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Queensland Cup
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Current season, competition or edition: 2025 Queensland Cup | |
 | |
| Formerly | Winfield State League Channel Nine Cup Bundy Gold Cup QLD Wizard Cup Intrust Super Cup |
|---|---|
| Sport | Rugby league |
| Founded | 1996 |
| First season | 1996 |
| Owner | QRL |
| CEO | Bruce Hatcher |
| No. of teams | 15 |
| Country |  Australia Papua New Guinea |
| Most recent champion |  Burleigh Bears (2025) |
| Most titles |  Redcliffe Dolphins (6 titles) |
| Broadcasters |
|
| Sponsor | Hostplus |
| Level on pyramid | Level 2 |
| Related competitions | National Rugby League NRL State Championship Knock-On Effect NSW Cup |
| Official website | www.qrl.com.au |
The Queensland Cup, currently known as the Hostplus Cup for sponsorship reasons, is the highest-level regional rugby league football competition in Queensland, Australia. It is run by the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) and is contested by fifteen teams, thirteen of which are based in Queensland, with one based in New South Wales and one in Central Province, Papua New Guinea.
The competition is the present-day embodiment of Queensland's top-level club competition. It replaced the Winfield State League in 1996 and accompanied the Brisbane Rugby League, before becoming the premier competition in 1998, following the disbanding of the Brisbane Rugby League.
History
[edit]Origin and establishment
[edit]Since its inaugural season in 1922, the Brisbane Rugby League was the premier competition in the state of Queensland. Like its counterpart, the Sydney Rugby Football League, the Brisbane Rugby League was thriving, boasting big crowds and large, loyal supporter bases with their respective clubs. The clubs were constant, with new teams rarely entering the competition. However, in 1956, when poker machines ("pokies") were introduced in New South Wales but not in Queensland, Sydney's clubs were able to recruit the best players from Brisbane, Rugby Union and overseas. Within the space of several years, the Sydney Rugby League had come to dominate the code within Australia.
In the 1980s, the NSWRFL began to further expand and supersede the Brisbane competition in popularity and media coverage. In 1982, the first clubs based outside of Sydney, the Canberra Raiders and Illawarra Steelers, were admitted. In 1988, two Queensland-based sides, the Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Giants, along with the Newcastle Knights, another team from regional New South Wales, were formed and gained entry into the competition. The Broncos would sign Brisbane Rugby League stars like Wally Lewis, Gene Miles and Allan Langer. In the space of one season, media coverage and match attendance for the Brisbane Rugby League dropped significantly.
1996–1997: The beginning
[edit]In 1996, the Queensland Cup was formed, replacing the Winfield State League, as new federal government laws banned cigarette companies from sponsoring sport. Originally branded the Channel Nine Cup, the 15 round regular season competition featured sixteen teams, fifteen from Queensland and one from Papua New Guinea. The Toowoomba Clydesdales were crowned the inaugural premiers, defeating the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Grand Final. In 1997, three teams withdrew from the competition and the Burleigh Bears joined, becoming the first Gold Coast-based side.
1998–2002: Premier competition
[edit]In 1998, the competition became the top level of rugby league in the state, following the end of the Brisbane Rugby League. Channel Nine also ended their sponsorship for the 1998 season, with competition going under name, the Queensland Cup. A sixteen-team competition returned in 1998, with the Bundaberg Grizzlies rejoining and the Gold Coast Vikings being formed.
In 1999, the Grizzlies and Vikings both left the competition, as well as inaugural club Brisbane Brothers and the Townsville Stingers, who played just one season.
In 2000, Bundaberg Rum began a two-year sponsorship of the competition and it was known as the Bundy Gold Cup. The 2000 season was also the first in which all twelve teams remained from the season prior. It would not last long though, as the Cairns Cyclones folded after the 2000 season, leaving no north Queensland representation in the competition. In 2002, the North Queensland Young Guns, a Townsville-based North Queensland Cowboys feeder club, were admitted into the competition. At the end of the 2002 season, the Logan Scorpions, an inaugural club, left the competition.
2003–2006: Interstate expansion
[edit]In 2003, the Tweed Seagulls joined the competition, becoming the first New South Wales-based side. The club had originally applied for the 2002 season but were unsuccessful. However, following a merger of the Logan Scorpions and Souths Magpies to form the Souths Logan Magpies, a spot was opened up and Tweed were admitted.[1] Another inaugural club would leave the competition in 2004, with the Wests Panthers exiting, and Brothers-Valleys, a merger of Past Brothers and the Fortitude Valley Diehards, joining for a single season.
In 2005, the competition became known as the Queensland Wizard Cup, after Wizard Home Loans became the major sponsor.
2007: Loss of the Clydesdales
[edit]Although the QRL had anticipated that the same teams from 2006 would participate in the 2007 competition, it was announced on 5 December 2006 that inaugural club, the Toowoomba Clydesdales, who were the reigning minor premiers, would be withdrawing from the competition for financial reasons. Brisbane Broncos chairman Bruno Cullen said that "It didn't make sense to have this club up there running at what was looking like a $250,000 loss for the year."[2] The following day it was announced that the Aspley Broncos would be replacing the Clydesdales, and acting as the Brisbane Broncos feeder club.[3] The Aspley Broncos would play just a single season in the competition.
The 2007 season marked the first time a team based outside of Queensland would win the competition, with the Tweed Seagulls defeating the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Grand Final.[4]
2008–2013: Further expansion
[edit]2008 saw the Queensland Cup once again have teams based in the northern cities of Cairns and Mackay after absences of seven and twelve years, respectively. These new teams replaced Aspley and North Queensland as part of the rationalisation of rugby league below the NRL level caused by the introduction of the NRL under 20s competition.
In 2009, the Sunshine Coast Falcons rejoined the competition after thirteen-year absence, after signing a partnership with the Manly Sea Eagles to develop rugby league on the Sunshine Coast.[5][6] The side played as the Sea Eagles and won the premiership in their first year.
In 2010, Intrust Super was announced as the new major sponsor, with the competition becoming known as the Intrust Super Cup.[7] From 2009 to 2013, the competition featured the same twelve teams for five straight seasons.
2014–2021: Papua New Guinea and Townsville return
[edit]In 2014, the PNG Hunters entered the competition, becoming the first Papua New Guinea based side in the competition since the Port Moresby Vipers in 1997. In their inaugural season, the side was based out of the East New Britain town of Kokopo. On 10 September 2014, QRL chairman Peter Betros announced that the Brothers Townsville-led Townsville Blackhawks bid had been successful and the side would compete in the 2015 season.
On 5 October 2014, the Northern Pride became the first Queensland Cup side to win the NRL State Championship, defeating the heavily favoured Penrith Panthers New South Wales Cup side in the inaugural final.[8]
In 2017, the Hunters won their first Queensland Cup premiership, defeating the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Grand Final and becoming the first team outside of Australia, and the second from outside of Queensland to win the competition.[9]
On 27 March 2020, after round one of the season was completed, the 2020 Intrust Super Cup competition was suspended, and subsequently cancelled for the first time in its history due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with no premiers being crowned.[10] In September 2020, the Easts Tigers were renamed as the Brisbane Tigers for the 2021 season onward. The Tigers had played under the name of Easts or Eastern Suburbs since the formation of the Queensland Cup in 1996.[11]
2022–present: Hostplus Cup and return of the Clydesdales
[edit]In November 2021, Hostplus became the naming rights sponsor of the competition for the 2022 season, replacing Intrust Super after the two companies had merged.[12]
On July 17, the QRL announced that the Western Clydesdales, previously called the Toowoomba Clydesdales would (re)enter the competition for the 2023 season, becoming the competition's fifteenth team.[13]
Queensland Cup teams
[edit]The Queensland Cup consists of 15 teams, 13 from Queensland, and 1 each from National Capital District of Papua New Guinea and New South Wales, and operates on a single group system, with no divisions or conferences and no relegation and promotion from other leagues.
