BHP Premiership squads prepare for exciting season

The teams feature a mix of experienced representative players including State of Origin stars and international trailblazers. 

BHP Premiership 2020 squads 

Brothers Ipswich

Dally M winning hooker Brittany Breayley will be a vital player for the Brothers Ipswich team this year, with her experience in the representative arena and the NRLW competition a key to their success. The side has been struck by an early blow with Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons skipper Ali Brigginshaw set to miss the entire BHP Premiership season due to a syndesmosis injury suffered in the trials. However, they have a number of stars who can fire including former Queensland players Courtney Robinson and Kody House. Tanika Marshall also has experienced the representative arena, having played previously for Fiji.

Brothers Ipswich squad

April Albury, Brittany Breayley, Ali Brigginshaw, Latoya Broome, Bronwyn Brown, Jessica Carey, Nikki Cox, Savannah Finn, Grace Griffin, Kody House, Suzanne Johnson, Tatyana King-Smith, Taimane Levu, Tanika Marshall, Karina Martin, Shannon Mato, Rosanna Mauga, Molly McGill, Elizabeth Naleba, Kiriana Nukunuku, Leatitia Perkins, Courtney Robinson, Stephanie Savage, Danelle Savuro, Annesha Sayer, Shianneh Sayer, Jasmine Sio, Abelee Stanley, Mele Tapuala, Jailyn Too'

Coach: Dean Daylight

Burleigh Bears

One of the powerhouse clubs of women’s rugby league in recent seasons, the Burleigh Bears will have extra motivation to claim the inaugural BP Premiership title after losing out in the South East Queensland Women’s Division 1 grand final to West Brisbane Panthers last year. Under the guidance of experienced coach Tahnee Norris – who is also a program manager with Canoeing Australia – and Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons forwards Chelsea Leonarduzzi and Tallisha Harden, the squad also features a number of young faces who have been on pathways to the Bears via the local junior Gold Coast league. With plenty of talent at their disposal, the Bears are expected to once again be a force this season.

Burleigh Bears squad

Akayla McQuire, Aleasha Brider, Amber Pilley, Belinda Clarke, Chante Temara, Chelsea Lenarduzzi, Eseta Aho, Gabrielle Senft, Jane Parsons, Jodeci Nicholson, Jonel Lavender, Karina Brown, Kelly Jury, Laken Paitai, Millie Boyle, Ngaupoko Marsters, Nicole Gusman, Paige Rogers, Selena Tranter, Shellie Long, Tallisha Harden, Tarnisha Lyons, Tazmin Gray, Teaghan Laing, Tyler Birch, Zahara Temara

Coach: Tahnee Norris

Central Queensland Capras

One of the new teams that are part of the competition this year, there is plenty of excitement surrounding the Central Queensland Capras. While the squad is predominately based in Rockhampton, the players and staff represent the broader central region including Gladstone and Emerald. Coach Amanda Ohl, who had been involved with the region’s representative team the Rustlers, has an array of talent to work with, including Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons and Brisbane Broncos NRLW representatives Chelsea Baker, Mariah Storch, Tamika Upton and Elle Stitt. Ohl’s main task will be to form her players into a cohesive unit to face up against sides who have years of experience playing together.

Central Queensland Capras squad

Chelsea Baker, Mariah Storch, Tamika Upton, Kailah Rogers, Elle Stitt, Tashina Ketchup, Mackenzie Reid, Vassa Hunter, Bree Spreadborough, Emmaley McMurdy, Chantelle Dodd, Rikarra Benjamin, Abbey Templeman, Gemma Brennan, Krystal Sulter, Jessica Powell, Reeghyn Beardmore, Mikayla Roe, Zeah Lane, Justine Willie, Meg Neven, Kelli Dunlop, Sophie O'Toole, Keysha Baker, Remi Wilton

Coach: Amanda Ohl

Easts Tigers

This season, the Easts Tigers will field a predominantly young squad and will be counting on the raw enthusiasm of their players to be challenge opposition teams. Forward Jessikah Reeves is one to watch, given her experience playing for the Under 18 Origin side and victorious South East Queensland Under 18 girls side. Hooker Kelsey Parkin has been involved in the NRL Indigenous All Stars squad, while Rosemary Vaimili-Toalepai and Taylor Mapusua have both spent time with the Brisbane Broncos NRLW squad. Lauréane Biville, who has come from France to follow her rugby league dream, played in the NRL Nines for the NZ Warriors earlier this year and will bring what she learnt from the tournament to her game this year.

Easts Tigers squad

Ayla Cook, Cassie Appo-Hauparua, Chanelle Kohika-Skipper, Contessah Wright, Elizabeth Shelford Edwards, Emily Robinson, Hayley Keding, Jayda Lofipo, Jessikah Reeves, Keisha-Leigh Coolwell, Keisharn Hala, Kelsey Parkin, Kimberley Dore, La-Toniya Norris Addo, Lauréane Biville, Liahona Theodore, Lucy Botten, Mia Luafutu, Morgan Te Oka, Nadana Clark, Rosemary Vaimili-Toalepai, Shekinah Rolland, Sian Lavea, Taimane Mata'afa, Tanisha Murphy-Knight, Tayla Eldridge, Taylor Mapusua, Zhane Kameta

Coach: Duane Rahua

North Queensland Gold Stars

Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons representative Jenni-Sue Hoepper headlines the line-up featuring a talented squad of representative players, including fellow Queensland squad members Steph Mooka, Rangi Edwards-Bruce and Shaniah Power. A first for the north, the team is a culmination of years of hard work and the players who have been given the opportunity to play high-quality football in the north will represent their region with pride. Facilitated by the North Queensland Cowboys, the Gold Stars is a collaborative effort between the club’s feeder teams - Northern Pride, Townsville Blackhawks and Mackay Cutters, and will train in all three north Queensland hubs.

