The Brisbane Broncos are all set to take on the North Queensland Cowboys this Friday night, March 21, 2025, at Suncorp Stadium, marking one of the most emotionally charged XXXX Derbies to date. This season opener not only showcases two fierce competitors but also holds deep significance as the Broncos will honor the late Carl Webb, with the first-ever Carl Webb Medal being presented to the player of the match.
Last year, the inaugural Carl Webb Medal was awarded to current Broncos player Pat Carrigan, who fondly recalled his memories of Webb after the recent announcement. "It was special, my memories of Charlie were when he put the Q in his head and ran out for Queensland, yeah it’s a special night, they’ve got a lot of special players and so do we and I know both teams will be up for it," Carrigan said.
The night also serves as Corey Oates' farewell, marking the end of his career with the Broncos after 216 appearances. Oates is set to receive recognition via a lap of honor with his family before the game starts at 6:45 PM, making it yet another emotional moment for the Broncos' fans. Oates reflected on his career and the memories of playing at Suncorp Stadium as he says goodbye to the fans he cherishes.
For the Cowboys, the stakes couldn't be higher as they seek to turn their fortunes around after suffering defeats to the Manly Sea Eagles and Cronulla Sharks. Coach Todd Payten has made significant changes to the lineup to boost morale and performance, including the return of star forward Jason Taumalolo. Taumalolo, who recently recovered from Lisfranc surgery, will take the field at prop after demonstrating his readiness through solid performances with the Mackay Cutters.
Payten expressed his relief about Taumalolo's return, stating, "Awesome. He's had an interrupted pre-season. He felt he wasn't right last week and played 50 minutes on the weekend and was pretty strong. He gives confidence to everyone on the team, and we are looking forward to having him back." This marks Taumalolo's first NRL game of the season.
Adding to the excitement, Jeremiah Nanai, who was dropped for the previous match, has also been recalled to the squad, with Jake Clifford returning to start at halfback for his first game of 2025 after overcoming hernia surgery. Payten is relying on the experience of these players to inject life back to the Cowboys’ faltering campaign.
Much like the Broncos, the Cowboys are also under immense pressure as they look to avoid the dreaded 0-3 start to the season. They face tough matches against the Raiders and Penrith coming up, making this rivalry game imperative for them. Sam McIntyre, who plays for the Cowboys, remarked, "I don’t think we need any motivation to play the Broncos, our biggest rival. It doesn’t matter if we have 10 losses in a row or 10 wins, when we play against them, it's all square again."
The Broncos themselves suffered from defensive lapses during their recent loss to Canberra, where they conceded 32 points. This has spurred coach Michael Maguire to focus the training sessions on strengthening their defensive line. The squad remains unchanged heading to this match, proving the club's faith in the same group of players who will have the opportunity to redeem themselves.
Meanwhile, Kotoni Staggs, recovering from a quad injury, has been named among the reserves and could be poised for return. If cleared, he is expected to replace Gehamat Shibasaki in the backline. Staggs’ inclusion could provide the Broncos with much-needed strength and experience on the field.
Now, both teams enter this long-standing rivalry not only with pride at stake but also seeking their first win of the season. The Broncos have historically dominated recent encounters, having won their last four meetings against the Cowboys, but anything can happen on derby night. With the stakes this high, there’s no doubt the intensity on the field will be palpable.
Fans can expect nothing less than passion and competitive spirit as the players take center stage this Friday night, with the kick-off set for 8:00 PM AEDT. With both sides desperate for victory and boasting key returnees, the XXXX Derby promises to be another memorable chapter of this storied rivalry.
