Shakespeare probably wasn’t thinking of last year’s champions the Tweed Seagulls (Mal Meninga Cup presented by Ford), Redcliffe Dolphins (Cyril Connell Cup presented by Ford) or the Mackay Cutters (Harvey Norman U19s) when he questioned the weight of the crown on one’s head, but we’ll find out on Saturday just how heavy that crown is.
In the Mal Meninga Cup, it's a heavyweight battle to kick off Round 1 with last year's premiers the Tweed Seagulls up against 2023 champions Redcliffe.
When we last saw these two teams it was a Zane Harrison masterclass as Tweed destroyed the Burleigh Bears 36-12 in the 2024 Grand Final, while the Dolphins were copping their own punishment from the Bears in the preliminary final losing to Redcliffe 42-10.
Both teams have undergone serious changes in the off-season and lost players but this game will find its level.
The Dolphins will be looking to their Cyril Connell Cup winning combinations from last year's decider, as that Grand Final provided a stage for Noah Fein, Amare Wynyard and Nat Berrigan who got them off to a great start scoring the first three tries to be up 16-nil at half time and eventually run away 24-10 winners.
Dolphins coach Scott Murray is ready for the challenge of the reigning champions.
“Tweed are strong we know that and they are the premiers,” Murray said.
“While they may have lost players, they are still Tweed.
“We can only worry about us and make sure we are on top of our expectations.
“I am looking forward to the season starting, you do all this work and Saturday is the time now to put it into practice.”
The Seagulls have undergone massive changes and will be relying on their never-ending production line of talent to produce another 17 champions.
Isaac Harrison is back and the Tweed lock is ready to build on his outstanding form last year.
The Harrison family would have had the extensions to the family home over summer with room being made for everything the twins Isaac and Zane won in 2024.
The Mal Meninga Cup premiership no doubt sits nicely beside the Allan Langer Trophy and the National School Boy title.
Half Zane Harrison and centre Sam Stephenson have been named for the Titans in their trial game in Toowoomba against the Broncos but they will be back-up to resume their great work and resume inflicting carnage on the Mal Meninga Cup.
In the meantime, it will be Zac Kumbabong leading the Seagulls in the middle.
Tweed coach Sam Meskell knows what is required on Saturday.
“We will be missing four players to the Titans v Broncos but that doesn’t change what we need to do to beat Dolphins,” Meskell said.
“Defence and effort, we know Dolphins will be strong, they always are up there.
“We need to just worry about us, not a lot you can do about the other team for round one.
“I am really looking forward to seeing our half Taj Leteo play and our big front rower Torino Jackson.
“They were both in our Cyril Connell side last year so they get a chance this week to step up.”
The Mackay Cutters beat the Brisbane Tigers 18-16 in last year's Harvey Norman U19s Grand Final and now it’s the class of 2025 opportunity to keep that resilience legacy alive into a new season.
The Cutters were outstanding in the decider with no ball and defence being the call of the day over and over again, as the Cutters ended up making 110 more tackles then the Tigers in one of the best defensive efforts of recent memory.
The Cutters will look to Selina Cowley to provide her great hole running on the edge with an off-load to her support always a dangerous option.
Fullback Jennifer Kimbla has been the Cutters best for two years and that changing in 2025 seems farfetched.
Cutters coach Matt Sanders is ready for the Round 1 match-up.
“I am excited about our forward pack - I want them just to be consistent and hold that middle,” Sanders said.
“We have some exciting outside backs and getting them the ball is a priority.
The Northern Pride will be looking to their brightest star in the North Chole Mackenzie to guide the way in Round 1.
The Ivanhoes’ centre will need maximum ball.
Pride coach Karl Adams believes the Pride are ready for their season opener.
“Round 1 is unknown so you just have to worry about you and try and maximise what you can find out and see about the other team,” Adams said.
“We have worked hard this off-season and I think we have the players and systems in place to have a really good year.
“They are the premiers for a reason and it will give us a benchmark for where we are at the moment.”
The Redcliffe Dolphins walk into the Round 1 ring ready to land blows on the Tweed Seagulls and start their Cyril Connell Cup presented by Ford title defence with a win.
Redcliffe has a whole new line up with several of their stars moving up an age group to the Mal Meninga Cup.
The Dolphins will be hoping they can catch a wave all the way to another Grand Final through Jonathan Alo who casts a massive shadow over everyone.
The big winger will be combining with Damien Hewitt to cause destruction on the Seagulls.
Dolphins coach Chris Little said he's ready for the challenge.
“It’s about getting them aware that this is a statewide competition and our pool is really strong,” Little said.
“I think our hooker Cohen Cochran is going to be strong for us and he’s our captain too.
“We have lost some players but you know Tweed will be strong across the park and a really good test for us.”
The Seagulls will be hoping the player that touches the ball more than anyone else is hooker Jai Bilish, who will once again look to stamp his authority on the game with classy and timely touches that put the Seagulls on the forward charge.
Then it will be up to frontrower Josiah Fa’Aoso to rampage at the line.
“I think Jai Bilish will be strong for us and it will be a good battle in the middle between the two hookers,” said Tweed coach Chris Patison said.
“Our forward pack will be our strength which is what you need against Redcliffe.”
