Sport
31 August, 2026
Bulls’ finals dream ends as Rangers claim premiership
MAREEBA United’s late-season charge towards the FQPL Far North finals has ended in heartbreak, despite the Bulls recording an impressive 2-0 victory over Edge Hill United at Tiger Park on Saturday.
The Bulls entered the final round knowing they needed to defeat Edge Hill while also relying on the result of the match between Leichhardt and the Redlynch Strikers to fall their way.
Mareeba did everything within its control, producing a determined performance to secure all three points against the Tigers. The Bulls played their hearts out and completed their part of the equation with a deserved 2-0 win. However, their hopes of sneaking into the top four were dashed as news filtered through from the Leichhardt versus Redlynch match.
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw, giving Leichhardt the point it needed to finish one point ahead of Mareeba and claim the fourth and final position in the playoffs. While the Bulls will be disappointed to miss the finals by the narrowest of margins, their strong finish to the season showed what the side was capable of producing.
Only days earlier, Mareeba had delivered one of the biggest upsets of the year when it hosted competition leader Marlin Coast Rangers at Borzi Park in a midweek catch-up match. The Rangers needed only one point to be crowned the 2026 premiership winners and appeared ready to wrap up the title after scoring twice inside the opening 15 minutes.
Mareeba refused to surrender, fighting back to level the scores at 2-2 before half-time. The Bulls then took complete control of the contest after the break, scoring three unanswered goals to record a remarkable 5-2 victory.
It was Marlin Coast’s biggest defeat of the season and forced the Rangers to wait until the final round to secure the premiership. Needing at least a draw against Stratford at home, the Rangers were pushed all the way by the Dolphins in an entertaining six-goal contest.
The match finished 3-3, providing Marlin Coast with the point required to claim its third consecutive premiership and continue an outstanding period of dominance in Far North football. With the regular season now completed, attention turns to the finals series, which will bring the region’s leading teams together across all divisions.
The semi-finals will be played at Endeavour Park this Saturday, 5 September, followed by the preliminary finals on 12 September. The season will conclude with the grand finals on 19 September at Stan Williams Park, ironically the home of Brothers Rugby League Club.
Mareeba will not be part of the premier men’s finals, but its performances over the closing weeks, particularly victories over Marlin Coast and Edge Hill, provided a strong indication of what might have been.
The Bulls ultimately fell one point short, leaving the club to reflect on a courageous finish and the fine margins that separated it from a place in the playoffs.
Young Bulls ready for finals challenge
THE Mareeba Bulls Under 23 side has earned its place in the 2026 finals series and will now turn its attention to a must-win semi-final against the Southside Comets this Saturday.
Although the Bulls completed their regular season with a 4-1 loss to Edge Hill United at Tiger Park last Saturday, their work throughout the campaign was enough to secure a finals berth.
Reaching the playoffs is a significant achievement for the young Mareeba side and reflects the effort, development and commitment shown by the players over the course of the season.
The Bulls have demonstrated that they can compete with the leading teams in the division, but the regular season results now count for little as the knockout stage begins.
The equation is simple for the Bulls, win and keep their premiership hopes alive. The semi-final will provide the young players with an opportunity to test themselves under finals pressure and show the determination that carried them into the playoffs.
Mareeba will need to quickly put the Edge Hill result behind it and produce a disciplined, energetic performance against a Comets side that will also be desperate to progress. The Bulls will be hoping their loyal supporters make the trip to Endeavour Park and provide plenty of encouragement from the sidelines.
A strong Mareeba presence could give the players an important lift during the biggest match of their season. After earning the right to play finals football, the young Bulls are ready to give everything for the club badge. Now is the time for the Mareeba faithful to get behind them wearing the club colours and cheering them towards victory.
Mareeba will face Southside Comets on Field 2 at Endeavour Park, with kick-off scheduled for 2pm this Saturday, 5 September.
