ENDLESS GOOD NEWS ON FOOTY A JUST REWARD
Local footy fans really are being treated to a smorgasbord of world-class games. The seemingly impossible happened earlier this year when Townsville scored its historic State of Origin match at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, allowing many North Queensland and regional fans the chance to watch arguably rugby league’s greatest showcase in their own backyard.
Then, just recently, the incredible announcement was made that Townsville would be hosting not one, but two games of the 2021 Rugby Championship, meaning all four teams – the Wallabies, the New Zealand All Blacks, South Africa’s Springboks and Argentina’s Pumas – will be gracing Queensland Country Bank Stadium on September 25.
And just when it couldn’t get any better, the NRL confirmed that Townsville will host a double-header of NRL finals games this weekend, with tickets going on sale shortly.
IT REALLY IS A ONCE-IN-ALIFETIME CHAPTER IN THE CITY’S HISTORY, AND A TERRIFIC SHOT IN THE ARM FOR A REGION THAT HAS EXPERIENCED PLENTY OF HARD YARDS
It really is a once-in-a-lifetime chapter in the city’s history, and a terrific shot in the arm for a region that has experienced plenty of hard yards during the past three years.
It will hurt many North Queensland Cowboys supporters that their team won’t be part of the big day.
Anyone who was at the club’s epic finals clash against the Brisbane Broncos in 2004 will never forget the experience, and current Cowboys coach Todd Payten said himself it was a bitter moment knowing other NRL teams would be playing finals footy on their home turf.
But local footy fans will still be in for a treat come Saturday, and everyone involved in getting the games to Townsville deserves a pat on the back.
YEAR OF THE FISH
Take a bow Brothers, this was certainly your year.
The Townsville and District Rugby League heavyweights capped off an unbeaten year in both the men’s A grade and women’s competitions with outstanding grand final victories yesterday. Well done to Brothers and congratulations to all players who took part in the grand final day.