DERBY CALL FOR STADIUM DEBUT
CALLS are growing louder for the Queensland derby to be scheduled for the opening of Townsville’s new stadium next season.
On the eve of the 2019 NRL season, Townsville MP Scott Stewart called for the North Queensland Cowboys versus Brisbane Broncos clash to be played in the opening week to welcome a new era for the Townsville-based club.
“People will remember going along to that very first game and watching the Cowboys play in their new stadium and we want it to be against the (Brisbane) Broncos be- cause of the Queensland derby, that rivalry that we have,” Mr Stewart said.
“It’s the biggest game on our season’s play list, that’s for sure, and it would certainly bring people from all over North Queensland. I think something big and new like this deserves the best game to be played there.”
Mr Stewart first petitioned the National Rugby League in 2016 and said he had been in discussions with both the Cowboys and the NRL.
The Queensland derby proposal has the backing of rugby league veteran Brent Tate, who donned the colours of both clubs.
Tate said the game “makes a lot of sense”.
“If you play the Broncos mid-season or at the start of the year it’s almost like a semi-final where it has that atmosphere around the place. They’re always big games,” he said.
“It’s always a blockbuster, it’s always a sellout.
“You always want to start off in the best possible fashion. Why wouldn’t you play some of your big games to kick off the season?”
Clubs can make submissions to the NRL for their desired home games.
Cowboys director of football Peter Parr said the club was in reg- ular discussions regarding its submission to the NRL for the 2020 draw, but at this stage no decision had been made on a request for Round 1.
“No matter our opponent, we have full confidence our members and fans will flock to the game to help us open our new stadium in style,” he said.
A NRL spokesman said the schedule for 2020 was yet to be confirmed.
“The NRL will consider all options when assessing a suitable draw for Round 1 in 2020 at the appropriate time through 2019,” the spokesman said.