Sport
16 April, 2026
Bears and Eagles plot path back to TRL Grand Final
Ahead of their clash at Kuhl's Road this Saturday (3pm), Oakey Bears and Highfields Eagles leaders say they are confident their sides will be contending for the TRL Women’s Premiership once again this year.
Oakey captain-coach Kiara Taylor said her team’s challenge in the early part of the season would be finding its structure with new players.
“We haven’t played together yet so just getting those combos right (will be important),” she said.
“(We’ve had) a few changes, (and there are) some exciting people playing for us. We’re having fun.”
Last year, the Bears were whitewashed 44-0 in the Grand Final by Highfields.
Eagles captain Kendal Lane said there was no one secret to their sustained success of her team.
“(We’ve got a) really good group of girls (who have) really knitted and gelled together,” she said.
“To come out on top for a second time around was fantastic for us.”
Lane said there will be a different looking Eagles line-up come their first match this Sunday against Oakey.
“We’ve got a bunch of new players, (with some who have) stepped up from (the Under) 17s (team and) a couple that are new to the sport,” she said.
“So we’re trying get the more experienced ladies to guide the newer people and get us to really gel, because the last two years, really knowing our roles and our team culture has (helped us be) really good.
“But obviously (when) we nearly (have) half a team of new people you gotta start again with that.”
Highfields has had one pre-season hit out against Pittsworth Danes side who will be a force to reckoned with according to Lane.
“That was a good test for us, our dynamic and the new structure of the team to go ‘Well, let’s build from there’.”
LADY BEARS OFF TO STRONG START
Oakey Bears began their TRL women’s season with a convincing 30-14 win at home over Gatton Hawks on Sunday at Trevor Mickelborough Oval.
Neither team gained ascendancy in a tight opening period.
Twenty-seven minutes in, Bears captain Kiara Taylor received an off-load from Katelyn Anderson to crash over under the posts for the first four points of the season.
An Oakey knock on with just 18 seconds to go in the first half gave Gatton a chance to hit back.
They took their chance, sending the ball wide to winger Jada Broderick who scored in the corner as the hooter sounded.
The conversion attempt never looked likely to make the distance, leaving a half time score of 6-4.
Oakey went over straight away in the second half, when a rampaging Chontelle Orcher dotted down for the first of her two tries.
Smooth passing broke Gatton’s defence again in the 34th minute, with Oakey centre Amanda Hinch finishing off the good work.
Mia Vines hit back at the other end for Gatton in the 43rd minute to cut the margin to 8.
Orcher’s second try and a Paige Edwards double sealed the match, with a consolation score to Gatton leaving a final score of 30-14.
Orcher and Edwards joined Oakey following the demise of Brothers’ women’s team.
Fellow newbies, the Tia and Amanda Hinch also look to be great signings.
Halfback Tia’s cut-out passes posed constant problems for the Hawks.
Oakey 30 (Chontelle Orcher 2, Paige Edwards 2, Kiara Taylor, Amanda Hinch tries; Chontelle Orcher 3 goals); Gatton 14 (Jada Broderick, Mia Vines, Libby Dunn tries; Tahlia Sudhaus.
