The Toowoomba Rugby League A grade competition is all set to begin this weekend, with plenty of action expected for the largest and one of the strongest A grade leagues in Queensland.
The clubs have had their say on their expectations for the year from within and from their rivals, with all eyes on defending premiers Dalby Diehards and a couple of dark horses emerging in what promises to be a hotly contested title race once again in 2024.
Dalby Diehards
Coach: James Galligan
Captain: Dylan Taylor
2023 finish: Premiers
Signings/retains: Patty O’Callaghan (Valleys), Josh Chappell (Sunshine Coast Falcons), Flynn Kaiser-Capewell (Western Clydesdales)
Player losses: John Palavi (Valleys) Joshua Soronakadavu (Gundagai Tigers) Noah Brady (working away), Sam Sauaso (Melbourne)
How will your team improve in 2024?
Whilst premiers, transitioning our juniors into seniors is always a priority.
What can fans expect from your game style?
The game plan is expansive. We will play exciting footy using the very skilled players we have.
Who is the team to beat and why?
Valleys. They showed last season how tough they were and they will be even tougher given their excellent recruitment.
Wattles Warriors
Coach: Travis Burns
Captain: Ty Gardner
2023 finish: 5th
Signings/retains: Matt Duggan (Western Clydesdales) Thomas Hatch (Highfields), Craig Donn (retirement), Jackson Green (retirement)
Player losses: Austin Jennings (Injury)
How will your team improve in 2024?
Experienced recruits (Matt Duggan and Jackson Green) will lift us to another level.
What can fans expect from your game style?
They will notice a tough, no-nonsense side this season.
Who is the team to beat and why?
Valleys. They’ve recruited well.
Gatton Hawks
Coach: John Flint
Captain: TBA
2023 finish: 2nd on ladder, preliminary final exit (and Madsen Rasmussen Cup winners)
Signings/retains: Kayden Bushe, Ollie Bichel (Western Clydesdales), Cameron Bundock, Tommy Luhrman (Redcliffe), Oska Moore (Ipswich Brothers)
Player losses: Hayden Lipp, Ben Reuter (retired), George Tavita (Ipswich Brothers), Fine Faingaa (Redbank Plains), Tyrell Woodley (Ipswich Brothers)
How will your team improve in 2024?
We have a new spine, so nurturing them and developing is the key. We also have a more mobile set of forwards after a few big boppers have left. It will be different and hopefully will improve us even further than this last exciting period.
What can fans expect from your game style?
A more expansive game plan, given the change in our spine, and more mobile forward pack.
Who is the team to beat and why?
Valleys and Wattles. They have both recruited well with Cory McGrady and Matt Duggan respectively.
Valleys Roosters
Coach: Matt Schulze and Josh Barrett
Captain: Jason Sharpe (pictured)
Signings/retains: Cory McGrady (Western Clydesdales) Brock Diment (Western Clydesdales), Hopoate Finau (Western Clydesdales 21s), John Palavi (Dalby), Komiti Vetemotu (Oakey)
Player losses: Patty O’Callaghan (Dalby), Jacob Robinson, Jarryd Dodd (Toowoomba Brothers), Aaron Hinch (Warwick), Drew Jackson (Nanango Stags)
How will your team improve in 2024?
Game management.
What can fans expect from your game style?
Similar. An attacking brand of footy, but we’ve had a bit more focus on defence.
Who is the team to beat and why?
Wattles. They have recruited well with the return of Matt Duggan. Plus their preseason outing against Warwick was very impressive.
Warwick Cowboys
Coach: Col Speed
Captain: Mitch Wilson (pictured)
2023 finish: 4th
Signings/retains: Joel Tapie (PNG), Alfred Vite, Joe Vite (Melbourne) Mike Mate (Highfields), Matt Marshall (Suburbs Warwick), Aaron Hinch (Valleys)
Player losses: Tate Brombal (Burdekin Roosters), Lorenzo Maafu
How will your team improve in 2024?
Attacking shape and structure improvement
What can fans expect from your game style?
Defensive style, attacking shape and structure.
Who is the team to beat and why?
Wattles. Recruits and young players and good balance.
Pittsworth Danes
Coach: James Quinn
Captain: Tom O’Sullivan (pictured) and Alex Kahler
2023 finish: 6th
Signings/retains: Josh Lee (Maroochydore Swans), Noel Bartman (Oakey)
Player losses: Oliver Moy (work), Mitchell Revell (travel), Brenton Clement (Goondiwindi), Harry Cooke (injury), Jayden Antonio (boxing)
How will your team improve in 2024?
