FIFTH STRAIGHT DRIVING KNIGHTS
GCDRU 2024: A SPOTLIGHT SHONE ON EVERY CLUB
With round 1 of the 2024 season just around the corner, it’s time we deep dive into preparations in every team’s camp.
While the Griffith Uni Colleges Knights are going for their fifth trophy in as many years, PBC has returned to the first grade playing field.
The anticipation of fresh faces and a grand final rematch in round 1 means every club is fired up. The Bulletin has spoken to each club captain.
BOND PIRATES Captain:
Luke Rust
2023 placing:
5th
Biggest loss:
Tai Ford (to Surfers Paradise)
What has pre season been like?
“The boys are putting in a shift ... lots of young blokes rocking up.”
With 40-plus players turning up to every session, Rust says the entire pre-season has been good. The side has had two pre-season games so far, against Bond University and Casuarina, which have paid off in preparation for round 1.
Why will you be competitive in 2024?
“Last year we were thrown together and still learning how to play as a team, but a lot of the key players are still in the system so we’ll be stronger.”
Season prediction and why:
After narrowly missing a finals spot last season, Rust is confident his Pirates will do one better in 2024.
“I think we’ll turn over the top four and be in and around it during finals,” he said.
Most important clash and why:
The Pirates’ first top-four clash will be the Dolphins in round 2. The match will be an indicator of where they sit early on, and a win could easily boost confidence moving forward.
GOLD COAST EAGLES Captain:
Tevita Fifita
2023 placing:
8th
Gain and losses:
Fifita is confident the Eagles’ forward pack has gained strength and knowledge over the break thanks to some smart recruiting.
“I’d say we gained more than we lost. The boys from last year have stuck around.”
Most exciting to watch this year and why:
The Eagles have a mix of young faces and vet players this year, making them an exciting team to watch on the rise from last season.
What has pre-season been like?
“Pre-season has gone good in terms of preparation and the boys have been doing well. We’ve played three preseason games so far and I think those have helped us improve our chemistry together and get our game plan sorted.”
Season prediction and why:
Tentative to give a specific placing, Tevita is confident the Eagles will be in contention for a top-four spot on the ladder. “We’ll look to do better than last year. Every game we will just build on our skills.”
Most important clash and why:
It’s a matter of foundation status when it comes the Eagles’ rivalry with Surfers Paradise – the pair being the oldest clubs in the competition.
NERANG BULLS Captain:
Sheldon Fidow
2023 placing:
3rd, after losing to the eventual winners in their prelim final
Biggest gain:
The Bulls recruited well over the break, securing a number of players from New Zealand, one of who is former Hog Jovi Isaac, who returns to the club after several years off.
Biggest lost:
It’s no surprise most of the squad stayed intact after their semi-final loss in 2023. The close defeat has left them with a taste of the trophy, which is why they’re back for this year.
“I think everyone was hurting after last year so they’ve stuck around the finish the job,” Fidow said.
What has pre-season been like?
“It’s definitely been the toughest pre-season since I’ve been at the club, but everyone is ripping into it. We’ve been getting run into the ground with lots of cardio. It’s been tough but it’ll pay off if we keep working hard.”
Why will you be competitive in 2024?
The Bulls have been a nail away from the grand final two years in a row, on both occasions falling short to the Knights in a prelim match. A fresh coaching team and double the heartache is set to be the perfect recipe for a top notch season. This just might be their year. Fidow said it was the club’s ultimate goal this
season: go the distance and compete for the cup.
Season prediction and why:
“It’s early days now but if we stick to our game plan and follow our coach’s strategy, then I guess we can go one better.”
Most important clash and why:
“Personally I love playing the Hogs, it’s a rivalry game because play is for the Nava Cup. But to be the best you have to beat the best, so our big will be the Knights.
HELENSVALE HOGS: Captain:
Dane Mason
2023 placing:
4th
Biggest gain:
Josh James, a legend of the club who played potentially 150 games in Hogs colours, has come back from time away to don the jersey once again.
