The weekend guide: April 10-11

They say there's no such thing as too much footy, and that's certainly the case with community rugby league competitions in Queensland this weekend.

Another eight local leagues are set to signal time on for their 2021 seasons; with Brisbane, Toowoomba, Northern Districts, Rockhampton, Central Highlands, Central West, Mackay and Townsville all kicking off their new seasons.

For QRL statewide competitions fixtures, visit qrl.com.au/draw.

Brisbane Premier A Grade

Contributed by QRL Brisbane correspondent John Devine

The Brisbane Rugby League Premier A Grade competitions begins this Saturday where nine teams will contest for the title won by Wynnum Manly Seagulls in a shortened COVID-affected 2020 season.

Last year, eight teams played a 10-week competition with the Seagulls running out convincing winners 42-6 against the West Brisbane Panthers in the grand final to claim their third straight title at Bishop Park.

Valleys Diehards ended 2020 as minor premiers; but the curse of top spot struck again when they were eliminated in the preliminary final by the Panthers who finished fourth.

Carina Tigers, Normanby Hounds and Pine Rivers Bears also played finals footy last year and all three teams are primed to build off the back of last year's success.

This year, Beenleigh Pride will join the fray, giving a club a bye weekend in what shapes as another exciting season.

Once again, Rugby League Brisbane will broadcast the match of the round each week. West Brisbane and Valleys will also have some of their games live on their relevant Facebook pages.

Round 1 action will be live from Kitchener Park from 4.30pm where the defending premiers Wynnum Manly take on the Brighton Roosters.

The Seagulls won both their trials, 26-20 over the Panthers and 36-16 over Carina. The Roosters also defeated Carina 30-22, but went down by only two points to the Panthers 26-24.

In other Round 1 clashes, Bulimba take on Valleys at Balmoral Recreation Ground, Normanby are at home to the Pine River Bears and the final game of the weekend will see West Brisbane host the new boys Beenleigh at 7.30pm; live on Panther TV from Frank Lind Oval.

Round 1 fixtures

Carina Tigers - bye

QTOP Premiership - Gold Coast

Round 1 kicks off on Saturday, May 8.

Ipswich Rugby League

Round 1 kicks off on Saturday, April 17.

South East Queensland Women's Premiership

Round 1 kick off date is yet to be confirmed.

Hutchinson Builders Cup - Toowoomba

Contributed by QRL Toowoomba correspondent Andrew O'Brien

The post-COVID Toowoomba Rugby League season starts this weekend and all eyes will be on the re-entry of the Newtown Lions into the competition.

It has been eight years since 'the Bluebags' last played in the TRL and they travel to Gatton in their first match. They have shown in their trials they will be competitive under new coach Colin Speed.

The replay of the 2019 grand final between Valleys and Warwick is also being played in this initial weekend. It's been more than 12 months since Warwick played competitive football, however, the Roosters opted to feature in last year's Volunteers Cup at Ipswich.

Former NRL players Jason Ferris and Travis Waddell are set to debut as coaches as they oppose each other in their clash between Oakey and Goondiwindi respectively.

Another former NRL player and current Brothers coach David Anderson is set to take on Liam Capewell (brother to Queensland's Kurt Capewell) who is at the helm of the Souths Tigers.

And former NRL player Travis Burns will be in charge of the Wattles Warriors against a Kerry Carmichael-coached Dalby side at Platz Oval in Clifton.

Round 1 fixtures

Toowoomba Women's Premiership

The inaugural Toowoomba Women's premiership will take centre stage in the Darling Downs this weekend with seven teams competing in the first year of the competition.

Gatton will host the first fixture on Saturday, up against Newton at Cahill Park.

On Sunday, Brothers take on Pittsworth, Valleys are at home to Warwick and Dalby will have the bye.

Round 1 fixtures

Dalby Diehards - bye

Maudsley Excavations Cup - Sunshine Coast / Gympie

A top-of-the-table clash headlines Round 4 of the Maudsley Excavation Cup when Noosa face Kawana at Pirate Park for an epic Sunday afternoon duel.

Both outfits are undefeated heading into the clash, coming off big wins just before the Easter break, so the week to freshen up will allow for both teams to flex their muscle and assert their authority.

At Maroochydore, captain Lachlan Price will be calling on his Swans to bank another four points when they tackle Nambour, who will be looking to bounce back after being squandered by Noosa in Round 3.

In other matches, Gympie and Caloundra go head-to-head at Jack Stokes Oval and the undefeated Beerwah Bulldogs will hope to continue their good form at home when they tackle the winless Caboolture Snakes.

