Sport
10 February, 2025
Roosters ready to rip into 2025
A NEW major sponsor and six new signings, including a few former Northern Pride players, could be all the Atherton Roosters need to go all the way this year after they were knocked out in the second semi-final game last season.
The new recruits for Atherton’s A Grade squad include four Ivanhoe Knights and two Innisfail Leprechauns players, with all but one having experience within the Northern Pride program.
They are also gearing up for their first clash against local rivals, the Mareeba Gladiators, in a preseason trial match that has been locked in for 8 March at the Gladiators home grounds.
A new major sponsorship for the club has also boosted its resources, with LJ Hooker Atherton jumping on board for a three-year commitment.
Graham Clark Jnr and Tomasi Skelton have made the move from the Innisfail club, with Clark Jnr a former Northern Pride and Canterbury Bulldogs player in the Intrust Super Cup, he will also join his brother, James, at the Roosters.
Ivanhoe’s players Rhy Young, Jacob Wallace, and brothers Regan and Rhylee Herd also made the decision to join the competitively growing Atherton side for the 2025 season.
After playing a full season with the Pride in 2022 and injuring his shoulder in a trial game early last year, Young said it had been a rough couple of years.
The fullback had ultimately decided to join the Roosters after relocating to Yungaburra with his wife and is very much looking forward to the upcoming season.
“I’m just looking forward to ripping in with the boys and playing footy, it’s exciting,” he said.
“It’s been really good training with this new crew, they’re a bunch of hard-working blokes who want to dig in, and I want to be a part of that.
“I think we’ll be very competitive this year, we’ve got a good squad and if everyone can just stay on the field, I think we’ll go a long way.”
Other Ivanhoe recruit, Jacob Wallace, will be sure to give Roosters fans something to look forward to this year.
He boasts an impressive resume after receiving the competition’s Player of the Year over three consecutive years, once in Under 16s and twice in Under 18s.
Additionally, he was awarded the FNQRL Gold Medal in 2021, the competition’s most highly regarded award.
“I decided to come to Atherton because I just wanted a bit of a change, you can get a bit stale being at the one place for a while,” the hooker said.
“I’m really enjoying it here, it’s good being around new players. Getting used to how they play and them adapting to how I play has been a good aspect.
“And Joel’s coaching is really good, he built his career on doing the hard stuff, so that’s what he’s implementing into us boys.
“I’m definitely looking forward to our game against Mareeba, there’s a few Ivanhoe boys from last year who are there now.
“Even though Mareeba and Atherton have a rivalry, it’ll be fun to play against our old teammates. It’ll be a rivalry in itself,” he said.
A Grade coach Joel Riethmuller said he has seen improvements of his team since last year and with the added experience of the new recruits, he believes they can yet again be a competitive force within the competition.
“Our preseason has been going pretty good, I think the boys came back from Christmas break in fair nick,” he said.
“I think our skill level and our understanding of the game is better, and we’re slowly building into the season.
“The new players bring experience and good habits. They train hard and that’s been infectious across the whole side.
“We were competitive last year, and I think we’ve added in what we were lacking, so I think we can be very competitive again this year.
“But we need to be resilient and tough and be willing to roll our sleeves up, that’s what wins games,” he said.
The Senior Roosters have also been given an extra leg-up with the recent major sponsorship of LJ Hooker Atherton on a three-year commitment.
Business director Albi Homann was thrilled about the opportunity to sponsor the local team and was proud to become involved within the community.
The sponsorship will give the business naming rights over the senior club.
“I think the most important part of this sponsorship is the community aspect, for me to be in the position where I’m able to do this is an honour in itself,” he said.
“But for the club to even consider having us on board as a naming sponsor is a big thing as well.
“It gives me confirmation that what we do in the community and how we present ourselves is something the Atherton Roosters want to be a part of, and it goes both ways.
“If a sponsorship can help the club go the extra step, to secure an extra player or whatever it might be, that’s why we’re doing it.
“I can’t wait for March when the season starts, I think footy is going to be on the weekly agenda for me this year.”
Club president Paul Pensini was very grateful for the major sponsorship contribution and is excited to see the team in action when the season officially starts in late March.
“The major sponsorship is a tremendously important thing for the club, we are very grateful,” he said.
“All of our sponsors are just as important as each other, no matter what levels they’re at.
“The sponsorship and the generosity shown by the community up here is enormous, without those businesses who give us their hard-earned cash to chip in and help the club the operate, we would not be here.
“The new blokes have been going really good, I think they fit in really well.
“Not only do they bring so much experience, but they bring a great attitude, and they’ve got a good presence on the field.
“I’m excited to see the team in action this season.
The Mareeba vs Atherton preseason trial match will be played on 8 March at Davies Park, while the first round of the season will begin on 22 March.
The 2025 season marks the 107th year of competition for the Atherton Senior Roosters, being established in 1918.
Caption - Sponsor: Director LJ Hooker Atherton, Albi Homann (left), Senior Roosters President Paul Pensini, A Grade Head Coach Joel Riethmuller and Senior Roosters Ladies Team Captain Mayleen Oppermann.
Caption - Tomasi Skelton: New Roosters recruit Tomasi Skelton will be a great addition to the team’s frontline this season.
Caption - Rhy Young: Former fullback for the Northern Pride, Rhy Young, is excited to lace up his boots for Atherton this year.
Caption - Jacob Wallace: Set to be a danger in the hooker position, Ex-Ivanhoe Jacob Wallace is eager for the 2025 season to start.
