Crowned: Best players of Rugby League Gold Coast Grand Finals 2025

Rein signed with the Titans in 2019 with dreams of raising a trophy on the Gold Coast.

He departed after four fruitless years but returned to park football in 2025, determined to give back to the game and the Tugun community that had welcomed him as their own while with the Titans.

On Saturday that mission was accomplished.

The 35-year-old wound back the clock a decade to his NRL prime, breaking the line, directing traffic and chopping down Bears like a man playing for something greater.

Burleigh had beaten Tugun on all four meetings in 2025 and with nine minutes to go in the season appeared ready to surge late and win the trophy when prop Bailey Butler cut the Tugun lead to four.

With glory on the line Rein shot over from dummyhalf to stave off the Burleigh comeback and deliver the title to his adopted home alongside his best mate, Tyrone Peachey.

“It’s huge. I’ve loved playing here,” Rein told this masthead.

“Tugun is such an awesome club. I’ve lived down here for six or seven years now in total but I’ve never really been involved in something like this. It’s something special and to be involved is unreal for me and my family.

“It was such a huge team performance. Burleigh are a wonderful side and they’ve showed that all year, but we just always believed we could match them. We had a couple of good battles throughout the year. A lot of the season we had been decimated with injury so we had all the confidence in the world here today. Hats off to them, they took us right to the end but we always knew we would come away with it. The boys showed that today in such a tough, gritty game.”

He thanked Peachey, his teammate of four NRL seasons across two clubs, for being the inspiration to lace up the boots again.

“To be honest the only reason I play is Peachey,” Rein said.

“He said he wasn’t playing without me so I’m glad he got me back into it. I haven’t played for a few years now so I wasn’t sure if I was up to it anymore. I’ve loved every minute of it.”

Rein, sporting a large bruise under his left eye, joked that he would only return next season for Tugun’s Over-35s team but his longtime Penrith and Gold Coast NRL teammate Peachey declared the pair would both be back to defend their A Grade crown.

“Yeah 100 per cent we’ll be here,” Peachey said.

“He really carried the boys these last two weeks. Me and Kyle (Williams, halfback) were suspended out of the finals and I really didn’t think we’d get here. I’m really happy that the boys pushed through and got us to the grand final. I knew I would have to perform really well because Burleigh are undefeated and have been the best team all year. We had to play our best game and we ended up doing it on the last game of the year.”

Tugun found itself behind 10-6 at the halftime break after tries to Burleigh’s 19-year-old tearaway Bailey McConnell and veteran rake Jordan Scott opened a slender lead.

Tugun owned the second half with four tries, including a double to five-eighth Kaleb Ngamanu and another powerful short range burst from centre Caleb Hodges.

Ngamanu’s second bought Tugun a 10-point lead with 17 minutes to play but momentum flipped wildly against the southern club when Burleigh prop Butler charged between the goalposts in the final five minutes to narrow proceedings to 24-20.

Rein’s score – and halfback Kyle Williams’ fifth consecutive conversion – returned the buffer to 10 points, leaving Jordan Gleeson to score in consolation for Burleigh with the final firmly under Tugun control.

The match was fiery at times, with hooker Blake Scott reporting a biting allegation at halftime.

A push-and-shove between the sides spilt onto the sidelines leaving the field at the half.

Broncos NRL stars Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan, Jesse Arthars and Jordan Riki were among those in attendances.

A GRADE PLAYERS OF THE FINAL

Mitch Rein

Hooker, Tugun

The veteran of 200 NRL games wound back the clock to his prime with the St George Illawarra Dragons, emerging as a running force with multiple linebreaks. Rein’s decision-making was flawless, his defence was full-bodied and in truth he had sewn up player of the match honours long before his premiership-clinching try.

Tyrone Peachey

Fullback, Tugun

Prickly as ever, Peachey wasted no time getting under the skin of his opposition. Peachey was at the centre of a halftime fracas where an eyewitness swore he watched the ex-NSW Origin utility throw a punch in self defence when confronted by a Burleigh player. Peachey vigorously denied any punches were thrown in the exchange to this masthead. He scored a fine opportunist’s try when prop Michael Schipp tossed an offload that Peachey caught and deposited by the posts.

