The Year That Was: Yeppoon dynasty, Biggenden fairytale highlight Queensland bush footy season

Tallon Smith

With footy done and dusted for 2025, Battlers For Bush Footy is taking a look back at the top moments in Queensland country rugby league granf finals this year.

From nail-biting finishes to dynasty-cementing wins, this year’s Grand Finals had it all.

The Yeppoon Seagulls further cemented their place as the kings of the Rockhampton Senior Local Rugby League competition after taking out the Grand Final 32-16 over Emu Park.

Playing at Rugby Park due to Browne Park being closed for its redevelopment, the Emus led 10-0 after early tries to Tristan Butcher and Troy Richardson, but the Seagulls hit back through George Grant and Zac Sainsbury to take a 12-10 lead into the break.

Jamie Minto continued the Gullies’ charge with a try after the break, before Tane Kiriona bagged a quick-fire double and Bacho Salam crossed late to put the result beyond doubt and deliver the Seagulls the title.

The premiership win was Yeppoon’s fifth in the past six completed seasons, and the club’s eighth in the past 14 years, a true country rugby league dynasty.

The Biggenden Warriors returned to the field following a seven year absence this season

Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, the Biggenden Warriors’ return to the field culminated in the ultimate fairytale with the club taking out the Central Burnett Grand Final 18-10 over the Gayndah Gladiators.

The Warriors ran in three tries to the Gladiators’ two to secure a remarkable victory in the club’s first season back in the competition since 2018.

The win also marked the end of the Gladiators’ run of seven straight titles dating back to 2015.

In addition to these, there were many other notable wins across the state, including Wallumbilla-Surat taking out the Roma District competition over Roma Cities, Barcaldine winning the Central West premiership over Longreach-Ilfracombe, and Stanley narrowly getting the better of Maroochydore to take out the Sunshine Coast A-Grade title.

Below is a complete list of every local Grand Final in Queensland this season.

Northern Division

Cairns (FNQRL): Cairns Brothers 18 defeated Souths 12

Mackay: Souths 24 defeated Brothers 6

Mid West: Mornington Island 18 defeated Normanton 8

Mount Isa: Wanderers 32 defeated Townies 22

Palm Island: Mundy Bay 14 defeated Palm Island 12

Townsville: Souths 22 defeated Brothers 8

Central Division

Capricornia Region

Central Highlands: Bluff 38 defeated Middlemount 6

Central West: Barcaldine 28 defeated Longreach-Ilfracombe 22

Rockhampton: Yeppoon 32 defeated Emu Park 16

South West Region

Border Rivers: Stanthorpe 38 defeated Tenterfield 34

Roma & District: Wallumbilla-Surat 22 defeated Cities 8

Toowoomba: Gatton 28 defeated Wattles 12

Wide Bay Region

Bundaberg: Waves Tigers 42 defeated Easts 26

Central Burnett: Biggenden 18 defeated Gayndah 10

Northern Districts: Isis Devils 38 defeated South Kolan 32

South Burnett: Kingaroy 28 defeated Cherbourg 12

Sunshine Coast: Stanley 22 defeated Maroochydore 20