Cairns District Rugby League 2003 - Semi Finals Fever!

[Bomber]

G'day all

Looks like this is the new home of the CDRL online

Round 17 Results

Suburbs d. Mossman-Pt Douglas 70-14 :evil:
Brothers d. Kangaroos 56-24 :?
Innisfail d. Mareeba 60-18 :?
Atherton d. Tully 18-12
Yarrabah d. Ivanhoes 40-20

Current Table

Atherton 28
Innisfail 27
Brothers 26
Suburbs 26
Tully 18
Yarrabah 16
Kangaroos 13
Mareeba 8
Ivanhoes 6
Mossman 2 :evil:

Now, the final round of matches is next weekend, with all but one game having an effect of the order of the top five.

Tully v Innisfail at Tully Showgrounds.
Tully win
Tully qualifies for semi finals regardless of result of Yarrabah v Brothers
Innisfail finishes 2nd if Yarrabah and Kangaroos win
Innisfail finishes 3rd if one of Yarrabah or Kangaroos win
Innisfail finishes 4th if Brothers and Suburbs win
Innisfail win
Tully qualifies for semi finals if Brothers beat Yarrabah
Tully forced into fifth-spot playoff if Yarrabah beats Brothers
Innisfail 1st if Mareeba beats Atherton
Innisfail 2nd if Atherton beats Mareeba
Draw
Tully qualifies for semi finals
Innisfail finishes 1st if Mareeba and Yarrabah wins, and Suburbs wins by less than 34
Innisfail finishes 2nd if Mareeba and Yarrabah wins, and Suburbs wins by more than 35
Innisfail finishes 2nd if Atherton and Yarrabah wins, and Suburbs wins by less than 34
Innisfail finishes 3rd if Atherton and Yarrabah wins, and Suburbs wins by more than 35
Innisfail finishes 3rd if Atherton and Brothers win, and Suburbs wins by less than 34
Innisfail finishes 4th if Atherton and Brothers win, and Suburbs wins by more than 35.

Mossman v Ivanhoes at Mossman Showgrounds
No bearing on the top five - but GO THE SHARKIES ;-)

Yarrabah v Brothers at Jilara Oval, Yarrabah
Yarrabah win
Yarrabah forces playoff for fifth if Innisfail win
Yarrabah 6th if Tully wins
Brothers finish 3rd if Kangaroos beats Suburbs
Brothers finish 4th if Suburbs wins or draws against Kangaroos
Brothers win
Yarrabah finishes 6th, Tully 5th
Brothers finish 1st if Mareeba and Tully win and Suburbs wins by less than 55
Brothers finish 2nd if Mareeba or Tully wins, or Innisfail and Tully draw Brothers finish 3rd if Atherton and Innisfail win and Suburbs wins by less than 55 or draws
Brothers finish 4th if Atherton and Innisfail win and Suburbs wins by 56 or more
Draw
Yarrabah finishes 6th, Tully 5th
Brothers finish 2nd if Tully and Kangaroos win, or Kangaroos and Suburbs draw
Brothers finish 3rd if Innisfail and Kangaroos win, or Kangaroos and Suburbs draw
Brothers finish 4th if Innisfail and Suburbs win

Kangaroos v Suburbs at Vico Oval
Kangaroos win
Suburbs finish 4th if Brothers win, draw or lose by less than 54
Suburbs finish 3rd if Brothers lose by more than 55
Suburbs win
Suburbs finish 4th if Atherton and Innisfail win and Brothers win, draw or lose by less than 54
Suburbs finish 3rd if Atherton and Innisfail win, and Brothers lose by more than 55
Suburbs finish 2nd if Atherton and Tully wins and Brothers lose or draw
Suburbs finish 2nd if Mareeba and Tully wins and Brothers lose or draw
Suburbs finish 2nd if Mareeba and Innisfail wins and Brothers lose or draw
Suburbs finish 1st if Mareeba, Tully and Yarrabah all win
Draw
Suburbs finish 4th if Brothers and/or Innisfail win or draw
Suburbs finish 3rd if Brothers win and Innisfail loses by 35 or more
Suburbs finish 3rd if Innisfail win and Brothers lose by 55 or more

Mareeba v Atherton at Davies Park
Mareeba win
Atherton finish 1st if Tully, Yarrabah and Kangaroos all win
Atherton finish 2nd if Yarrabah and Kangaroos win, and Innisfail wins or draws
Atherton finish 2nd if Tully, Kangaroos and Brothers win
Atherton finish 2nd if Innisfail, Kangaroos and Yarrabah win
Atherton finish 2nd if Tully, Suburbs and Yarrabah win
Atherton finish 3rd if Innisfail, Suburbs and Yarrabah win
Atherton finish 3rd if Innisfail, Kangaroos and Brothers win
Atherton finish 3rd if Tully, Suburbs and Brothers win
Atherton finish 4th if Innisfail, Brothers and Suburbs all win
Atherton win
Atherton finish 1st (that was easy to work out!)
Draw
Atherton finish 1st if Tully wins
Atherton finish 2nd if Innisfail wins

So there you go......my tips are:

Tully in an upset
MOSSMAN
Brothers
Suburbs
Atherton

Cheers all
Bomber

 

[mud n blood]

Bomber, you obviously had nothing to do today ....

