The 2024 QLD State Championships (inc. The AA Earthworks & Haulage City v Country Series) Report
The 2024 TRL QLD State Championships (inc. The AA Earthworks & Haulage City v Country Series) took place at the Alabaster Sporting Fields, Gold Coast from Friday 19 to Saturday 20 April.
City v Country:
Played in glorious conditions on Friday morning as a curtain raiser to the QLD State Championships, the 2024 instalment of City v Country showcased our game’s elite male and female players who were vying for selection for the upcoming 2024 State of Origin Series.
Team Honours:
Series Division Winners:
Men’s – City (3-0)
Women’s – City (3-0)
Mixed – City (3-0)
Men’s 30s – City (2-1)
Mixed 30s – City (2-1)
Men’s:
Lead by the talented Jason Wood, the City Men’s Team prevailed in a 3-0 Series victory over their Country counterparts. Nate Haembo Delio and Seigo Tanaka contributed significantly to securing the series whitewash for City, however it was the incredible efforts of Troy Ford that could not go unnoticed as he was awarded the Men’s Player of the Series.
Women’s:
In what was arguably the most entertaining Division, the City Women’s Team (pictured below) had to dig deep in overcoming a courageous Country outfit taking out a hard fought 3-0 series victory, 2-0, 1-0, 3-0. Nikki Cox often proved the difference between the two sides and was crowned the Women’s Player of the Series. Shoutout to Country’s Torri Collinson who was inspirational in a losing team.
Mixed:
The City Mixed Team had too much firepower and simply could not be contained, marching on to take a comprehensive 3-0 Series victory over Matthew Goodenough’s Country team. Shoutout to Emma Kurki who was crowned the Mixed Player of the Series and well supported by on the field by teammates Jayden Cummins, Damian Gehrke and Catherine Topping.
Men’s 30s:
The Country Men’s 30s Team pulled off a memorable 2-0 Game 1 victory, but it wasn’t enough to secure Series honours, as the City Men’s 30s Team rallied hard to win the remaining two games 3-0, 9-0. Shoutout to Luke Tansley, who replaced the injured Captain Toby Coates and led from the front.
Mixed 30s:
The Country Mixed 30s Team took a commanding 6-3 victory in the opening match, but it wasn’t enough as the City Mixed 30s Team went up a gear and were victorious in the remaining two matches, 4-3, 6-1. A huge congratulations goes to Arron Kirby (pictured below) who not only battled hard with a thigh injury, but was also crowned the Mixed 30s Player of the Series.
Individual Player of the Series Winners:
Men’s – Troy Ford (City)
Women’s – Nikki Cox (City)
Mixed – Emma Kurki (City)
Men’s 30s – Cody Green (City)
Mixed 30s – Arron Kirby (Country)
QLD State Championships:
It was another terrific and fiercely competitive tournament which played host to teams from across the state including Ipswich, Moreton Bay, Rockhampton and Sunshine Coast and attracted 58 teams from 13 regions across 9 Divisions (Men’s QCPL, Cup and Plate, Women’s QCPL and Cup, Mixed QCPL, Cup and Plate and Mixed 30s).
Team Honours:
Tournament Division Winners:
Men’s QCPL – Kingston Kings
Men’s Cup – Kingston Kings Black
Men’s Plate – Richlands Rattlesnakes
Women’s QCPL – Kedron Colts
Women’s Cup – Carina Cubs
Mixed QCPL – Kingston Kings
Mixed Cup – Carina Cubs White
Mixed Plate – Graceville Giants
Mixed 30s – Kingston Kings
Men’s QCPL:
In what will always be remembered as a battle for the ages, Kingston Kings defeated a devastated Kedron Colts side 4-3, thanks to a special drop-off try scored by Devin Tuiasau-Kerridge, to again be crowned champions in the Men’s QCPL Division. Shoutout to Sean Armstrong, Dominik David, Zac Kittel and Corey Sheppard who were outstanding and contributed to the win for the Kings.
Men’s Cup:
Following on from the success of the Men’s QCPL side, Kingston Kings Black held of a determined Carrara Chargers White outfit, to claim victory in the Men’s Cup Grand Final 3-2 in a tense nail-biting match. Some individual brilliance from Jordan Adermann-Kropp and Jordan Tom proved the difference in game-defining moments as the Kings again reasserted their dominance in this Division.
