HISTORIC FIRST FOR GRIDIRON
Bragging rights on the line as Vikings host the Falcons, writes Harry Murtough
HISTORY will be made when Mulgrave Vikings host Cairns Falcons in the first Far North derby in the North Queensland Gridiron League at Petersen Park on Saturday night.
Both sides are playing it straight in the lead-up to the first derby, but bragging rights, and that important slice of history, are up for grabs.
The Falcons have long been FNQ’s sole representative in the competition, and last season broke through for their first Reef Bowl championship.
They now have a rival, one led by Brandon Kruger, who took them to glory. Kruger was the Falcons’ quarterback for two seasons, but decided to start a new gridiron club at Edmonton to cater for growing demand.
A number of former Falcons joined Kruger in purple, which will add more spice to the first-time encounter.
“Obviously there will be bragging rights on the team that wins,” said Vikings founder and president Kruger.
“But I don’t think there is much in it to boast about. Both clubs are happy that we are able to field two growing teams in Far North Queensland.”
The Vikings are 0-2, but if they can record their first-ever win against the local rivals, it will add even more feeling. But the Falcons won’t be easy.
Defence is the name of the Falcons’ game this year.
They were blown out 38-12 by the Townsville Cyclones in the season opener, but showed that defensive resilience in the 14-12 Round 2 win against Mackay Mavericks last week.
It’s an area Falcons coach Jake Pride is priding himself on this year.
“I think defence is where we’re better this year,” Price said.
“On the offensive side, we’re not really getting on a roll with our run forward, so we’ve got to work that out a bit more. Our defence was strong last year, I think that’s what got us to the Reef Bowl.”
Kruger placed emphasis on Mulgrave’s offence, which has shown glimmers of what they can do in two heavy losses. But Kruger is hopeful of a victory on home turf this weekend.
“They’ve [Falcons] got a solidlooking defence … it’s going to be good going out and competing against them,” he said. “They went out and got their first win last weekend … but hopefully we can steal one off them.”
The game starts at 6pm.