Hoes can't make it from here I take it :roll:

 

[Bomber]

The age of miracles is NOT dead 8) :lol:

Results from the final round of the Cairns District Rugby League premiership

Tully v Innisfail at Tully Showgrounds
A-Grade - Innisfail 50-8
Reserves - Innisfail 24-18
Under 18s - Tully 36-20

Not the tune-up Tully were expecting before the finals, and it gets worse for them, because......

Yarrabah v Brothers at Jilara Oval
A-Grade - Yarrabah 28-24
Reserves - Yarrabah 30-18
Under 18s - Brothers 44-40

Defying all logic, Yarrabah scores two tries with twelve men in the final twenty minutes to topple the premiers and force a playoff for fifth spot!

Mareeba v Atherton at Davies Park
A-Grade - Atherton 62-24
Reserves - Atherton 46-16
Under 18s - Atherton 54-24

The Tablelands Derby results with a predictable scoreline - Roosters score their first minor premiership since 1998 (I think....)

Kangaroos v Suburbs at Vico Oval
A-Grade - Suburbs 32-26
Reserves - Tied 20-20
Under 18s - Suburbs 32-30

Roos nearly pull off an upset, Suburbs scrape into third ahead of Brothers

And we're saving the best for last today, because......(Mud, look away now!)

Mossman-Pt Douglas v Ivanhoes at Mossman Showgrounds
A-Grade - SHARKIES 26-12
Reserves - SHARKIES 36-20
Under 18s - Ivanhoes 34-4 :roll:

The Miiiiiiightee Sharrrrrkeeeeees pull off a big win against the Knights in front of a big partisan crowd. Even the two busloads of (tanked) Ivanhoes supporters couldn't stop the Mossmanites winning just their second game of the year in A-Grade.

So, here are the tables at the end of a highly successful CDRL 2003 season:

A-Grade
Atherton 30, Innisfail 29, Suburbs 28, Brothers 26, Tully 18, Yarrabah 18, Kangaroos 13, Mareeba 8, Ivanhoes 6, Mossman 4

Reserves
Innisfail 30, Atherton 27, Suburbs 27, Yarrabah 25, Kangaroos 23, Brothers 16, Tully 15, Ivanhoes 8, Mossman 7, Mareeba 2

Under 18s
Tully 30, Brothers 27, Suburbs 26, Innisfail 26, Yarrabah 25, Atherton 14, Ivanhoes 11, Kangaroos 10, Mareeba 10, Mossman 1

Club Championship
Innisfail 85, Suburbs 81, Atherton 71, Brothers 69, Yarrabah 68, Tully 63, Kangaroos 46, Ivanhoes 25, Mareeba 20, Mossman 8

FIRST WEEK OF SEMI-FINALS

Playoff for Fifth - A-Grade
Tully v Yarrabah at Babinda Showgrounds, 7:30pm Wednesday 27/8

Semi-Final Program - Barlow Park, Cairns. August 31
Under 18s 4th v 5th - Innisfail v Yarrabah (10:30am)
Under 18s 2nd v 3rd - Brothers v Suburbs (noon)
Reserves 4th v 5th - Yarrabah v Kangaroos (1:30pm)
Reserves 2nd v 3rd - Atherton v Suburbs (3:00pm)
A-Grade 4th v 5th - Brothers v Tully/Yarrabah (4:30pm)
A-Grade 2nd v 3rd - Innisfail v Suburbs (6:00pm)

My A-Grade tips: Tully on Wednesday night; Suburbs and Brothers

Cheers all
Bomber

 

[Bomber]

Seahawks prop to miss playoff
Cairns Post 27/8

Yarrabah will have to continue its run of form without rampaging forward Shaun Ambrym if it is to make the CDRL finals after the prop was suspended for tonight's playoff against Tully.

The Seahawks and Tigers meet at Babinda tonight in a playoff for the CDRL's last semi-final spot.

The Seahawks have shown ominous form over the past fortnight, racking up their first ever win against Ivanhoes before forcing their way into tonight's playoff with Sunday's win against reigning premiers Brothers. But they enter the clash with Tully wihtout Ambryn and Tony Fourmile who was knoked unconscious in the match against Brothers.

Coach Eddie Prior hoped the Seahawks could cover for Ambrym. "He's one of our go-forward men, so hopefully we'll get by without him," Prior said.

While pleased with the win against Brothers, Prior said it had nightlighted areas which needed to improve tonight if the Seahakws were to extend their season.

