BORDER BATTLE FOR STATE LEAGUE
Goondiwindi gearing up for the Intrust Super Cup
Goondiwindi will take part in its finest rugby league moment on Saturday when the Intrust Super Cup comes to the border town.
Round 19 of the statewide competition features the inaugural “Get in the Game” Country Week, with Gilbert Oval set to host the Redcliffe Dolphins and Easts Tigers fixture.
The Dolphins serve as a feeder club to the Brisbane Broncos, and will feature Tom Opacic, Jonus Pearson, Moses Pangai and Aaron Whitchurch, while the Tigers are bolstered by premiership winning forward Dave Tyrell and Storm-contracted players Patrick Kaufusi and Albert Vete.
In an additional boost, the match will be broadcast on Channel Nine, exposing the match to a wider audience.
Dolphins ambassador and ex-Kangaroo Wally FullertonSmith said the round would have a great significance for those in the bush.
“We love to go to the country areas. I would say three quarters of the team are country people,” Fullerton-Smith said.
“To come out to the bush, spread the word and have a match is significant, and there should be more (games in the country).”
Fullerton-Smith grew up in Roma before going on to represent Queensland and Australia, and said the game could serve as an inspiration for young attendees looking to make the leap.
“Apart from seeing them on TV they get to see them face to face, shake hands and get an autograph,” he said.
“There will be some stars, and they see how they play and watch it up close.”
The historic fixture will be followed by three grades of Toowoomba Rugby League action as the Boars host the Dalby Diehards.
Goondiwindi Boars seniors president Tony Carter said it was a proud moment for the town to be involved in something special.
“It’s going to be a good day. We have the juniors having before and then we’ll play Dalby after that,” Carter said.
“We wanted to make a day out of it. The juniors are heavily involved with the seniors and the junior committee is helping out on the day.
“There will be ladies junior league tag after the Q Cup as well before the U18s at 3.30pm.
“Being televised, a lot of local sponsors will have their logos on the ground. You can’t get a room in Goondiwindi at the moment.”