A number of clubs in the Queensland Cup have an affiliation with a team in the Australian national competition, the National Rugby League.
Current teams
[edit]
Former teams
[edit]As the Queensland Cup initially began as a representative competition that took over the old Winfield State League before becoming a proper club competition, many of the following clubs were "representative" sides that either withdrew (in the case of Mackay and Bundaberg) or folded (Cairns Cyclones and Port Moresby Vipers).
Participating clubs by season
[edit]Season structure
[edit]
Pre-season
[edit]The Queensland Cup pre-season typically begins in February and ends in early March. Clubs generally use this time to organise trial matches to test playing combinations. Usually, Queensland Cup teams will play each other in trials, while some face National Rugby League (NRL) sides. For example, in 2018, the Brisbane Broncos played trial matches against the Central Queensland Capras and PNG Hunters.[16][17]
Regular season
[edit]The Queensland Cup regular season usually begins in early March and runs until late August. A round of regular season games is played every weekend for twenty-four weeks. In most rounds, matches are played on Saturday nights/afternoons and Sunday afternoons. Each team receives one bye during the regular season.
The regular season also features a number of themed rounds, where proceeds from the games go to various charities. In 2018, these rounds included ANZAC Round, Indigenous Round, Men of League Round, Women in League Round, "Turn to Me" Round and the annual Country Week.[18]
Country Week
[edit]
Queensland Cup teams based and located outside South East Queensland
The Queensland Cup has the largest regional footprint of any professional sporting code in Queensland, hosting regular season and trial matches over a large geographical footprint.
In Round 20, 2011 the Souths Logan Magpies game against the Northern Pride was relocated from the Magpies home ground in Brisbane to Yusia Ginau Oval, Bamaga on Cape York.[19] The game attracted 2000 spectators, and was so successful that the following year QRL in partnership with the Queensland Government introduced the 'Country Week' concept and took matches to regional Queensland, country towns and cities, to engage fans at a grassroots level. This round usually takes place in July.
Locations which have hosted Country Week games include:
- 2012: Blackwater, Kilcoy, Moranbah, Mount Isa
- 2013: Roma, Toowoomba, Whitsundays, Woodford, Yarrabah
- 2014: Emerald, Longreach, Mareeba, Moranbah, Kingaroy, Kokopo (East New Britain Province)
- 2015: Blackall, Bundaberg, Charters Towers, Dalby, Innisfail, Stanthorpe
- 2016: Barcaldine, Charleville, Gympie, Moranbah, Mount Isa, Ravenshoe
- 2017: Bamaga, Clermont, Julia Creek, Mundubbera, Winton, St George
- 2018: Bowen, Cooktown, Goondiwindi, Hughenden, Lae (M. P.), Maryborough, Normanton
- 2019: Ilfracombe, Ingham, Nanango, Pittsworth, Thursday Island
- 2020: Country Week was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- 2021: Atherton, Chinchilla, Dysart, Gladstone, Murgon, Quilpie, Richmond
- 2022: Ayr, Cunnamulla, Monto, Roma, Sarina, Springsure, Thursday Island
- 2023: Biloela, Kilcoy, Miles, Proserpine, Stanthorpe, Weipa, Wondai
In addition to this round games have also been played in regional locations during regular rounds in:
- Atherton, Queensland, Australia (Northern Pride v Burleigh Bears, 2016; Northern Pride v Townsville Blackhawks, 2018)
- Bamaga, Queensland, Australia (Souths Logan v Northern Pride, 2011)
- Barcaldine, Queensland, Australia
- Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia
- Chinchilla, Queensland, Australia
- Emerald, Queensland, Australia
- Gladstone, Queensland, Australia
- Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia
- Innisfail, Queensland, Australia (Northern Pride v Wynnum Manly, 2022)
- Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea
- Mareeba, Queensland, Australia
- North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia
- Tully, Queensland, Australia (Northern Pride v Sunshine Coast, 2023)
- Woorabinda, Queensland, Australia
- Warwick, Queensland, Australia
Finals Series
[edit]The eight highest placed teams at the end of the regular season compete in the finals series. The system consists of a number of games between the top eight teams over four weeks in September, until only two teams remain. These two teams then contest the Grand Final, which is usually played in late September. Over the years, the Queensland Cup has used a number of different finals series systems, usually involving five to six[20] and now eight teams. In 2019, the current eight team final series system will be adopted.
Grand Final
[edit]The Queensland Cup Grand Final, which determines the season's premiers, is one of the state's major sporting events. It is usually contested at Suncorp Stadium, having been held there annually since 2014, although other venues have been used, such as Dolphin Stadium, North Ipswich Reserve and Sunshine Coast Stadium.
The Grand Final had traditionally been played on Saturday afternoons, until moving to Sunday afternoons beginning in 2010.
Since 2007, the player judged to be the man-of-the-match is awarded the prestigious Duncan Hall Medal.[21]
Premiership winners
[edit]Number of premiership wins
[edit]- Team names in bold are the teams currently playing in the Queensland Cup
| Club | Premierships | Years won | Runners-up | Years runners-up | Minor Premierships | Years won | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redcliffe Dolphins |
6 | 1997, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2018 | 8 | 1996, 1999, 2001, 2007, 2012, 2016, 2022, 2024 | 6 | 1999, 2000, 2002, 2012, 2016, 2018 |
| 2 | Burleigh Bears |
5 | 1999, 2004, 2016, 2019, 2025 | 3 | 2003, 2005, 2023 | 5 | 2003, 2004, 2022, 2023, 2025 |
| 3 |  Norths Devils |
4 | 1998, 2021, 2022, 2024 | 2 | 2010, 2025 | 2 | 1998, 2021 |
| 4 |  Western Clydesdales[i] |
2 | 1996, 2001 | 2 | 2000, 2006 | 3 | 1996, 2001, 2006 |
| 5 |  Northern Pride |
2 | 2010, 2014 | 1 | 2009 | 3 | 2013, 2014, 2024 |
| 6 |  Wynnum Manly Seagulls |
2 | 2011, 2012 | 2 | 2019, 2021 | 1 | 1997 |
| 7 |  North Queensland Young Guns |
1 | 2005, 2007 | 0 | — | 2 | 2005, 2007 |
| 8 |  Tweed Heads Seagulls |
1 | 2007 | 1 | 2011 | 1 | 2011 |
| 9 |  Souths Logan Magpies |
1 | 2008 | 0 | — | 2 | 2009, 2010 |
| 10 |  Sunshine Coast Falcons |
1 | 2009[ii] | 1 | 2017 | 1 | 2019 |
| 11 |  Mackay Cutters |
1 | 2013 | 0 | — | 0 | — |
| 12 |  Ipswich Jets |
1 | 2015 | 2 | 2002, 2008 | 1 | 2008 |
| 13 |  PNG Hunters |
1 | 2017 | 0 | — | 1 | 2017 |
| 14 |  Brisbane Tigers |
1 | 2023 | 5 | 1997, 2004, 2013, 2014, 2018 | 0 | — |
| 15 |  Townsville Blackhawks |
0 | — | 1 | 2015 | 1 | 2015 |
| 16 |  Wests Panthers |
0 | — | 1 | 1998 | 0 | — |
Notes:
NRL State Championship
[edit]Since 2014, The NSW Cup Grand Final has been played on the same weekend as the Queensland Cup Grand Final, the weekend prior to the NRL Grand Final, allowing for the creation of the NRL State Championship which saw the two competition premiers face off as a curtain raiser to the NRL Grand Final. The match originally followed the NRL Under-20s Grand Final from 2014 to 2017,[22][23] and in 2018 followed the NRL Women's Grand Final.
