BRL Premier A Grade club by club preview for 2023

The 2023 Brisbane Rugby League Premier A Grade competition is all set for kick-off this weekend and West Brisbane Panthers firmly have the target on their back.

The juggernaut has the unenviable task of trying to follow up a historic undefeated BRL season last year, with their success only making things harder after players turned heads to earn contracts at a scattering of Hostplus Cup clubs.

The Panthers co-coaches Craig Ingebrigtsen and Tye Ingebrigtsen remain to keep that unbeatable spirit at the club.

Their biggest test could come first up in a home game against Bulimba Valleys, who almost toppled West Brisbane in the early part of the finals.

Rivals have also nominated the likes of 2022 grand finalists Wynnum Juniors and  dark horse Brighton Roosters as clubs that could challenge for the ladder lead on the back of strong offseason recruitment.

Find out what every club said when we asked who they think will be in the mix, how they will go and the exciting new names the fans will be clamouring to see in 2023.

Beenleigh Pride

Captain

Craig Chapman (pictured)

Major player gains

David Quinlan (half, Valleys), Tylar Han (half, PNG Hunters), Keanu Ratumaitavuaiolupo (prop, Wynnum)

Player losses

Otu Talakai, Devontai Seumanutafa

Which is the team to beat and why?

Obviously Wests will be strong again but Brighton and Wynnum were certainly on the up last year and this year look to have put together strong squads.

What can fans expect from Beenleigh in 2023?

As always, we will be tough and bring a never say die attitude. I think we will give the competition a shake as we grow with our new combinations.

Experts say...

Beenleigh turned heads in 2022 and efforts to bring in more fans this year could be the impetus they need to go further into the finals.

Bulimba Valleys

Feature player

Izaac Skyring (pictured)

Major player gains

Nick Trevisiol (half, Forestville Ferrets), Bradley Russell (half, Brisbane Tigers), Ashley Bull (forward, Carina Tigers)

Major player losses

Will McAuliffe (half – Great guy and would have played a lot of top grade this year), Zac Croft (wing, work commitments), Daniel Ayres (wing, travel)

Which is the team to beat and why?

Wests. And if not Wests, then it would be Wynnum. But after the year the Panthers put together last year they deserve the respect and the tag as favourites.

What can fans expect from Bulimba in 2023?

To continue to be the little club that fights above its weight division. We are built on hard work and great club culture and pride ourselves on making a contest of every game.

Experts say...

Bulimba has a point to prove after coming closest to knocking off West Brisbane last year and the club entering an under-20s team this year will be exciting.

Brighton Roosters

Captain

Samson Graham (pictured)

Major player gains

Dilbert Isaac (PNG Hunters), Brayden Dee, Luke Punton

Major player losses

Ambrose Fenn, Lachlan Kennedy, Izaac Ackworth 

Which is the team to beat and why?

Wests finished last season undefeated and still have a good core and recruited well, so they are definitely top seed.

What can fans expect from Brighton in 2023?

A hard-working team with a good balance of youth and experience.

Experts say...

Brighton has recruited well and with a close link to their Hostplus Cup affiliate Redcliffe Dolphins, they could give the competition a shake.

Valleys Diehards

Club captain

Josh Fauid (pictured)

Major player gains

Dylan Briggs (Norths), Mose Esera (Dubbo Macquarie Raiders), Jordan Brown (Banyo)

Major player losses

James Old (Denman Rugby League Football Club), Ollie Olds (Swinton UK), Corban Daniels (South Perth Lions)

Which is the team to beat and why?

The team to beat this year would be the reigning premiers, the West Brisbane Panthers. After having a solid year in 2022, you should only expect them to come out this year and want to repeat that.

What can fans expect from Valleys in 2023?

2023 has given Valleys Diehards an opportunity to rebuild our squad and implement a new vision of being a physically tough team. Defence has been a huge factor in our pre-season so you will see some 'Gladiators' out there ready to rip in. 

Experts say...

Valleys' new signings should bring more firepower in attack, which will have them well in the frame to reach the finals.

Pine Rivers Bears

Captain

Stacey Everitt (pictured)

Major player gains

Moni Tikinau (Brighton Roosters, middle forward), Michael Talbot (back rower, Redcliffe Dolphins), Jerry Teme (Hooker, PNG)

Major player losses

Keegan Tuhega, Zach Chong Nee, Manaia Cherrington (Ipswich Jets)

Which is the team to beat and why?

I think this year there are a few clubs who have recruited well and will be hard to beat through the year.  I believe Wests will be hard to beat this year. They have a great coach and the players are very experienced.

What can fans expect from Pine Rivers in 2023?

