CDRL Rd4 WRAP: Kangaroos return to the top
The most successful club in CDRL history has returned to the top of the table for the first time in years after another big win. FULL ROUND 4 WRAP >>
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THE most successful club in Cairns District Rugby League history stands alone atop the table after four rounds, but don’t expect Kangaroos coach Jared Allen to get too excited any time soon.
Kangaroos thumped Mareeba Gladiators 40-18 in wet conditions at Davies Park on Sunday evening, with doubles to Theo Majid and Tyson Phineasa helping to power the visitors home.
The Vico Oval club led from start to finish, and it was hard to pinpoint any major weaknesses as they ran over a Gladiators team which fought through so many injuries they were left without a bench.
With 23 premierships to their name, the most recent coming in 2014, Kangaroos are desperate to add to the biggest trophy cabinet in Far North rugby league.
But Allen is very well aware it’s not the time to consider the possibility.
“It’s the first time we’ve been on top of the table since I started coaching,” the second-year coach said.
“It’s a good feeling, but it’s only the start of the season. There’s a long way to go.”
Read more about the game here.
There will be no CDRL games this week as the Cairns rep team travels to Townsville for the Foley Shield.
ROOSTERS GRIND PAST IVANHOES
A TOUGH, physical contest with Ivanhoes was just what the doctor – or coach – ordered for Atherton, who proved their premiership potential with a gritty 18-14 win at home.
The A-grade triumph, courtesy of two tries by Jordon Skeen and an extremely tough defensive effort, capped a day in which the Roosters wore special Anzac Day jerseys and saluted their home fans with wins in all three grades.
The effort by the club's most senior team is one that can set up Graham Clark Snr’s men for the rest of the season.
After smashing Mossman-Port Douglas 40-4 in their last start, Clark Snr could not have asked for a better-timed contest of this physical level as two teams set to fight for a spot in the top five fought tooth and nail at a wet Mungalli Creek Dairy Stadium.
But it wasn’t all ideal.
“Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong,” Clark senior said. “Our boys really stood up in defence.
“The penalty count ended up being 14-2 or something like that, there was a lot of dropped ball and some silly errors.
“I’m not sure what happened out there.
“They niggled a bit and got us into a dogfight, and that was probably good for us after the big win against Mossman.”
Jordon Skeen scored twice, Ty Grogan added to his mounting try and pointscoring tally for the season and under-18s flyer Thomas Cuda jagged himself a try as well.
But rival clubs would have kept an eye on those who returned to the field, with brothers Graham and James Clark both returning from injury.
“They added a lot of starch to the forwards,” said the coach. “But I only mentioned them because of their return.
“Rod (Griffin) was good, Glenn Dumbrell was good, Ty Grogan had another good game at the back and Jermaine Pedro was great again.
“It was a team effort, there wasn’t one player who stood out, but everyone had to defend and they did well.”
Zane Knowles scored 10 of Ivanhoes’ 14 points with a try and three goals, but the Knights didn’t bring enough to get through the Roosters’ tight and tough defence.
Atherton will now prepare for one of the most hotly-contested games on the calendar, the Tablelands derby against Mareeba Gladiators. The game will be live streamed on the Cairns Post website on May 7.
“That’s always a big one,” Clark Sr said. “Both teams get up for it, and I’m sure Shep (Mareeba coach Chris Sheppard) will have them firing.”
Ivanhoes are scheduled to host Tully Tigers.
WATCH THE REPLAY: Kangaroos smash Mareeba to move to top of the table
SHARKS END BROTHERS’ RUN
MOSSMAN-Port Douglas have put a surprising large loss behind them to hand Brothers their first loss of the CDRL season.
Former Kangaroos flyer David Nona scored twice, while Kienan Grogan-Hayes and Kalani Anau both found the try line in the 20-14 win at a sodden Coronation Park.
Brothers flyer Devante Heron maintained his fine tryscoring touch with two tries of his own as the Manunda club fought its way back into the contest.
But it was a welcome return to the winner’s circle for the Sharks, who were thumped 40-4 by Atherton a fortnight ago.
The victory left both Brothers and Mossman-Port Douglas equal first with a 3-1 record after four games.
RESULTS
MOSSMAN-PD SHARKS 20 (Nona 2, Grogan-Hayes, K Anau tries; Daniel 2 goals) def BROTHERS 14 (Heron 2, Lewis tries; Peni goal) at Coronation Park, Mossman.
