The 2023 Queensland Cup season was the 28th season of Queensland's top-level statewide rugby league competition run by the Queensland Rugby League. The competition, known as the Hostplus Cup due to sponsorship, features 15 teams playing a 26-week long season (including finals) from March to September. The Brisbane Tigers won the competition for the first time in their history, defeating minor premiers Burleigh Bears in the Grand Final on 17 September.
Teams
In 2023, the line-up of teams changed for the first time in 8 years with the addition of the Western Clydesdales. The North Queensland Cowboys changed their affiliation agreement, with the Cowboys sending all NRL contracted players not selected in their weekly squad to just the Townsville Blackhawks.
On 15 June, the Brisbane Broncos annulled their affiliation agreement with the Norths Devils after the Devils announcement that they had signed a four-year affiliation agreement with the Dolphins from 1 November 2023 ahead of the 2024 season. In response to the news, the Brisbane Broncos would remove their players from the Devils for the remainder of the season.
Regular season
Fixtures
Results
Season summary
The Round 1 match between Redcliffe Dolphins and Brisbane Tigers was abandoned after four minutes due to torrential rain. Due to a number of factors, the match was not able to be replayed. The final result was given as a 0–0 draw, with each team awarded a competition point. In the days following the announcement of the changes to their NRL affiliation, the Norths Devils won a stunning 23–22 victory over the Redcliffe Dolphins after trailing 22–6 at half time, for their first win away to the Dolphins in over a decade. The victory was notable as the Devils played without any full time players after the Brisbane Broncos removed their players from the Devils line-up after the affiliation announcement. On 28 July, the Townsville Blackhawks parted ways with head coach Aaron Payne, who had been in the role since 2018. Round 18 was the competition's annual country round, with matches played across regional Queensland in Wondai, Biloela, Miles, Kilcoy, Weipa, Prosperpine and Stanthorpe. After suffering a 72–8 loss in round 21, the Ipswich Jets would end the season without a victory to become the first winless team in the competition since 2004. The 72–8 scoreline the biggest ever win in the competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls. In the final round of the regular season, Burleigh Bears secured their second straight minor premiership with their 20–12 win over the Townsville Blackhawks. Burleigh snatching the title from the Souths Logan Magpies who stumbled to a 18–14 loss to the Central Queensland Capras. In a virtual elimination final, the Sunshine Coast Falcons defeated the Tweed Seagulls 37–12 to jump over the Seagulls into the finals. Norths Devils stalwart Jack Ahearn played his final Queensland Cup game, guiding the Devils to a 40–30 win at Bishop Park against the PNG Hunters. Melbourne Storm forward Alec MacDonald won the Paul Green Memorial Day medal in the Brisbane Tigers 41–20 win over the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Ladder
Ladder progression
Numbers highlighted in green indicate that the team finished the round inside the top eight. Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished first on the ladder in that round. Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished last place on the ladder in that round. Underlined numbers indicate that the team had a bye during that round.