Ball control and defence around the ruck area - where Brothers stole valuable metres on their rivals at the weekend - would be vital.

Tully coach Matt Clifford said defence would be the key tonight against a Seahawks outfit that had the ability to pile points on the board quickly.

The Tigers had the chance to seal outright fifth spot with a win against Innisfail in the final round at the weekend but lost 50-8. "We've got no one else to blame (for having to play tonight)." Clifford said.

-----------

Tully's last three games - Won 40-22 v Ivanhoes (A), L 12-18 v Atherton (A), L 8-50 v Innisfail (H)
Yarrabah's last three games - L 32-47 v Atherton (A), W 40-20 v Ivanhoes (A), W 28-24 v Brothers (H)
Encounters in 2003 - Tully d. Yarrabah 38-32 in Round 5 at Tully, Yarrabah d. Tully 40-34 at Yarrabah in Round 14

Bomber's Kiss of Death - Tully by 11-20

 

[Bomber]

Yarrabah beat Tully 44-22 at Babinda. They will now play Brothers in the knockout (4th v 5th) final on Sunday. It will be just the second time in the finals for Yarrabah, in their fourth season. Their only previous finals experience was a loss to the then-reigning premiers Brothers in 2001.

 

[Bomber]

Elimination Final - Brothers 56 Yarrabah 12

Backing up for their third game in eight days, the last thing the Yarrabah Seahawks neeed was a player sent off in their CDRL elimination final against reigning premiers Brothers yesterday.

So when prop Gerald Fourmile was given his marching orders after a fight in the 20th minute, what was always going to be a tough assignment became near impossible.

But worse was to come for the Seahawks in the second half when fellow frontrower Shaun ambrym was dismissed for a late high shot which resulted in hooker Clint Zammit being stretchered off with a suspected fractured cheekbone.

With the Seahawks reduced to just 11 men, the finals-experienced Brethren ran away with the game, turning a 24-10 halftime lead into a 56-12 whipping.

"We took them on up the guts, our defence was good and we didn't try to push passes, just get the go-forward going then things will happen" - Brothers captain-coach Brad Arthur

"There was a lot more enthusiasm and talk out there this week - we are starting to play finals footy. The best thing to do against Yarrabah is top keep the ball off them, and if we could finish our sets we knew we'd get them." - Brothers lock Adam O'Brien.

BROTHERS 56 (V.Akiba 2, S.Singleton 2, L.Singleton, N.Saveka, P.Fowler, J.McIntosh, T.Burns, C.Cygler tries; Akiba 4, B.Arthur 2 goals) d. YARRABAH 12 (A.Sexton, B.Murgha, R.Murgha tries) at Barlow Park. Halftime - Brothers 24-10

Qualifying Semi-Final - Innisfail 36 Suburbs 14

Southern Suburbs' finals campaign was in disarray last night following the no-show of North Queensland centre Shane Granier for their semi-final clash against the Innisfail Leprechauns.

With Granier's unexplained absence and propr David Granier and Joe Tuala unavailable through injury, the Cockatoos were left undermanned.

Granier suffered a corked thigh and did not play a full game against Kangaroos last week but was expected to be alright yesterday.

"The preparation went out the window. We had to use a player who had just played a full game of reserve grade." - Suburbs coach David Frazer.

"(The performance was) adequate. All we have done is just confirmed we are second. We showed control and discipline despite the penalties mounting in the first half. But they fed off our errors in the last 20 minutes when our concentration left a lot to be desired." - Innisfail coach Terry Aquilina

"In the in-goagl we talked about getting the go-forward back because we were trying to go sideways too early. First of all we look to the forwards, that makes it so much easier. We've got good vision from George Savage and Robbie Swain in the halves to help the back finish it off." - Innisfail forward David Grasso.

INNISFAIL 36 (P.Wapau 2, H.Brown, P.Ketchell, G.Savage, A.Jurd tries; Jurd 6 goals)) d. SUBURBS 14 (L.Wallis 2, G.Singleton tries, G.Summers goal)) at Barlow Park. Halftime - Innisfail 20-0

Next Week - A Grade
Major - Atherton v Innisfail
Minor - Suburbs v Brothers

Reserve Grade Semi-Finals
Qualifying - Suburbs d. Atherton 32-16
Elimination - Kangaroos d. Yarrabah 30-26

Next Week
Major - Innisfail v Suburbs
Minor - Atherton v Kangaroos

Under 18s Semi-Finals
Qualifying - Brothers d. Suburbs 40-22
Elimination - Innisfail d. Yarrabah 44-28

Next Week
Major - Tully v Brothers
Minor - Suburbs v Innisfail

 

[Bomber]