Kaleb Ngamanu

Five-eighth, Tugun

The former Titans development flyer showed surprising power given his slender frame, busting through tackles to score two tries in the second half. Ngamanu took the game away from Burleigh before Rein’s decisive strike. His first was the pick of the bunch, emerging from behind the scrum on a set piece strike to overload Burleigh’s right edge defence.

Cruz Dangerfield

Backrower, Tugun

The Year 12 Palm Beach Currumbin student was a difference maker off the interchange bench. It’s a shame for the competition that the Melbourne Storm have already clued onto Dangerfield’s immense potential because he could have been a staple of Tugun’s dynasty with his hard running, tackling and general ability to be unphased by the pressure of a grand final as a teenager. Melbourne are on to a good one here.

Jordan Scott

Hooker, Burleigh

Would surely have led the tackle count for the day and went toe-to-toe with the imperious Rein. Scott was spotted frequently making consecutive tackles in a set. He flashed elite skill by kicking up a Tyrone Peachey grubber into his arms to defuse a threatening Tugun raid. His audacious double show-and-go dummy to dive over and score was Scott at his very best.

Bailey McConnell

Five-eighth, Burleigh

It was less than five years ago that another teenage upstart with elite speed and footwork was shining for Burleigh on the grand final stage. It was Jayden Campbell. McConnell could well go down the same path as a future NRL excitement machine. McConnell scored two tries including a 70m scoop-and-dash in the second half that demonstrated a remarkably clean set of heels. He shifted into fullback in the final quarter of the match and produced one of the tackles of the match in a trysaver on backrower Ryan Cronin. McConnell had been steamrolled twice in the first half but showed no fear and committed body and soul to cutting down Cronin when a miss would have resulted in a certain six points late in the match.

Matt Egan

Halfback, Burleigh

Only just back from a hamstring injury, Egan forced multiple turnovers with his strong kicking game including one second-half belter, chasing down his own kick and nailing the returner to force a knock-on 30m out from the goal line. Egan was sucking down the pickle juice by the end of the match as his legs were cramping badly but the half never looked like stopping. His late match goalkicking success kept Burleigh in the hunt.

RESERVE GRADE

The Mudgeeraba Redbacks’ resurrection into A Grade has begun on the highest possible note after coming from behind to stun the Burleigh Bears in an all-time epic Doug Lipp Cup reserve grade final, 14-12.

Centre Tom Landers scored two tries including the matchwinner just four minutes from time after halfback and man of the match Jakob Schimke delivered the final pass to seal the decider.

Burleigh had hit the lead for the first time with 15 to play and waged desperate war on the Mudgeeraba line for the last four minutes of the match but were unable to breach the Redbacks.

Former Currumbin A Grader Schimke has been the heartbeat of Mudgeeraba’s DLC spine in 2025 alongside brother Samuel at hooker – now the pair have proved the Rugby League Gold Coast board right for their faith in raising the club back to the flagship division next season.

Schimke said the team had dedicated this season to the memory of Will Swinbourne, a close mate to many who was tragically murdered last March at the age of 21.

“A lot of us have come back for a mate who passed away (Swinbourne),” Schimke said.

“He was involved in the club as a Mudgee junior for years, who unfortunately passed away last year. A lot of the boys came back because it was their last year to honour him (on the field).

“I’m super proud right now. A lot of his best mates are in this team and it’s so good to see.”

Schimke said the matchwinning strike play between himself and Sanders for the matchwinner had been carefully engineered at training to take advantage of the defensive tendencies of a Burleigh centre.

With the game on the line the duo executed to perfection to bring the trophy back to Mudgeeraba.

Schimke had earlier been involved in the try of grand final day, kicking perfectly for Sanders who transferred the ball to winger Damien Timms in a double-act of extraordinary skill.

DLC PLAYERS OF THE FINAL

Jakob Schimke

Halfback, Mudgeeraba

Schimke, 26, has what it takes to lead Mudgeeraba in A Grade next season and is in his athletic prime but was noncommittal to this masthead about returning. Injuries have taken a hard toll on the grand final MVP and he has already sat out one season to nurse himself back to health. His vision as a playmaker is matched by his ability to get the ball where it needs to be at all times. The Redbacks will desperately miss their on-field general if Schimke does elect to sail into the sunset after this win.

Tom Landers

Centre, Mudgeeraba

The strapping centre put himself in position to make the most of his halfback’s skills. Two tries in the grand final were a fine reward. Landers also put on a sensational shot on his opposite Kane Bowman that could have created a tryscoring chance on its own. Landers was truly brilliant.

