FNQRL finals, week 1 wrap: News, reviews and results
Kangaroos are battered and bruised but coach Jared Allen is backing his key troops to play through the pain as they run the FNQRL finals gauntlet.
Kangaroos are battered and bruised but coach Jared Allen is backing his key troops to play through the pain as they run the FNQRL finals gauntlet.
The Mooroobool club overcame Mossman-Port Douglas 38-22 in a physical and high-intensity sudden-death final on Saturday, and the task won’t be much easier when they take on Brothers this weekend.
WATCH THE REPLAYS: FNQRL FINALS, WEEK 1
The clubs’ great rivalry will be renewed on a big stage in five days, and that’s how long Allen has to ensure his troops are fit and firing to keep their premiership dream alive.
“Very tough game, we’re very busted after that,” he said. “We had a few out this week but hopefully we get them back for Brothers.
“We just have to keep playing tough.”
The loss spelt the end of the Sharks’ 2023 campaign, which was hurt by the loss of players to injury and suspension at key moments throughout the year.
They lost strike winger Stanley Anau in the opening few minutes to an arm injury, Aaron Daniel spent 10 minutes in the sin bin, and a handful of other Sharks went down – or off – for treatment at different times.
Sharks captain-coach Davin Crampton said it was “the nature of the beast” in rugby league, as he and his troops fought until the end to extend their season.
TOUGH DAY
All eyes will be on Kangaroos and Cairns representative prop Aidan Day and his battle with a knee injury.
Day has managed the issue for some time, but he limped to the bench after reeling in a tackle in the second half.
He returned to the field as the Sharks started to fight their way back into the contest, but was clearly hampered.
Allen said he needed the experience and leadership of his big No.8.
“It was 15 to go, and we needed him out there,” Allen said. “The other thing was he kept bugging me for about 20 minutes to get back out.
“I held him off as long as I could but finally got him on.
“He twinged it a bit but we’re confident he’ll be right for next week. He’s tough as, he’ll play through anything.”
LEARNING CURVE
The loss closes the book on Crampton’s first year as a senior coach, and the lock will take plenty of lessons out of his maiden campaign.
“It’s the nature of the beast hey,” Crampton said.
“It’s been a rollercoaster season, we had a lot of injuries and a few suspensions.
“It’s one of those things, you have to learn on the go, you have to be in those situations and learn and reflect.”
HIGHLIGHT REEL
Sharks marquee five-eighth Ben Barba and Kangaroos youngster Joseph Pearson produced two of the best tries in a frantic six-minute second-half period.
Mossman-Port Douglas were a man down but scored twice in as many minutes.
Jimmito Harris sliced through the defence from close range then, a few tackles later, Barba shrugged off two defenders on his own 40m line, broke the line then bumped off Kangaroos fullback Shaun Stephens to score under the posts.
Barely two minutes later, Pearson defused a Barba bomb just outside the try line then took off, weaving through the line before turning Sharks fullback Joey Fujii inside out to score his second try of the night.
MAREEBA UPBEAT DESPITE EXIT
Mareeba will use the experience learned in their first foray into the A-grade finals in years to build towards a bigger 2024 campaign.
The Gladiators were rolled 52-12 by Brothers to bring an end to their season, but the tough performance capped what was a good year for the Mareeba club.
The young and energetic side was stunned inside 70 seconds when Brothers prop Joey Wigness crossed for the opener, but they managed to take control of the next 20 minutes, riding the shift in momentum to a 12-6 lead.
That was as good as it got as the defending premiers hit back in a big way, grabbing a few quick tries to lead 26-12 at the break, and then doubled their score in the second stanza for a big win.
Mareeba coach Chris Sheppard was disappointed in the margin but proud of the way his side played, not only in this game, but over the course of the season.
“That next 25 minutes after their first try, we were really happy with how that went,” Sheppard said.
“We were unlucky not to get one or two more.