Past Cairns Premiers

1946: Gordonvale 6 defeated Brothers 2
1947: Brothers 17 defeated Kangaroos 14
1948: Brothers 6 defeated Ivanhoes 4
1949: Brothers 13 defeated Kangaroos 7
1950: Ivanhoes 22 defeated Kangaroos 3
1951: Brothers 12 defeated Kangaroos 7
1952: Kangaroos 11 defeated United 5
1953: Kangaroos 15 defeated Brothers 14
1954: Brothers 18 defeated United 16
1955: Kangaroos 10 defeated Brothers 6
1956: Kangaroos 28 defeated Brothers 10
1957: Kangaroos 8 defeated Ivanhoes 0
1958: Ivanhoes 23 defeated Kangaroos 21
1959: Suburbs 14 defeated Brothers 6
1960: Suburbs 15 defeated Kangaroos 14
1961: Suburbs 28 defeated Kangaroos 23
1962: Brothers 18 defeated Kangaroos 12
1963: Ivanhoes 23 defeated Brothers 13
1964: Kangaroos 9 defeated Ivanhoes 7
1965: Suburbs 18 defeated Brothers 5
1966: Suburbs 15 defeated Kangaroos 5
1967: Suburbs 25 defeated Ivanhoes 11
1968: Kangaroos 11 defeated Brothers 6
1969: Kangaroos 13 defeated Brothers 5
1970: Kangaroos 17 defeated Brothers 10
1971: Ivanhoes 13 defeated Kangaroos 6
1972: Kangaroos 30 defeated Ivanhoes 10
1973: Kangaroos 19 defeated Ivanhoes 16
1974: Kangaroos 21 defeated Suburbs 13
1975: Kangaroos 26 defeated Suburbs 12
1976: Suburbs 10 defeated Kangaroos 4
1977: Kangaroos 11 defeated Brothers 8
1978: Kangaroos 15 defeated Babinda 9
1979: Brothers 28 defeated Babinda 0
1980: Kangaroos 20 defeated Mareeba 7
1981: Brothers 24 defeated Atherton 18
1982: Babinda 25 defeated Brothers 5
1983: Brothers 20 defeated Babinda 18
1984: Kangaroos 36 defeated Ivanhoes 22
1985: Babinda 21 defeated Ivanhoes 14 (extra time - fulltime 14-14)
1986: Babinda 22 defeated Brothers 13
1987: Kangaroos 41 defeated Babinda 18
1988: Brothers 23 defeated Kangaroos 22 (extra time - fulltime 22-22)
1989: Innisfail Uniteds 32 defeated Atherton 20
1990: Ivanhoes 15 defeated Suburbs 10
1991: Ivanhoes 8 defeated Mareeba 0
1992: Mareeba 16 defeated Atherton 12
1993: Atherton 24 defeated Innisfail 8
1994: Atherton 18 defeated Ivanhoes 16
1995: Suburbs 34 defeated Brothers 26
1996: Tully 13 defeated Suburbs 4
1997: Suburbs 20 defeated Brothers 12
1998: Mossman-Port Douglas 22 defeated Ivanhoes 4
1999: Mareeba 20 defeated Brothers 6
2000: Brothers 19 defeated Kangaroos 16
2001: Mareeba 21 defeated Ivanhoes 18
2002: Brothers 48 defeated Mareeba 18

Atherton Roosters
Last Premiership - 1994
Last Grand Final - 1994
Last Ten Years - Premiers 1993-94

Brothers
Last Premiership - 2002
Last Grand Final - 2002
Last Ten Years - Premiers 2000, 2002; Runners-up 1995, 1997, 1999

Innisfail Leprechauns
Last Premiership - 1987 *in Innisfail comp, as Innisfail Brothers
Last Grand Final - 1993
Last Ten Years - Runners-up 1993

Southern Suburbs Cockatoos
Last Premiership - 1997
Last Grand Final - 1997
Last Ten Years - Premiers 1995, 1997; Runners-up 1996

 

[Bomber]

Clint Zammit, the Brothers player whose cheekbone was injured during the elimination semi-final on Sunday is now likely to retire from the CDRL, following relevations that he has a broken jaw as part of the bargain.

Yarrabah prop Shaun Ambrym has been suspended for eight matches by the CDRL judiciary but Brothers are certain to appeal to the QRL Northern Division, citing examples of similair incidents in the national competition, including Luke O'Donnell in 2003 (11 games), Tim Maddison in 2002 (10 games) and Les Boyd in 1983 (12 months).

In the meanwhile, Innisfail centre Tui Mackenzie has been served with a severe caution over a head-high tackle against Suburbs on Sunday. He was cited on video evidence but although the judiciary found him guilty it acknowledged that there was no deliberate intent to injure an opposition player.