We are in a rebuilding stage, with a great mix of older and younger footballers coming though. We will play more open style of football, with a hard line on defence. Fans can look forward to entertaining football, with a mix of old-style rugby league.

Experts say...

With a rebuilding team they could be in for a difficult season but showed in the Pine Cup they have plenty of depth to call on to help grind out a few wins.

West Brisbane Panthers

Captain

Bradley Frith (pictured)

Major player gains

Josh Hoffman (Townsville Blackhawks), KJ Kali (Valleys Diehards), Richard Pandia (Souths Logan Magpies)

Major player losses

Kyle Foxwell (Wynnum Seagulls), Dario Takitaki (Mackay Cutters), Joe Waqalevu (Western Clydesdales)

Who is the team to beat and why?

Wynnum. They’ve recruited well in the off season and always get players dropped back to them from their affiliate Queensland cup team.

What can fans expect from your team in 2023? 

We’ll be a bit rusty at the start after losing 10 players out of last year’s grand final winning side, with eight gaining Hostplus Cup contracts and two retiring. 

Experts say...

Like their NRL namesake, everyone will be gunning for them. The test in going back-to-back will be their depth after many players from the 2022 squad earned Hostplus Cup deals for 2023.

Normanby Hounds

Captain

Brad Campbell (pictured)

Major player gains

Michael Butson (utility forward, Wests Panthers), Elliot Vincent (centre/backrow, Central Queensland Capras), Tiki Twist (outside back, Wests Rugby Union)

Losses

Nil

Which is the team to beat and why?

I think the hardest team to beat is Wests Panthers. With successful coaches like Craig and Tye Ingebrigtsen with such a great coaching record it’s hard not to say they are the favourites to win the comp. Then add the quality and experience of Josh Hoffman - with Josh’s NRL experience and the influence he has with the younger players around him the Panthers will again be the team to beat.

What can fans expect from Normanby this year?

We have a very young squad with a number of Souths Logan’s Colts from last year coming on board and a number of other former junior representative players adding extra professionalism to the squad. 

Experts say...

After a difficult 2022, a new football director in Paul Srama should give the club every chance to improve.

Wynnum Manly Juniors

Feature player

Logan Pengelly

Major player gains

Connor Brebner (prop, Brighton/Redcliffe), Ryan Franks (halves, Mounties), Simione Fatafehi (forward, Souths)

Major player losses

Rahkeem Auda (Bulimba), Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard (Souths), Chris Humphris (Souths). Anyone we have lost is a loss to the club but we wish them all the best in their next chapter

Which is the team to beat and why?

We think as club the obvious one is Wests Panthers, coming off a pretty impressive season last year going undefeated right through and winning the grand final against us. I think they’ll come out just as hungry as they were last year. They’ve always been a tough side and last year they played a really smart style of footy, but we’re looking forward to lining up against them again.

What can fans expect from Wynnum Manly Juniors in 2023? 

We want to play a really up-tempo style of footy, focusing on the little one-percenters, starting games well, building off that and playing for the full 80 minutes, competing on everything.

Experts say...

After signing two of the best performers of 2022 in Connor Brebner and Simione Fatafehi, Wynnum should have the firepower to take it favourites West Panthers this season.

Souths Juniors

Captain

Cody MacIntosh (pictured)

Major player gains

Cody MacIntosh, Khan Awhang, Taj Hinton 

Major player losses

Phil Dennis, Simione Fatafehi

Which is the team to beat for 2023?

West Brisbane Panthers with Tye and Craig Ingebrigtsen back at the reins and a few key signings makes them an even bigger threat to the competition and no doubt they will be looking to go back-to-back as all good premiership sides try to do.

What can fans expect from Souths this year?

In 2023 they can expect to see the black-and-white there come September.

Experts say...

Despite losing the experience of Phil Dennis, Souths will still turn some heads on the back their solid coaching staff, led by 2021 BRL coach of the year Wayne Barnett

Carina Juniors

Captain

Jordan Te Aho (pictured)

Major player gains

Jordan Te Aho (halfback, Akarana Falcons NZ), Mitch Butler (outside back, Pine Rivers), Jayden Newbould (hooker, Valleys)

Losses

Nil

Which is the team to beat in 2023?

Wests has to be the team to beat this year due to their total domination playing the whole season undefeated last season. Looking at Wests signings this year, it would be expected they will be a strong opposition again this year.

What can fans expect from Carina this year?

Carina will be a much fitter, more competitive team this season and every opposition should expect a tough contest each week when.

Experts say...

A good young crop of locals building on their under-20s grand final success last year are set to impress.