By Adam Sheldon

With one month played in the 2025 Hospital Cup season, it’s time for Rugby News to assess what we’ve learnt from the first four rounds of footy. 

Easts are a genuine premiership threat 

Easts finished last season one place off the bottom of the Hospital Cup ladder, and won only four games all year.

Judging by last season’s results alone, few would have given the Tigers much of a chance this year.

Easts coach Simon Craig won’t be too bothered with any such predictions though, with his side winning its opening three games against Norths, Wests and Bond.

Captain Elijah Pilz has been running the show as the playmaker, with Matt Smit playing strongly as always. The difference between Easts this year and last is chalk and cheese and they appear to be a real premiership threat.  

Wet tracks causing havoc 

With so much rain falling in Queensland recently, the grounds of the competition – already under pressure following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in February – have been challenged.

Muddy pitches have been the norm this season, which has made it tough for teams – especially those which favour a running game – to execute game plans properly.

GPS and UQ are the best examples, with head coaches Sio Kite (GPS) and Elton Berrange (UQ) both admitting they had struggled to adapt to the conditions so far.

Teams which have executed smart kicking games like Brothers and Easts have ultimately pushed up the ladder. Fans will be hoping the sun starts shining and the pitches dry up, and if it does, they can expect cleaner and more entertaining footy contests. 

Easter break debate continues 

Queensland’s Hospital Cup is one of the few semi-professional rugby competitions which pauses during Easter.

Over the border in NSW, the Shute Shield continues to run.

Rugby News has spoken to at least one coach who believes its madness that Queensland takes a break during Easter, especially considering the season has just started. 

Brothers still the team to beat

While sides like Easts and Souths have impressed so far, back-to-back premiers Brothers have been going about their business quietly, and are unbeaten in 2025, beating Sunnybank, GPS and Norths.

While head coach Ben McCormack has remained coy on his side’s chances of completing the threat-peat, his side are still the benchmark for the competition, and look odds on to win it all again.