Buchbach ready for grand final showdown

Lachlan Buchbach is the kind of player who has had to work for everything.

Nothing has come easy and nothing has been handed to him.

And ahead of tomorrow’s Mal Meninga Cup grand final, the Redcliffe Dolphins skipper knows this will be the case again if he wants to claim that premiership on home turf.

The Dolphins will meet the Burleigh Bears at Kayo Stadium from 3pm on Saturday, May 10, in the do-or-die clash.

After going down to the Bears 42-10 in last year’s preliminary final, the Dolphins know a formidable opponent awaits them.

Buchbach was part of that losing Mal Meninga Cup outfit last season, as were backrowers Patrick Kailahi and Zac Garton, with the latter currently injured.

While the playmaker isn’t one to seek redemption or hold onto the pain of a significant loss, Buchbach is prepared for an almighty challenge tomorrow.

Buchbach leads out the team in the 2025 preliminary final against Mackay.

“Last year we fell short and lost the prelim to Burleigh,” he said.

“It was a great opportunity to play with Redcliffe but it wasn’t our day on the day.

“I’m not a person to dwell on the losses. I would love to get the win obviously but it’s not something that necessarily stays with me.

“They’re quick – their outside backs, middles, they’re all fit, they’re all quick. We have to worry about their speed and their defence in the middle.

“For us, discipline has been letting us down in a couple of games. But if we’re disciplined and complete our sets, the attack will come with that.”

Contracted to the Dolphins NRL Academy – and with his sights set on a fulltime contract next year – Buchbach is one of the most senior players in this year’s Mal Meninga Cup squad.

He started playing rugby league at the age of six with the Beenleigh Lions and has not stopped since, despite a few setbacks across his time.

Buchbach in action against the Cutters.

“I’ve had a tough journey with my footy,” he said.

“I started my school footy at Marsden (State High School) and I was in the shadow of other players and not making the top teams.

“In grade 10, I was playing at Logan Brothers and I got a chance from Ben Weston to come play Langer (Trophy) at Mabel Park (State High School).

“That gave me the opportunity and led to my contract now.

“I had a real opportunity to focus on footy while I was there. I knew it’s what I wanted to do and it was a big step up from playing Bs and Cs at Marsden to Langer at Mabel.

“But they gave me everything I needed to know.

“I’ve had to work really hard. I haven’t been the most talented but I put 100 per cent into every game and everything I do. I’ve had to work hard for what I’ve got.”

The young five-eighth – who credits his parents for his work ethic – said Weston and fellow coach Joey Meyers were the main driving forces behind his improvement while at Mabel.

Now, three to four days a week, Buchbach drives the 68km from Beenleigh to Redcliffe and back to continue building his career.

It’s paying off in big ways, not just with the Saturday’s grand final, but also after being named captain for season 2025 by coach, Scott Murray.

Buchbach at training.

“I was privileged that Scotty could see I had it in me to be captain,” he said.

“I have the experience after being there last year and being the older part of the team. We have a really young squad. There’s only three of us in the team from last year.”

But despite that inexperience and youth within the Redcliffe squad, Buchbach is confident they can match it with Burleigh come Saturday.

The Dolphins finished the 2025 regular season with just two losses – one to the reigning premiers in the Tweed Seagulls and one to the Souths Logan Magpies.

In their only encounter with Burleigh so far this year, they managed to walk away with a 30-20 victory.

They’ve endured plenty in season 2025, including injuries and suspensions.

But each time they have managed to overcome and that’s what gives Buchbach confidence in his team this weekend.

“At the start of the season we had a few boys playing in the NRL trials and we started the year with nowhere near our full team,” he said.

“Whoever has come in has done the job and got us to where we are now.

“There’s a couple of other boys who haven’t played many games but I know if they had to come in and do a job, they would.

“There’s been injuries and suspensions this year and everyone has come in and done their job.

“To win… it would have to be one of the best moments. I have lost many grand finals playing club footy – three in a row actually – so it would be probably my biggest achievement, especially to be the captain.

“A lot of the boys are signed to the Dolphins NRL, so it would be a stepping stone, a pathway for future years to come.”

The 2025 Mal Meninga Cup grand final will kick off at 3.05pm on Saturday, May 10, at Kayo Stadium.

Their game will be followed by the Hostplus Cup grand final grudge match, as the Dolphins play host to last year’s premiers, Norths Devils, from 5pm.