FNQRL Magic Round a chance down track
MAGIC Round has proved a major success since its introduction to the NRL, and it might just find its way north in the near future.
The concept of playing every senior game at the one venue has been put forward by one FNQ Rugby League club during the association’s end of year review period.
An important process at the end of the first season with FNQRL in charge, league officials met with every club for feedback as well as the opportunity to discuss the future.
While FNQRL chairman Rob White and the league’s directors have learned from the clubs’ responses, the Magic Round concept was one interesting and novel concept which stuck out. “It hasn’t gathered any steam at the moment but it’s an interesting idea,” White said.
Started in the Super League, the Magic Round concept involves every team playing at the one venue.
In the NRL, it’s held at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, with 16 teams featuring in eight games across one weekend.
If applied to the FNQRL, as one unnamed club suggested, it would mean one venue would host at least five Agrade games.
“The idea was floated by a senior club during our end of year meetings where we were getting feedback on a range of things from the season,” White said. “It would follow the NRL concept and bring all the clubs together at one venue.
“We’re always looking for ways to grow interest in our game and that’s something that would be great for the future.”
The “FNQRL Magic Round” concept hasn’t gone further than that meeting, for now, but if there’s wider interest the league would look at ways to introduce the fixture in future seasons.
Obvious hiccups involve deciding which venues could host five A-grade games – and all lower grade fixtures, if they were included – as there may not be many who could handle the traffic.
But the prospect of Tully Showgrounds, Mareeba’s Davies Park or Yarrabah’s Jilara Oval becoming the home of FNQRL for one weekend is enticing.
“It’s an interesting idea, it probably won’t happen in 2023 but it’s one for us to explore for the future,” White said.