“I’m not unhappy, disappointed in the result obviously. We can put a lot of it down to experience, and we will be better placed next year.
“It was a lot better than last year when we were wooden spooners if not for Edmonton losing points. We’re in a good position.”
LOWER GRADES
BROTHERS’ LATE WINNER
Brothers’ reserve grade premiership defence is still alive after a dramatic 28-26 win against Tully Tigers.
The Tigers appeared to have wrapped up the win in the dying minutes when five-eighth Luke Fitzgerald pounced on a grubber to put his side ahead. But Brothers didn’t relent, with centre Gundyl Costello darting through the line for his second of the day to break Tully’s hearts.
CAM’S CLUTCH KICK
A clutch penalty goal in the final minute sealed Tully’s passage to the under-18s minor semi-final courtesy of a 26-24 win against Innisfail.
The Cassowary Coast rivals entered the game on level terms with 8-6 records and a near identical points differential.
Tully scored five tries to four but inaccurate goalkicking hurt the Tigers – until Cameron Nelson slotted the match-winning penalty.
CLUB’S DOUBLE DESPAIR
Ivanhoe Knights suffered double heartbreak as both under-18s and reserve grade sides crashed out of the post-season after six-point losses.
The U18s fell 44-38 in a high-scoring affair, as Atherton, who won the title last year, showed no sign of rust despite three weeks without any game time.
Mossman-Port Douglas then got the job done in reserve grade 30-24 to spoil Ivanhoe’s day.
RESULTS
A-GRADE
BROTHERS 52 (Cygler 2, Peni 2, Hepworth 2, Suavai 2, Lewis, J Wigness tries; Peni 6 goals) def MAREEBA GLADIATORS 12 (C Dally, C Hastie tries; Banjo 2 goals) at Jones Park, Westcourt.
KANGAROOS 38 (Pearson 2, Satrick, Tatipata, Graham, Thomas, Clarke, Mosby, tries; Satrick 3 goals) def MOSSMAN-PORT DOUGLAS SHARKS 22 (B Gibuma 2, Harris, Barba tries; Barba 3 goals) at Jones Park, Westcourt.
RESERVES
BROTHERS 28 (Costello 2, Conn, Suavai, MacFarlane tries; Ryan 4 goals) def TULLY TIGERS 26 (Burton 2, Fitzgerald, Sipi, Ivey tries; Fitzgerald 2, Ketchell goals) at Jones Park, Westcourt.
MOSSMAN-PORT DOUGLAS SHARKS 30 (Minniecon, Williams, Thompson, Ingui, Bowyer tries; Deemal 3, Cobb, Bowyer goals) def IVANHOE KNIGHTS 24 (Hodges 2, England, McCombie tries; Everett 4 goal) at Jones Park, Westcourt.
UNDER-18S
TULLY TIGERS 26 (Deloryn 2, Carlaw, Amosa, Frazer-Cairns tries; Nelson 2 goals) def INNISFAIL LEPRECHAUNS 24 (Anau 2, Peach, Walker tries; Heron-Jia 4 goals) at Jones Park, Westcourt.
ATHERTON ROOSTERS 44 (Coghlan, Solinas, Pezzelato, Fahlstrom, Serra, not supplied 3 tries; Coghlan 4, Dikes 2 goals) def IVANHOE KNIGHTS 38 (Knowles 2, Noipo, Dorahy, not supplied 3 tries; Dorahy 4, not supplied 1 goal) at Jones Park, Westcourt.
FINALS WEEK 2
Saturday, August 26 at Barlow Park.
UNDER-18S
11am, minor semi-final
Atherton Roosters v Tully Tigers
12.30pm, major semi-final
Mareeba Gladiators v Kangaroos
RESERVES
2pm: Minor semi-final
Brothers v Mossman-PD Sharks.