Cairns District Junior Rugby League Semi-Finals
Games played Saturday August 30

Under 11
First Semi-Final - Brothers White d. Suburbs 19-0
Second Semi-Final - Brothers Blue d. Kangaroos 20-0
Grand Final - Brothers White v Brothers Blue
Bomber's Tip - Brothers :lol:

Under 12
First Semi-Final - Brothers d. Suburbs 13-5
Second Semi-Final - Kangaroos d. Edmonton 11-10
Grand Final - Brothers v Kangaroos
Bomber's Tip - Roos

Under 13
First Semi-Final - Yarrabah d. Brothers 22-18
Second Semi-Final - Kangaroos d. Suburbs 60-10
Grand Final - Yarrabah v Kangaroos
Bomber's Tip - Roos (Yarrabah lucky to beat Bros by all accounts)

Under 14
First Semi-Final - Edmonton d. Mossman 32-28
Second Semi-Final - Brothers d. Trinity Saints 28-26
Grand Final - Edmonton v Brothers
Bomber's Tip - Edmonton to win the club's first grand final. Whoever beats Mossman and plays Brothers is good enough for me :lol:

Under 15
First Semi-Final - Yarrabah d. Suburbs 18-14
Second Semi-Final - Kangaroos d. Ivanhoes 26-14
Grand Final - Yarrabah v Kangaroos
Bomber's Tip - Roos

Under 16
Preliminary Final - Kangaroos d. Suburbs 40-0
Grand Final - Brothers v Kangaroos
Bomber's Tip - Roos
(Winner to play Innisfail competition premiers next week; winner of that game to play Eacham competition premiers at Barlow Park on CDRL Grand Final Day)

Cheers all
Bomber

 

[Dirty Hoe]

Tui's playing over here haha....I use to play with him back at Te Atatu, hows he looking Bomber??

 

[mud n blood]

Good to see you tips Brothers, Bomber ....

 

[Bomber]

Dirty Hoe - I honestly wouldn't know, he didn't play against Mossman earlier this year (still seething at the ref after 26-28 loss!). He played for Mareeba last year from memory and followed Terry Aquilina to Innisfail.

Mud - I've never liked fish! I only realised after doing the tipping that I've tipped against Brothers in every game, but stuff them. Roos are quite strong in the junior ranks but history has shown that those players eventually find their way to Stan Williams Park or Alley Park.

Edmonton will be chuffed at making the U/14s grand final too. Given time, they could have a team in the CDRL.

I'm tipping Brothers and Atherton in the A-Grade this week, incidentally.

 

[Bomber]

Grand Final Results - Cairns District Junior Rugby League

Under 11
Brothers Blue 7 (N Kebo try, goal) d. Brothers White 5 (D Woibo try, I Nona goal)
Halftime - Brothers White 5-0
Man of the Match - Nathan Kepa (Brothers Blue)

Under 12
Kangaroos 13 (A Sam, D Murphy, D Hanley tries, F Dorante goal)) d. Brothers 3 (G Bell try)
Halftime - Kangaroos 3-0
Man of the Match - Aren Sam (Kangaroos)

Under 13
Kangaroos 30 (C Gallop 4, D Carlsen tries, Carlsen 5 goals) d. Yarrabah 10 (T pearson, K Ambrym tries, L Murgha goal)
Halftime - Yarrabah 10-6
Man of the Match - Cody Gallop (Kangaroos)

Under 14
Edmonton Storm 28 (M Grauner 2, S Littman, D Fogarty, B Andrews, R Asi tries, Grauner, D McCosker goals) d. Brothers 22 (M Andrews, R Kepa, M Terai, M Griven tries, K Jackson 3 goals)
Halftime - Brothers 16-10
Man of the Match - Marley Grauner (Edmonton)

Under 15
Yarrabah 36 (G Miller, R Cedric, B Harris, J Yeatman, T Bulmer, A Kynuna tries, Harris 6 goals)) d. Kangaroos 32 (V Wasoho 2, D Underwood, A Poghill, T Dicola tries, L March 4 goals)
Halftime - Yarrabah 18-12
Man of the Match - Anthony Yeatman (Yarrabah)

Under 16
Kangaroos 28 (I Kanord 2, J Tatipata, N Doti, M wilson tries, Doti 3, L Curcuto goals) d. Brothers 22 (E David 2, L McCrum, H Moseby tries, S Barry 3 goals)
Halftime - Tied 12-12
Best Back - Ettiki David (Brothers)
Best Forward - Luke Curcurto (Kangaroos)

Best and Fairest Rep Player - Nelson Doti (Kangaroos U16)
Best and Fairest from all Grand Finals - Marley Grauner (Edmonton U14)

All but one of my tips right!

 

[Bomber]

Minor Semi Final - Suburbs 30 Brothers 26

A 79th minbute try to five-eighth Royston Lightning kept Suburbs in the hunt for a premiership last night. The Cockatoos were trailing 26-24 to Brothers with 77 secodn to go when Lightning took the ball 7m out, switched direction and cut through the defence to post the match-winner.

Earlier, the former Canberra Raider pulled off another significant play when he stole the ball in a one-on-one tackle and scored from 25m out. It was the spark Suburbs needed to rlly late in the second half. Also telling was the sin-binning of Brothers captain-coach Brad Arthur for backchat with 11 minutes to go, one of two decisions he later described as 'disgraceful'.

