New team, champion coach and local derbies highlight first round in NRRRL

The Tweed Seagulls will make it a 14-team competition in 2024.

The club has fielded an under-18s team in recent years and has committed to playing first grade this season.

They have a tough test first up in an away game against the Mullumbimby Giants at Les Donnelly Field.

The Giants are being coached by Chris Anderson, who has been helping the club in recent years as an assistant.

Anderson played 230 games for Canterbury and coached the Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm to premierships.

The 71-year-old also coached Australia to a World Cup win in 2000.

Closer to home, Marist Brothers and Northern United will play in the Lismore derby.

United had an impressive 2023 campaign and finished the competition rounds third.

Eventual premiers Cudgen defeated them in the second week of finals.

Brothers have plenty of young talent and will be hoping for more luck with injuries and results going their way in the closer games.

Elsewhere, Evans Head will host Byron Bay in what should be one of the games of the round.

Ballina will look to go one better after making the grand final last year and will host Casino.

Most of the Tweed teams are in local derbies in the first round with Murwillumbah playing Cudgen and Tweed Coast hosting Bilambil.

Games will be played on April 6 and 7.