NRL CLASH A REMINDER OF WHAT WE ARE MISSING

YOU could feel the excitement in the atmosphere as the Bunnies alighted from the team bus and walked onto the home turf of the Yarrabah Seahawks earlier this week. And there’s no doubt it’ll be a similar vibe when the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the North Queensland Cowboys run out onto the carefully manicured grass of Barlow Park for their pre-season trial match clash on Saturday evening.

But there is a yearning which will give oomph to the roar of what is sure to be a many thousands-strong crowd this weekend – a yearning for a firm commitment to build a state-of-theart rectangular stadium capable of hosting world-class events.

This week has been the first time Souths has ventured to Far North Queensland since 2018, the last of six straight years during which the NRL club brought premiership games to the Far North.

The club shifted its games to the Sunshine Coast in 2019 due to Barlow Park’s “poor” facilities.

That’s not to say Barlow Park is in bad nick – it’s just not got the bells and whistles that are needed for Premiership NRL matches – think things like corporate facilities, a bounty of seating, dressing room facilities.

Cairns Regional Council has now ticked off a federal funding application for $5m towards an overall $10m lighting and audiovisual tech upgrade at the sporting arena – welcome news – though far from a sure bet. But it’s not a #StadiumforFNQ.

A world-class facility wouldn’t just be a shiny new thing for Cairns - it would be an investment in our economy and the region’s sporting future.

Imagine a youngster who grew up playing for the Seahawks stepping out onto the field of a premiership NRL game in a new Cairns Stadium.

Now that’s an atmosphere we want to feel. Matthew Newton Reporter