Sport
11 September, 2023
Bulls ready to charge Lions in grand final
MAREEBA’s best footballers are ready and raring to charge into Saturday's Far North and Gulf Football premier men’s grand final.
Throughout the season, the Bulls have played consistently high quality football, enabling them to accrue points that landed them in second place on the ladder, but it was their game against number one team Edge Hill in mid-August that has boosted their confidence going into Saturday’s decider.
Securing their spot in the grand final for the first time since 2019, the team is ready to take on the Leichhardt Lions at Endeavour Park in Cairns, while the Under 14s will face Edge Hill United in their grand final match.
Feeling an immense amount of pride for how the teams have stepped up this year, club president Mario Ghensi said if he had to pick a player of the season, there would be a new one every game.
He credits both teams on their ability to adapt and sync with each other on the field.
“They’ve all stepped up for each other, and it is hard to pick out any stand outs,” he said.
“Over the past five weeks, they have really jumped up to the next level and that I where they need to be if they want to win.
“Personally, I am very happy with them. If we can do it one more time, that’ll be nice.
“Anything can happen now, but so long as it doesn’t get to their head, which can happen because of nerves, and they play their game, they will be good.”
During the first games of the season, the team began to slip, as their lack of confidence and cohesion as a team undermined their potential to be better on the field.
As the season progressed, coach Kane Alderton said he noticed drastic improvements in the overall positivity and mentality of the men’s team and commended them on their ability to step up and pull through.
“We have come a long way from where we were, and, you know, it’s been a long road, but I am proud of the boys and the commitment they have had, especially over the past month, to see us into the grand final,” he said.
“There is a mixture of emotions, but we just have to keep them in check.
“I think our biggest focus now is concentrating on us and not worrying too much about our opponent… we just have to make sure we are ready to focus and bring our all on Saturday.”
Standing amongst the rest, Alderton believes the work of young Jarad Latif and Kalan Prizmic have really stamped their spot in the final.
Being only teenagers playing in the men’s team, they have stepped up and put on their best performances throughout the season.
Captain Adrian Madrid said leading his team through the finals games had been an exciting experience for him, through every win and every loss.
“I think we have really stepped up to the big games when they presented themselves,” he said.
“We have played Edge Hill twice towards the end of the season, and we have shown what we are capable of.
“I think it all comes down to the drive that all the boys have coming together as a team – we have a good mix of youth and experienced players on our team, and every one of us will just get out on the field and give it a go.”
•The Premier Bulls team will play Leichhardt Lions at Endeavour Park at 7.30pm on Saturday, while the Under 14s will battle Edge Hill United at 1.30pm.
Don the orange and black and come support the Bulls
The 2023 Far North and Gulf Football season will come to an end this Saturday with the grand finals held at Endeavour Park, Cairns.
After a mixed year of results for the Mareeba Bulls, two teams have secured grand final spots – the Premier Men’s and Under 14's are both on the charge to grand final victory.
The Mareeba United Football Club encourages all sponsors and supporters to don the orange and black and make their way down the hill to see the teams in action this Saturday.
"We hope to see you all there this Saturday to support the Bulls," said club president Mario Ghensi.
Ahead of the big day, Mr Ghensi also expressed his gratitude to the committee, players, coaches, supporters, spectators, sponsors and volunteers for their efforts and help throughout the year.
"A massive thanks to all our coaching teams from the
juniors right through to the senior teams and congratulations to our teams in the grand final," said Mr Ghensi.
"After three years we are hoping to bring home the silverware and it's just great to see our club make it through to the big finale.
"We wish them all the best in bringing the trophies home.
"With Matilda-mania taking over the nation this year, there has never been a better time than now to get behind your local club and involved in the world game."
