Teams from the vast QRL Central region will descend on Salter Oval, Bundaberg, this weekend for the 2025 XXXX 47th Battalion carnival in men's and women's competitions.
The competition is split into three divisions: Men’s Trophy, Men’s Plate and Women’s Trophy.
All divisions are seeded based off their performance last year, with Toowoomba and South West entering as the 1 seed in the Men’s Trophy and Plate respectively, and Sunshine Coast entering as the 1 seed in the Women’s Trophy.
The Sunshine Coast are on the precipice of a historic back-to-back-to-back championship run after taking out the Women’s title in 2023 and 2024.
Though for team manager Tash Field, nothing is guaranteed in 2025.
“This is definitely a new team entering the carnival, a lot of the girls are unavailable as they’re preparing to play for the Sunshine Coast Falcons BMD side in a couple of weeks’ time.” Said Field.
“We have a good breadth of age in this team though, we have three 17-year-old’s playing their first 47th Battalion and we also have Sharon Eti Faresa Kapisi, who’s making her debut at 40 years of age. She’s so great to have in our squad, she’s the beautiful mum of our team and she keeps the girls grounded.”
“Obviously we’re two-time defending champions, but as much as we want to make it three-in-a-row, the focus this year is getting the girls out there and allowing them to showcase their talent on the field.” Explained Field.
For Toowoomba, they too are looking for three consecutive titles, though with a younger squad overall, old faces will be leading from the front for their title charge.
“Jack Pattie and Chris Woodbridge will be the leaders in this year’s team. They both made the Queensland Country team last year, and Jack is very well thought of in and around the Toowoomba community.” Said Team Manager Geoff Wade.
“His younger brother Owen is playing brilliantly for the Canberra Raiders, and Jack himself is a very handy hooker. He’s such a tough player, if players run at him Jack will sting ‘em.”
In Wade’s eyes, the competition for the Men’s Trophy will be incredibly tight this year, with no team standing out as favourites,
“To be honest, any one of the teams in the Men’s Trophy can win this year. It’s a cliché to say, but there were no runaway scores last year – the Sunshine Coast were very tough in the Grand Final and Rockhampton put up a great fight too. It’s a very tough tournament to win.” Said Wade.
Regardless of results, this year’s XXXX 47th Battalion is set to be a great competition, and perhaps no one is more excited than FOG #108 and Central Region Manager, Steve Price.
“It’s a very busy time of year, there’s been a lot of planning and collaboration with the different areas, but I can’t wait to be at my first XXXX 47th Battalion.” Said Price.
Despite being born in Dalby, Price made the move to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at a young age, preventing him from playing in the premiere Rugby League carnival of his home region.
“The history of this Carnival and the gravity it holds in the region is incredible. We have teams from Toowoomba to Wide Bay and Capricornia, the whole Central area is covered in the Men’s and Women’s game.
It’s been very moving to better understand the history behind the competition and to better understand what the tournament represents.” Said Price.
If you’re unable to make it to Salter Oval, Bundaberg, this weekend – the only way to watch the 47th Battalion live and on demand is via Qplus.TV – with a round pass starting from the low price of $4.99.
Everything you need to know – XXXX 47th Battalion
Key Information
When: June 7-8
Where: Salter Oval, Bundaberg
Broadcast: Qplus.TV (Round Pass $4.99)
Schedule Day 1
Schedule Day 2
Squads
Men
Toowoomba Clydesdales
