Crad Evans Shield offers clubs new challenge

SILLY Sunday, Mad Monday and other celebratory grand final festivities are in the books, but now seven of the region’s top football teams are refocusing on one of the premier prizes in football: the Crad Evans Shield.

Arguably the most prestigious piece of silverware on offer in football will be on the line at Manunda’s Tiger Park on Saturday, as FNQ Football’s league champions face the best from Townsville.

Played across seven grades, the annual contest is a battle between Cairns and Townsville for football supremacy.

Edge Hill United and Leichhardt Lions FC will be represented in two grades each, with Mareeba United, Douglas United and JCU Strikers also going into battle for FNQ.

Six teams are still in play for historic trebles: league champion, grand final winner, and the Crad Evans.

Edge Hill United’s Men’s Premier League team is on track for the treble after a come-from-behind 2-1 win against Marlin Coast in Saturday’s grand final.

They’ll face the similarly dominant MA Olympic, who won the North Queensland Football Premier League by 14 points.

Southside Comets claimed last year’s Crad Evans Shield with a 3-0 win against Brothers Townsville, and the Tigers will be desperate to keep the silverware in the Far North.

Leichhardt’s women’s team will look to bounce back after a shock blowout 6-1 loss to the Tigers in their decider.

They will face defending Crad Evans Shield champions Brothers Townsville, who finished level on points with MA Olympic but boasted a far superior goal differential.