In 2019 however, the NRL State Championship was the first of three grand finals played on the day, preceding both the NRL Women's Grand Final and NRL Grand Final, with the exception of 2020 and 2021 when the NRL State Championship match was cancelled due to COVID-19. The Northern Pride and Ipswich Jets became the first two QRL teams to win the State Championship with the next six championships won by the NSWRL premiers. The Norths Devils would break the streak, winning the 2024 match against the Newtown Jets.
Champions: Queensland Cup
[edit]- Northern Pride (2014)
- Ipswich Jets (2015)
- Norths Devils (2024)
NRL State Championship winners
[edit]| NRL Season |
NRL State Championship | Player of the Match | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winners | Score | Runners-up | Venue | ||
| 2014 | Northern Pride
|
32–28 |  Penrith Panthers
|
Stadium Australia | Javid Bowen
|
| 2015 | Ipswich Jets
|
26–12 |  Newcastle Knights
|
Stadium Australia | Matt Parcell
|
| 2016 |  Illawarra Cutters
|
54–12 | Burleigh Bears
|
Stadium Australia | Drew Hutchison
|
| 2017 | Penrith Panthers
|
42–18 | PNG Hunters
|
Stadium Australia | Kaide Ellis
|
| 2018 |  Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
|
42–18 | Redcliffe Dolphins
|
Stadium Australia | Josh Cleeland
|
| 2019 |  Newtown Jets
|
20–16 | Burleigh Bears
|
Stadium Australia | Toby Rudolf
|
| 2020 | Match was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Australia.[24] | ||||
| 2021 | Match was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in New South Wales. | ||||
| 2022 | Penrith Panthers
|
44–10 | Norths Devils
|
Stadium Australia | J'maine Hopgood
|
| 2023 |  South Sydney Rabbitohs
|
42–22 | Brisbane Tigers
|
Stadium Australia | Tyrone Munro
|
| 2024 | Norths Devils
|
20–18 | Newtown Jets
|
Stadium Australia | Oryn Keeley
|
| 2025 |  NZ Warriors
|
50–20 | Burleigh Bears
|
Stadium Australia | Tanah Boyd
|
Honours
[edit]At the end of each season at the QRL presentation night, the Petero Civoniceva Medal is awarded to the Queensland Cup player voted as the best and fairest over the entire season. Formerly known as The Courier Mail Medal, in 2018, the medal was renamed after former Australian and Queensland representative Petero Civoniceva.[25] After each game, the referees award three votes to the best player, two votes to the second-best player, and one vote to the third-best player.[26] Previous winners include Australia and Queensland representatives Greg Inglis and Daly Cherry-Evans.
Since 2007, the man of the match in the Grand Final has been awarded the Duncan Hall Medal. The medal is named in honour of ARL Team of the Century member Duncan Hall, who played 24 games for Queensland and 22 games for Australia between 1948 and 1955. Past recipients include Tony Williams and Jake Granville, who would go onto win NRL premierships shortly after their Queensland Cup success.
20th Year Anniversary Team
[edit]On 21 September 2015, the QRL announced their Queensland Cup 20th Year Anniversary team. The 17-man team was chosen by a selection panel consisting of Brad Tallon (Queensland Rugby League statistician), Steve Ricketts (rugby league journalist), David Wright (former ABC commentator) and Mike Higgison (rugby league historian).
To be eligible for selection, a player must've played a minimum of 75 games in the competition. Rick Stone, who coached the Burleigh Bears from 1997 to 2005 (winning two premierships), was named coach of the side, while longtime referee Tony Maksoud was included as referee of the team.[27]
| No. | Name | Club(s) | Years | Games | Tries | Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ryan Cullen | Central Queensland, Redcliffe, Easts | 2003–10 | 154 | 112 | 0 | 449 |
| 2. | Nathanael Barnes | Tweed Heads, Wynnum Manly | 2003–07, 2011–13, 2015–17 | 186 | 135 | 41 | 622 |
| 3. | Reggie Cressbrook | Townsville, Burleigh, Ipswich | 1998–06 | 143 | 89 | 366 | 1,089 |
| 4. | Donald Malone | Toowoomba, Easts, Ipswich, Mackay, Sunshine Coast | 2004–17 | 179 | 119 | 138 | 752 |
| 5. | Heath Egglestone | Central Queensland | 1996–04 | 150 | 99 | 1 | 398 |
| 6. | Brad Davis (captain) | Tweed Heads | 2005–12 | 154 | 23 | 483 | 1,066 |
| 7. | Shane Perry | Brothers, Logan, Redcliffe, Norths | 1996–98, 2002–11 | 218 | 95 | 6 | 409 |
| 8. | Troy Lindsay | Redcliffe | 1996–09 | 270 | 17 | 6 | 80 |
| 9. | Mick Roberts | Redcliffe, Norths | 1998–11 | 253 | 71 | 134 | 555 |
| 10. | Shane O'Flanagan | Wests, Burleigh | 1997–08 | 210 | 33 | 0 | 132 |
| 11. | Danny Burke | Brothers, Redcliffe | 1998, 2000–09 | 219 | 26 | 0 | 104 |
| 12. | Sime Busby | Central Queensland, Easts | 1997–03 | 118 | 15 | 1 | 62 |
| 13. | Danny Coburn | Ipswich | 1998–10 | 258 | 32 | 0 | 128 |
| 14. | Luke Scott | Souths, Townsville, Redcliffe | 1996, 1998–03 | 129 | 36 | 0 | 144 |
| 15. | Luke Dalziel-Don | Wynnum Manly | 2004, 2006–13 | 173 | 82 | 0 | 329 |
| 16. | Nick Parfitt | Toowoomba, Burleigh | 2003–11 | 173 | 113 | 483 | 1,421 |
| 17. | Phil Dennis | Wests, Easts, Souths Logan | 2003–18 | 282 | 29 | 7 | 130 |
| * Statistics are correct to the end of the 2018 season | |||||||
Records
[edit]The following records are taken from the QRL's official website and are correct as of the end of the 2019 season.[28]
Team
[edit]- Most premierships – 6 Redcliffe Dolphins
- Most minor premierships – 6 Redcliffe Dolphins
- Most wooden spoons – 5 Central Queensland Capras
- Highest score in a game – 98, Toowoomba against Western Suburbs Panthers (2003)
- Longest winning streak – 17 matches, Northern Pride (2010–2011)
- Longest undefeated streak – 22 matches, Tweed Seagulls (2010–2011)
- Longest losing streak – 36 matches, Sunshine Coast Falcons (2013–2014)
Individual
[edit]- Most games – Phil Dennis, 282 games
- Most tries – Daniel Ogden, 155 tries
- Most points – Nick Parfitt 1,421 points (113 tries, 483 goals)
- Most points in a season 318, Liam Georgetown (2013)
- Most tries in a season 34, Daniel Kennedy 2004
- Most points in a game 40, Damien Richter 2002, Greg Bourke 2002
- Most tries in a game 7, Chris Walker 2000, Anthony Zipf 2004
Media coverage & Sponsorship
[edit]Although the Queensland Cup has never had the same amount of media coverage that the pre-Brisbane Broncos Brisbane Rugby League did, in recent years it has experienced a resurgence in interest from both the Queensland media and from casual fans alike.
