Queensland State Championship : 1996-99

Back in 1982, a shorter version of a statewide competition for the whole state of Queensland was inaugurated that covered part of the season. Then in 1996, it was expanded to cover the whole season. The initial years were a settling down period as some teams came and went but a solid core of clubs became the backbone of the setup. The number of teams participating fluctuated in these early years - 16, 14, 16 then 12 in '99.

1996: The country town of Toowoomba won the league with 23 points, narrowly ahead of Brisbane side Redcliffe with (22) with two more Brisbane sides Souths and Wests on 21 points. In the grand final Redcliffe was pipped at the post again, with the Toowwomba Clydesdales taking that out also with an 8-6 score line.

1997: The top three in the league this year were from Brisbane. Wynnum-Manly achieved 29 points, ahead of Redcliffe (28) and Easts (27). Burleigh Bears from the Gold Coast also had 27 points. In the grand final, the Redcliffe Dolphins took the title at the expense of the Easts Tigers 18-16.

1998: This time the top four were all from Brisbane, with Norths (33) ahead of Brothers, Tigers and Dolphins all on 32 points. Norths made it a double when overcoming the Tigers 35-16 in the grand final.

1999: Redcliffe took out the league with 35 points, while Norths closely followed (34) then the Bears (33). The grand final featured Burleigh and Redcliffe, the former taking the big prize 12-10.

Summary: By applying points to the results, it soon becomes clear that the Dolphins were the most successful team by far. They only took two of the eight trophies up for grabs but consistency was the big difference. The Panthers didn't win anything but came second, again being consistent. The Devils did the double for the league round and grand final in 1998 but were let down in other years.

The statewide competition was underway for the full season and after four years, Brisbane sides dominated. How would it develop from here? For 2000-03, please lick here.

Year			'99			'98			'97			'96
Rk	Team	TOT	Rd	Fls	Tot	Rd	Fls	Tot	Rd	Fls	Tot	Rd	Fls	Tot
1	Redcliffe Dolphins	134	20	16	36	14	12	26	18	20	38	18	16	34
2	Wests Panthers	93	11		11	16	16	32	12	12	24	14	12	26
3	Norths Devils	88	18	12	30	20	20	40	10		10	8		8
4	Easts Tigers	71	12	4	16	8		8	16	16	32	11	4	15
4	Toowoomba Clyd	71	14	8	22	2		2	7		7	20	20	40
6	Burleigh Bears	63	16	20	36	9		9	14	4	18
7	Wynnum Manly	59	8		8	11	2	13	20	8	28	10		10
8	Pine Rivers B'thers	40				18	8	26	5		5	9		9
9	Souths Magpies	38	5		5	3		3	6		6	16	8	24
9	Cairns Cyclones	38	9		9	7		7	8		8	12	2	14
11	Central Q'sland	31	6		6	6		6	11	2	13	6		6
12	Logan Scorpions	21	10		10	5		5	3		3	3		3
13	Ipswich Jets	16	7		7	4		4	4		4	1		1
14	Port Moresby	16							9		9	7		7
14	Gold Coast Viking	16				12	4	16
16	Townsville Stinger	10				10		10
17	Mackay Cutters	5										5		5
17	Bundaberg Grizz	5				1		1				4		4
19	Sunshine Coast	2										2		2
	Total	817	136	60	196	146	62	208	143	62	205	146	62	208