Sport
13 April, 2026
Roosters outclass reigning champs
THE Atherton Roosters now sit atop the FNQ Rugby League ladder following a dominant win over the powerhouse Cairns Brothers, while the Gladiators were just edged out at home by the Tully Tigers.
The Roosters celebrated an emphatic 40-20 win at home over the four-in-a-row premiers at the weekend, marking a huge statement early in the season.
Meanwhile at Davies Park, the Gladiators were overcome 20-16 by Tully in the dying stages of the game, with a last-minute try stealing the two points right out of the home team’s hands.
ROOSTERS v BROTHERS
IT was a second half of absolute class from the electric Atherton Roosters as they took on the Cairns club that has dominated the competition for years.
It was slow going in the early stages of the match as both teams tried to find their rhythm, until Roosters five-eighth Regan Herd crossed over to claim the first points of the match.
It wasn’t long before Brothers answered back with a try of their own through five-eighth Evan Child in the 16th minute. Just minutes later, however, Herd crossed over again to claim a double for the match. But Brothers did what they do best and put two quick tries on the board in the 30th and 33rd minutes to take a 16-10 lead heading into halftime.
The second half showing from the home side was nothing short of brilliant, as they scored five tries to the Brothers’ one.
The first came through captain-coach Justin Frain just five minutes into play. He was soon followed by winger Tommy Ingui in the 50th minute and hooker Connor Griffin in the 57th. The Roosters jumped out to a 28-16 lead halfway through the second.
Brothers soon claimed their fourth try, but it was not enough to stop the Roosters, who came barrelling home with two more tries through centre Brad Hammond and winger Tom Cuda. Atherton’s Regan Herd kicked six from seven conversions, resulting in a thrilling 40-20 win for the Chooks.
The Roosters Reserve Grade weren’t as fortunate, taking a 34-26 loss, while the Under 19s were overcome 30-6.
This Saturday, the Roosters will travel to Mossman to take on the Sharks at Coronation Park. The Women will return from a bye to take on the Sharks Women from 1.30pm, followed by Reserve Grade at 4.30pm, and A Grade at 6pm. The Under 19s will have a bye.
GLADIATORS v TIGERS
IT was a tight match between the Gladiators and Tigers at Davies Park at the weekend, with a last-minute try from Tully stealing the game.
The Tigers opened the scoring early, with a try in the sixth minute and another before the 20-minute mark, to take an early 10-0 lead. It wasn’t until the 34th minute that the scoreboard would change, this time it was Gladiators lock Denzel King who claimed a four pointer. The score was 10-6 heading into the break.
Mareeba got the jump in the second half, with prop Caleb Dally crossing the line in the 59th minute and winger Joe Shadrick just minutes later. Mareeba took the lead, 16-10.
It wasn’t until the 74th minute that Tully found their first try for the second half, bringing the score to 16-14. With just three minutes to play, the Tigers broke through again and put another try on the board to steal the win from Mareeba. The game finished 20-16.
The Gladiators Reserves went down 28-6 to their opponents, while the Under 19s were pummelled 42-18.
This Saturday, the Gladiators will travel to Stan Williams Park to take on Cairns Brothers. The Under 19s will get things underway from 2.15pm, followed by Reserve Grade at 3.45pm, and A Grade at 6pm.
