Sport
11 May, 2026
Last-minute try to end thriller
A THRILLING last-minute try against the Southern Suburbs secured a win for the top-of-the-table Atherton Roosters at the weekend, while the Mareeba Gladiators returned to form to find a convincing win against the Mossman Sharks.
ROOSTERS vs SUBURBS
THE Roosters hosted last year’s Grand Final runners-up on Saturday evening in a thrilling match that went right down to the final seconds, but it was the Roosters who scraped through with a 32-30 win.
It was a battle of two halves at Mungalli Ck Dairy Stadium, with the home side getting on the front foot early. Roosters captain-coach Justin Frain once again opened the scoring, he was followed by youngsters Tom Cuda (winger), Jamaron Mothe (fullback), and Nathaniel Ross (winger).
Another four-pointer from prolific try scorer Regan Herd put the home side out to a comfortable 28-12 lead heading into the break.
However, after being riddled with injuries in the first, the Roosters soon found themselves against a rampaging Suburbs who fought their way back into the game – eventually taking the lead at 30-28 towards the end of the game.
With just seconds left on the clock, a scrambling Roosters side threw everything they had at the Suburbs defence. They eventually broke through, with former NRL player Kalifa Faifai-Loa claiming the match-winning try. The Roosters sealed the deal with a 32-30 victory.
The Roosters Women fared well in their match against Suburbs, thrashing their opponents 60-4. The Roosters Reserve Grade game was also a thriller, this time leaning in favour of Suburbs who slotted a field goal to defeat Atherton 23-22, while the Under 19s were taken down 42-18.
This Sunday, the Atherton club will travel to Innisfail to take on the Leprechauns at Callendar Park. The Women will get things underway from 10.30am, followed by the Under 19s at 12pm, Reserve Grade at 1.30pm, and A Grade at 3pm.
GLADIATORS vs SHARKS
THE Mareeba Gladiators have returned to form to find a convincing win against the Mossman Sharks, defeating the home side 38-12 at the weekend.
Try scorers for the Mareeba side included halfback Izaak Toby, second rowers Kyle Hastie and Emmanuel Mukindi, interchange player Bailey Aldridge, five-eighth Malie Tom, and a double for winger Bronson Ryan.
The Gladiators Reserve Grade also found a good win, taking down their opponents 38-26.
This Saturday, the Gladiators will host the Yarrabah Seahawks at Davies Park, with the Under 19s kicking things off at 3pm, followed by Reserve Grade at 4.30pm, and A Grade at 6pm.
