FOOTY FACESLAP
Cows trial match heads south in third FNQ snub
CAIRNS rugby league has copped a $40,000 double whammy with the North Queensland Cowboys costing the code precious funds by taking a trial game to Mackay in 2019.
It is the Far North’s third footy snub after South Sydney confirmed it would not play at Barlow Park next season and the AFL dropped its Cazalys fixture.
CDRL chairman Colin Moore said the competition made “around a dollar per person” in attendance at the Rabbitohs’ Barlow Park fixture before adding the trial game netted about $30,000 for the region’s clubs and juniors.
“From that (trial game) gate, we then put funds back into growing the game,” Moore said.
“That’s the real shame. You need that money to help out the clubs.”
“From this funding, we pay for buses and accommodation for our juniors to play in the North Queensland titles, so that’s something you have to look at now.”
Cowboys board member and Innisfail rugby league legend Kerry Boustead said he was disappointed to hear Cairns had missed out and would be raising the issue at the club’s board meeting later this month.
“To see guys that you look up to and admire in person playing in a game is an amazing thing,” the former Australian winger said.
“These days sides get around a bit more ... but it’s something that’s special to young people.
“Cairns is a significant partner of the Cowboys. I’m sure we can do something up there.
“We do our best to serve Townsville, Cairns and Mackay. I’ll be at a board meeting in a couple of weeks and I’m sure we’ll talk about it.”
With the region already losing its NRL and AFL games when the 2019 fixtures were released recently, Member for Cairns Michael Healy said it was time to start enticing clubs back to the region.
“I’ll be having a chat with (Sports Minister) Mick de Brenni and (Tourism Minister) Kate Jones because we need more games in the region,” Healy said.
“I’ll be asking what are the issues and why isn’t Cairns attractive.” COWBOYS acting CEO Jeff Reibel says fans should stay loyal despite the club’s snub to the Far North.
While the Cowboys wanted to play an NRL match against the Rabbitohs in Cairns again this season, Mr Reibel said the club hoped to bring more fixtures to the Far North in 2020.
“In recent years we have alternated our home trials between Cairns and Mackay and playing in Cairns this year means it is Mackay’s turn in 2019,” he said.
“We will continue to work closely with the NRL and other clubs to bring NRL games to North Queensland.
“With the Northern Pride being part of our feeder club system, we encourage all Cowboys members to support their local team which features Cowboys players.
Cairns Councillor Cathy Zeiger said she felt for Far North footy fans who traditionally turn out in force for the trial match with thousands flooding Barlow Park.
“To not have anything at the moment, it’s really poor,” Cr Zeiger said. “It’s a shame with all the sports fans up here but, you never know.
“We do get a lot of last-minute things that come in and we did score very well with the Commonwealth Games last year where we ended up getting some of the extra events here. Our events department is on to it.”