The Queanbeyan Blues enter the 2026 season as the team to beat this season after claiming the premiership against their archrivals in dramatic fashion last year.
In the Katrina Fanning Shield, the Blues return to the competition after injuries saw them withdraw halfway through the season.
After a dramatic grand final victory last season, Blues new Captain-Coach Dylan McLachlan reflected on the experience, whilst declaring his focus has moved on to ensuring his side goes back-to-back.
“Obviously, great memories, it feels like a long time ago, but we took the time to celebrate and reflect but your focus quickly moves to this year. We're going to have to improve a whole lot, it's a completely different ballgame, but good memories,” McLachlan said.
McLachlan takes over the role as head coach this year, with Jeremy Braun relinquishing the role after becoming a development coach at the Canberra Raiders, with the talented halfback enjoying the new opportunity.
“It’s been different, but I love it though. The whole coaching staff set a lot of standards. I'm very lucky with the group I have, we haven't had too much turnover.”
Along with keeping their core of last year's premiership, the Blues have recruited heavily, with Jackson Owen, Eli Tuli, Tomas Aoke and Zaen Edmonds all joining the club this year, with McLachlan focusing on recruiting good people.
“My focus shifted to this year pretty quickly, not long after the Grand Final. We were pretty intent on who we recruited. It was more about recruiting good people, people we had mutual connections with different clubs and different states.”
Meanwhile, for the Katrina Fanning Shield side, they return to the competition and will be looking to return to the finals, which they featured in the 2024 season, with Sam De Graff declaring the energy is great at the club.
“Vibes have been high, attendance has been really good, and all grades are really confident heading into this season,” De Graff said.
Bec Maher-Hill returns to the club as the side’s Head Coach, after Captain Coaching last season, with her ability to connect with past players a key element of getting the side back up and running.
“She's [Maher-Hill] been the top driving force. She's been recruiting a lot of the old girls back and because we have the cohesion with her coming up from Tag, the whole community is really thriving at the moment.”
After a tough Reserve Grade, Under 19s and League Tag season last year, the Blues will be aiming to match the success of their First-Grade side in the 2026 season.
