NRL AIMING FOR SELL-OUT FOR COWBOYS V BRONCOS TRIAL MATCH:
ORGANISERS are aiming for a sellout at tomorrow’s NRL trial match between the Cowboys and the Broncos at Barlow Park in Cairns.
Cairns District Rugby League played a major role in luring the two NRL clubs to Cairns and the association’s secretary, Pat Bailey, said she would be “disappointed if close to 14,000” tickets did not sell by kick-off.
“We’ve sold about 7000 so far,” she told the Cairns Post yesterday.
“I’m really hoping we get close to a sellout.
“It’s the biggest rivalry in the NRL, both teams are sending out some good squads, so it should be a great game”.
The two 2015 NRL grand finalists have become famous for their one-point matches and bragging rights as for who will be crowned “big brother” and “little brother”.
Both sides have named starstudded line-ups and Far Northern footy fans will be the first to witness Cowboys’ star recruit Valentine Holme’s return to rugby league.
There are also a number of on-field battles to look forward to: Scott Drinkwater and Anthony Milford in the halves, Jason Taumalolo and Tevita
Pangai Jr in the middle, but there’ll be a number of eyes fixed on Tully juniors – Jake Clifford of the Cowboys and Tom Flegler of the Broncos.
The match will also mark the Broncos’ return to Cairns, after almost three decades.
And tomorrow night’s game could be the only chance for Brisbane fans to see their team live without leaving the region.
Barring finals, the only other NRL game the Broncos had scheduled in North Queensland was their round 1 clash on March 13 at the Cowboys’ new stadium – the first allotment of general admission tickets for that match sold out in just 45 minutes.
Bail Zaicz, 9, has been a
Cowboys fan for about three years and said he was excited about going to his third game.
“I’m looking (forward) to seeing them score tries and kick goals,” he said.
Marcello Vasta, also 9, said he would be looking out for a new favourite Broncos player.
“It used to be Darius Boyd, but now I don’t have one”.
The Cowboys arrived in Cairns yesterday afternoon and today will be holding a skills session and question and answer session at St Augustine’s College.