Television
[edit]In 2018, the match of the round was televised live on the Nine Network in Queensland at 1:00pm (AEST) on Saturdays. Previously, the match of the round had been broadcast by Nine on Sunday afternoons and before that, on ABC Television on Saturday afternoons. The match is later replayed during the week on Foxtel's Fox League channel. The match of the round returned to Sunday afternoons for the 2019 season.
The non-broadcast games are recorded for highlights and judiciary and coaching purposes.
Radio
[edit]From 2006 to 2013, community broadcaster Bay FM began broadcasting matches of the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with commentators Mike Higgison and Troy Robbins.
In 2015, a group of community broadcasters including Switch 1197, Valley FM Esk and Phoenix Radio Ipswich began broadcasting matches featuring the Ipswich Jets.
Online
[edit]Starting from 2022 Queensland Rugby League announced a new streaming deal with Cluch.tv under the website name Qplus.TV where fan can subscribe to watch every game live.
Sponsorship
[edit]Due to sponsorship, the Queensland Cup has gone under many different names since first being held in 1996. Originally known as the Channel Nine Cup, it has been known as the Hostplus Cup since 2022.
- Channel Nine Cup (1996–1997)
- Bundy Rum Gold Cup (2000–2001)
- Wizard Cup (2005–2008)
- Intrust Super Cup (2010–2021)
- Hostplus Cup (2022–present)
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "History".
- ^ "Broncos lose stablemate Clydesdales". AAP. 6 December 2006. Archived from the original on 12 May 2009.
- ^ "Aspley new Brisbane Broncos feeder club : thewest.com.au". thewest.com.au. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
- ^ "Champion Gulls of '07 to reunite". 25 May 2017.
- ^ Manly to invest $1m in Coast league | thedaily.com.au Archived 11 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles is big business | Sport | Sport | thedaily.com.au". Archived from the original on 2 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
- ^ "Intrust Super extends support". 6 March 2015.
- ^ Adam Pengilly (5 October 2014). "Northern Pride stun Penrith Panthers in NRL's State Championship". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ Rikki-Lee Arnold (24 September 2017). "PNG Hunters win their first Intrust Super Cup grand final with dramatic 12-10 over the Sunshine Coast". The Courier Mail. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Four QRL statewide competitions cancelled for 2020". 27 March 2020.
- ^ "Eastern Suburbs to play as Brisbane Tigers from 2021". thetigers.com.au. 4 September 2020. Archived from the original on 31 December 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
- ^ "Broncos coach Kevin Walters blasts Milford critics, Kotoni Staggs told to stay put". The Courier Mail. 17 September 2021.
- ^ "Western Clydesdales prepare for entry into 2023 Hostplus Cup". Queensland Rugby League. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ The Roosters also have a partnership agreement with the Jets but do not send the club any players.
- ^ The Bulldogs have a partnership agreement with the Clydesdales but do not send the club any players.
- ^ "Trials games Week 2". 15 February 2018.
- ^ "Brisbane Broncos attack fires late to down PNG Hunters in Port Moresby trial match". 24 February 2018.
- ^ "2018 Intrust Super Cup Draw". 13 December 2017.
- ^ Piva, Andrew (1 August 2011). "Pride score extra home game at Cape York". Cairns Post. Cairns.
- ^ "High stakes and ladders: 2018 finals format". 31 July 2018.
- ^ Livermore, Ross (2007). "Australian Rugby Football League Annual Report 2007" (PDF). Australian Rugby League Limited. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 September 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-15.
- ^ "State Championship preview: Panthers v Pride". October 2014.
- ^ "The greatest game never played". October 2014.
- ^ "NSWRL cancels nine competitions for 2020 season". New South Wales Rugby League. 27 March 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
- ^ "Civoniceva Medal to recognise best & fairest". August 2018.
- ^ "The official site of the QRL - QRL.com.au". Queensland Rugby League. 13 May 2024.
- ^ "Anniversary Team - QRL". www.qrl.com.au. Archived from the original on 2 October 2015.
- ^ "About Us". Queensland Rugby League. 18 April 2024.
External links
[edit]Queensland Cup News
[edit]- Queensland Rugby League
- Queensland Rugby League Queensland Cup Page
- Rleague.com's Queensland page
- League Unlimited's Queensland Page
Queensland Rugby League forums
[edit]- Rleague's Queensland Forum
- League Unlimited's Queensland Forum Archived 6 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine
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Queensland Cup
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Overview
Competition details
The Queensland Cup, officially known as the Hostplus Cup due to a naming rights sponsorship agreement secured in November 2021 and commencing from the 2022 season, serves as the premier rugby league competition in Queensland positioned directly below the National Rugby League (NRL).[8][9] It is administered and governed by the Queensland Rugby League (QRL), the state governing body for the sport, which oversees operations, player development, and competition integrity.[10] In the 2025 season, the competition comprises 15 teams, consisting of 13 based in Queensland, one in New South Wales (the Tweed Heads Seagulls), and one in Papua New Guinea (the PNG Hunters), reflecting its role in fostering interstate and international rugby league participation.[4] The season spans 27 weeks from March to September, encompassing a 23-round regular season followed by a finals series involving the top eight teams, culminating in a grand final typically held in late September.[2] Established in 1996 to replace the Winfield State League due to federal anti-tobacco sponsorship laws, the Hostplus Cup's core objective is to nurture emerging talent for progression into the NRL while promoting and sustaining regional rugby league communities across Queensland and neighboring regions.[8] This focus on player development is integral to the QRL's broader pathways program, which aims to maximize skills and opportunities for participants at all levels.[11]Significance in rugby league
The Queensland Cup serves as a critical pathway for emerging rugby league talent to the National Rugby League (NRL), with numerous players transitioning from its rosters to top-tier clubs such as the Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys.[12] The competition's structure facilitates player development through high-level competition and scouting opportunities, enabling aspirational athletes to gain exposure and refine skills en route to professional contracts.[11] This feeder role is underscored by annual discoveries of NRL prospects, highlighting the Cup's depth and its alignment with Queensland Rugby League (QRL) programs designed to bridge junior and elite levels.[13] In terms of regional representation, the Queensland Cup bolsters community-based clubs across the state and fosters grassroots rugby league participation by integrating local teams into a statewide framework.[14] It supports affiliated clubs through funding and development initiatives, contributing more than $27 million annually from licensed clubs to community programs that enhance youth engagement and talent retention in rural and urban areas alike.[14] This structure not only sustains rugby league's footprint in Queensland but extends influence beyond state borders, promoting the sport's growth in international contexts. The competition exerts notable economic and social impacts by stimulating local economies via match-day attendance, tourism, and sponsorships, while advancing rugby league's cultural role in community cohesion.[15] Events draw crowds that support regional businesses, aligning with broader sport contributions to Queensland's $18 billion (as of 2019) in economic and social benefits from active recreation.[16] Socially, it promotes inclusivity and health through QRL-led initiatives, including expansions like the 2014 inclusion of the PNG Hunters, which has elevated the sport in Papua New Guinea by providing a professional platform and cultural bridge.[17] As a feeder system, the Queensland Cup parallels the New South Wales Cup in supplying NRL clubs with ready talent, though it uniquely emphasizes Queensland's regional diversity compared to the more urban-focused NSW competition.[18] Both operate as second-tier leagues under NRL oversight, but the Q Cup's model prioritizes state-wide accessibility, ensuring broader grassroots integration for clubs like the Broncos and Cowboys.History