3.40pm: Major semi-final
Innisfail Leprechauns v Kangaroos
A-GRADE
5.20pm: Minor semi-final
Brothers v Kangaroos
7pm: Major semi-final
Ivanhoe Knights v Innisfail Leprechauns
PREVIEWS
Senior rugby league will return to Jones Park in what will be a serious test of the home of Cairns junior footballers, with six sudden death FNQRL semi finals to be played on Saturday.
All six games will be shown live and exclusive by KommunityTV, with the first game to kick off at 11am.
And all six promise to be tough battles as clubs play for their finals future after one of the tightest campaigns in recent time.
FNQRL chairman Chey Bird said the return to Jones Park would allow officials to see how the venue could handle what should be a big day of heavy traffic.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to see how Jones Park can operate with that style of day,” Bird said.
“A lot of games are to be played, a big crowd, so it will provide a good opportunity for atmosphere.
“It’s a great chance to dip our toes in the water.”
Finals are usually played at Barlow Park but the FNQRL’s shorter season and Northern Pride’s last-round clash with the Dolphins means they have also avoided a venue clash.
“It was always an intention (to test Jones Park) but it’s more coincidence than anything,” Bird said.
The top two finishers in each grade have the bye, meaning Ivanhoes will face Innisfail in a grand final qualifer on Saturday, August 26.
The action kicks off with the under-18s from 11am, with six sudden death semi finals played back-to-back.
BROTHERS v MAREEBA
Brothers pivot Patrick Lewis knows the score before he dons the butcher’s stripes and steps onto the field for the defending FNQRL A-grade premiers.
“I think every team tries to get to us. Every game, every club - everyone hates us,” Lewis said with a laugh.
It’s a state of play which faces just about every team with the word “Brothers” in their name, and it’s heightened up here given their run to both A-grade and reserves premierships in 2022.
Lewis may very well be the most underrated player in the FNQRL when judged on an individual’s influence on a game, but he will be heavily watched during Brothers’ sudden semi final clash with Mareeba Gladiators.
The five-eighth flies under the radar mostly due to some of his more high-profile teammates, like captain-coach and Jordan Biondi-Odo, marquee recruit George Burgess, and powerful fellow forwards like Taniela Ta’ufo’ou and rugby convert Ernest Suavai.
That’s before diving into a backline which features any combination of star centre Falcon Peni and freak finishers like Izac Cygler, Bronson Ryan and Isaiah Wigness.
But to overlook Lewis is a disservice not only to the classy pivot, but can undermine attempts to stop him, and Brothers, when the whistle blows.
His partnership with Biondi-Odo has taken Brothers to another level, allowing the former Northern Pride playmaker the freedom to control the game as Lewis attracts attention as the link between the halfback and the lethal left edge.
“Last year when he said I was going to be in the halves with him I thought ‘oh ****, I haven’t played halves since juniors,” he said.
“But every game, I feel like it’s getting better, the connection is getting stronger.
“It feels like we’re there now, we’re more used to each other and how well everyone runs.”
Lewis found himself in the centre of a controversial incident against Yarrabah a few weeks ago, with the playmaker sent from the field for the first time in his career.
But it’s potentially made him a more dangerous opponent.
“That was my first suspension, I don’t think I’d been sin binned before and that was a straight send off,” Lewis said.
“That two-week suspension made me proper miss footy.
“I didn’t realise how long two weeks really was, just sitting on the sideline and watching the boys play.”
Mareeba will need to stifle that hunger when the young, exciting Gladiators ride a wave of momentum into the post-season.
They started with a 1-4 run but went on a tear since, playing with a freedom but class which coach Chris Sheppard has unlocked.
Captain Caleb Dally has been a big part of that success as a starting prop, and the 22-year-old is proud of the way his side has timed their run perfectly.
“It’s been really good, these last eight games we’ve had a bit of a winning streak so we’re coming into the finals with a bit of confidence,” Dally said.
“I’m not even sure.
“Having a good leader like Shep, he’s amazing. He leads us well, gives us goals to achieve which, when we complete them, gives us more faith in ourselves.
