Youngsters will join rivalry

THE historic Crad Evans Shield is about to get bigger.

News Corp can reveal FNQ Football and North Queensland Football will expand the annual competition next year, with at least three junior grades added to the post-season spectacle when it returns to Townsville.

It is understood the team who top the first division tables in the under12s, U13/14s and U15/16s teams will face off in a once-per-year fixture between the regions, adding to what is already a hugely popular day on the local football calendar.

Administrator Alex Srhoj said the push for junior expansion came from FNQ Football clubs, and would allow young players the chance to be part of

dreaming of playing at the top ranks of the game once again.

“Initially I was worried it would hamper my ability but if anything it has made it better,” he said.

“I have had a pretty good season. I have been happy with my consistency and how I have helped the team out week in and week out. It’s not just a good performance every once in a while.”

Olympic will be hoping he can bring his consistency to Tiger Park in Cairns today as they shoot for the one of football’s great rivalries. The Crad Evans Shield started in 1963, and has been contested in all but one year since. It is considered the pinnacle of club football in North Queensland due to the tough nature of qualification.

The silverware is currently contested between premiership winners in seven senior grades, a true reward for finishing atop the table at the end of the gruelling regular season.

Held after each competition’s grand final, the Crad Evans Shield is one of the main aims of stronger FNQ Football clubs each year. Edge Hill United dominated the FNQ Men’s Premier League this year. Today’s games start at noon, with the Premier Men’s clash at 7.30pm.

most coveted silverware Queensland football.

The Townsville giants will meet Cairns heavyweights Edge Hill United in the decider with both clubs coming off near-perfect seasons. Edge Hill won the FNQ Football grand final last weekend and will ride a wave of momentum in the shield playoff.

“Apparently they are quite the physical team and pretty well structured, they play a lot of long balls and they are quite good on set pieces,” Dymock said.

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