REPEAT SET: Why it is perhaps time to revisit the construction of league in FNQ

The closeness of two FNQRL golf equipment not fielding groups this season has opened the door to a much-needed dialog concerning the dimension of the A-grade competitors, and its construction. REPEAT SET >>

IS it time for FNQ Rugby League, and the group which helps the 13-player code within the Far North, to rethink the composition of the area’s competitions?

The FNQRL has carried on the legacy left by the Cairns District Rugby League with an 11-team competitors throughout A-grade and reserve grace.

But that is the closest it has gone to transferring away from that quantity in a while after Atherton and Southern Suburbs have been hit onerous by participant quantity points.

A scarcity of registered gamers at each golf equipment, for various causes, pressured the FNQRL to step in and implement a tough deadline on reaching a selected variety of gamers for them to take part this season.

It left a state of affairs the place two of the 11 golf equipment may have folded inside a fortnight of kick-off within the competitors.

There was excellent news for the communities at Atherton and Gordonvale because the Roosters and Cockatoos got the inexperienced mild to proceed.

Nathan Curcio has stepped as much as lead Atherton and introduced quite a lot of gamers with him to assist deliver by means of the subsequent technology, whereas Suburbs, with Eddie Prior Snr on the helm, have happy the necessities set out by the FNQRL.

It stays to be seen how each golf equipment will fare over the course of the 18-round season, however for now they may swimsuit up and keep away from the necessity for any overhaul of the schedule.

Repeat Set understands that the FNQRL had a back-up draw able to roll out had both aspect not been capable of subject groups, however they may return into the submitting cupboard.

The bigger subject at play is whether or not FNQ cannot solely assist an 11-club A-grade competitors, however can present a top quality of rugby league.

There have been rumblings over time that this league is just too bloated; that there are too many golf equipment concerned and it must be scaled again for the betterment of the game.

Fewer golf equipment ought to drive up the standard of gamers within the A-grade competitors, and make it a way more enticing product for spectators.

The gulf at school from the highest A-grade sides to the underside is clear, and when you may have a state of affairs like we do in FNQ the place gamers not chosen for the Northern Pride are anticipated to take care of their state league-standard health and type within the competitors, the standard of rugby league throughout the board must be significantly thought of.

The FNQRL has not made any plan to cull golf equipment, however officers and volunteers from a variety of golf equipment throughout the league have privately voiced their considerations concerning the subject over the previous few years.

The most typical determine advised is eight golf equipment, which might maximise the expertise, and supply one of the simplest ways for constant staff entries throughout under-18s, reserves and A-grade – and at that appropriate commonplace.

Then, as is the case on the Sunshine Coast, a C-grade or second division is introduced in and contested by the remaining golf equipment – pending participant and volunteer numbers, after all.

The tough half is definitely placing it into apply.

Try telling some golf equipment they’re now not welcome to compete within the league, or rivals need to merge so their area can nonetheless be represented.

We had Atherton and Mareeba be a part of forces within the girls’s competitors final yr to good success, however that was an answer for that drawback: each golf equipment have lengthy storied histories of their cities, have good numbers throughout juniors and revel in such a fierce rivalry that the concept of a joint Tablelands presence within the high grade is difficult to fathom.

Similar with Innisfail and Tully, these within the southern hall; it could go down more durable than a lead balloon.

Again, the FNQRL hasn’t flagged any change will happen, however there could must be a severe consideration as to if the variety of groups is sustainable into the long run.

WHY CURCIO STEPPED UP

A reasonably sturdy argument in opposition to any cull is the love many have developed for his or her golf equipment.

Nathan Curcio changed Graham Clark Snr as head coach simply 10 days out from the beginning of the season, and in stepping up has ensured a brand new chapter might be written within the 100-plus yr historical past of the membership.

“I’m stepping up to the plate because of what the Roosters mean to me and what they mean to the town,” Curcio stated.

The Roosters acquired the inexperienced mild simply final week, then celebrated in model with a two-point trial win in opposition to Mareeba.

Curcio, who stepped up as coach to make sure the Roosters would survive, scored two tries within the 32-30 win.

Click right here to learn extra about Curcio’s name to guide the Roosters, and the saga which had two golf equipment on the point of an A-grade exit.

WOMEN THE REAL VICTIMS OF CBA

FORGET concerning the spin: the NRL’s drawn-out CBA negotiations has claimed actual victims, however the wider league group would have missed it.

Cronulla girls’s participant Tayla Curtis had a two-year take care of the Dragons on the desk, nevertheless it couldn’t be signed because of the unresolved saga.

But the deal, and her dream to play within the NRLW, has gone up in smoke after affirmation she ruptured her ACL.

It is a threat going through gamers within the QRL’s BMD Premiership and NSW’s equal; they take their future of their fingers simply by taking part in and sustaining type, however face the prospect of it being worn out if one thing goes fallacious.

Get it accomplished.

Meanwhile, click on this hyperlink to learn extra at CODE Sports.

BATTLE OF BRISBANE HEATS UP

If you’re not excited concerning the NRL’s first Battle of Brisbane, you’re absolutely not following the league too intently.

The truth it’s a high of the desk conflict makes it much more attractive.

Brisbane and the Dolphins are among the many most fun, watchable groups within the competitors this yr, and the build-up to their first conflict goes to be off the charts.

Click right here to maintain up with breaking information across the NRL.

TONGIA DEBUTS MADE MORE SPECIAL

IF the Hostplus Cup debuts of Northern Pride’s bash brothers Feao and Pone Tongia wasn’t particular sufficient, the membership made it much more memorable on the captain’s run on Friday.

The brothers’ mum and sister made the journey throughout the Pacific to shock them at coaching, in what was their first time collectively in months.

The Pride captured the second, and you may watch the video on their Facebook web page.

Read extra concerning the Tongias’ journeys right here.

VALE SATTLER

It is a bloody unhappy week in rugby league with the passing of legendary South Sydney ahead John Sattler.

Revered for enjoying with a damaged jaw in South Sydney’s 1970 grand ultimate victory in opposition to Manly, Sattler had been battling dementia lately as his well being deteriorated.

He captained Souths to 4 premierships between 1967 and 1971, and might be remembered as an all-time nice of the sport.

matthew.mcinerney1@information.com.au

Originally printed as REPEAT SET: Why it is perhaps time to revisit the construction of league in FNQ

WHY CURCIO STEPPED UP

WOMEN THE REAL VICTIMS OF CBA

BATTLE OF BRISBANE HEATS UP

TONGIA DEBUTS MADE MORE SPECIAL

VALE SATTLER

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