leon Graham, Cameron Fitzsimmons, Tepa Arakapati

Player losses: Brad Campbell (Mackay Brothers), Tyrone Harding (Tweed Seagulls), Thomas McNulty (Mackay Cutters), Jai Repair (Carina), Tyran Forster (Murwillumbah)

How will the team improve in 2024?

We have had a solid preseason and good culture at the club that is right through all three grades.

What can fans expect from your game style?

Good footy 

 

Stay tuned to QRL Facebook and Instagram (@qldrugbyleague) channels this week for more build-up to the 2024 BRL season.