With less than two minutes to go, Shane Granier was downed after putting in a kick. The Cockatoos received a penalty in good position and ultimately won the game. Arthur claimed Granier's fall was not worth a penalty with the potental to turn the game.

"Halftime couldn't come fast enough for me. We had to get them settled down, controlling the ball and focused back on the game plan. It was a gutsy effort in the second half, we finished with 11 fit men." - David Frazer, Suburbs coach

"I wasn't even thinking I was going to score, just stepped off the right then off the left and went for it." - Royston Lightning

SUBURBS 30 (S Granier 3, R Lightning 2, G Singleton tries, K Day 2, Lightning goals) d. BROTHERS 26 (L Singleton 2, A MacFarlane 2, B Benion tries, V Akiba 3 goals) at Barlow Park. Halftime - Brothers 20-12

THE FISH ARE GOOOOOOOORN!

Major Semi Final - Innisfail 38 Atherton 16

:shock:

The Leprechauns are through to their first grand final in a decade.

Innisfail despatched of the Atherton Roosters 38-16 with ruthless efficiency in the CDRL A-Grade Major Semi at Barlow Park last night.

Leading 18-10 at halftime, they piled on four tries to one in the second half. Like it was against Suburbs last week, Innisfail's pack was dynamite from the outset. They applied pressure in the first three minutes and the result was an opening try to centre Ben Ketchell from a regathered kick.

Atherton suffered an early setback when prop Grant Turner left the field in the first 10 minutes after feeling pins and needles down one side. He did not return. After scoring twice in the first half, the Roosters were held out until the last minute of the game when bench player Shane Weirman crossed for his second.

"We played a very disciplined style of football, you don't win these sorts of games without discipline and character. But in reality we are going in (the Grand Final) as the first ones through and that's all we've achieved. We are all aware the job's ahead of us. We have a couple of niggling injuries and it (the week's break) gives us an opportunity to fix that. We hope the whole town gets behind us and gives us some support." - Terry Aquilina, Innisfail coach who is in his fourth grand final in five years.

"Too may mistakes, simple as that. We haven't made that many mistakes in ten games. It started with our first set of six and we didn't get out of it. But we know what we have to do, we have to regroup and beat Suburbs." - Colin Sparkes, Atherton coach.

INNISFAIL 38 (B Ketchell 2, T Alcock, T mackenzie, B Clubb, R Swain, P Ketchell tries, A Jurd 5 goals) d. ATHERTON 16 (S Weirman 2, M Johnson tries, J Trott 2 goals) at Barlow Park. Halftime - Innisfail 18-10

Reserve Grade Semi-Finals
Major - Suburbs d. Innisfail 46-22
Minor - Kangaroos d. Atherton 47-22

Under 18s Semi-Finals
Major - Tully d. Brothers 36-34
Minor - Innisfail d. Suburbs 24-10

Next Week - Preliminary Finals at Barlow Park
A-Grade - Atherton v Suburbs
Reserves - Innisfail v Kangaroos
Under 18s - Brothers v Innisfail

 

[Bomber]

Preliminary Final - Suburbs 49 Atherton 18

A hat-trick of tries to maroon-domed giant Jason Joinbee helped propel Suburbs into their first CDRL Grand Final in six years yesterday.

The Cockatoos belted minor premiers Atherton 49-18 at Barlow Park in the preliminary final.

They take on Innisfail at Barlow Park this Saturday night, in the first ever night-time CDRL Grand Final.

Joinbee - with his hair dyed to match the colour of his jersey - proved almost impossible to stop, scoring his first try in the 37th minute to give Suburbs an unassilable 27-0 halftime lead.

His try was the icing on a brilliant opening half from Suburbs which began with a try to Shane Granier in the eighth minute.

The Roosters were their own worst enemy - three times they conceded penaltites at the kick-off and twice they coughed up the ball in their own half, resulting in Cockatoo tries soon after.

Atherton hit back with two tries in the second half but the game was effectively wrapped up with a try to hooker Kyle Day in the 62nd minute - Suburbs 33-12.

David Granier was sinbinned with 14 minutes to go but Suburbs ran in two tries without him anyway.

"Blond one week, maroon the next, who know's what'll be next week - could be both. A lot of talk from Shane Granire and Greg Summers gets me up for more than I think I can do. I probably wouldn't be able to run as well as I do without the blokes backing me up" - Suburbs hero Jason Joinbee

"Our ball control was a hell of a lot better, around 75 per cent sets completed" - A succinct David Frazer, who is in his first CDRL A-Grade Grand Final as a coach

"We were on a bit of a downer after last week and a few injuries didn't help. We trained pretty well all week but they got a good start and maybe we just tried to push the pass too much under pressure, it's hard to say." - Roosters stalwart Bing Rockley

"You can't win games with a 50 per cent completion rate. They (Atherton) are a better side than what they showed today, but you can't go opast the scoreboard. Albert Bosen had a massive game and shouldn't have been on a losing side." - A despondent Col Sparkes, finishing third for the second year in a row.