Establishment and early years (1996–1997)
The Queensland Cup was established by the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) in 1996 to replace the Winfield State League, which concluded after the 1995 season due to federal legislation—the Tobacco Advertising Prohibition Act 1992, fully enforced by 1996—that banned tobacco companies from sponsoring sports events.[19] This move aimed to create a standardized, statewide rugby league competition to foster development and uniformity across Queensland clubs, addressing the fragmented nature of prior state-level play.[20] Key QRL administrators John McDonald and Ross Livermore oversaw the competition's launch, selecting 16 foundation teams to participate in the inaugural season: Bundaberg Grizzlies, Cairns Cyclones, Central Capras, Eastern Suburbs Tigers, Ipswich Jets, Logan City Scorpions, Mackay Sea-Eagles, Norths Devils, Pine Rivers Brothers, Port Moresby Vipers, Redcliffe Dolphins, Souths Magpies, Sunshine Coast Falcons, Toowoomba Clydesdales, Wests Panthers, and Wynnum Seagulls.[20][21] The 1996 season featured a 15-round regular season followed by a finals series, with the Toowoomba Clydesdales claiming the premiership in a low-scoring grand final, defeating the Redcliffe Dolphins 8-6 on 31 August at Suncorp Stadium.[22][23] In 1997, the competition underwent minor format adjustments, expanding to 14 teams through the addition of clubs such as the Burleigh Bears while some prior entrants withdrew amid organizational shifts.[24] Early years brought challenges, including securing replacement funding after the loss of Winfield's tobacco-backed sponsorship and managing club mergers or rebrandings, exemplified by Brisbane Brothers temporarily competing as Pine Rivers Brothers due to venue and administrative issues.[19] These hurdles tested the QRL's resolve but laid the groundwork for the competition's sustainability.[20]Growth and expansion (1998–2007)
Following the inaugural seasons, the Queensland Cup solidified its position as the state's premier rugby league competition in 1998, succeeding the Brisbane Rugby League as the top-tier statewide league. This transition coincided with an expansion to 16 teams, including the reintroduction of the Bundaberg Grizzlies and the formation of the new Gold Coast Vikings, which enhanced regional representation and competitive depth. Established clubs like the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, already competing since the competition's inception, played a key role in maintaining rivalries and fan engagement during this period of consolidation from 1998 to 2002.[5] To extend the competition's reach beyond Queensland, an interstate expansion initiative began in 2003 with the inclusion of the Tweed Heads Seagulls, the first New South Wales-based team, aimed at fostering broader appeal and cross-border interest. The Tweed Heads Seagulls debuted strongly, qualifying for the finals in their inaugural season and have since contributed to more diverse matchups and increased visibility for the league. This push marked a strategic effort to grow the fanbase regionally during the mid-2000s.[25] The expansion phase faced a setback in 2007 when the Toowoomba Clydesdales withdrew from the competition at the end of the 2006 season due to financial difficulties, temporarily reducing the number of participating teams to 11 before the Aspley Broncos joined as a replacement. Despite this, the period from 1998 to 2007 overall witnessed notable growth in popularity, with grand final attendances reaching figures such as 4,283 for the 1998 decider at Suncorp Stadium, reflecting rising interest as the league established itself as Queensland's flagship domestic competition.[26]Challenges and restructuring (2008–2013)
The Queensland Cup faced significant financial pressures in the wake of the global financial crisis (GFC), which strained sponsorship revenues and operational budgets across Australian sports, including rugby league. Clubs struggled with reduced corporate support and tighter community funding, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities in a competition reliant on local economies. This led to operational reviews for newly expanded teams, such as the Northern Pride, whose entry in 2008 prompted a QRL assessment of their viability amid economic uncertainty.[27] To counter these challenges and promote long-term sustainability, the competition underwent expansions focused on reintroducing regional representation. In 2008, the league grew to 12 teams with the addition of the Mackay Cutters and Northern Pride, marking the return of clubs to northern Queensland hubs like Mackay and Cairns after absences of 12 and seven years, respectively. These moves aimed to broaden the competition's footprint, foster grassroots development in underserved areas, and distribute economic benefits more evenly across the state, though they required careful financial oversight to avoid overburdening smaller markets. The Northern Pride, established as a not-for-profit entity, emphasized community pathways for talent while navigating early budgetary constraints.[28][29] Governance tensions peaked in 2010, highlighting deeper structural issues between the QRL and Intrust Super Cup clubs (the sponsored name for the Queensland Cup during this era). Twelve clubs issued an ultimatum to QRL chairman John McDonald and managing director Ross Livermore, demanding their resignations or facing a collective boycott of the 2011 season. The dispute centered on inadequate funding, limited player pathways including dual registration with NRL clubs, and frustrations over the national under-20s competition's impact on talent retention. Clubs argued that QRL leadership had failed to secure sufficient NRL grants—then around $100,000 per team—and neglected reforms to enhance competitiveness. This rift underscored the need for better resource allocation and prompted negotiations toward improved governance and financial support.[30][31] Efforts to restructure for greater parity included proposals for rule changes, notably introducing a salary cap to mirror NRL standards and prevent wealthier clubs from dominating. Ipswich Jets chairman Steve Johnson advocated for a $250,000–$300,000 cap in the early 2010s, arguing it would level the playing field, curb spending disparities (e.g., between well-backed teams like the Redcliffe Dolphins and others), and elevate the competition's status as Australia's premier second-tier league. While not fully implemented until later, these discussions aligned club operations more closely with NRL protocols, fostering sustainability through controlled expenditures and fairer talent distribution.[32] By the mid-2010s, the broader rugby league boom—driven by surging NRL viewership, State of Origin rivalries, and increased television deals—contributed to attendance recovery in the Queensland Cup. Regional expansions helped capitalize on this growth, with crowds rebounding as fans embraced local pathways to professional success, stabilizing the competition after years of turbulence.[33]Modern era and sponsorship changes (2014–present)
