Sport
15 May, 2026
Warriors take out Gatton in Grand Final Replay
Saturday evening’s 2025 Toowoomba Rugby League Grand Final replay at Platz Oval between the Wattles Warriors and reigning premiers the Gatton Hawks lived up to all expectations.
The A Grade feature match was preceded by a tribute and minute silence in honour of former Wattles statesman Mr Peter Glass who passed away in September last year.
Wattles’ electric fullback Lachlan Watts earned the Hutchies Builders Player of the Round honours, while team mate, utility player Dom Whittingham was named Lockyer Valley Toyota Player of the Match.
Centre Jesse Yallop and front-rower and former Gold Coast forward Bayley Loughhead also shone for Wattles.
While currently only early May, the match lived up to the standard of a season decider with the home side finishing the eighty minutes with a four touchdowns to three advantage.
Wattles Coach Travis Burns praised his team for their performance.
“Our defence was good, especially coming off our line, but out attack is still not where it needs to be,” Burns said.
“We were hindered with a few errors, but it was an encouraging win against quality opponents.”
Wattles’ elusive former Townsville Blackhawks back Jesse Yallop showed his abundant speed off a pass from back-rower Manny Tuimamave-Gerrard, outpacing chasers to put Wattles’ first points on the scoreboard after seven minutes.
The rampant Hawks forwards took control for much of the remainder of the first half, with three tries, two by fullback Daniel West-Pes and winger Kulu Baruani, allowing the visitors a 16 – 6 lead on the cusp of half time.
Wattles went into the sheds on a high note after left edge flyer Mason Watson rounded up the defence to score off a sharp pass from centre Blake Appo in the 39th minute to have Wattles trailing 12 – 16.
If the home side was to threaten the Hawks they had to lift a few gears, and Coach Travis Burns’ half time gee-up inspired just that.
The Warriors took to the field with a sting in their tail, lifting their momentum, and when Mason Watson breezed over for another four-pointer two minutes into the new stanza, those in green and gold snatched an 18 – 16 advantage.
The contest’s intensity, speed and scoreboard details had the very large crowd on the edge of their seats in what was perfect rugby league weather.
As both sides were still giving no quarter in a torrid forward clash with just ten minutes remaining, Wattles were clinging to their 18 – 16 lead desperate for their second fixture win of the new season, especially against the old foe.
The match breaker brought the Wattles’ loyal fans to their feet with just nine minutes remaining on the match clock.
Half back Kai Duggan dummied and broke through fifteen metres from the face of the Gatton uprights
before off-loading to co-skipper/back rower Nick Van Der Poel who skidded in to score.
There was no doubt with the Kai Duggan conversion attempt, and Wattles edged to their winning 24 – 16 lead in their initial home fixture of the season.
The final minutes were certainly not for the faint of heart, but Wattles showed staying power to the final hooter and deserved victory.
With the Toowoomba Rugby League premiership in recess next weekend due to the NRL Magic Round, Wattles next run on is in Round 5 at Platz Oval against the impressing Oakey Bears.
It will be a challenging three weeks for the Warriors up against the competitions top three clubs in Oakey, Southern Suburbs and top of the table Warwick.
Wattles 24 (Mason Watson 2, Jesse Yallop, Nick Van Der Poel tries; Kai Duggan 4 goals) defeated Gatton 16 (Daniel West-Pes 2, Kulu Baruani tries; James Robinson 2 goals).
Reserve Grade
Wattles’ Reserve Grade loss could possibly be considered the one that got away for the Garth Lonergan coached Warriors, kicking on from a 12 – 12 level ledger with Gatton at half time, to a 28 – 24 loss for the home line-up.
With just six minutes remaining Wattles led 24 – 22, alas a Hawks try minutes later by Lleyton Thompson presented the visitors with the premiership points and left Wattles still chasing their initial win of the season.
Forward Mitch Duff and Tom Duggan impressed in green and gold, as did three-quarters Abele Alosio and Ratu Nakorolligalagi.
Gatton 28 (Te Uruamo, Bailey Hill, Dominic Jones-Pincombe, Mason Potter, Lleyton Thompson tries; Dylan Flanagan 4 goals) defeated Wattles 24 (Alex Donn, Tom Morris, Ratu Nakorollagilagi, Carlos Smith tries; Koby De Luca 4 goals).
Under 19
Wattles Under 19 side who had impressed in the opening Rounds of the season suffered the first season defeat going down 32 – 16 to the Hawks.
Clever five-eighth Atticus Sillavan took the Warriors honours for his team, named Best Player and Player’s Player, along with pocketing two tries.
Fullback Paddy Denny and centre Nic Sweet are maintaining their good form of late.
Gatton 32 (Regan Jackson, Cruise Waters, Lucas Adams-Sondergeld, Jack Parlett, Lleyton Thomson, Jack Curtin tries; Laythan Potter 4 goals) defeated Wattles 16 (Atticus Sullivan 2, Ben Barbierato tries; Ben Barbierato, Billy Peardon goals).
TRL Round 5
This weekend’s NRL Magic Round will see no fixtures played in the Toowoomba Rugby League, Wattles next taking the field against the Oakey Bears at Clifton’s Platz Oval on Sunday May 24th.
- Glyn Rees
