The Toowoomba Junior Rugby League (TJRL) Grand Final day for 2025 delivered a fitting climax to the season, with ten hard-fought matches at the Toowoomba Sports Ground.
Photography credit: JD Sporting Photography
Families and supporters braved sunshine, torrential rain and thick fog, witnessing a day filled with thrilling contests, dramatic finishes and the resilience of the region’s young footballers.
Highfields opened the day with a commanding 42–6 victory over Stanthorpe in the Under 13/14 Development Cup.
Darius Campbell’s early try and Jonas Payton’s powerful effort under the posts sparked celebrations, with Nash Adamski and Kade Tweedale also crossing. Stanthorpe’s only joy came late through Linken Hall.
In the Under 15/16 Development Cup, Souths showed composure to secure a 24–10 win over Oakey.
Ben Schmidt’s brilliant solo try gave Oakey a glimmer of hope, but Souths steadied to lift the trophy.
The girls’ finals produced some of the day’s most dramatic moments. South Burnett edged Valleys 16–14 in the Under 13 Girls after Poppie Zappa’s double gave Valleys the early lead.
Determined play from Ruby Beil and a decisive try to Gertrude West-Sandow sealed the comeback win.
In the Under 15 Girls, Highfields’ Sally Clifford was the standout, scoring twice, including the match-winner in a 14–10 victory over Chinchilla.
The Under 17 Girls saw Souths prove too strong for Highfields, with tries to Courtney Wiggins, Hayley Wainwright, Charlie Coleman and Kikki Sands-Hart powering them to a 22–8 triumph despite a late reply from Sedeequa Clevin.
The boys’ divisions brought equal excitement. Valleys began their strong day with a 23–16 win over Souths in the Under 13s, guided by Rahkye Ryan’s three conversions and a clutch field goal.
They backed it up in the Under 14s, overturning a halftime deficit to win 22–8 after capitalising on a sin bin.
Dalby produced one of the day’s most memorable victories in the Under 15s, defeating South Burnett 16–8 in torrential rain.
With the field reduced to a quagmire, Ryker Filewood and Oliver Lewington delivered the decisive tries that sealed a famous win for the Devils.
Valleys returned to the winners’ list in the Under 16s, with Nick Scott, Jack Jarvis, Jett Lewis, Xavier Newtown and Aidan Young all crossing in a 26–10 victory over Dalby.
The under 17 Boys decider proved the most dramatic. With heavy fog blanketing the ground, Gatton forced extra time through Jack Curtin’s chip-and-chase try.
Defence dominated until Valleys finally found space in golden point, diving over in the corner to claim a 10–6 win and spark wild celebrations.
Reflecting on the day, TJRL President Wyatt Cook-Revell paid tribute to players, officials and supporters.
“Grand Final Day is the highlight of our season. It’s where months of hard work, sacrifice and teamwork are rewarded,” he said.
“What stood out in 2025 was not just the skill on display, but the spirit in which the games were played.
These Grand Finals were played in every condition possible, from sunshine to torrential rain and even fog, yet our players adapted and gave us matches that will live long in the memory.
Whether it was the golden-point drama of the under 17 Boys, the nail-biting girls’ deciders, or the determination in the Development Cups, every game was a credit to our competition.”
Cook-Revell also acknowledged those who made the event possible. “Our volunteers, referees and club officials are the heartbeat of the TJRL.
Without them, days like today simply wouldn’t happen. I also want to thank our sponsors, families and the wider community who continue to support junior rugby league. Today showed exactly why this competition is so special.”
For players, clubs and supporters, the 2025 TJRL Grand Final Day was a celebration of rugby league at its grassroots best: a day of triumphs, heartbreaks and unforgettable memories that will inspire the next generation across the region.
