Sport
30 March, 2026
League sides humming
BOTH the Tablelands’ league sides are humming after finding convincing wins in the second round of the FNQ Rugby League competition.
The Mareeba Gladiators and Atherton Roosters have started their seasons well, after drawing against each other in the first round, with the Gladiators defeating Southern Suburbs 30-16 and the Roosters overcoming the Yarrabah Seahawks 36-24 at the weekend.
ATHERTON
The Roosters hosted the Yarrabah Seahawks at the Atherton Showgrounds on Saturday, with the three senior men’s sides and the Women’s team all finding wins.
The Roosters got on the scoreboard early in the A Grade match, through prop Riley Flute in the seventh minute. Atherton then struck again midway through the first half, with halfback Regan Herd crossing over. Herd converted his own try, bringing the score to 12-0.
After being on the backfoot, the Seahawks were keen to do some attacking of their own and finished off the first half with three quick tries. The score was 14-12 in favour of Yarrabah heading into the break.
Atherton got a quick jump on their opponents in the second as captain-coach and second-rower, Justin Frain, went over for his first four pointer of the season. The skipper’s try was followed up with another just minutes later, this time through centre Austin Kombo. After just five minutes, the Roosters reclaimed the lead, 24-14.
Yarrabah weren’t out of it yet, however. After scoring two more quick tries and a penalty goal, the score was tied at 24 apiece.
The remainder of the game was a heated battle, with both teams hungry for a win. However, it was Atherton who prevailed with two late-game tries through centre Brad Hammond and prop Dujuayne Sua-Bacon. A perfect kicking record from Herd saw the Roosters finish with a 36-24 win.
The Roosters Reserve Grade also managed to find a win, closely defeating their Yarrabah counterparts 20-16, while the Under 19s enjoyed a 22-18 win.
The Roosters Women found themselves in a grand final rematch against the Seahawks and showed just why they were last year’s premiers after smashing their opponents 52-10 in front of a cheerful home crowd. Roosters centre Briannah Cater earned herself a hat trick in her team’s triumphant win.
Next weekend, the Roosters will host the dominant four-in-a-row premiers Cairns Brothers in what is set to be a tough challenge for the home side, while the Roosters Women will have a bye.
MAREEBA
The Gladiators are off to a good start this season after finding a solid 30-16 win against last year’s runners-up, Southern Suburbs, in Gordonvale on Sunday.
Mareeba winger Loui Ganaia and second-rower Emannuel Mukindi lit up the scoreboard for the Gladiators, with both players scoring two tries each in the match. Front rower Bryce Fincham also crossed over for a four pointer.
Halfback Izaak Toby kicked four from five conversions, as well as a penalty goal, earning himself 10 points for the game.
The Gladiators Reserves didn’t fare as well, however, after going down 22-0 to their Suburbs counterparts. Meanwhile the Under 19s fell just short in a 22-18 loss.
The Gladiators will return with a home game against the Tully Tigers next weekend.