Jesse Rewita

Lock, Mudgeeraba

When Mudgee rolled into the redzone you could guarantee Rewita would be there taking a hard charge. Multiple tries followed in the wake of a hearty Rewita charge. The No.13 sat defenders on their bums with every charge and he grew a foot when the tryline was in sight.

Zeb Misios

Backrower, Burleigh

Tryscoring edge forward Misios would have taken home player of the final honours had if not been for Schimke’s late heroics. Misios was a linebreaking force who tackled with gusto. He was Burleigh’s sharpest instrument in the club’s toolkit.

Will Batten

Lock, Burleigh

Athletic lock Batten made every spectator at Owen Park stand up when his midfield charge turned into a 40m linebreak bust that Mudgeeraba only just snuffed out. Batten was practically perfect in every respect.

Boston Tagg

Five-eighth, Burleigh

The lanky playmaker was reminiscent of Darren Lockyer in his prime in Brisbane’s No.6 jersey with the way he launched end-over-end cutout passes. Better handling in the outside backs would have turned more of Tagg’s rainbow passes into tries. When the cards fall his way Tagg has the ability to carve teams apart. They just didn’t on Saturday.

UNDER-20S

Runaway Bay fullback Brooklyn Sabine has ripped the under-20 Rugby League Gold Coast title away from the Burleigh Bears with a superhuman individual performance in a 22-10 grand final victory at Owen Park.

Sabine played the key hand in all four of Runaway Bay’s four tries, scoring two and serving up two on a platter to his outside men to beat the Bears.

Sabine debuted for the Dolphins in the Queensland Under-20 competition this year as a half but presents as a fullback with NRL potential after his heroics on Gold Coast grand final day.

Tall, fast and fearless, the Somerset College graduate went close to a grand final hat-trick to secure a unanimous grand final MVP accolade.

“It’s been awesome,” Sabine said.

“I’ve been playing with a lot of these boys for the last seven years so it’s a good way to go out because most of us probably won’t play together again. I’m really pleased and can’t wait to go celebrate with everyone.”

Sabine said he hoped to spend an NRL pre-season with the Dolphins after signing on with the club “for the next couple of years.”

“I’ll probably move up there towards the end of this year and see where the future goes,” Sabine said.

“I was playing in the under-20s this year and then hopefully there’s an under-21s coming next year, which is going to be bigger with all the NRL clubs. If that doesn’t happen I’ll hopefully make my way into Q-Cup and have an NRL pre-season.”

The Runaway Bay custodian was immense throughout the final, testing defenders with every carry and with his lethal left kicking boot.

Sabine beat a defender and passed for centre Brody Hawkins Malcolm to score Runaway Bay’s first, then added his own try by screaming through the defence on the right wing to score.

Sabine was back in early in the second half after running a perfect line to squeeze through the defence.

The fullback’s final involvement on the scoreboard was his best yet, pushing a perfect pass for centre Bodhi Matsden in the play of grand final day to secure the final margin.

U20 PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Brooklyn Sabine

Fullback, Runaway Bay

It’s not fair to label Sabine a rugby union convert because he only adopted the 15-man code while attending Somerset College. Rugby league is Sabine’s true passion and he played it to perfect on grand final day. There was a Trbojevic-esque quality to Sabine with his tall frame, speed and impeccable line-running. His left boot caught defenders out of place and could have created a third try assist had a winger not bobbled a crossfield laser in the second half.

Bailey Mendham

Backrower, Runaway Bay

A physical presence on the left edge. Mendham tackled and carried with gusto and his one-on-one strip of Gundry in the first half directly led to Runaway Bay points by getting Sabine into position for his first score of the day.

Isopo Taunuu

Prop, Runaway Bay

Made great impact with his back-fence charges, whether they were literally off the back fence or just channelling that energy in general play. Taunuu rattled ribcages all day long in attack and defence.

Reuben Dickson

Prop, Burleigh

The string bean prop soared high above Runaway Bay to rise up and catch a midfield bomb for a memorable grand final try that was as much a reward for effort as it was his athleticism. Dickson was just about the only player to chase the bomb. He put on a few big shots and his pace running onto the ball saw Dickson blast into open space for a second half linebreak.