“He’s been good at preseason so it’s great to have him back,” Mason said.
Biggest lost:
Ezekiel Stewart.
What has pre-season been like?
“We’ve been doing a lot of fitness to make sure our bodies are ready to go. We bowed to it at the end of last season due to injuries and that really killed us.”
Why will you be competitive in 2024?
A good mix of returning legends, currents stars and future talents mean the Hogs have a good chance of going all the way to the big dance – and winning it – in 2024.
Season prediction and why:
Plain and simple, Mason believes the Hogs will win this season.
Most important clash and why:
As expected, the Knights are on Helensvale’s red hot radar after last year’s finals knockout. They’re looking for revenge, and they may well get it in round 4.
PBC ALLEYGATORS Captain:
Jake Field
2023 placing:
Did not have a first grade side.
What has pre-season been like?
“Pre-season has been a little bit hit and miss with numbers, but generally consistent. We’ve hired a strength and conditioning coach, so a lot of gym sessions, a lot of fitness and just getting our bodies ready. It’s been really good.”
Why will you be competitive in 2024?
PBC may be new to first grade and offer a relatively young squad in comparison to their rivals, but Field is confident they make up for experience in heart.
“We have a lot of determination in our approach to our first season in first grade,” he said.
Season prediction and why:
“I think top two would be awesome.”
Most important clash and why:
Coomera and Nerang seem to be the internal rivalries set by PBC, and it will be interesting to see how those clashes in particular play out. Nerang host the Alleygators in round 2.
SURFERS PARADISE Captain:
Cody Blackhurst
2023 placing:
2nd
Biggest gain:
Tai Ford (from Bond Pirates)
Biggest loss:
Koji Goulding and Lachlan Currie
What has pre-season been like?
“Our pre-season has been great. There has been more of a focus on our attack but overall it’s been consistent. We’ve had good numbers at training, especially in the early stages in both first and second grade.”
Why will you be competitive in 2024?
Having fallen short to the Knights in a grand final setting two years straight, Surfers Paradise is eager to get cracking early and set the benchmark towards a longawaited trophy.
“We’ve all got unfinished business to settle,” Blackhurst said.
Season prediction and why:
“Ideally everyone wants to win the competition, so I’d say: win the competition.”
Most important clash and why:
The Dolphins’ most important clash will be round 1 in he grand final rematch. It will be played at the Knights’ home ground in Southport Carrara, and is expected to deliver just as much excitement as last year’s grand final.
GRIFFITH UNI COLLEGE KNIGHTS Coach:
Shaun Cole
Captain:
Jaye Paton, Connor Kennedy (vicecaptain) and Kerrod Martorella and Max Dempsey (club captains).
2023 placing:
PREMIERS
Biggest gain:
Israel Teremoana and Jake Allen. Props and hookers are very hard to find.
Biggest loss:
Tereina McLean. Veteran tighthead had to move away to look after his family. “One of the best players and people to have ever worn a Knights jersey.”
What has pre-season been like?
“It’s been the best buy-in I've had during my years in charge. Our S&C coach Dan Adams has worked the lads hard with their cardio and we have picked up our game plan and structure a lot quicker than we have done in previous years. It’s been terrific.”
Why will you be competitive in 2024?
“We’ve worked really hard to implement a well-structured rugby program for our lads to maximise our time together and I think that will help put us in a good position to be competitive across the grades. Chasing five First Grade titles in a row also doesn’t hurt as some extra motivation.”
Season prediction and why:
“I’d be lying if I didn’t say we want to be First Grade Premiers again. We’ve worked so hard for so long to get to where we are so there’s no chance we’re going to let that go without a hell of a fight this season.”
Most important clash and why:
“Surfers Paradise Dolphins (grand final rematch) in round 1 – April 6 at home. Round 1 will be dedicated to our brother Rikki Brown who we lost this time last year.”