Rugby League

Sarah Martin. As the dust settles on the inaugural Arthur Beetson Foundation Future Immortals Tour, which saw a cohort of rugby league legends spend a long weekend in Kowanyama, the excited superstars are already asking when they can return to community. Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council chief executive officer Kevin Bell, a passionate rugby league fan, said the positive outcomes from the event were already being felt.

Glyn Rees. Team captain and coach Travis Burns’ Wattles Warriors first grade team served up their club’s fifth first grade premiership success since joining the Toowoomba Rugby League in 1966 when they dispatched the Gatton Hawks 51 – 20 at Toowoomba’s Clive Berghofer Stadium on Sunday in front of a packed crowd. While a swansong for the skipper, it was a dream come true for him and his sixteen team mates.

Glyn Rees. The excitement is building around Allora, Clifton and the Central Downs as rugby league devotees prepare for this Sunday’s pilgrimage to Toowoomba’s Clive Berghoffer Stadium to support the Wattles Warriors in their bid for 2022 Toowoomba Rugby League premiership glory.

Samuel Davis. Discipline and the occasional burst of individual brilliance has proven just enough to get Weipa Raiders over the line in a thrilling grand final at Andoom Oval on Saturday afternoon. Napranum Bulldogs entered the decider undefeated and favourites to claim the Western Cape Rugby League premiership cup.

The Cowboys didn’t get the result they wanted but Margaret Mara was still proud of their performance in jerseys she designed.

The small-town kid from Cape York has been given the task of turning around the Far North's biggest rugby league club, the Northern Pride. Garreth Smith explains how his background will help restore the Pride and provide a pathway for kids from the Cape and Torres Strait.

Jeff Hanson. The Hume League finals beckoned in 2021, and after the season was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many footballing pundits were predicting the Lockhart Demons to be a powerhouse in 2022 ... In good news, former Azzi Medal winner, two-time club best and fairest and former coach, Nathan McPherson will return as a non-playing coach in 2022.

The Napranum Bulldogs will dust off the cobwebs this weekend when they play their first competitive game for two years at the Gordonvale Indigenous Rugby League Carnival. With no organised competition in Cape York this year and COVID-19 killing off games in 2020, the Bulldogs have been training for a long time to prepare for a string of carnivals.

Congratulations, Casino Cougars. The junior outfit has been named the NSW Rugby League Grassroots Club of the Year. The club has grown from 130 players in 2012 to 340 in 2021.

Former local and NRL Burleigh Bears prospect Shallin Fuller is set to join the Gold Coast Titans next year. Shallin is from Muli Muli, attended Woodenbong Central School and played for the Turkeys.

Barellan Rams are on a roll, notching up their second win for the season in the ProTen Community Cup rugby league at Goolgowi on June 5. At half-time, Barellan were 10 to Ivanhoe 6 and the full-time score was 14-10.

Emma Pritchard. When he ran onto the ground at Bankwest Stadium on May 28, talented Wests Tigers fullback Daine Laurie wasn’t just playing for himself, his teammates, or his NRL club. He was also playing for his family and representing his Indigenous culture.

Casino Cougarettes had mixed fortunes against Kyogle Turkeys in Ladies League Tag rugby at Queen Elizabeth Park on Saturday.

Narrandera Lizards stamped their dominance on the ProTen Community Cup 2021 season by steamrolling Ivanhoe Roosters in the pre-season knockout on Saturday. The Lizards were the host club for the knockout carnival at the Narrandera Sportsground, retained the 2019 premiership field won over Barellan.