QLD Premier Rugby 2025

[Spamnoodle]

who does easts have coming back to clubland?

Liam is done for the season and Richie asiata may well find himself in the wallabies mix.

I suspect losses for the tigers in the back half of season when the rep cattle comes back to clubland

I think Richie has relocated to the Dragons.
Easts are ok for hookers in any case.

 

[PhilClinton]

Not only are they the main club for GPS students (predominantly from Nudgee), but they now also have a New Zealand connection through the appointment of former manu samoa player Junior Polu as the pacific islander coordinator. His guidance has led to a steady influx of Polynesians who wouldn’t typically choose Brothers as their club, given its location in Albion/Ascot, a predominantly upper-class, Caucasian suburb.

He is also mates with David Fusitua and got him to the club. That appointment is definitely paying dividends for the Filth.

 

[Oracle83]

I think the key to Brothers sustained success is their players want to play for the club. Happy to be corrected but are there many club hopping mercenaries in their Premier / Reserve Grade Program?

Easts are looking very dangerous but what holds that fabric together. Wests the same. Uni is a bit of revolving door and Souths lack of depth starting to emerge. GPS and Bond too inconsistent.

Brothers know how to win finals and with Ryan, Dre, JYD to come back, likely not to be in Wallabies squad - that’s the team I’d be looking at. Love em or hate em - Brothers generally have their house in order.

Hard to disagree but we have seen east’s front row win premierships quite recently and they have that pretty well covered

 

[RandwickDon]

Tony Mcgahan has come in and did a much better job of recruitment which filters down through the other grades. Last year they picked up zero recruits for prems.

I think that's a major reason why the previous GM was let go. He had very little experience in rugby union, let alone Brisbane rugby.

Although Easts did let one of their staff go in the offseason. I'm guessing that McGahan demanded a bigger salary.

Still, early results looking good.

 

[Bulldog]

Apparently the previous GM at Easts had nothing to do with senior rugby, before that Michael Lucas had his hands over everything (6 from 6) and now I understand that McGahan’s focus is more on the rugby side of things. Different people bring different talents to the role and the role adapts accordingly.

McGahan does bring some high quality rugby smarts to the role. Early signs are good for the tigers, but some credit has to go to Simon Craig & Paul Warwick it’s not Mowen-Ball in 2025 - they are more solid up front and more expansive with ball in hand.

 

[Bulldog]

Does anyone know whether Qld State of Origin debutant Robert Toia is the grandson of Anton Toua the legendary masseuse/baggage handler to touring sides to Australia who lost his life during in 2001 BILions tour?

 

[MoneyBill685]

Does anyone know whether Qld State of Origin debutant Robert Toia is the grandson of Anton Toua the legendary masseuse/baggage handler to touring sides to Australia who lost his life during in 2001 BILions tour?

hmmm i know this doesn't help at all but going off the fact that one is named Toia and the other is Toua im going to say not related

 

[tig]

Does anyone know whether Qld State of Origin debutant Robert Toia is the grandson of Anton Toua the legendary masseuse/baggage handler to touring sides to Australia who lost his life during in 2001 BILions tour?

Anton spelt his name Toia. I don't know about any relationship, but there are a lot of Toias around.

 

[Bulldog]

Apologies for the spelling mistake.

Anton Toia was a man of great rugby pedigree and had friends in rugby from all over the world. He was a much loved member of Queensland Rugby.

Young Robert Toia was in Nudgee 1st XV just two years ago.

if he is indeed Anton’s grandson then NSW won’t know what’s hit them come Wednesday at Suncorp.

QUEENSLANDER

 

[Bulldog]

Any upsets tomorrow?
Bros v Uni
GPS v Bond
Noths v Wests
Snbk v Easts
Souths Bye

 

[Interested Viewer]

Hard to see one if I were to take a stab I would go Norths over Wests but it feels like a long shot.

 

[Mug Punter]

UQ to beat Brothers

 

[Bulldog]

Hard to see one if I were to take a stab I would go Norths over Wests but it feels like a long shot.

Maybe not in Prems but Norths beat top of the table Wests in reserve grade.

And Bond def. GPS would be an upset in terms of ladder position but GPS are really struggling of recent time - they’ll be at long odds now to make the 4.

 

[The not so fast prop]

Just back in Brisbane after some time away and a few things have stood out.

Crowds at games seem a bit thinner—maybe it’s the weather, or maybe something more? Noticed fewer subbies teams around too, and some Premier Rugby clubs only fielding up to 3rd grade. That’s a real worry for the depth of the game.

Also hearing player fees are pushing $550–$600, which is a big ask, especially when some lower grades have multiple byes each round. And not looking to start a war here—but the standard of refereeing in some of the 3rd and 4th grade games I’ve watched has been pretty ordinary.

There’s still a bit of the old boys’ club vibe, and it’s disappointing seeing younger refs not getting a go. The flow of the game is getting killed, contests are ruined, and overall it’s not great footy to watch. Credit to the players for keeping their cool—they don’t blow up—but this really needs fixing.

Footy should be for everyone to enjoy—players, spectators, and refs alike. Time to start having some honest conversations.

 

[Oracle83]

Maybe not in Prems but Norths beat top of the table Wests in reserve grade.

And Bond def. GPS would be an upset in terms of ladder position but GPS are really struggling of recent time - they’ll be at long odds now to make the 4.

Wests Prems backline and their entire teams defence were totally onsong yesterday - great game to watch and Norths played some solid entertaining football however the highlight was definitely a talented and gutsy Norths reserve grade who played brilliantly against Wests to claim a good win.

 

[LevitatingSocks]

Just back in Brisbane after some time away and a few things have stood out.

Crowds at games seem a bit thinner—maybe it’s the weather, or maybe something more? Noticed fewer subbies teams around too, and some Premier Rugby clubs only fielding up to 3rd grade. That’s a real worry for the depth of the game.

Also hearing player fees are pushing $550–$600, which is a big ask, especially when some lower grades have multiple byes each round. And not looking to start a war here—but the standard of refereeing in some of the 3rd and 4th grade games I’ve watched has been pretty ordinary.

There’s still a bit of the old boys’ club vibe, and it’s disappointing seeing younger refs not getting a go. The flow of the game is getting killed, contests are ruined, and overall it’s not great footy to watch. Credit to the players for keeping their cool—they don’t blow up—but this really needs fixing.

Footy should be for everyone to enjoy—players, spectators, and refs alike. Time to start having some honest conversations.

Maybe it's the Reds being good again and Uni exams being on soon? Only other factor I can think of is beers being expensive.

 

[Bulldog]

Bond up into 4th spot ahead of Souths & GPS.

With the ladder after 8 rounds being:
Easts (34), Bros (30), Wests (25), Bond (20), Souths (19), GPS (18)
And Wests having the bye in round 9
The Welsby Cup will be played at Crosby in Round 16 between Easts & Brothers.

Brothers are the current holders of the Welsby Cup.

 

[SouthernX]

The ending of Sunnybank vs Easts was edge of your stuff seat.

I caught the end of it. the captain scored and converted his own try to win it. Hats off to Pilz