ATHERTON ROOSTERS 18 (Skeen 2, Cuda, Grogan tries; Grogan goal) def IVANHOE KNIGHTS 14 (Messa, Knowles tries; Knowles 3 goals) at Mungalli Creek Dairy Stadium, Atherton.
INNISFAIL LEPRECHAUNS 34 (Christian 2, Kris 2, Duncan, Mooka tries; Jolley 5 goals) def EDMONTON STORM 24 (Heidemann 2, Tom, Connolly tries; Hunter-Flanders 3, Gibuma goals) at Petersen Park, Edmonton.
KANGAROOS 40 (Majid 2, Phineasa 2, Stephen, Hodge, Treston, Thomas tries; Millard 2, Woodhouse 2 goals) def MAREEBA GLADIATORS 18 (Dally, Williams, Gutchen-Gela tries; Stephens 3 goals) at Davies Park, Mareeba.
SOUTHERN SUBURBS v TULLY TIGERS at Alley Park, Gordonvale, was washed out. It will be replayed at a later date.
YARRABAH had the bye.
RESERVE GRADE
Brothers 28 def Mossman-PD 10.
Atherton 30 def Ivanhoes 10.
Edmonton 38 def Innisfail 20.
Mareeba 26 def Kangaroos 22.
Suburbs v Tully Tigers (washout).
UNDER-18S
Atherton 28 def Ivanhoes 4.
Edmonton 46 def Innisfail 24.
Kangaroos 56 def Mareeba 32.
Suburbs v Tully Tigers (washout).
FIXTURES
ROUND 5
SATURDAY, MAY 7
Innisfail Leprechauns v Mossman-Port Douglas at Callendar Park, Innisfail.
Brothers v Southern Suburbs at Stan Williams Park, Manunda.
Mareeba Gladiators v Atherton Roosters at Davies Park, Mareeba.
SUNDAY, MAY 8
Ivanhoes v Tully Tigers at Smithfield Sporting Complex.
Kangaroos v Yarrabah Seahawks at Vico Oval, Mooroobool.
Edmonton has the bye.
Kick-off times TBC.
WOODHOUSE IN MIDST OF BEST SEASON
IF you need a reason to understand why Daniel Woodhouse has become an even sharper weapon for Kangaroos this Cairns District Rugby League season, here’s four: faster, fitter, stronger, better.
Woodhouse has impressed plenty of good judges in recent months, and the tryscoring flyer is reaping the benefits of his off-season stint with the Northern Pride.
He was equipped with a professional gym program, trained with the Pride’s Hostplus Cup and extended squads, and was able to work closely with players who have spent years in both state league or NRL systems.
The 23-year-old speedster took it all in, which is clearly evident when you consider his two strong performances to start the new season.
But Woodhouse isn’t satisfied just yet, the 23-year-old focused on playing his way into a Hostplus Cup debut for the Pride.
“That’s the main thing, the off-season with the Pride,” Woodhouse said.
“Just being with those higher-level players so often.
“They helped me out a lot. You pick up a lot of stuff just sitting back and watching these guys go about their business.”
It’s not just the extra muscle, confidence and belief Woodhouse has in himself, but a deeper understanding of understated aspects of an outside backs’ role.
“I learnt so much about defence,” Woodhouse said.
“A lot of work on sliding defence, and other bits and pieces, just across all of the roles - wing, centre, fullback.”
The proof’s in the pudding.
Woodhouse is in a three-way tie for leading tryscorer after just two games.
He scored a hat trick against Edmonton in Round 1, endured Covid when his team had a bye in Round 2, then returned with a two-try performance in Sunday’s win against Southern Suburbs.
He has constantly been among the best performers according to Kangaroos coach Jared Allen, but Woodhouse isn’t about to put the cue in the rack.
He wants to take it to the next level, and before the end of the season if fate falls the right way.
“100 per cent, I want to get a debut for the Pride, and I want to keep playing good footy,” Woodhouse said.
“I had a chat to Ty (Williams, Pride coach) after Round 1, and … I’m not that far away. I just need to keep playing well, keep performing and keep improving.
“It’s been a good start to the season. The boys are happy with the way we’ve played so far. The staggered start isn’t ideal but we’ve worked through that.”