Men’s Plate:
Richlands Rattlesnakes took the honours in the Men’s Plate Division defeating a brave Carrara Chargers team 3-1 in a highly entertaining and hotly contested Grand Final. Shoutout to Thang Dang, Daniel Stainer and Hiep To who played key roles in getting Richlands Rattlesnakes to the big dance and securing victory. Shoutout to the Maroochydore Shakas (pictured below) who travelled from the Sunshine Coast to compete and bagging 2 wins in the pool rounds.
Women’s QCPL:
A massive congratulations goes to Kedron Colts (pictured below) who claimed an unforgettable drop-off victory against a heartbroken Kingston Kings side 5-4, securing the three-peat in the Women’s QCPL Division in front of a passionate crowd. Nikki Cox was again a standout player and her on-field impact was significant; going on to be crowned the Women’s Player of the Tournament.
Women’s Cup:
Carina Cubs claimed a comfortable 4-1 victory over Ipswich Hornets in the Women’s Cup Grand Final and were extremely dominant throughout the course of the tournament. This team certainly earned the right to be crowned Champions and will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with in future TRL elite tournaments. A special congratulations goes out to Petrie Pride, Richlands Rattlesnakes and UQIC who all tried hard and secured victories in the pool rounds.
Mixed QCPL:
Arthur Butler’s Kingston Kings again showcased their dominance in the Mixed QCPL Division, dismantling Mt Gravatt Magpies 11-2 in a comprehensive victory. The Kings were ultra-impressive in this tournament, playing an amazing brand of Touch Rugby League, whilst only conceding 8 tries before the Finals Series. Shoutout goes to Jayden Cummins and Emma Kurki who never stopped trying for the Magpies, despite to one-sided scoreline.
Mixed Cup:
Inspired by their determined leader, Rahul Khatri, Carina Cubs White proved too strong for UQIC taking out a highly skilled Mixed Cup Grand Final 7-4. Shoutout to UQIC’s Brianna Wills who was awarded the Mixed Female Player of the Tournament. A special thanks goes out to Jakai Glover-Ward’s Rockhampton Rush Team for travelling 8 hours to play in this tournament and competing in this hotly contested Division.
Mixed Plate:
Bardon Brumbies unfortunately were no match for a relentless Graceville Giants outfit who claimed the Mixed Plate Grand Final with a commanding 8-2 victory, spearheaded by standout players such as Bailey Dry, Brad Edmonstone and Monica Kaino. Shoutout to Sunnybank Samurais and Ipswich Hornets (pictured below) who were unable to secure victories throughout the tournament but played in great spirits.
Mixed 30s:
Kingston Kings took care of business putting on a clinical display in the Mixed 30s Grand Final defeating a disappointed Carina Cubs team 7-2. It was a terrific effort from this highly talented group of players as they held 2 Teams to nil in the pool rounds and only conceding 9 tries before the Finals Series. Shoutout to Arron Kirby who was awarded the Mixed 30s Player of the Tournament, again proving that he is one of the most talented players in our game,
Individual Honours:
Golden Whistle Award Winner:
Nic Vardanega (pictured below)
Individual Player of the Tournament Winners:
Men’s – Chris Dyer (Maroochydore Shakas)
Women’s – Nikki Cox (Kedron Colts)
Mixed Male – Luke Serle (Mt Gravatt Magpies)
Mixed Female – Brianna Wills (UQIC)
Mixed 30s – Arron Kirby (Kingston Kings)
Thank you:
TRL wishes to thank all players, spectators, referees, venue managers, physios and vendors who were part of another action-packed tournament. We would like to extend our appreciation to all team captains and organisers for selecting teams – without their hard work and dedication putting teams together, the 2024 City v Country Series and QLD State Championships would not be possible.
TRL would also like to thank the team at Alabaster Sporting Fields for allowing us to use their fantastic venue again this year, along with our sponsors and partners:
AA Earthworks & Haulage
Experience Gold Coast
Gallager Insurance
ENP Fitouts
EV2
We are excited to again deliver another instalment of the City v Country Series and QLD State Championships in 2025.
David Stokes