Grand finalists Brothers have swooped on two big off-season recruits in the countdown to the Sumo Energy Hospital Cup kick-off in March.
Classy utility back Treyvon Pritchard and pacy fullback-winger Nicholas Conway have both committed to the Brethren for 2026.
Brothers Director of Rugby Tino Poluleuligaga orchestrated the coup to woo the neat- stepping Pritchard to Crosby Park.
Pritchard, 18, was playing for Churchie last year so his club allegiances were up in the air.
Conway was at Wests last year but his Nudgee College background has made the shift to Brothers an easy move to the northside of town.
The Australia Under-18 stars and Reds squad members will be dynamic additions when available.
Brothers coach Ben McCormack is excited for a new campaign after the club went so close to a hat-trick of premierships in 2025.
“We have a good run of trials coming up against Easts, GPS and Wests which will give us a chance to see where we are at with some new and returning players,” McCormack said.
Finn Prass is back from the Western Force to add punch at flyhalf or fullback.
Backrower Richard Clift and lock Leo McCarthy have beaten the major injuries that ruined 2025 to add extra strength to the pack.
The Brethren do have to cover some losses with busy hooker Theo Fourie in the US playing for Chicago Hounds. Prop Liam Fletcher is another loss to the US where he is playing for Old Glory DC.
“With the way Major League Rugby runs in the US, we expect both to be available late in the season,” McCormack said.
Bond University coach Mick Heenan orchestrated a superb title run for the Bull Sharks which culminated in the 27-25 thriller against Brothers in the grand final last August.
Winning their first trophy as Bond University was such a goal and achievement. How does a club back up for another Sumo Energy Hospital Cup bid without it being something of an anti-climax?
“That’s a great question. The club had a taste of what it’s like to be successful when we went on a good run to end last season,” Heenan said.
“There’ll be a big focus on a good start to 2026 because we left ourselves with a lot of catching up to do last season.
“Achieving more consistency is definitely a target.
“The club has never competed for an Australian Club Championship so that new experience in March is generating a lot of excitement. We want to go down to Sydney and win it.”
The Bond Uni men and women will take on Sydney heavyweights Warringah in Sydney for the Australian Club Championships on March 21.
The Bull Sharks have some change to deal with.
Classy goalkicking winger Hamish Roberts is taking a break to mend injuries and concentrate on work after his try-scoring heroics in the grand final.
Standout flanker Matt Engelbrecht and prop Marty Royston are both playing in England while No.8 Zane Misios has switched to rugby league on the Gold Coast.
That’s four players gone from the grand final squad.
The Bull Sharks have picked up some quality with top flanker Kohan Herbert arriving from Souths and Willy Rua joining from University of Queensland.
Easts will be delighted with the return of match-winning backrower Seru Uru to the club after a stint at Souths.
