Zangrande leads Cairns on mission to reclaim the Foley Shield

It has been years since the prestigious piece of north Queensland silverware has been brought back to Cairns, and when FNQ Rugby League took on the senior competition at the end of last year it was made clear that better performances in, and winning, the Foley Shield was a priority.

Jono Zangrande was the man entrusted with the job.

Now an assistant at the

Northern Pride, the former Ivanhoes coach has primed his troops for the challenge of knocking over Townsville in their own backyard on Friday.

“Our preparation has been as good as it can be with the rain and access to fields, but FNQRL has done a good job in getting us on,” Zangrande said.

“They seem to on board with what I, Joel (Reithmuller) and Roosy (Jason Roos) have been talking about in terms of what we’re expecting.”

Seven of the 11 CDRL clubs are represented in the 20-man playing squad, which has undergone several changes due to injury and player unavailability. Zangrande is confident this group will get the job done.

Mossman-Port Douglas’ Eddie Daniel has been named captain, and will partner Innisfail’s Aaron Jolley in the halves with Sharks flyer Matthew Gibuma the starting fullback.

Kangaroos winger Nathaniel Tamwoy will slot on to one wing, opposite Ivanhoes’ Will Messa, with 2021 CDRL Gold Medal winner and Knights captain Jacob Wallace the preferred hooker.

“We’re looking forward to seeing Matty at the back, he’s been training well,” Zangrande said. “Jolley’s been very good, he plays direct, and with Eddie’s kicking game, we’re hitting the right marks.”