SUBURBS 49 (J Joinbee 3, D Enouch, S Granier, R Lightning, J Tuala, K Day, D Granier, Lignthing 3, Day 3 goals, Lightning field goal) d. ATHERTON 18 (I Byrnes, M Detournour, C Nehow tries, J Trott 3 goals) at Barlow Park. Halftime - Suburbs 27-0

Other Preliminary Finals
Reserves - Kangaroos d. Innisfail 31-24
Under 18s - Brothers d. Innisfail 39-20

Under 16s Match - Cairns premiers v Innisfail premiers
Kangaroos 64 d. Innisfail Brothers 6

This Week - CDRL GRAND FINAL
Friday - CDRL Awards Night, Brothers Leagues Club
Saturday at Barlow Park
Toyota NQ Cowboys Cup U16s Final - Kangaroos v Atherton
Under 18s - Tully v Brothers
Reserves - Suburbs v Kangaroos
A-Grade - Innisfail v Suburbs

Can't wait!

 

[Bomber]

Eacham Junior Rugby League Grand Finals

Teams in the EJRL - Atherton Roosters, Mareeba Gladiators, Malanda Eels, Herberton Magpies, Ravenshoe Tigers

Under 16s - Atherton d. Herberton 38-20
Winner plays Cairns Kangaroos at Barlow Park on Saturday
Under 14s - Atherton d. Herberton 68-10
Under 12s - Mareeba d. Atherton 13-10

 

[Bomber]

Rockley and Sparkes to retire

Atherton's exit from the CDRL A-Grade premiership race was also the final curtain for captain and club stalwart Bing Rockley.

The 33-year-old veteran began his A-grade career 13 years ago at fullback and finished playing five-eighth and lock.

"I've had enough", he said with a touch of relief yesterday. "I'm slowing down and other players are too fast."

In a career of extraordinary logevitiy, Rockley began playing A-Grade in 1990 and was part of th Roosters Grand Final appearance in 1992 and then back-to-back premierships in 1993 and 1994.

He played representative football in those days but otherwise has been solely committed to his beloved Roosters.

"It's been good fun, that's why you play it," he said.

"There'll be heaps of extra time but I'll find something to do."

Rockley said he was considering continuing his involvement in the club as a manager or trainer.

"We've had a good year and good group of guys; just a sad end to it," he said.

Roosters coach Col Sparkes also indicated he was bowing out after four years at the helm.

"I think I've had enough. I've got too many other things on my player," he said.

As well as coaching and work, Sparkes is pursuing an education degree at university.

 

[Tigertread]

Eacham Junior Rugby League Grand Final 2003

Atherton turned on the great weather for the junior grand finals on the tablelands, the day started off with the pee wees (under 7) under 8 and 10’s having a round robin between all 5 clubs from Atherton, Herberton, Malanda, Mareeba and Ravenshoe followed by presentations for each grade. The first of the competitive grades of under 12 followed between Atherton and Mareeba, Adam Chillcot opened the scoring for Mareeba with a 5 pointer with Rodney Bong answering with a 5 pointer for Atherton to lock the score up at half time at 5 a piece. Mareeba’s Jake Thompson scored a 3 pointer for Atherton’s Joe McIlain to reply with a 5-point try to take Atherton to a 10 – 8 lead. Mareeba were not going to lay down in their second year in the Eacham comp with man of the match Adam Chillcot to cross for his second try this one a 3 pointer followed by D K Rose to put the ball over the black dot for Mareeba to win 13 to 10.

Under 14 final between Atherton and Herberton ended up being one-way traffic after Herberton scored 2 early tries for Atherton scoring 68 unanswered points with man of the match Gerard Adams crossing the line for 7 tries and Gerald Fox shooting 8 between the sticks to win 68 to 10.

Atherton and Herberton contested the under 16 Eacham grand final with Herberton kicking off and not seeing to much ball for the early stages and defending their line for them finally getting a scrum feed in the 8 minute for Brodie Barnwell to score from the scrum and score under the posts for Jacob Hendricks to convert. The next 12 minutes was the Rodney Griffin show scoring 3 tries and converting 2 to go 16 – 6 up, with 4 minutes to go Marco Accom of Herberton scoring and Jacob Hendricks to convert and with man of the match Atherton’s Daniel Walker scoring and Rodney Griffin putting the ball over the black dot to make the score 22 to 12 at half time. Herberton started off the second half as they did the first with Brodie Barnwell scoring a 4 pointer after 6 minutes closing the gap to 6, Atherton were not going to lay down with John Geary scoring a great front rowers try for Griffin to convert and then scoring one himself 2 minutes later, Herberton’s Marco Accom to score to make the score 32 – 20 with 3 to go. The final nail was put in when Atherton Roosters rising star winner, Greg Byrnes capping off a great game for Atherton to put one under the posts for Rodney Griffin to convert and wrap up the game at 38 to 20.

