Jack Brodrick of Bungendore recently helped the NSW team clinch a win in the first round of the Professional Bull Riding (PBR) State of Origin Series. Photos: PBR Australia.
While voters across Australia used pencils to make their voices heard at the ballot box on 3 May, two young riders from southern NSW were making every second count under the bright lights of the Newcastle Entertainment Centre – not with ballots, but with boldness.
As the Professional Bull Riding (PBR) State of Origin Series kicked off on election night, Jack Brodrick of Bungendore and Dylan Weir of Tumut stepped up in a big way, helping Team NSW deliver a landmark Round One victory in the state-versus-state competition.
In doing so, they snapped Queensland’s unbeaten Origin streak and put the southern state on track for its first series title, with Jack, 22, continuing to cement his place as one of the country’s leading bull riders.
Ranked fourth in the national standings, he delivered one of NSW’s top scores on the night with a strong ride that showcased both control and determination. His performance set the tone for a team hungry to upset the defending champions.
Dylan, currently 16th in the national rankings, brought his trademark consistency and cool-headed style to the arena. And while he didn’t post a scoring ride in Newcastle, his contribution to the team’s momentum and depth wasn’t underestimated in a series where every point counts.
NSW’s opening-round victory marks the first time Queensland has been beaten in a PBR Origin Series event since the format began in 2019 — a result that shifts the dynamic heading into Round Two in Brisbane on 29 June.
“This isn’t just a series, it’s the ultimate test of toughness and pride,” said PBR Australia managing director Glen Young.
“And with riders like Jack and Dylan leading the way, NSW is clearly here to challenge for the top.”
Jack’s rise has been anything but accidental.
A diesel mechanic by trade and raised on the rodeo circuit, he’s been riding since the age of eight and is known for his sharp focus and fearless approach.
This dedication has led to notable achievements, including a PBR event win at South Australia’s Marrabel Rodeo Grounds and clinching the title of 2024 Bucking Bulls Australia (BBA) Champion.
He currently boasts a 33.33 per cent ride rate, having successfully ridden three out of nine bulls this season.
He says one of his standout moments, though, came on the powerful Cattle King Boogers Beach, a bull with a reputation for dumping riders in seconds.
Little wonder. Jack draws inspiration from bull-riding legends like US champ JB Mauney and Aussie Troy Dunn, and his pre-ride ritual includes watching intense bull rides and blasting Kickstart My Heart to get pumped.
But he ain’t finished yet, with goals to win a PBR Australian title, claim Rookie of the Year and compete in the US. He’s also eyeing a future in breeding and contracting bucking bulls.
The PBR NSW State of Origin team includes the quietly persistent Dylan Weir from Tumut. Photo: PBR Australia
Straight outta Tumut and tough as the Snowy Mountains winter, Dylan’s journey has been built on quiet persistence.
His current 22.22 per cent ride rate this season is just part of a bigger story – one of a rider committed to refining his craft and making steady gains in a brutally demanding sport.
Another performer making waves in Newcastle was Hayley Jensen, the powerhouse vocalist also from Bungendore, who kicked off her 2025 PBR Australia tour as the series’ official entertainer.
Jensen delivered a standout performance that matched the energy of the bull riding, bringing songs like Stomping Ground and Outskirts to life in front of a packed and vocal crowd.
“There’s a real connection between the music and the sport – it’s raw, it’s high energy, and it’s full of heart,” she said.
“Being from Bungendore, it was a proud moment to be up there on stage while Jack was out in the arena doing what he does best.”
Jensen’s tour with PBR will continue through 2025, with shows lined up in Sydney (5 July), Cairns (19 July), Tamworth (24-25 October) and Townsville for the grand finals (31 October – 1 November).
As a central feature of the PBRA’s annual schedule, which includes more than 20 events nationwide, the PBR Origin Series plays a vital role in elevating bull riding in Australia. It also serves as an important pathway for emerging riders to progress to the international stage.
Each Origin event brings $50,000 in prize money, totalling $150,000 over the series.
The Cowboy of Origin – the top performer across all three events – will score a $30,000 bonus.
With one round down and two to go, Queensland will be under pressure to respond in Brisbane, while NSW will aim to carry their momentum into the July decider in Sydney.
For Jack and Dylan, the chance to ride not just for personal goals but for state pride – and in Jack’s case, with his hometown community behind him – is a career highlight.
“It’s not just about individual scores out here,” he said, “we’re riding for our mates, for our state, and for the people back home.”
2025 PBR Monster Energy Origin Series:
- Round II – Brisbane: Saturday, 29 June
- Round III – Sydney: Saturday, 5 July
- Grand Finals – Townsville: 31 October & 1 November.