Christopher Woodbridge, Jake Speed, Matthew Christensen, Bradley Zampech, Jone Rarabalavu, Joshua Chappell, Declan Ryan, Ben Haviland, Jack Pattie, Eteuati (Jeremiah) Tatupu, Leonard Thomas (Burns), Richard Murray, Blake Cullen, Tevita Cocker, Dalton Desmond-Walker, Shannon Elara, Flynn Kaiser Capewell, Morgan Byrne, Curtly Hammond
Rockhampton Rustlers
Connor Guley, Anthon Ngunz, Jaylen Grey, Bacho Salam, Justin Asse, Kazzi Doyle, Ryan Franks, Selemaia Taungahihifo, Blayne Perese-Sukroo, Ilami Buli, Rahkeem Auda, Matthew Baker, Bailey Cavanough, Quinn Stover, James Doyle, Cruz Beazley, Kyidan Vea Vea, Jon Leefe, Richard Akuhata-Brown
Central Burnett Brumbies
Brodie Sene, Kainen Beezley, Macaleb Martin, Connor McLaughlan, Heneli Havili, Stanley Bligh, Matt Schiffke, Liam Kenny, Blake Jackson, Bailey Kimber, Lukeni Fakaongo, Ryan Gibbs, Zac Dann, Lyndon Kenny, Thomas Jameson, Jack Stanley, Lachlan Madden, Joseph Loakes, Aisea Tautuaa
South West Stockmen
Edward Campbell, Ben Naituqe, Tom Brownhall, Matt Brewer, Maike Gaur, Jerry Teme, Brady Henry, Lucas Crawford, Daniel Wassel, Takai Tamio Tikinau, Andrew Hart, Sam Whiley, Matthew Eising, Jake Parry, Tom Davies, Brayden Crawford, Eddie Kelly, Jackson Foster, Ezekiel Lepa
Gladstone Raiders
Deklin Huth, Lachlan Ghee, Luke Pennisi, Lorenzo King, Joel Kasem, Tomas Murphy, Aija Sheehan, Trevor King, Riley Phillips-Powell, Curtis Brierley, Matthew McKeown, Hunter Neven, Beau Elphinstone, Brett Dorward, Kaleal Archer, Lyncoln Rebel, Elijah Jackson, Caden Rea, Karl Laber
Bundaberg Bears
Mitchell Butler, Gula-Bari, Reuben Broome, Jensen Dreamer, Benaiah Kambenai, Benjamin Hudson, Jordan Kemble, Myles Gal, Kynan Hard, Ilaiasi Pongi, Shaun Ezzy, Tyrell Howard, Reece Maughan, Bailey Robertsen, Kyle O’Dwyer, Ryan Sharpe, Kyle Knight, Rueban Olive, Bruce Ikamanu
South Burnett Eagles
TO BE NAMED
Northern Districts
TO BE NAMED
Sunshine Coast Falcons
TO BE NAMED
Women
Rockhampton Rustlers
Jean McKinley, Zalhi, Hayden, Tiaan Harbin, Katrina Willie, Taila Miller, Mookie House, Stevie-Lee Dickson, Kyra Simon, Rhiannon Parsons, Frances Whap, Shayla Powell, Tamia Dyer, Georgia Wight, Nakita Gilliland, Khayiah Albury, Taylor Hook, Samartha Leisha, Jeune-Kelly Mahuru, Kiarah Tull
Toowoomba Clydesdales
Angel Austin, Emmie Creevey, Lucy Davis, Lillian Fo’ou, Abby Sayeg, Ella Taylor, Aaliyah Murray, Libby Dunn, Abbey Markey, Chelsea Middleton, Lucy Lloyd-Morgan, Reagan McMillan, Katie Collie, Annika Franklin, Natalya Franklin, Janet Morofa, Annastasia Salote Collins, Gaby Anderton, Montana Mook
Gladstone Raidettes
Saria Cakau, Lanae Walker, Paige Nikora, Jessica Rogers, Lily Moseling, Tille Assman-Sullivan, Alisha Nicholson, Julie Munro, Nakita Rhind, Delaney Claridge, Kaitlyn Legg, Zeah Hunt, Rikarra Benjamin, Cassandra Koch, Deatona Mayer, Jymeekah Blackman, Michelle Koch, Olepa Veruurt
Central Highlands
Audrey Tau, Alanah Hair, Tayla Graham, Matilda Downie, Jayda Maddem, Mariah Denman, Bonnie Walsh, Rosie Mallinson, Peyton Storch, Haylea Lonergan, Jade Belleville, Cooper Hill, Jaclyn Spencer, Jorgie Mitchell, Tori Koroduadua, Makenzie Cavanagh, Kiji Vatunino, Jessie Neale, Naima Sakaio
Sunshine Coast Falcons
Keara Woods, Laura Barklimore, Brianna Smart, Kaylee Pollard, Shae Prescott, Allyce Garrett, Jade Shuttlewood, Sharon Eti Faresa Kapisi, Skylahparadise Heke, Caite Sing, Letia Alefaio, Charnelle Aukopi, Tamzin Taumafai, Larney Steggall, Sarah McGuire, Jorden Bloomfield, Ruby Kross, Shannyn Harm, Allira Purtell
Bundaberg Bears
Sadie Langton, Karly Tanner, Courtney Jackson, Nikki Dempsey, Jamia Hopkins, Heather Sandow-Watcho, Taryn Knight, Rhylee Kennaway, Liberty Coombes, Tenamo Arobati, Malitha Guiney, Annalise Dilger, Ebony Webb, Tahilia Dempsey, Jacinda Wilson, Toni Dalton, Jazmin Henaway, Leonia Mikaele Amate, Violet Black
