The 2025 BMD Premiership will see the Northern Pride and Ipswich Jets embark on their inaugural season, as both sides prepare for a historic 70 minutes this Saturday.
Round 1 will bring with it many unknowns, as new faces and new colours compete for the ultimate prize.
Both the Ipswich Jets and Northern Pride will look to last year’s Western Clydesdales side as inspiration, as the Clydesdales found themselves in the 2024 BMD Premiership finals in their debut season.
The Northern Pride will have no time to scope out the competition, as they play in the first game of the season at 12:40pm this Saturday, facing off against the Brisbane Tigers at Totally Workwear Stadium.
The Northern Pride are not coming to town to make up the numbers and have put a lot of work into their preparation.
The Pride are coming into the competition with intent, promising that they aren’t here just to make up the numbers.
Northern Pride CEO Garreth Smith is venturing south this weekend for one thing only: victory.
“We need to be realistic about where we’re at. This our first year in and there will be some unknowns,” Smith said.
“But make no mistake, the expectation is that we want to play finals. We didn’t get dressed up for nothing.
“We expect to win, and if we don’t, then teams will walk away knowing they’ve played us at the very least.”
The Pride will have to overcome the disappointment of losing former NRLW star Hagiga Mosby with an ACL tear.
Mosby played six NRLW games for the Broncos and Gold Coast, scoring an impressive four tries.
Mosby has already won a BMD premiership with the Northern Gold Stars 14-12 win over the Capras.
Her experience would have been vital for a young Pride outfit, but they will now have to learn on the job.
Pride coach Colin Wilke, is choosing to focus on the silver linings, seeing opportunity instead of hurdles.
“With injury comes an opportunity, and that’s what this season is all about at the end of the day,” Wilkie said.
“It’s going to be a great test of our depth, especially with ‘Hage’ and our other dummy half both unavailable for Round 1.
“It’s a chance now for some other players to get a reward for all the work they’ve done during pre-season.”
Following the Pride’s BMD Premiership debut will be the Ipswich Jets, who will be battling the Central Queensland Capras in Rockhampton at 2pm.
The trip north beckons as an opportunity for the Jets’ women to form further bonds in their first season together representing the 4305.
Jets leader Nikki Cox has played in the BMD premiership for the Western Clydesdales, but the local Ipswich teacher knows she’s home in the green and white.
“It’s a real opportunity to start the season without the NRLW girls and everyone play their role.
“I am happy about that, it’s a real level playing field now.
“I am excited about the year, we can’t wait to get away this weekend and a lot of our team is mums so it’s a chance to focus on football without all the other things mums do,” Cox laughed.
“Our forward pack is one of the strongest in the competition and I think that’s going to be our strength.
“We have some girls that have come over from New Zealand for an opportunity and that’s exciting.
The Jets and Pride are ready to grab this opportunity with both hands, and are embracing the unknowns instead of fearing them.
The only way to watch this year’s BMD Premiership is via Qplus.tv, with round passes starting from $4.99 and monthly passes from $2.49 per week.