North Queensland Gold Stars squad

Codi Dalley, Joanna Kerr, Kaiyla Ward, Steph Mooka, Esha Nona, Deb Barchard, Emma Manzelmann, Jasmine Peters, Katie Green, Layla Fauid, Lauren Moss, Levinia Robinson, Maggie Brosnan, Rangi Edwards-Bruce, Courtney Reynolds, Emma Wood, Jenni-Sue Hoepper, Lyrech Mara, Mateeka Nielson, Riutoto TeHiko, Romy Teitzel, Samara Luta, Shaniah Power, Tamika Bray

Coach: Gavin Lloyd

Souths Logan Magpies

The Magpies have been one of the mainstays of women’s rugby league in this country and there have been many legends who have made an indelible mark on the game play in the Magpies jersey, including Karyn Murphy and current prop Steph Hancock. This season, the Magpies have recruited well and will have new faces including the powerful and versatile Rona Peters and PNG excitement machine Elsie Albert, who has terrorised opposition defences while playing for the PNG Orchids. Fellow Orchid Amelia Kuk has returned to the side which also features plenty of rising young talent, including recent Queensland Under 18 representatives River Smalley, China Polata, Nakita Sao and sisters Lyllian and Tyesha Mikaio.

Souths Logan Magpies squad

China Polata, Shae Yvonne De La Cruz, Tyesha  Mikaio, Mazelina Haurua, Jasmine Fogavini, Meg Ward, Nakita Sao, Frieda Faulato Seu, Rona Peters, Steph Hancock, Kalara Fai, Finao Mikaio, Annette Brander, Emily Veivers, Tenneille Boaler, Jamie Lee Lewis, Sulesa Siauane, Diaz  Seumanutafa, Therese Aiton, Elsie Albert, Amie Solomona, Stef Gallagher, Amelia Kuk, Montanah Best, Natassja Purontakanen, Hayley Maddick, River Smalley, Linda Edmonds, Elaina Saluni

Coach: Rob Brough

Tweed Seagulls

Under the guidance this season of experienced coach Mike Castle – who remains at the helm of Rugby League World Cup side the Canada Ravens – the Tweed Seagulls will aim to improve on the strong foundations they built last year in their debut season. One of the few teams to beat the Burleigh Bears during the regular season in last year’s tough South East Queensland Women’s Division 1 competition, the Gulls are a fresh-faced squad this season. Castle will look to backrow forward Jessika Elliston to continue to show her skills, with the former rugby sevens representative enjoying a breakout 2019 season which included a Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons debut and a contract with the Brisbane Broncos NRLW side. The knowledge of touch gun Tarryn Aiken, although currently injured, will also be invaluable to the young players.

Tweed Seagulls squad

Abbie Beecher, Alani Sullivan, Brittany Faulkner, Chantell Holloway-Samuels, Cyanna Johnson, Daisy Gordon, Ellie Draper, Gabby Senft, Hannah Calugay, Honor  Wilson, Jessika Elliston, Josina Singapu, Kelsie Jensen, Kirra Stedman, Latesha Mumberson, Lizzy Ross, Maddison Shaw, Olivia Attenborough-Doyle, Riley Hodgson, Ruby Tiavaasue, Serena Martin, Stacey Markham, Tarryn Aiken, Tawana Togo, Zamara Kelly, Zara Canfield

Coach: Mike Castle

West Brisbane Panthers

The defending premiers of the South East Queensland Division 1 competition, the Panthers move into the BHP Premiership era with a target on their backs. The side feature plenty of talented athletes and experienced rugby league players and they will be doing all they can to claim the new silverware on offer. The side will be led from the front by representative forward Asi Mafi, while dual Reds rugby and Broncos NRLW star Lavinia Gould continues to improve each year. Young guns Gemma Schnaubelt and Brianna Clark will look to fire. They also have superstar Julia Robinson back with them this season, while a new face is England international Charlotte Booth who has made the move to Australia to pursue a new rugby league opportunity.  

West Brisbane Panthers squad

Michaela Peck, Hayley Riccardi, Gemma Schnaubelt, Makenzie Weale, Shen'e Clemments, Lana Sheedy, Annie Dufficy, Brianna Clark, Lilly Green, Julia Robinson, Lauren Dam, Charlotte Booth, Asipau Mafi, Kristine Vaalepu, Takiyah Nagas, Patrice Chambers, Lavinia Gould, Cobie-Jane Morgan, Bo De La Cruz-Maclean, Mya Brown, Retta Leao-Seve, Bridget  Smith, Inoke Anna

Coach: Craig Green

*Squad lists provided by clubs