Final replay part of Anzac Day blockbusters

BARRON Trinity Bulls fans will have to wait until Round 3 to have their first crack at the team which ended their run of FNQ Rugby A-grade titles.

The Cairns Post can reveal the highly-anticipated first clash between the Bulls and premiers JCU Mariners will be played at The Paddock in an Anzac Day blockbuster.

It’s one of three games scheduled for Anzac Day, as FNQ Rugby honours Diggers past and present.

The draft FNQ Rugby draw features seven teams, with the revived Wanderers taking the place of Penrhyn Sharks.

The Sharks, who struggled to compete in A-grade last year, will field only a reserve grade team this season as they seek to rebuild player numbers and develop young players who are set for their first seasons of senior rugby.

Both grades are tentatively planned to feature seven teams, though player numbers and registrations at each club will be heavily scrutinised over coming weeks to ensure forfeits are minimised and players get bang for their buck.

The March 28 season opener will feature a smorgasbord of rugby, with six games – three in each grade – scheduled for Stan Williams Park.

Wanderers will open their first A-grade season in years against Southside, who reached the preliminary final last year but will be guided by new coach Wade Munro.

JCU Mariners will kick off their premiership defence against Brothers, while Barron Trinity takes on Mudcrabs.

Port Douglas has the first round bye.

Wanderers are set to play their first home game at Jones Park under lights when they welcome the Bulls to the Westcourt venue on April 3.

FNQ Rugby officials have scheduled 17 rounds, with at least three competition-wide byes, with the first week of finals set for August 22.

Preliminary finals will be held on August 29, with the grand final on September 5.

The draws will be finalised and released in coming weeks.