Bundaberg Rugby League - Round One: Western Suburbs Panthers vs Hervey Bay Seagulls

This game saw two teams looking to prove that they are here to compete this year and improve on their 2025 season. It turned into a very dominant performance from one side and a lacklustre showing from the other.

Western Suburbs Panthers hosted the Hervey Bay Seagulls in Round 1. The Bay squad named was very strong and refreshed, with a mix of new players and returning talent. Wests, unfortunately, were unable to name a full squad, which put them on the back foot from the start.

From kickoff, Hervey Bay looked like the more dominant team, charging through the Western Suburbs forward pack and showing their intent to start fast and physical. They didn’t take a backward step, and it showed, with the Bay posting five tries in the first 25 minutes. Most of these came from strong forward runs setting up slick backline movements. Tries were scored by Rahcine Doyle, Tallis Murray, Villiami Tulahe, and a first-half double to Brock Shepard. However, Hervey Bay struggled with conversions, kicking just one from their first five tries to make it 22-0 with 15 minutes remaining in the half.

Wests looked defeated early, falling off multiple tackles and at times not even attempting to complete them. It was a tough watch, as they were also ineffective in attack, offering very little threat to the Hervey Bay line. Before halftime, Hervey Bay added another 22 points. Tallis Murray grabbed his second try, Heath Peel crossed from halfback, and further well-executed set plays saw Jayden Shepard and Jordan Hislop both score. This took the halftime score to 42-0, with only two successful conversions. It was one of the most dominant and clinical halves from Hervey Bay in recent memory.

The second half began much like the first, with an early try completing a hat-trick for winger Brock Shepard off another smooth set play. With 35 minutes to play, the score moved to 46–0. While it had been a first half to forget for Wests, they showed more fight after the break, with improved effort and energy, though it didn’t last long. Rahcine Doyle broke four tackles to score his second try of the afternoon, and with a successful conversion, the score reached 52-0 with 25 minutes remaining.

Hervey Bay continued to dominate, gaining metres with ease and even going 80 metres from a kickoff set, which led to Heath Peel scoring his second try with a quick dummy and go, pushing the score to 56-0. Wests managed to hold the ball for a few sets and showed that, when they completed and tightened up in defence, they could create opportunities. Their halfback crossed for a try to make it 56-4 with 15 minutes left.

However, Hervey Bay quickly responded with two more tries. Tallis Murray completed his hat-trick in a standout performance, marked by strong runs, line breaks, and aggressive defence. Just before full-time, Sebastyn Currie added another try to bring the final score to 64–4.

It was an absolute clinic from the Bay boys but the question remains can they replicate this performance against the rest of the competition?