Bounce back: Warrigals responds to narrow loss with gritty win

By Chase Christensen 

The Bribie Island Warrigals seniors have kicked their 2025 campaign off in mixed fashion, as their first two rounds of footy ended with a loss and a win. This two games have certainly proven that they’re a must watch team in C-Grade this season.  

In Round 1, Bribie Island was supposed to kick-off their season in a cross-town derby against Beachmere. However, a weather wipe out meant no Sunshine Coast Rugby League matches took place that weekend.  

Warrigals vs Yowies After a washout, the Warrigals played their first game since being relegated from Reserve to C-Grade. They headed west to play the Kilcoy Yowies in a mid-afternoon affair. Both teams played well enough for the result to be in the balance up until the final two minutes, when Kilcoy scored a miraculous full field converted try down the left-hand side to win the game in the dying minutes. This was shortly after Bribie took the lead, which gave them a strong hold on the game, but unfortunately they couldn’t hold on for a couple more defensive sets to win their opening match. The final scoreline was 22-18 in favour of Kilcoy.  

The last 20 minutes of the first half ticked over with play halted, as hooker Byron Rundle unfortunately suffered an apparent dislocated shoulder. The game clock kept ticking, due to the league rules being no time off during the first half. An ambulance was called, but on a positive note - according to the Warrigals – it’s looking likely that Rundle will return for Bribie’s next game.  

The Warrigals gave a huge effort to stop the known speed of Kilcoy and did well in attack. This game showed that Bribie will be a competitive team this year, as Kilcoy finished third out of eight teams last year.  

Warrigals vs Raiders The Warrigals were forced to make a change due to injury just one week into the season - the substitute for Byron Rundle was Dylan Cairns, who did not take part in round one. Bribie was keen to nab a win when they faced Yandina in round two, with both teams coming off losses from the opening round. It was a bounce back game for Bribie as they were victorious for the first time in 2025, the end score 12-4 in their favour. It was the second of a triple-header at Palmwoods on a day that was all about the torrential rain. This made for a sloppy game of footy as both teams struggled to hold onto the ball. The Warrigals were the more disciplined side in attack, which simply won them the game. Their defence deserves credit, as Yandina had plenty of scoring opportunities, however Bribie shut them down with gritty defence. Man of the match (Bribie Warrigals Facebook page), was five-eighth Kobe Galvin.  

Coming up, the Bribie boys will get a break with a Bye in Round 5 before hitting the home turf for their Round 6 match against Mary Valley on Saturday May 17 at 3pm. Beachmere will be the hosts of the Warrigals and Noosa Pirates match on May 24 at 1.30pm.  

Make sure you get behind the mighty Warrigals this season!