Seth Gundry

Five-eighth, Burleigh

Had limited opportunities to shine but Gundry’s fast footwork did set sparks flying at Owen Park. Gundry served up a try on a platter with one jinking second half linebreak but the pass bounced harmlessly off a chest and the opportunity went begging. Gundry was no less an eye-catcher in a defeated team. Also tackled well, despite his lack of size, including one driving tackle he had no right to make but did anyway.

UNDER-18s

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are circling Beaudesert Kingfishers five-eighth Caleb Cresswell, who inspired his team to the under-18 Rugby League Gold Coast premiership with a masterful performance against Currumbin.

The Marsden State High School talent went within millimetres of a grand final hat-trick and ended with 16 points in the 24-18 victory in a performance for the ages.

It was a deserved man of the match medal for the Kingfishers captain who simply did it all to deliver the title to Beaudesert in a come-from-behind victory.

Currumbin scored twice inside five minutes to rattle the Kingfishers in the third grand final meeting between these teams in this age group on the Gold Coast.

Beaudesert had never beaten the Eagles in a decider but rallied behind retiring coach Scott Bannan and their skipper at five-eighth, who overcame a first half knock-on over the line to inspire the side on a 24-0 scoring run.

If this is the last time Gold Coast rugby league fans spot Cresswell playing locally he will depart for Sydney having left a memorable final impression.

“I’m talking with the Rabbitohs right now, just waiting to put pen to paper,” Cresswell revealed.

“I was going to play with the Ipswich Jets next year but if I sign with the Rabbits I’ll be off to Sydney to play SG Ball.”

The Rabbitohs will receive an electric running threat with no fear in defence or in bringing down a high ball.

Creswell made up for his earlier error by linking with Marsden schoolmate Tupou Francis on a blindside scrum play to close the gap to 12-6.

Cresswell was back on the scoresheet early in the second half, diving between defenders for a scoring haul which included 14 of Beaudesert’s first 18 points.

“In that first five minutes when they were just on a roll, I knew we had to do something to kickstart our confidence,” Cresswell said.

“We walked all week about keeping it simple and I think we just went away from our game plan in those first five minutes.

“Once we scored our first try I felt like it was going to be hard for them to come back again. We got a roll on and then we held them out from there.

“It felt so good. It’s been so many years waiting with these boys (for a trophy). We’ve been together like seven years, I think we’ve lost two grand finals against Currumbin. To finally get one up, on them, was amazing.”

U18 PLAYERS OF THE FINAL

Caleb Cresswell

Five-eight, Beaudesert

Recovered from an early drop over the line to lead Beaudesert to a remarkable come-from-behind grand final victory. Scored on a classy blindside set piece raid then ploughed over on the left. Kicked a perfect 4/4 goals including a tricky one from the left wing. His defence was just as impressive, driving back bigger bodies regularly and producing the defensive play of the game in tackling a runaway Basil Coates from Currumbin. To cap off the perfect game Cresswell outleaped the entire Currumbin team to bring a high bomb safely back to earth. A 10/10 performance.

Ethan Jackson

Backrower, Beaudesert

It would be hard to shine when playing in the shadow of an Australian Schoolboys backrow talent like Tupou Francis but Jackson achieved exactly that. His rampaging carries drove Beaudesert way beyond what was expected in a physical tour de force that even Francis would have sat back and applauded.

Tupou Francis

Lock, Beaudesert

Broncos-contracted Francis can really do it all on a footy field but his two offloads through contact were a product of the lock’s first-class skills. Year 11 student Francis already cuts a figure like Keaon Koloamatangi of the Rabbitohs but may have better skills today than the NSW State of Origin rep. He was brilliant as expected and crossed for a late try to seal the win.

Brodie Saunders

Lock, Currumbin

Bulletin readers would have seen a fair bit of Saunders play this year as a backrow weapon for Palm Beach Currumbin in the Langer Trophy but they never saw footwork for school like his first try in the grand final. Saunders looked closer to Roger Tuivasa-Scheck or Kalyn Ponga than his usual impression, which one would classifier as closer to Nat Butcher of the Roosters than the pair of hotsteppers. But two wicked left foot sidesteps sent Saunders over the line and left those in the commentary box wondering if Currumbin had mucked up their teamsheets and selected some other player in the No.13.

Originally published as Crowned: Best players of Rugby League Gold Coast Grand Finals 2025