Sport
3 August, 2026
Local sides poised for finals
THE Atherton Roosters and Mareeba Gladiators maintain third and fourth on the FNQ Rugby League ladder despite both losing by four points at the weekend.
Moreover, the Roosters Women’s finals run has come to an end after losing 38-10 to Cairns Kangaroos last Friday night.
ROOSTERS vs LEPRECHAUNS
DESPITE being riddled with injuries, the Roosters almost managed a win (24-28) at home against the second-placed Innisfail Leprechauns at the weekend.
The Roosters donned jerseys honouring the former Malanda Pioneer Football Club, for which a celebration was held over last Friday and Saturday, and got off to a quick start, with fullback Shamish O’Quinn going over for a try at the ninth minute mark.
Innisfail then went on to score two tries in the 22nd and 36th minutes to take a 12-6 lead at halftime.
The second stint was full of back and forth action, with each team scoring three tries each.
However, with the Roosters putting themselves back within reach following a try from prop Dujuayne Sua-Bacon in the 70th minute, the Leprechauns defence proved too strong and the home side was unable to find another four pointer.
The Leprechauns held their lead to come away with a 28-24 win over the Roosters.
Meanwhile, Atherton’s Reserve Grade took a 96-0 thumping, while the Under 19s celebrated a 34-16 win.
GLADIATORS VS IVANHOES
THE Mareeba Gladiators had another tight finish at the weekend, losing 36-40 in the final minutes to the Ivanhoe Knights.
It was certainly a game of two halves at Davies Park, Mareeba on Saturday night, with the visitors scoring five of their seven tries in the first half and the Gladiators scoring all six of theirs in the second.
After heading into the sheds at halftime with a 28-0 scoreline, the Gladiators mustered up the courage and very nearly came away with a win.
Tries came in the 42nd, 50th, 59th, 64th, 67th, and 71st minutes, with winger Bronson Ryan scoring yet another hattrick.
With just a few minutes left on the clock, the Gladiators remarkably found themselves with a two-point lead (36-34).
But Ivanhoes winger Keli Law found his hattrick try in the 78th minute, marking another heartbreak finish for the Mareeba side.
The game finished 40-36 in favour of the visitors.
The Gladiators Reserves found themselves another good win, taking down their opposition 44-4, while the Under 19s scraped through with a 22-20 win.
Final round awaits sides
THIS week marks the final round of the 2026 FNQRL season and both local A Grade sides are poised within the Top 4.
The Roosters sit in third spot on 23 points, while the Gladiators hold fourth on 21 points. Additionally, the Gladiators Reserves also sit in fourth place ahead of their clash with the second-placed Cairns Kangaroos this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Under 19 Roosters are sitting comfortably in second place, just two points behind Cairns Brothers.
This Sunday, the Gladiators play host to Cairns Kangaroos at Davies Park. The Under 19s will get things underway from 12pm, followed by Reserve Grade at 1.30pm, and A Grade at 3pm.
The Roosters will make the trek down to Tully, also on Sunday, with games being played at the Tully Showgrounds from 12pm, 1.30pm, and 3pm.