There are no CDRL games this week due to Easter.
UNDER-18s GAMES STEAL THE SPOTLIGHT
TWO early season pacesetters will face off on Saturday when Atherton hosts Ivanhoes at Mungalli Creek Dairy Stadium.
The first game on the program, the under-18s, is shaping as a belter with neither side yet to taste defeat.
Early season byes help to keep that record intact, but with the two sides at 2-0, there will be plenty of feeling as they both seek to extend the unbeaten run to three games.
Atherton centre Ryan Gallagher will be one to watch.
He is the leading tryscorer (five) and pointscorer (32pts) and is a genuine threat every time he touches the ball.
Defending reserve grade premiers Ivanhoes are atop the table, with eighth-placed Atherton looking for a breakthrough result.
And in A-grade, both teams have impressed so far, and want the win to not only pressure the rest of the league, but to build confidence ahead of hopeful finals runs.
Meanwhile, two of the leading try and point scorers will face off when Southern Suburbs host Tully Tigers in the CDRL Match of the Round.
Tully halfback James Callope and Suburbs hooker Zak Rookwood have both scored 22 points in the under-18s this season, though the Tiger leads the tryscoring race 5-4.
WATCH SOUTHERN SUBURBS V TULLY TIGERS HERE ON APRIL 24
The ball won’t be far from either man given they play such pivotal positions in their respective teams, who haven’t had the best starts to their campaigns.
Tully is sixth with one win and one loss to date, while Suburbs are last and yet to win in three games.
The Cairns Post will live stream the three fixtures from Alley Park this Sunday afternoon, with this under-18s battle to kick off the action at noon.
Reserve grade kicks off at 1.30pm, with A-grade from 3pm.
GROGAN NUMBER ONE CHOICE FOR ATHERTON
ATHERTON fullback Ty Grogan has become one of the biggest beneficiaries of his team’s successful Cairns District Rugby League season, but his confidence could be the key to the Roosters’ strong start.
The Roosters are in the midst of one of their best starts for years, with Graham Clark Snr’s side far from the team which finished towards the bottom of the ladder in 2021.
These Roosters have had their premiership contenders tag tested already, and last week’s 40-4 thrashing of Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks proved they belong in that conversation.
And while they are still yet to welcome back their full squad, Grogan has come into his own. The fullback has led his team’s try- and point-scoring since the halfway mark of the 2021 season.
He stormed home in the pointscoring race, finishing third with 160 points from 15 tries and 50 goals – just six points behind leader Innisfail’s Aaron Jolley – as the Roosters finished with a flurry.
As Atherton struggled for results, Grogan was still a nuisance to rival defences, forcing his way onto the scoresheet more often than not and giving his team a chance to succeed.
Clark Snr said he had seen the improvement in Grogan over the past few years, which started with a less than ideal debut.
And there was one moment in that win against the Sharks which proved Grogan was a new man.
“They put up a midfield bomb, and he raced forward about 20 metres to get to the ball on the full, then took the contact,” Clark Snr said.
“Two years ago, he would have let that ball bounce. This time he just got up, took it. The willingness to really put the body on the line, that’s the biggest difference.
“He probably got handed his debut a bit early, and copped a blow to his confidence after moving between A-grade and the reserves. But he’s really coming into his own.”
Clark Snr has three fullbacks at his disposal in any given line-up, allowing them to rotate between the custodial role and the flanks – either in-game or week-to-week.
But Grogan might just have stamped his claim his place as Atherton’s preferred No.1.
The Roosters will host Ivanhoes at Mungalli Creek Dairy Stadium when the CDRL competition resumes next weekend.
ROUND 4 FIXTURES
Saturday, April 23
7pm: Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks v Brothers at Coronation Park, Mossman.
7pm: Atherton Roosters v Ivanhoes at Mungalli Creek Dairy Stadium, Atherton.
Sunday, April 24
3pm: Edmonton Storm v Innisfail at Petersen Park, Edmonton.
3pm: Southern Suburbs v Tully Tigers at Alley Park, Gordonvale.
3pm: Mareeba Gladiators v Kangaroos at Davies Park, Mareeba.
Yarrabah has the bye.
matthew.mcinerney1@news.com.au
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Originally published as CDRL Rd4 WRAP: Kangaroos return to the top
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