Atherton now progress into the Toyota North Queensland Cowboys Cup final against Kangaroo's (Cairns & District JRL winner) as a preliminary game to the Cairns & District Grand Final at 3.00 pm next Saturday 20th September.
Source: Northern Divison

 

[Up the mighty Phins]

In 2001 and 2000, Suburbs finished dead last. Two years later, they're in the grand final. A fine effort by the club to turn things around.

 

[Bomber]

Certainly is, and with a bit of better luck they could have been minor premiers this year.

However, it seems people still want to write them off.

From Tuesday's Cairns Post - the coaches predictions:

Matt Clifford - Tully Tigers
Innisfail. It's their forwards and their bench. Of the sides we p[layed in the second round, Innisfail were dominant in defence and attack. But when you have (Suburbs') Shane Granier and Royston Lightning in the same side, anything can happen. And there's no real pressure on Suburbs.

Col Sparkes - Atherton Roosters
Innisfail. But Suburbs have the players with the magic to win it. Shane Granier and Royston Lightning can turn a game so qucikly and they have the forwards to match Innisfail. Suburbs will have to make it not such a structured game, a little unorthodox for their flair.

Ken Kennedy - Mossman Sharks
Innisfail are well balanced across the park. They make minimal mistakes and have the best go-forward in the comp. I think Paul Ketchell will have a big influence. He's great at dummy half, can read the play well and has a good kicking game. Coach Terry Aquilina has been there several times and knows what to do.

Brad Arthur - Brothers
Innisfail will be too strong. They were the form side of the second half of the competition. They play good, no-nonsense football, hit the ball up, go two passes wide to their big guys and put in a good kick-and-chase game. But if Shane Granier has a big game, Suburbs could get up.

Greg Annison - Ivanhoes
Innisfail has a very strong backrow with Palmer Wapau, File Fate and Herbert Brown, and you have (centres) Ben Ketchell and Tui Mackenzie either side of that. Their intensity level can withhold other sides. Suburbs can be brilliant but some guys drift in and out of the game.

Ray Allen - Kangaroos
Definitely Innisfail. But if there is a team that could challenge them it would be Suburbs. Innisfail are just well-drilled and know exactly what they are doing for the full 80 minutes.

James Canuto - Yarrabah (president)
I think Innisfail are probably fitter and their pack is more mobile - that's where Innisfail has been doing it all year. I could never barrack for Suburbs anyway.

Troy Cummings - Mareeba
I don't think Innisfail could be any more prepared. They are playing typical semi-finals football. But I have a gut feeling about Suburbs. They just seem to be clicking at the right time and this is one more step for them.

 

[Bomber]

Special bond for Grand Final warriors
Peter Wex - Cairns Post 17/9

A year ago, two mates made a pact.

Little did Brian Balderson and Paul Ketchell expect it would lead to a Grand Final apperance.

Balderson was playing for the Innisfail Leprechauns and Ketchell for Tully, and both sides were languishing at the wrong end of the CDRL A-Grade ladder.

"We were watching a reserve grade game, I think. Me and Baldo had a talk and made kind of a pact to be there in semis this year," Ketchell recalled.

Feeling jaded after a decade with the Tully Tigers, he opted for a run with the Leprechauns.

"It was a big decision but I needed the change and it's been good, stopped me from getting stale," the powerful hooker/halfback said.

The reaction from Tully supporters was not as bad as he might have expected.

"They have been good. I thought I would have got a lot more, but no worries. I think I got more trouble from my mum and dad - till they die they are Tigers supporters."

Now the 27-year-old hopes to go out on a high with a Grand Final win playing alonside Balderson against Suburbs on Saturday.

It would be his second CDRL premiership, though a long time between drinks - he shared his only other pemiership with Balderson when they wre both playing for Tully in 1996.

Ketchell, a cane and banana farmer from the Japoonvale district halfway between Tully and Innisfail, said it was 'definitely' his last game. "I have got a young family now and it takes a lot of time," he said.

Slotting into a new side with new coach Terry Aquilina at the helm was not an easy task.

"It was a big change for me, just (Aquilina's) fitness and discipline," Ketchell said.

"He knows good things in attack and knows how to bring out the best in most of the boys,"

But the gamble has paid off for both Ketchell and his younger brother Ben, who joined him at Innisfail and swapped from the forwards to the centres.

"We set our goals early in the year and built slowly towards them. It's taken a little while to get going," Ketchell said.

"We don't rely on anyone else to be the main man, everyone putting in the same effort and no one bludging on each other,"

"Aquilina keeps us on our toes al the time and the boys realise we haven't done anything yet."