Sport
6 March, 2023
Rugby league wait is over
THE wait is over for Tablelands rugby league fans as the first set of trial matches for the FNQ Rugby League as the Mareeba Gladiators travel down to the Tiger’s den in Tully this Saturday ahead of the first game against town rivals Atherton.
The Gladiators second trial match and the Rooster’s first and only will be the first match-up between the town rivals and both teams have circled the day on their calendars.
Gladiators president Darrin Hastie said the boys have been hard at work in preparation for this season and the trial matches are a good way to gauge their performance.
“We have been getting some really good numbers at training and the boys are looking fit and ready to go,” he said.
Hastie said while a fierce rivalry has always been present between Mareeba and Atherton, there is also a quiet respect as each team always puts their best foot forward to beat the other.
“There has always been a fierce rivalry between us and Atherton and it has been there for decades,” he said.
“It will be at home as well which will be our first home game so I am hoping we get a massive crowd as we reveal our new retro jerseys as well.”
Both of the trial matches are set to start at 3pm with the U18s, followed by Reserve Grade and finally A Grade to finish off.
(This story in the print edition published this week states the first trial match between Mareeba and Atherton is the first game of the Tableland Cup, this is incorrect)
