Sport
14 March, 2023
Locals match ready
ONE of the fiercest rivalries in local rugby league will spill out on the field at Davies Park this Saturday as the Atherton Roosters prepare to go head-to-head against the Mareeba Gladiators for a FNQ Rugby League A-grade trial match.
Like most sports played on the Tablelands, a rivalry exists between Mareeba and Atherton the two and the match ups between the two Tableland towns are always a community event as locals come out to barrack for their team.
Unlike the Gladiators, this will be the Roosters first trial match of the season as they failed to secure a second match before the start of the season.
Veteran Rooster A-grader Nathan Curcio said while the Roosters try to find their feet this season, he hopes a few of the new younger players will have a good chance to play in the side, gain experience and develop their skills.
“We have got a couple new young faces so the focus is a bit on developing them and seeing where they can go with their footy,” he said.
“In saying that the competitive side of us comes out when we play against Mareeba so we do want to give it a really good crack.
“We don’t have a big overview on this year we are just sort of taking it as it comes this sea-son.”
After this weekend’s trial match, the regular season will begin with the Roosters’ first game being at home against Brothers while the Gladiators are set to host the Edmonton Storm at Davies Park.
The Roosters and the Gladiators will play for the Tableland Cup over their two games during the season with Atherton retaining the coveted cup as the Gladiators attempt to pry it from the Roosters’ claws
