The 2025 Bentspoke John I Dent Cup season is upon us, with the competition kicking off this weekend around the grounds of Canberra on the 12th of April.
With many teams boasting improved rosters and key signings, we have gone through each team, looking at changes and improvements throughout each club and how they shape up for the 2025 season.
Coach: Joe Kolokihakaufisi
The Canberra Royals start fresh in the 2025 season under new head coach Joe Kolo, who tasted Grand Final victory in 2024 as the assistant coach under top dog Adam Butt showing him the way. Kolo now brings his own outlook and is set to instil his key focuses on discipline and adding a tougher defence to this young squad in the 2025 season.
The Royals head into the season with a near-untouched side from last year, barring a few key additions such as Kye Oates, his brother Chase, Dan Nelson, and multiple overseas recruits. They start their season with a 2024 Grand Final rematch against the Tuggeranong Vikings at Viking Park. Expect another strong season from the blue baggers as they attempt to go back-to-back once again, as they did in the 2019/20 seasons.
Coach: Ryan Schultz
The Tuggeranong Vikings reset for the 2025 season under head coach Ryan Schultz now in his second year at the helm. Following last years' big dance defeat at the hands of the Royals, the Vikings firm as a real contender as they look to continue their elite consistency as seen in recent years.
The Vikings head into the season with a younger team after losing a few key players such as Seamus Smith, and Cameron Holt, among others that had solid showings in 2024. Featuring 7 Brumbies representatives in their programs, in addition to an ever-ready crop of players from their 2024 championship winning second grade side, depth certainly will not be a concern for the red-and-whites. It would be hard to see the Tuggeranong side falling out of the top 4, after becoming mainstays in the John I Dent Cup finals series.
Coach: Lachlan Creighton
The Uni North Owls get set for another 2025 season under head coach Lachlan Creighton, after an up and down season last year, finishing in last position. Putting the last year behind them, they are seemingly ready to fire in 2025 season with fresh faces on board and newfound experience from last seasons' rookies.
New acquisitions such as Tauati Chan-Tung, Liae Tuilagi and the return of Chris Mickelson will undoubtedly prove worthwhile as the Owls look to fly up the ladder in 2025. They start their season with a grudge match against Wests who beat them in their last outing of 2024.
Uni are certainly the wildcards in 2025 as the side has many unknowns, though if Creighton can get his side firing they may quickly become a danger side.
Coach: Marco Cecere
A new season under Marco Cecere is on the cards for Wests as the 2024 wildcards embark on a season that will be perhaps the hardest to predict.
Last season the side had no problem scoring points, but some troubles defending them which ultimately resulted in a semi-final competition exit for the side. Wests have also lost some significant troops in 2025 as wingers Tomasi Bikaca and Timoci Naivaluwaqa both depart alongside other previous starters. Perhaps the biggest question mark however will be Declan Meredith's availability, as the electric back has begun earning more selections for the ACT Brumbies.
It will certainly be hard to write off a team with this much scoring ability but Wests will need a strong start if they are any chance of building off their 2024 season. Their first obstacle will be the other biggest unknown in the Uni-Norths Owls; the John I Dent Cup's other biggest unknown in 2025.
Coach: Robbie Coleman
Gungahlin will launch into their first full pre-season in the post Lachlan McCaffrey era as Robbie Coleman leads the club into the 2025 season. The side saw a slight slump last season following McCaffrey's departure so Coleman will be out to prove he is the man for the job early this year.
Despite many players flying the nest, Gungahlin's stocks are healthy following their Colts championship and second grade runners up efforts last year. They also likely to suffer the hefty loss of Lachlan Shaw, who is gaining more frequent Brumbies selections, but instead they are likely to see plenty of Kadin Pritchard in their midfield.
With the Eagles looking to back up a finals appearance from last year, they will have to be at their best to fend off improved Uni-Norths and Queanbeyan sides.
Coach: Daniel Hawke
2024's late surge side in the Queanbeyan Whites finished last season as a real danger team for anyone traveling to the NSW town, but now must convert that into consistency this year.
The side simply started last year too slow, but coach Daniel Hawke will have made adjustments accordingly as he aims to climb the ladder and make a real run for the silverware this season.
The Whites will likely build around two of last season's stars, being their scrumhalf and 2024's highest point scorer Cullin Cooper-Jones and dominant number 8 Riley Turner. A young side once again in 2025, the Whites still boast a solid core, that new club captain Jack Preston will have to make the most of this season.
Queanbeyan will also be tough to place in 2025, though they already shape as a much improved outfit this season.