Round 4 fixtures

Stanley River Wolves - bye

Sunshine Coast / Gympie Women's Cup

Fans will be treated to a thriller in Gympie when the Devils take on Caloundra - both coming off Round 1 wins against Caboolture and Noosa respectively.

The Snakes will have an opportunity to their first round loss behind them when they face Beerwah and Noosa host Kawana at Pirate Park.

Round 2 fixtures

Nambour Crushers - bye

Bundaberg Broadcasters Premiership

Contributed by QRL Bundaberg correspondent Vince Habermann

By chance, the three A Grade opening round winners Wests Panthers, East Magpies and Hervey Bay Seagulls will meet the first up losers Wallaroos, Waves Tigers, and Past Brothers respectively when the Bundaberg Broadcasters Premiership resumes after the Easter recess this weekend.

Wests will suit up against Wallaroos at 3pm at Salter Oval and a battle royale is expected between two high quality teams after the Panthers shocked Brothers 46-22, and the Magpies plucked Roos 52-32; although that margin could have been much greater after the Bundaberg side appeared to clock off early and the Maryborough marauders ran in the last three tries of the game.

The Panthers will be without two of their powerhouse forwards in captain James Prichard who has not recovered from to a hamstring injury sustained two weeks ago, and Josh Tanner, who has work commitments. They will however welcome back another battering ram Joseph Doyle, who was unavailable against Brothers.

Wallaroos also have only two changes to their side which finished strongly against Easts, with prolific scoring winger Lochlan Greenfield and young gun centre Tyson Allen replacing Daniel Gillen and Brad Wex, respectively.

The Magpies and Tigers will then square off at 5pm, with Easts to miss perennial match-winning veteran journeyman Clinton Horne, who limped off in the dying minutes against Roos, while electrifying centre Tien Nguyen is unavailable. On the other side of the coin, they will be bolstered by the additions of blockbusting front rower Hayden Priestley, and interchange aces Corey Chapman and Isaiah Gala.

Waves coach Antonio Kaufusi will also have his troops primed for action, and they will be bolstered by the club debut of Bundaberg born and bred former North Queensland Cowboys NYC and Townsville Blackhawks Intrust Super Cup electrifying centre Cody Maughan, who will play along-side his elder brother and captain and five-eighth Reece for the first time.

The Seagulls will have home ground advantage at Stafford Park for their 5pm match, and while they have eight changes to their side which ambushed the Tigers, including with the return of big guns Logona Vetemotu, Steven Dwyer, Dion Bunyan, and former Queensland Rangers representative Tyrone Hopgood, they will take a power of beating.

The Brethren will be desperate to avoid back-to-back losses to start their title defence, and they will have captain and Queensland Rangers representative Kevin Sherriff back after he was sorely missed against the Panthers after injuring his hamstring in the warm-up.

They will also debut under 18 power front rower Lane Crossley-Price off the bench.

Round 2 fixtures

Rugby League Gladstone

Round 1 kicks off on Saturday, May 22.

Rockhampton Rugby League

The beef capital is looking forward to the return of the greatest game of all with two almighty contests to restart proceedings.

At Browne Park, the Norths Chargers tackle the Fitzroy / Gracemere Sharks after both sides had a year off due the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, it will be an emotional occasion on the Capricorn Coast when Yeppoon and Emu Park play off for the Rhys Yore Memorial Shield - a popular Year 11 student from St Brendan's College who was tragically killed in a car accident in January.

Round 1 fixtures

Rockhampton Brothers - bye

Rockhampton Rugby League Women's

The inclusion of Central Highlands and Gladstone teams into the Rockhampton Women's competition has made this year's premiership season one not to be missed.

Norths and Fitzroy / Gracemere will take to the field at Browne Park before their A Grade suitors; while on the Coast, Yeppoon clash with Emu Park.

At the newly renamed Gladstone Coal Exporters Stadium (formerly Marley Brown Oval), a women's double header will create hype in the Port City with both Gladstone women's teams in action.

Wallabys will have their work cut out for them when two-time Central Highlands premiers Blackwater Crushers travel east and Tannum come up against Rockhampton Brothers. 

Round 1 fixtures

Purcell's Engineering Men's Premiership - Central Highlands

Rugby league returns in a big way to the Central Highlands after taking a break in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Two Friday night showdowns kick-start the Purcell's Engineering season with Middlemount hosting Brothers and Emerald Tigers at home to 2019 premiers Dysart Bulls.

Saturday sees Springsure against Blackwater and almighty clash awaits at Macca's Oval when Bears come back out of hibernation against 2019 grand finalists Bluff Rabbitohs.

