Glyn Rees, Allora Advertiser
Two young Central Downs region rugby league players in Allora’s Reagan McMillan and Clifton’s Chelsea Middleton have been recognised as achievers at the game’s higher levels after Queensland Rugby League (QRL) announcements last week.
The QRL squads for the female and male City vs. Country matches were announced, with both matches to take place during QRL Grand Final day in September at Redcliffe’s Kayo Stadium.
Both Reagan and Chelsea, who excelled in the Toowoomba Clydesdales 47th Battalion Carnival winning team in June in Bundaberg, have gained Queensland Country selection.
They have been regulars this season in the Western Clydesdales women’s team contesting the state wide BMD premiership.
In the Toowoomba Rugby League competition, when not committed to the Western Clydesdales, Reagan runs on for the current reigning Open Women premiers the Highfields Eagles while Chelsea dons the gold and black of the Toowoomba-based Southern Suburbs Tigers.
The Queensland Country women’s team will be coached by former Queensland State of Origin front rower John Buttigeig. Brisbane based coach and former player Mark Glidden, who has provided assistance with training camps with the Wattles Junior Rugby League Club, will coach the City men’s team.
The Queensland Country men’s team will be coached by current Warwick Cowboys A Grade mentor Colin Speed, a former Wattles Warriors senior club player.
Queensland Country did the double last year, winning 12-8 and 26-16 in the female and male games respectively.
The female City vs. Country match will kick off a momentous day of Queensland Rugby League at 10:15am, while the men will take the field at 12noon, raising the curtain for the BMD Premiership Grand Final which will take place immediately afterwards.
This article appeared in Allora Advertiser, 30 July 2025.