The modern era of the Queensland Cup began with significant expansion efforts to bolster the competition's footprint and talent pool. In 2014, the Papua New Guinea Hunters debuted as the first international team in the league, increasing the number of participating clubs to 13 and introducing a unique cross-border element that enhanced the competition's diversity and appeal.[34] This addition was followed in 2015 by the return of the Townsville Blackhawks, affiliated with the North Queensland Cowboys, which expanded the league to 14 teams and marked a revival of regional representation in North Queensland.[35] These changes revitalized the Intrust Super Cup, as it was then known, by fostering stronger ties with NRL pathways and attracting greater fan interest in northern and international markets. Sponsorship evolutions reflected the league's growing commercial stability during this period. The competition retained the Intrust Super Cup branding from 2009 until 2021, but in late 2021, the Queensland Rugby League announced a rebranding to the Hostplus Cup ahead of the 2022 season, securing a multi-year partnership with the superannuation provider to support operations and community initiatives.[36] This shift not only updated the league's identity but also aligned it with broader financial services sponsorships in Australian sport. Complementing this, the Western Clydesdales returned to the competition in 2023 after a 16-year absence since withdrawing ahead of the 2007 season, bringing the total to 15 teams and reinvigorating regional rugby league in Toowoomba through a successful bid approved by the QRL in 2022.[37] The period from 2023 to 2025 saw the league navigate lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including adaptive measures such as flexible scheduling and venue adjustments to comply with health protocols, building on the full 2020 season cancellation and partial disruptions in 2021.[38] These adaptations ensured continuity, with the 2023 and 2024 seasons proceeding largely uninterrupted, though occasional postponements occurred due to outbreaks. The 2025 season culminated in a compelling grand final at Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe, where the Burleigh Bears defeated the Norths Devils 22–8 to claim the premiership, highlighting the competition's competitive depth and resilience post-pandemic.[39] Throughout this era, the Queensland Cup has deepened its integration with the NRL, serving as a critical development pathway for emerging talent. Clubs like the Blackhawks and Hunters have funneled numerous players to NRL rosters, with successes including the progression of athletes such as Trai Fuller and Tristan Hope to top-tier contracts, underscoring the league's role in talent identification and retention.[12] The launch of the NRLQ Under 20 development series in 2025 further strengthened these links, involving feeder teams from Brisbane-based NRL clubs to bridge junior and senior levels, enhancing player preparation and overall ecosystem sustainability.[40]Teams
Current teams
The Queensland Cup, known as the Hostplus Cup for sponsorship reasons, features 15 teams in the 2025 season, comprising 13 based in Queensland, one in New South Wales, and one in Papua New Guinea. These teams represent a mix of historic rugby league clubs and newer entrants, many serving as development pathways for National Rugby League (NRL) franchises. The competition expanded to 15 teams with the inclusion of the Western Clydesdales, marking their return after a period of absence. The Burleigh Bears won the 2025 premiership, defeating the Norths Devils 22–8 in the grand final.[39] Below is a summary of the active teams, including their primary bases, home grounds, and NRL affiliations where applicable.| Team | Base Location | Home Ground | NRL Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane Tigers | Brisbane, QLD | Totally Workwear Stadium, Tingalpa | Melbourne Storm (until end of 2025) |
| Burleigh Bears | Gold Coast, QLD | Pizzey Park, Miami | Brisbane Broncos |
| Central Queensland Capras | Rockhampton, QLD | Rugby Park | Dolphins |
| Ipswich Jets | Ipswich, QLD | North Ipswich Reserve | Gold Coast Titans |
| Mackay Cutters | Mackay, QLD | BB Print Stadium, Sarina | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Northern Pride | Cairns, QLD | Barlow Park | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Norths Devils | Brisbane, QLD | Bishop Park, Nundah | Dolphins |
| PNG Hunters | Port Moresby, PNG | National Football Stadium | None |
| Redcliffe Dolphins | Redcliffe, QLD | Kayo Stadium | Dolphins |
| Souths Logan Magpies | Logan, QLD | Davies Park, Logan Central | Brisbane Broncos |
| Townsville Blackhawks | Townsville, QLD | Jack Manski Oval | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Tweed Heads Seagulls | Tweed Heads, NSW | Piggabeen Sports Complex | Gold Coast Titans |
| Western Clydesdales | Toowoomba, QLD | Toowoomba Sports Ground | None |
| Wynnum Manly Seagulls | Brisbane, QLD | BMD Kougari Oval, Manly | Brisbane Broncos |
| Sunshine Coast Falcons | Sunshine Coast, QLD | Sunshine Coast Stadium | Melbourne Storm |
Former teams
The Queensland Cup has seen several teams depart over its history, primarily due to financial challenges, mergers, or restructuring within the sport. One prominent example is the Toowoomba Clydesdales, who competed from 1996 to 2006 and achieved significant success, including a premiership victory in the inaugural 1996 season. They also secured the minor premiership in 2006 before reaching the grand final that year, but the club folded at the end of the season amid financial difficulties and regional league restructuring.[41][37] Another defunct team was the Logan Scorpions, who participated from 1996 to 2002 without winning a premiership but established a reputation for high-scoring games, notably amassing 1192 points in the 2002 season.[42] The club ceased operations after merging with the Souths Magpies to form the Souths Logan Magpies ahead of the 2003 season, driven by efforts to consolidate resources in the Logan area.[43] The Brisbane Brothers, often referred to as Past Brothers, competed in the competition's early years from 1996 to 1998 as a Broncos affiliate but folded due to financial insolvency and declining support.[44] They did not secure any major titles during this period but contributed to the competitive landscape in Brisbane's northern suburbs before their exit.Season structure
Pre-season competitions
The pre-season competitions for the Queensland Cup, officially known as the Hostplus Cup, primarily consist of trial matches scheduled between February and early March each year, serving as preparatory events before the regular season commences in late March. These trials typically feature intra-club games, matches between Hostplus Cup teams, and occasional fixtures against National Rugby League (NRL) squads or development sides, allowing clubs to simulate competitive conditions in a low-stakes environment.[45][46] The primary purposes of these pre-season events are to assess player fitness levels, test tactical strategies, integrate new signings and emerging talent into squads, and build early momentum for fan engagement without impacting official standings. Clubs use the trials to evaluate depth across positions, identify areas for improvement, and finalize 17-player lineups for the upcoming campaign, often rotating extensive benches to give opportunities to fringe players. This phase emphasizes physical conditioning and recovery management, bridging off-season training with the intensity of the 24-round regular season.[45][47] In the competition's formative years during the late 1990s, pre-season activities were largely informal trial sessions focused on internal club preparations, with limited publicized fixtures as the league established its structure. By the post-2010 era, these evolved into more organized series of public matches, incorporating broader participation from affiliated NRL pathways and structured draws to enhance competitiveness and visibility, aligning with the league's growth to 14 teams by 2019.[43][48] For the 2025 pre-season, fixtures included the Burleigh Bears hosting the Tweed Seagulls on February 22 at UAA Park, serving as a key matchup for Gold Coast affiliates, while the Ipswich Jets faced the Redcliffe Dolphins on February 15 at North Ipswich Reserve, resulting in a 24-12 victory for the Jets that highlighted promising defensive efforts from both sides. Additional examples encompassed inter-club trials such as the Norths Devils' internal matchup between Wests Panthers and Valleys Diehards on February 11 at Bishop Park, which served to sharpen combinations ahead of the season opener. These events drew local crowds and provided key insights into squad rotations, with several NRL hopefuls featuring prominently.[46][49][50]Regular season format