A lot more disciplined. Respect for footy and a lot more polished for our one per cent players.
What can fans expect from your game style?
Physical defensively. Grinding attack.
Who is the team to beat and why?
Wattles. Recruited well. Good balance of youth and experience.
Southern Suburbs Tigers
Coach: Brendan Wilson
Captains: Luke Maiden and Ben Cook (pictured)
2023 finish: 7th
Signings/retains: A number of Souths juniors returning
Player losses: Wade Austin (Brothers), Ben Howard
How will your team improve in 2024?
They will improve by playing 80 minutes and not switching off.
What can fans expect from your game style?
Hopefully be a gritty side that doesn’t beat itself.
Who is the team to beat and why?
The top five sides from last year. Dalby, Valleys, Gatton, Warwick and Wattles
Goondiwindi Boars
Coach: Travis Waddell
Captain: Jack Pattie (pictured)
2023 finish: 8th
Signings/retains: Carl Clement (Highfields), Brenton Clement (Pittsworth), Micky Hazard (Goondiwindi Hawks AFL), Kyle Hazard (Norths Devils) Samukie Gaidan, Gabriel Stephen (Yarrabah Seahawks), Lewis Mene (Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks), Aaron Guligo (Thursday Island Roosters),
Player losses: David McGrady, Geoffrey Prince, Garry Prince, Ash Jarrett (Warialda Wombats), Trae Bennetto (Canberra Raiders)
How will your team improve in 2024?
Consistency. We had a few games last season within our grasp. We are confident of being a team our competitors find hard to beat.
What can fans expect from your game style?
A more defensive style. A different attacking style given our key spine changes.
Who is the team to beat and why?
Dalby. On top of winning the premiership they have recruited well.
Highfields Eagles
Coach: Steve Haywood
Captains: Josh Fanning and Cory Haywood (pictured)
2023 finish: 9th
Signings/retains: Josh Quinlan, Conor Nicholls, Lachlan Fanning, Darcy Carswell (Western Clydesdales), Josh Fanning (season off)
Player losses: Carl Clement (Goondiwindi) Jarrod Lee (retired)
How will your team improve in 2024?
Higher than ninth last season, through attack and defensive shape and structure.
What can fans expect from your game style?
They will see youth and exuberance.
Who is the team to beat and why?
Dalby. Recruited well. They are the premiers for a reason.
Oakey Bears
Coach: Wes Aumau
Captain: AJ Ma Chong
2023 finish: 10th
Signings/retains: Jake Edwards (Newtown), Dylan Difenbach (returning from Canberra), Cruz Williamson (Oakey Juniors), Preston Alberts (Brothers), Sala Falelua (Logan Brothers)
Player losses: Komiti Vetemotu (Valleys), Lachlan Swan (injury), Rima Kamoe (Mustangs Brothers Logan), Sione Lopamaua (Beenleigh)
How will your team improve in 2024?
Resilience is something we have been working on during the preseason. Pretty much filling in the gaps from last season. The team’s discipline will be massively improved as we have been working hard to fix little cracks. You will see a hard working Oakey Bears this season.
What can fans expect from your game style?
Simple hard and fast footy. We have strike power right across the paddock. It’s just identifying when and where we will use our talented blokes. Overall a fitter Oakey Bears.
Who is the team to beat and why?
Every team in the competition. Whoever is next as we only concentrate on ourselves.
Newtown Lions
Coach: Anthony Watt
Captain: Riley 'Snow' Halpin (pictured)
Signings/retains: Lachlan Watt (back from injury), Keelan Clayton (Brothers)
Player losses: Tony Clevin, Billy Squires, Luke Hodder, Ben Holman, Dwayne Jacobs, Jack Warden, Ash Taylor (Brothers)
How will your team improve in 2024?
Consistency
What can fans expect from your game style?
A more defensive style
Who is the team to beat and why?
No response
Brothers
Coach: Ash Taylor
Captain: Ash Taylor
2023 finish: 12th
Signings/retains: Jarryd Dodd, Bryce Whale (Valleys), Tony Clevin (Newtown), Wade Austin (Souths), Simione Ata (Southport Tigers)
Player losses: Preston Alberts, Lachlan Swan (Oakey), Jacob Lingwoodock, Josiah Alberts, Zac Alberts (Souths), Keelan Clayton (Newtown)
How will your team improve in 2024?
A new team. We’ll and put in the work and our successes will follow.
What can fans expect from your game style?
More effort in all aspects. Less lapses.
Who is the team to beat and why?
Dalby. Recruited well, irrespective of winning the grand final last season.