Round 1 fixtures

Northern Districts Rugby League

A super Sunday double-header kicks off the Northern District Rugby League season at South Kolan.

The Avondale Tigers take on Gin Gin in the opening match at 1.15pm before the Sharks do battle with Miriam Vale at 3.15pm.

Round 1 fixtures

South Burnett Rugby League

It's a big weekend of footy at TJ O'Neill Oval in Kingaroy with not only Round 3 of the South Burnett Rugby League, but the Red Ants also hosting Round 5 of the Cyril Connell Challenge and Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup.

After the QRL statewide competitions matches, Wondai will be hoping to secure their first win of the season when they tackle Kingaroy; meanwhile, the undefeated Murgon Mustangs will face off against the Nanango Stags in a top-of-the-table clash. 

Round 3 fixtures

Cherbourg Hornets - bye

Central Burnett Rugby League

Round 1 kicks off on Saturday, April 17.

Roma and District Rugby League

Round 1 kick off date is yet to be confirmed.

Central West Rugby League

There's been plenty of rivalry in the lead-up to the start of the Central West Rugby League season with plenty of inter-town banter across the various Outback areas.

The merger of Longreach and Illfracombe has strengthened the Tigers who are tasked with taking on the 'new kids on the block' Alpha Brumbies, who return to rugby league after a significant period away - last playing in the Central Highlands competition when they were active.

Two teams certain to start the year with a bang are Barcaldine and Blackall who run out onto the Barcy Showgrounds in the second game of the round.

Round 1 fixtures

Winton Devils - bye

Components Only Cup - Mackay

All eight Components Only Cup teams are back and ready to do battle after Rugby League Mackay and District hosted an abridged competition featuring five of the eight in last year's COVID-affected season.

Last year's premiers Wests Mackay will be first to take centre stage when they travel into the city to face Carltons.

Meanwhile; in Moranbah, a star-studded Miners outfit that includes the likes of former Cowboys-contracted playmaker Cooper Bambling and Intrust Super Cup stars Bill Cullen and Sam Smith will clash with Sarina who travel down the Peak Downs Highway for the occasion.

On Sunday, Whitsunday host the Brethren and the Magpies go up against Souths.

Round 1 fixtures

Mackay Airport Cup - Women's

Excitement is building for the start of the Mackay Airport Cup with all six teams back and ready for a bumper season ahead.

To kick-start the opening round, Moranbah are at home to Sarina and Magpies tackle Souths.

Round 1 fixtures

Carltons Devils and Mackay Brothers - bye

Townsville and District Rugby League Men

The Western Lions will be hoping to impress new coach, former Queensland dynamo Matt Bowen when they take on 2020 Mackay Rugby League grand finalists Townsville Brothers in a Friday night special to open the 2021 season.

Roy Baira's men will have a point to prove after being unable to bring home the silverware in last year's North Queensland.

A Jack Manski double header on Saturday will see Centrals ASA against Charters Towers and Herbert River face Burdekin.

Round 1 fixtures

Norths Devils - bye

Townsville and District Rugby League Women

It's a big weekend of women's rugby league action in Townsville for the opening round with all three clashes at Jack Manski Oval.

Brothers face Western Lions on Friday night, whilst Centrals ASA and Charters Towers play-off in the opening game on Saturday before Herbert River and Burdekin take centre stage for the final women's fixture of the weekend.

Round 1 fixtures

Norths Devils - bye

Mount Isa Rugby League Men

Revellers in the mid-west will be hoping all the electrical issues have been resolved at Alec Inch Oval for Round 2 of the Mount Isa Rugby League competition.

Cloncurry take on Brothers and Townies face Wanderers.

Round 2 fixtures

Mount Isa Rugby League Women

Bye weekend

Cairns District Rugby League

A Friday night epic is the perfect matinee to get Round 2 of the Cairns District competition underway with Ivanhoes duelling with Southern Suburbs at Smithfield Sporting Complex.

With the Pride playing at Barlow Park on Saturday, the only local league fixture will be in Mareeba as the Gladiators clash with Mossman Port Douglas.

Sunday sees the first-placed Cairns Brothers take on Atherton at Stan Williams Park.

Meanwhile, Yarrabah coach Eddie Prior Sr has told the Cairns Post this week that his Seahawks are “all fired up” after having to serve the bye in the opening round of the season. They'll travel to Edmonton in an attempt to weather the Storm.

In the final match of the round at Vico Oval, Kangaroos lock horns with Innisfail.

Round 2 fixtures

Tully Tigers - bye