The regular season of the Hostplus Cup, Queensland's premier rugby league competition, consists of 23 rounds of home-and-away matches played from March to September.[51] With 15 participating teams in 2025, each club contests 20 games during this phase, receiving three byes across the schedule to accommodate the odd number of teams.[2] This structure ensures a balanced competition, with seven matches per round involving 14 teams while one receives a bye.[2] A key feature of the regular season is Country Week, a mid-season round typically held in July where all matches are hosted in regional and rural Queensland communities to promote the sport beyond urban centers.[52] In 2025, Country Week—presented by Ford and supported by the Queensland Government—took place across venues in Yarrabah, Moranbah, Charters Towers, Emerald, Augathella, and other locations, drawing crowds to areas like Brassington Park in Augathella.[52] This event underscores the competition's commitment to grassroots development and regional engagement.[52] Teams accumulate points on the ladder according to a standard system: two points for a win or a bye, one point for a draw, and zero for a loss.[53] Ladder positions are determined first by total points, with tiebreakers resolved by points difference (points for minus points against), followed by points scored if necessary.[53] In the 2025 season, the top eight teams from this 23-round format advanced to the finals series.[54]Finals series and grand final
The finals series of the Queensland Cup determines the annual premiers through a playoff system featuring the top eight teams from the regular season ladder, contested over three weeks in September. The structure follows a format similar to the NRL, beginning with qualifying finals where the first-placed team hosts the fourth and the second hosts the third, while elimination finals pit fifth against eighth and sixth against seventh. Winners of the qualifying finals advance directly to the semi-finals, joined by the victors of the elimination matches against the qualifying losers, culminating in a preliminary final between the semi-final winners before the grand final.[55][56][57] The grand final is a single decisive match that crowns the season's champions, traditionally held in late September at a prominent Queensland venue to maximize attendance and broadcast reach. For the 2025 season, the grand final took place on 27 September at Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe, where minor premiers Burleigh Bears defeated the Norths Devils 22–8, securing their first premiership since 2003 with tries from Adam Christensen, Troy Leo, Josh Rogers, and Sami Sauiluma, alongside three conversions by Rogers. The winning captain lifts the Hostplus Cup trophy in a ceremonial presentation immediately following the match, marking the climax of celebrations that include player awards and fan engagements.[58][59][60] Grand final attendance has shown steady appeal among regional rugby league fans, typically drawing crowds between 5,000 and 10,000, as seen with approximately 7,100 spectators at the 2024 decider between Norths Devils and Redcliffe Dolphins. Viewership trends indicate growing digital engagement, with the 2024 grand final attracting over 100,000 streams on Qplus.tv, reflecting the competition's expanding online audience amid broader QRL broadcasting initiatives.[61][62]Premiership winners
List of premiers
The Queensland Cup, officially known as the Hostplus Cup since 2023, has seen a variety of clubs claim the premiership since its inception in 1996. The grand final determines the premiers, with the winner lifting the trophy after a finals series involving the top eight teams. Below is a complete list of grand final results, including winners, runners-up, scores, and venues.| Year | Premiers | Score | Runners-up | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Toowoomba Clydesdales | 8–6 | Redcliffe Dolphins | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane[23] |
| 1997 | Redcliffe Dolphins | 18–16 | Eastern Suburbs Tigers | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane[63] |
| 1998 | Norths Devils | 35–16 | Wests Panthers | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane[64] |
| 1999 | Burleigh Bears | 12–10 | Redcliffe Dolphins | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane[65] |
| 2000 | Redcliffe Dolphins | 22–16 | Norths Devils | Stockland Stadium, Sunshine Coast |
| 2001 | Ipswich Jets | 10–7 | Norths Devils | Stadium Australia, Sydney |
| 2002 | Redcliffe Dolphins | 34–10 | Ipswich Jets | Dolphin Stadium, Redcliffe[66] |
| 2003 | Redcliffe Dolphins | 31–18 | Burleigh Bears | Dolphin Stadium, Redcliffe[67] |
| 2004 | Burleigh Bears | 22–18 (golden point) | Eastern Suburbs Tigers | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane[68] |
| 2005 | North Queensland Cowboys | 32–12 | Sunshine Coast Falcons | Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville |
| 2006 | Redcliffe Dolphins | 27–6 | Toowoomba Clydesdales | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane[69] |
| 2007 | Northern Pride | 16–10 | Central Comets | Stockland Stadium, Sunshine Coast |
| 2008 | Central Comets | 18–10 | Northern Pride | Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville |
| 2009 | Northern Pride | 22–16 | Souths Logan Magpies | Stockland Stadium, Sunshine Coast |
| 2010 | Eastern Suburbs Tigers | 18–14 | Northern Pride | Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast |
| 2011 | Wynnum Manly Seagulls | 16–10 | Central Comets | Peter Burge Stadium, Mackay |
| 2012 | Wynnum Manly Seagulls | 20–10 | Redcliffe Dolphins | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane[70] |
| 2013 | Northern Pride | 34–22 | Easts Tigers | Barlow Park, Cairns |
| 2014 | Ipswich Jets | 30–10 | Souths Logan Magpies | Cunningham Field, Ipswich |
| 2015 | Ipswich Jets | 30–12 | Wynnum Manly Seagulls | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |
| 2016 | Burleigh Bears | 26–16 | Redcliffe Dolphins | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane[71] |
| 2017 | PNG Hunters | 14–12 | Sunshine Coast Falcons | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |
| 2018 | Redcliffe Dolphins | 36–22 | Easts Tigers | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane[72] |
| 2019 | Burleigh Bears | 28–10 | Wynnum Manly Seagulls | Dolphin Stadium, Redcliffe[73] |
| 2020 | No grand final (COVID-19) | – | – | – |
| 2021 | Norths Devils | 16–10 | Wynnum Manly Seagulls | Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe[74] |
| 2022 | Norths Devils | 32–18 | Redcliffe Dolphins | Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe[75] |
| 2023 | Brisbane Tigers | 22–18 | Burleigh Bears | Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe[76] |
| 2024 | Norths Devils | 34–20 | Redcliffe Dolphins | Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe[77] |
| 2025 | Burleigh Bears | 22–8 | Norths Devils | Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe[60] |
Clubs with multiple premierships
The Redcliffe Dolphins hold the record for the most Queensland Cup premierships, with six titles secured between 1997 and 2018, establishing them as the competition's benchmark for sustained excellence.[78] The Burleigh Bears follow closely with five victories, spanning from 1999 to 2025, reflecting their consistent competitiveness on the Gold Coast.[79][39] The Norths Devils have claimed four premierships since 1998, including back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022, and another in 2024, underscoring a resurgence for the Brisbane club.[80] Several other clubs have achieved multiple titles, contributing to the competition's diverse legacy. The following table summarizes clubs with two or more premierships as of the end of the 2025 season:| Club | Premierships | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
| Redcliffe Dolphins | 6 | 1997, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2018[78] |
| Burleigh Bears | 5 | 1999, 2004, 2016, 2019, 2025[79][39] |
| Norths Devils | 4 | 1998, 2021, 2022, 2024[80] |
| Ipswich Jets | 3 | 2001, 2014, 2015 |
| Northern Pride | 3 | 2007, 2009, 2013[43] |
| Wynnum Manly Seagulls | 2 | 2011, 2012[43] |
| Easts Tigers / Brisbane Tigers | 2 | 2010, 2023 |
Interstate competitions
NRL State Championship
