The Toowoomba Rugby League A grade women's competition is in for a shake-up in 2024..
With a number of players from 2023 now entrenched in the Western Clydesdales' BMD Premiership campaign, many clubs are viewing the season ahead as a clean slate - and it could be anyone's.
But all eyes are on the Gatton Hawks as they shoot for four in a row.
Find out how all the clubs are lining up.
Dalby Diehards
Coach: Mick Gleeson
Captain: Sarah Milton
2023 finish: 6th
Signings/retains: Unknown
Player losses: Bree Pogony (injury)
How will your team improve in 2024?
Defence will be an improvement.
What can fans expect from your game style?
A more competitive team across the field.
Who is the team to beat and why?
Gatton still the side to beat with Highfields and Newtown
Oakey Bears
Coach: Cameron Donaldson
Captains: TBA
2023 finish: Preliminary final
Signings/retains: Bianca Johnson (Brothers), Keeley Cochrane (Souths), Jemicia Wightman (Highfields), Ruby Wharton (Normanby), Bina McLoghlin
Player losses: Kylie Janes (Newtown), Mirka Dean, Erikana Dean
How will your team improve in 2024?
We’ll continue to show our supporters that the teams we play will have to play well to beat us. A more basic approach.
What can fans expect from your game style?
The same upfront toughness and enthusiasm.
Who is the team to beat and why?
Newtown. A lot of gun players and if you beat the Bluebags, you're not far away.
Highfields Eagles
Coach: Wayne Collie
Captain: Tia Rogers
2023 finish: Semi finals
Signings/retains: Chloe Johnson (Sunshine Coast), Kelsy Price (Valleys Brisbane), Chloe Pelissier (Souths Juniors), Lucy Davies (Brothers Juniors)
Player losses: None
How will your team improve in 2024?
More experience.
What can fans expect from your game style?
Raw and tough footy right across the park. Back to old school footy
Who is the team to beat and why?
The playing field is pretty even this season. Newtown and Gatton will be up there again you would think.
Gatton Hawks
Coach: Jason Buhse and Kim Dore
Captain: Undecided
2023 finish: Premiers
Signings/retains: Brit Gabby, Mia Davies, Karla Cameron, Libby Dunn coming up from the juniors
Player losses: Rikki-Lee Boney (Valleys), Tashauna Willis-Duncan (Brothers), Emily Young
How will your team improve in 2024?
There will be different challenges this with the introduction of Clydesdales,
What can fans expect from your game style?
There will still be a lot of defensive toughness.
Who is the team to beat and why?
It feels like the competition is starting afresh again. Similar to when the competition started again. It is really anyone’s.
Newtown Lions
Coach: Rosie Gibbs and Kieran Gibbs
Captain: Grace McLaughlin (pictured)
2023 finish: Runners-up
Signings/retains: Kiara Taylor (returning), Sarah Hoger (Gatton), Kylie Janes (Oakey), Montana Mook (Western Clydesdales).
Player losses: Leah Peckham, Toni McGrady (Warialda), Rosie Parsons, Paige Edwards (injury), Anna Dingley (Canberra), Tia Hinch (Valleys).
How will your team improve in 2024?
A couple of key signings in our spine. Plus, we have close to 30 women.
What can fans expect from your game style?
Defensively a lot tougher and stronger. Same up the middle
Who is the team to beat and why?
Gatton. They are three-time premiers for a reason irrespective of their losses. Highfields are the smokies.
Valleys Roosters
Coach: Kaylah Pearce and Emily Walker
Captains: Emily Walker and Rikki-Lee Boney
2023 finish: 5th
Signings/retains: Rikki-Lee Boney (Gatton), Tia Hinch, Jayla Sefo, Jasmine Sefo (Newtown), Mikeely Scott (Western Clydesdales Under 19)
Player losses: Kendal Lane (Highfields), Chontelle Orcher, Madison Sedeek-Duncan, Eleni Rokomatu (Brothers), Jess Packer (injury),
How will your team improve in 2024?
Our spine will be definitely stronger
What can fans expect from your game style?
An 'eyes up' approach with a more open style of play.
Who is the team to beat and why?
Newtown. Recruited well.
Southern Suburbs Tigers
Coach: Trevor Norris
Captain: Kiara Norris and Soph Facer
2023 finish: 7th
Signings/retains: No new signings and will try and blood our juniors through
Player losses: Rhiannon Melville (Brothers), Caitlan Ireland (retired)
How will your team improve in 2024?
More experienced team. We’ve worked hard on attack. Improving our ball skills and our defensive patterns.
What can fans expect from your game style?
Totally different to last year. A more open plan and playing 'eyes up' footy.
Who is the team to beat and why?
Valleys recruited well and with the structures in place, they will be hard to beat.
Brothers
Coach: Kris Whale
Captain: Tashauna Willis-Duncan
Signings/retains: All ex-Brothers women
What can fans expect from your game style?
A forward dominated side is our strength.
Who is the team to beat and why?
Hard to tell as there's a number.
