Wynnum Manly Seagulls: BMD Premiership gains and losses for 2024
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The Wynnum Manly Seagulls showed in 2023 the true value of the Queensland Rugby League’s pathways.
In just the club’s second year in the BMD Premiership, they blooded a number of young guns from their Harvey Norman Under 19s team and – with an all-teenage spine guiding them – qualified for last year’s grand final against the eventual premiers, the Burleigh Bears.
Destiny Mino-Sinapati, Sienna Lofipo and Emma Barnes were key to that success for the Seagulls last season and all three went on to make their NRLW debuts, while half Jayde Herdegen also showed her potential for the years to come.
For an older head in the game like Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons star Romy Teitzel, this development was exciting to watch.
Not only did it show her why the future of the game is so bright, but as Teitzel prepares to become a Seagull herself this year, she now gets to play alongside the next generation.
“Wynnum had a really good season last year which was awesome and a lot of girls have returned,” Teitzel said of the 2024 squad.
“I haven’t played alongside a number of them before. It’s only myself, Brianna Clark and Julia Robinson from the Broncos, so it’s refreshing for me and it’s a huge, diverse group in regards to their skill level and knowledge.
“I just love seeing the young talent coming into our game at the moment. The pathways have been a huge advantage.
“Being a Queenslander too, I’ve really enjoyed seeing the growth of players like Destiny and Sienna… they have a bright future.
“They’re definitely setting the standard, which is cool, and it’s cool to be alongside them to see how professional they are at a young age.
“They’ll probably kick me out before I know it but to see their growth and potential, it’s exciting. Even when it comes to Origin, a lot of them are putting their hands up for selection and giving it a red hot crack.”
Teitzel joins Wynnum Manly this year after moving down from north Queensland, where she last season played with the Mackay Cutters.
Her move from her home region was motivated by her signing with the Brisbane Broncos in the NRLW last year and now she is keen to give herself the easiest start to 2024 as possible.
As much as she loves her north Queensland roots, the 25-year-old knew the best thing for her would be to play her BMD Premiership footy in Brisbane.
Road to Maroons: Romy Teitzel
“I have some stability now, having relocated to Brisbane and living here permanently,” Teitzel said.
“It was hard to leave north Queensland, it’s been home for me for a really long time. My friends and family and everyone is still up there. But the stability to live in Brisbane, I’m really enjoying that.
“The best decision was to play football down here and keep everything as sensible and calm as possible.
“Wynnum reached out to the Broncos since they’re affiliates of the Broncos men’s team and they reached out to see if anyone is interested in joining them this year.
“Quite a few girls had established clubs already but Wynnum really seemed like the right fit for me.
“I loved what their club was about and they had connections to Graham Murray and Paul Green too, who have been up in north Queensland and have connections to my family too.”
As well as Teitzel, the Seagulls are also enjoying the return of young forward Jacinta Carter - who last year went down to New South Wales to play with the Newcastle Knights – as well as a number of new faces, including Ellie Draper, Tafito Lafaele and another up-and-comer in Trinity Ve'etutu.
Together, the squad are looking at building upon last year’s success, which saw them finish as the 2023 runners-up.
Teitzel said that desire to win the club’s first BMD Premiership title is evident but, just like last year, so was the determination to bring through more young players and to develop the future of the game.
As for Teitzel, her personal goals are also about developing upon her own success from 2023, which saw her make her State of Origin debut and play finals footy with the Cutters and Broncos.
“The main goal in any team and competition is to win that premiership,” she said of the Seagulls.
“I’d also love to see those girls in the pathways have a really good year, grow that space… in the next few years I reckon we can have a year-long competition.
“For myself, I didn’t play any international or rep football at the end of last year.
“I haven’t played since September last year so my goals are to play some consistent footy and put my hand up for selection in the Origin team and maintain that spot.
“Then moving into the NRLW season, give the Broncos the best chance to make the grand final and win the premiership.”
The Wynnum Manly Seagulls will kick off their BMD Premiership season one week early, when they take on the Souths Logan Magpies this Saturday at Logan Metro Sports Complex.
In a split opening round for the competition, this is the only BMD Premiership game that will be played this weekend, with kick off at 7pm.
Catch all the action live by subscribing to Qplus.tv.
Wynnum Manly Seagulls 2024 gains and losses
Gains
Jacinta Carter (Newcastle Knights), Ellie Draper (rugby union), Maggie Glassock - (rugby union), Aliyah Grey (Western Australia), Tafito Lafaele (Brisbane Broncos), Romy Teitzel (Mackay Cutters/Brisbane Broncos), Trinity Ve'etutu (Wynnum Manly Seagulls Harvey Norman Under 19), Jo-anne Visser (OzTag)
Losses
Layne Bennett (Sunshine Coast Falcons), Madeline Burton (Norths Devils), Rease Casey (Western Clydesdales), Patrice Chambers (Sunshine Coast Falcons), Tallisha Harden (North Queensland Cowboys), Abigail Hills (Sunshine Coast Falcons), Kim Hunt (Mackay Cutters), Felila Kia (Brisbane Tigers), Nirada Phonsaya (Western Clydesdales), Shaniah Power (Mackay Cutters)