“Hopefully we can come in and upset a few people.
“It’s going to be a tough arm wrestle throughout the whole 80 minutes, but if we stick to our plan we should be all right.”
Mareeba’s success has been built on the efforts of a forward pack led by Dally, fellow young prop Gabriel Tunimakubu, and lock Cain Hastie, with hooker Ryan Flegler directing traffic from dummy-half.
They have allowed five-eighth Trezman Banjo and fullback Hubert Elu to showcase their full suite of skills, proving a danger from all parts of the field.
THE MATCH-UP
Brothers v Mareeba Gladiators
Kick-off: 5.20pm
Brothers: 3rd (12-4)
For: 600 A: 354
Mareeba: 6th (9-7)
For: 471 A: 474
Last met: Round 13, 2023, Brothers 38-32
KANGAROOS V MOSSMAN-PD
The opportunity to play and develop alongside former Dally M Medal winner Ben Barba was one too good to resist for Mossman-Port Douglas rake Ty Millard, and it’s set him on a collision course with his former club in a sudden death semi final.
The main event of a massive nine hours of sudden semi finals footy at Jones Park is a clash which could determine the top picks for premiership favouritism.
Kangaroos and Mossman-Port Douglas both boast squads with enough experience and class to go all of the way, and they have showcased their electrifying best at different times through the season.
Inconsistent performances coupled with the loss of key players to injury and suspension at different times of the campaign hampered their hopes of a top-two finish.
At the centre of this dance is Millard, who had given years of blood, sweat and tears to the Mooroobool club.
But when it was announced Barba would suit up for the Sharks this season, Millard made his move, driven by a desire to take his game to another level by learning from the experience of the former NRL premiership winner, and Sharks veterans Davin Crampton and Noel Underwood.
“I went to Mossman, I saw Benny’s name and I wanted to learn more,” Millard said.
“When I was at Roos I didn’t think I was learning too much, but making the move, I’ve learned so much from Benny, Davin, and Noely.
“I’m keen, we got that first loss at the start of the season.
“Everyone’s already fired up at training to back me. I stirred all of them boys up on the weekend when we were out.”
Millard is one of several players returning at the right time as the Sharks restock their playing power ahead of their most important game of the year so far.
His personal battle is just one element of a clash which will bring together two elite attacking outfits.
Both sides have the ability to score lots of points, in little time, and from anywhere on the football field, putting more of an emphasis on their efforts without the footy.
It’s a part of the game Kangaroos have made decent improvements through this season, a big reason why the club has returned to the finals cauldron for the first time in years.
And while they fell short of their top two target, captain Bradley Stephen was proud of his side’s efforts as they navigate a finals run without key recruit - and former Shark - Eddie Daniel.
“The vibe around the club has been good, everyone realises it’s the first time we’ve been in the semis for a good part of nine years or so,” Stephen said.
“We were aiming for the top two but this is probably better for us, we get a few more games in.
“The boys are raring to go, it didn’t bother us.
“(Eddie) is a massive loss, he’s an experienced playmaker and really helped guide us around the park.
“But he’s been in at training, around the club on game day, having a yarn with the younger boys and showing leadership in that way.
“They have a lot of gamebreakers like Barba and Stanley Anau. If we can minimise their time with the ball we should be doing all right.”
Kangaroos will look to the experienced campaigners like Stephen, halfback Theo Majid and representative front-rower Aiden Day to lead the way.
THE MATCH-UP
Kangaroos v Mossman-Port Douglas
Kick-off: 7pm
Kangaroos: 4th (12-4)
For: 514 A: 312
Mossman-Port Douglas: 5th (9-7)
More Coverage
For: 510 A: 418
Last met: Round 1, 2023, Kangaroos 24-20.
matthew.mcinerney1@news.com.au
Originally published as FNQRL finals, week 1 wrap: News, reviews and results
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