The NRL State Championship is an annual post-season rugby league match contested between the premiers of the Queensland Cup (known as the Hostplus Cup for sponsorship reasons) and the New South Wales Cup, serving as a national decider for the top reserve-grade competition outside the NRL. Established in 2014, the fixture pits the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) grand final winner against the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) grand final winner in a single game at a neutral venue, typically Accor Stadium in Sydney on the day of the NRL Grand Final. This format allows the state champions to compete for additional prestige shortly after their domestic triumphs, with the QRL premier representing Queensland in the interstate clash.[82] The inaugural match in 2014 saw the Northern Pride, Queensland Cup winners, defeat the Penrith Panthers 32–28 in a thrilling comeback victory at ANZ Stadium, marking the first national title for a QRL club. Subsequent editions have followed the same structure, though the competition was paused in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, in 2025, the Burleigh Bears, fresh from their Hostplus Cup grand final win, faced the New Zealand Warriors, NSW Cup champions, at Accor Stadium, where the Warriors secured a dominant 50–20 victory. These games highlight the competitive parity and talent depth in both state systems, often featuring players on the cusp of NRL promotion.[82][83] As of 2025, New South Wales Cup representatives have claimed victory in seven of the ten contested matches, while Queensland Cup teams have triumphed three times, with the Norths Devils' 20–18 upset over the Jets in 2024 being the most recent. The championship holds significant value for national recognition, fostering interstate rivalry at the second-tier level and providing a showcase for emerging talent to gain exposure on a major stage, akin to a reserve-grade State of Origin.[84][85]Historical interstate matches
In the years leading up to the formal establishment of the NRL State Championship in 2014, Queensland Cup teams engaged in sporadic interstate competitions, primarily through pre-season trials and exhibition matches against sides from the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) during the 1990s and early 2000s. These encounters, often held as part of trial series to prepare for the regular season, featured Queensland Cup clubs such as the Redcliffe Dolphins and Norths Devils facing off against NSWRL reserve-grade teams like the Balmain Ryde Eastwood Tigers and Newtown Jets. Such games provided essential competitive experience, with outcomes varying but generally serving to build resilience and highlight the competitive parity between the states' second-tier competitions. Queensland Cup teams also ventured into international-style events, including participation in the Rugby League World Sevens tournament, a national sevens competition that ran intermittently from the late 1980s. The Souths Logan Magpies, a prominent Queensland Cup club, represented the competition in the 2005 edition of the World Sevens, competing against teams from across Australia in a fast-paced format that emphasized speed and skill. Although the tournament was ultimately suspended after 2005 due to logistical challenges and player availability issues from NRL clubs, the Magpies' involvement showcased the talent depth in Queensland's reserve grade and contributed to the sport's promotion on a broader scale. Between 2000 and 2002, the Queensland Rugby League organized experimental trial matches involving Queensland Cup teams against representative sides from other regions, aiming to expand the competition's scope and test players against diverse opposition. These events, while not annual fixtures, had positive impacts by enhancing player development, increasing fan interest in cross-border play, and revealing logistical needs for future national initiatives. The legacy of these pre-2014 interstate engagements was significant in shaping the modern NRL State Championship, as they underscored the demand for a structured annual clash between the Queensland Cup and NSW Cup premiers. By providing early models of interstate rivalry at the reserve-grade level, these matches influenced the QRL and NSWRL to collaborate on the State Championship format starting in 2014, which has since become a key post-season event promoting national unity and talent pathways in rugby league.Awards and honors
Player and team awards
The Queensland Cup bestows several prestigious annual awards to honor exceptional player and team performances during the season, with selections overseen by Queensland Rugby League (QRL) panels comprising league officials, coaches, and experts to ensure objective evaluation based on on-field contributions, statistics, and impact.[86] These awards, presented at the QRL's end-of-season gala, highlight both individual excellence and collective achievements, fostering recognition across the competition's 15 clubs. The Duncan Hall Medal, named after rugby league legend Duncan Hall, is awarded to the player of the match in the grand final, recognizing decisive contributions in the premiership decider. In 2025, Burleigh Bears halfback Josh Rogers claimed the medal after scoring a try and kicking three goals in his team's 22–8 victory over the Norths Devils, earning praise for his commanding playmaking and defensive leadership.[87] The Rookie of the Year award celebrates the most promising debutant, selected by QRL judges for consistent development and influence despite limited prior experience at the level; Sunshine Coast Falcons forward Zion Johnson received the 2025 honor for his robust tackling and offload creation in 20 appearances.[86] Similarly, the Darryl Van de Velde Coach of the Year recognizes strategic leadership and team improvement, with Townsville Blackhawks' Terry Campese taking the 2025 award after guiding his side to a top-four finish through innovative attacking structures and defensive resilience.[86] The Petero Civoniceva Medal, awarded to the best and fairest player, went to Ipswich Jets' Oliver Pascoe in 2025 for his outstanding performances.[86] Team honors emphasize seasonal dominance and holistic success. The minor premiership is granted to the regular-season ladder leader, rewarding superior consistency over 23 rounds; the Burleigh Bears secured it in 2025 with 15 wins, one draw, and four losses (plus three byes), amassing 37 competition points.[86] The QRL Club Championship, determined by aggregate points from performances in the Hostplus Cup, BMD Premiership, and junior pathways, acknowledges broader club excellence; again, the Bears claimed the 2025 title, reflecting their depth across senior and development squads.[86]Anniversary and milestone recognitions
In 2015, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Queensland Cup (then known as the Intrust Super Cup), the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) selected an all-time greatest team of 17 players, chosen by a panel of experts based on criteria emphasizing skill, tenacity, and courage displayed over the competition's first two decades.[88] The selected players collectively appeared in 27 grand finals, won multiple premierships, and all represented the Queensland Residents side, amassing 3,182 games and 781 tries from the backs alone.[88] The team served as guests of honor at the 2015 grand final at Suncorp Stadium, with Rick Stone, former Burleigh Bears premiership-winning coach, named as head coach and Tony Maksoud as referee.[88] The 20th Anniversary Team lineup was as follows:| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 1. Fullback | Ryan Cullen (Central Queensland Capras, Redcliffe Dolphins, Easts Tigers) |
| 2. Winger | Nathanael Barnes (Tweed Heads Seagulls, Wynnum Manly Seagulls) |
| 3. Centre | Reggie Cressbrook (Central Queensland Capras) |
| 4. Centre | Donald Malone (Northern Pride, Mackay Cutters) |
| 5. Winger | Heath Egglestone (Burleigh Bears) |
| 6. Five-eighth | Brad Davis (c) (Redcliffe Dolphins, Norths Devils) |
| 7. Halfback | Shane Perry (Norths Devils, Wynnum Manly Seagulls) |
| 8. Prop | Troy Lindsay (Redcliffe Dolphins) |
| 9. Hooker | Michael Roberts (Burleigh Bears, Northern Pride) |
| 10. Prop | Shane O'Flanagan (Burleigh Bears, Tweed Heads Seagulls) |
| 11. Second row | Danny Burke (Central Queensland Capras) |
| 12. Second row | Sime Busby (Wynnum Manly Seagulls) |
| 13. Lock | Danny Coburn (Burleigh Bears, Tweed Heads Seagulls) |
| 14. Utility | Luke Scott (Burleigh Bears, Northern Pride) |
| 15. Interchange | Luke Dalziel-Don (Mackay Cutters, Northern Pride) |
| 16. Interchange | Nick Parfitt (Easts Tigers, Northern Pride) |
| 17. Interchange | Phil Dennis (Burleigh Bears, Tweed Heads Seagulls) |