REPLAYS: FNQ Rugby grand final day
The Cairns Post partnered with FNQ Rugby to broadcast the competition’s grand final day. You can catch all three replays - A-grade, women’s 10s and reserve grade - at this link.
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THE Cairns Post partnered with FNQ Rugby to broadcast the competition’s grand final day.
FNQ Rugby’s three senior grand finals — A-grade, reserve grade, and women’s 10s — were shown live as the Cairns Post takes another step in the world of streaming community sport.
You can watch all three replays below.
10 PLAYERS TO WATCH IN THE FNQ RUGBY GRAND FINALS
A GRADE: WANDERERS v PORT DOUGLAS
Port Douglas has won the FNQ Rugby A-grade premiership after a 29-24 win against Wanderers at Barlow Park.
Both sides scored four tries each, though Port Douglas flyhalf Tomas Venter’s boot ultimately proved the difference.
He kicked three conversions from four attempts to Wanderers fullback Bradley Stephen’s 2/4, with a last-minute penalty clinching the Rainforestation Cup for the northernmost club in the competition.
But to reduce this contest to a goalkicking challenge would not be respectful to an enthralling battle between two clashing styles.
Port Douglas rolled through the middle, playing a more traditional approach as the engine room made the metres, then scored a swag of tries as reward for getting over Wanderers’ forwards.
The Green Machine was described by one observed as a ‘hybrid’ side, with a combination of rugby and league styles combining for an exciting and flashy style.
Ultimately, Port Douglas had enough in the tank to get it done, clinching their first premiership since 2014 and third in the club’s 20-year history.
Juan Dillon was named player of the grand final.
The FNQ Rugby A-grade grand final has been delayed for half an hour after a serious injury.
Wanderers were dominating possession and field position in the Port Douglas red zone, when Joshtel Charlie took a heavy hit-up.
He was at the bottom of a ruck when players immediately signalled for a stretcher.
Charlie lay on the ground motionless as an ambulance called.
Officials later said he suffered a badly broken leg.
The grand final resumed after a half an hour stoppage, with Wanderers crossing in the left corner through Daniel Woodhouse from the very first play after the restart.
WOMEN’S 10S: WANDERERS v MUDCRABS
Mudcrabs have staged a remarkable comeback to beat Wanderers and win the inaugural FNQ Rugby Women’s 10s grand final 32-28.
Wanderers held the half time ascendency in one of the most even grand finals on the schedule.
Nothing separated the two teams throughout this season, and the four-point margin seems too much for a decider which swung like a pendulum.
They traded tries, though Wanderers were kept in the contest through Mel LeBlanc’s goal kicking as Northern Beaches scored six tries to four.
In the end, the sheer weight of five-pointers proved the difference, Mudcrabs holding on despite a last-minute push by Wanderers to claim the title.
FNQ RUGBY GRAND FINAL COVERAGE
Port Douglas, Wanderers, eye drought-breaking FNQ Rugby title
Wanderers, Mudcrabs, evenly matched ahead of historic grand final
Spooky trend points to Port Douglas winning third premiership
FNQ Rugby column: Superstar shout-outs, Mariners fall, end of an era at Barron
Wanderers: ‘They all underestimate our forwards’
What Mudcrabs, Wanderers, expect in women’s 10s decider
RESERVE GRADE: PENRHYN SHARKS v JCU MARINERS
One team was a win away from history; the other was looking to add more silverware to its cabinet.
After a torrid 2019, Penrhyn Sharks withdrew from A-grade and fielded only a reserve grade team in 2020.
It’s proved a masterstroke, as the Sharks built an undefeated campaign to qualify for the grand final - then claimed their first major trophy after a 38-16 victory.
JCU Mariners won last year’s A-grade grand final, but with thier top squad eliminated this was their chance to claim a premiership.
The Mariners led for a period in the first half, but the Sharks couldn’t be stopped as they mounted a comeback, then built a strong lead as the game wore on.
Tempers threatened to boil over after the last play of the game when a Penrhyn player dived on a loose ball, only to be caught by an errant knee from a chasing Mariners player.
The downed Shark, who was knocked out on his own try line, was tended to by the club’s medical staff as the referees called an end to the final.
The groggy player was hoisted on his teammates’ shoulders and carried off the field, where he underwent further treatment.
FNQ RUGBY GRAND FINAL COVERAGE
Port Douglas, Wanderers, eye drought-breaking FNQ Rugby title
Wanderers, Mudcrabs, evenly matched ahead of historic grand final
Spooky trend points to Port Douglas winning third premiership
FNQ Rugby column: Superstar shout-outs, Mariners fall, end of an era at Barron
Wanderers: ‘They all underestimate our forwards’
What Mudcrabs, Wanderers, expect in women’s 10s decider
Livestreaming is a new and growing service we’re proud to be involved with, and FNQ Rugby president John Pirie is excited to see it come to fruition.
“I think it’s incredible for the Cairns Post to bring community sports coverage online,” Pirie said.
“We have a lot of families and friends who are still part of the FNQ Rugby community that no longer live in the region and can’t make it to the grand final.
“We’re thankful to the Cairns Post for offering this service and there’s already a lot of buzz for it.”
Readers will need a Cairns Post subscription to view the games.
FNQ Rugby will be the second community sports competition to have their grand finals shown live by the Cairns Post, coming just weeks after the successful broadcast of the Cairns Hockey deciders.
The Cairns Post has since announced a similar deal with Football Queensland North, with the FNQ Football grand final day and Crad Evans Shield to be shown live.
GRAND FINAL SCHEDULE
All deciders will be played at Barlow Park, and livestreamed by the Cairns Post.
2.40pm: Reserve grade, Penrhyn Sharks v JCU Mariners
4.40pm: Women’s 10s: Mudcrabs v Wanderers
6pm: A-grade: Port Douglas v Wanderers
A junior rep game will also be played at 1pm.
Originally published as REPLAYS: FNQ Rugby grand final day