REPLAYS: CDRL RD 4, Mareeba v Kangaroos

Kangaroos were out to extend their unbeaten start to the CDRL season when they travelled to Mareeba on Sunday. WATCH THE REPLAYS >>

Matthew McInerney

4 min read

April 26, 2022 - 9:46AM

Replay: CDRL - Mareeba vs Kangaroos – A-Grade

Cairns

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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.

*Scroll down to watch replays of all three grades*

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.”

While Kangaroos ran in eight-tries-to-three at Davies Park, Allen was most impressed with his team’s defensive effort.

Roos' Jack Thomas proves hard to stop. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I really liked the way we defended. We didn’t let them have anything easy, we kept pressuring them and turned up for each other.

“We have a lot of great attacking players.”

Mareeba coach Chris Sheppard lamented his side’s injury battles, with outstanding prop Caleb Dally and second rower Daley Boney among those to come out of the clash worse for wear.

But the former NRL halfback and Pride premiership winner was proud of how his team banded together and fought until the end.

“Injuries hammered us and we ended up with nobody left on the bench,” Sheppard said. “We’re waiting to find out from the doc but (some of the injuries) don’t look great at the moment.

“I wasn’t unhappy with the effort. The effort was there from everyone, they worked really hard.

“I was happy with the way they got stuck in and made the most of it.

“Their willingness to adjust and play a lot longer minutes than what we planned was a good sign.”

Where Mareeba battled injury throughout Sunday night’s gutsy performance, Kangaroos have benefited from consistency in the crucial spine positions across their first three games.

Will Treston has combined well with Majid in the halves, while hooker Ty Millard, who is high on the Pride’s radar, has controlled each game fairly well.

With those three key positions unaffected, it’s allowed Kangaroos to work on their combinations and get the best out of the 17 Allen sends onto the park each week.

“That consistency has really helped us a lot through these first few weeks,” Allen said.

There will be no CDRL games this week as the Cairns rep team travels to Townsville for the Foley Shield.

Kagaroos' Jeremy Byquar. Picture: Brendan Radke

KANGAROOS’ KING MAKES AN IMPACT

DENZEL King has been named 18th man for the Northern Pride but it is in blue and gold that he could do the most damage this weekend.

King has been on the cusp of the Hostplus Cup his entire senior career.

He has made 21 appearances since making his debut for the Pride in 2015, which includes three games for Ipswich over two years, having been part of state league systems for the best part of a decade.

While training with the Pride, King has made most of his impact on the footy field in recent years at Kangaroos – and there is no understating just what his experience does for the club.

Kangaroos coach and his former teammate Jared Allen sees that impact every week in the Cairns District Rugby League.

“He’s awesome for us, he’s definitely one of our leaders,” the second-year coach said.

“It’s massive for us whenever we get him into our side.

“He plays the game well, whether he starts at hooker or lock, where we prefer him, and he brings that leadership and experience to the team.”

Kangaroos Denzel King Picture: Brian Cassey

King’s execution of even the most basic parts of the game – passing and kicking – makes life easier for Kangaroos’ fresh halves pairing of Theo Majid and Will Treston.

Majid joined the club from Brothers, while Treston played for the Bulls in FNQ Rugby.

“They love having him there, especially being on the end of his long ball,” Allen said.

The trio will be among the most-watched when Kangaroos make the trip to Mareeba to face the Gladiators on Sunday.

The Gladiators are 0-2 and are chasing their first win, while the undefeated Kangaroos are chasing consistency.

The game will be shown live on the Cairns Post website, kicking off with the under-18s at 2pm.

Southern Suburbs’ clash with Tully Tigers was originally set to be live streamed, but that fixture has been postponed after Alley Park was closed. As of Friday afternoon, all four other games are set to go ahead as scheduled.

MATCH PREVIEW

Kangaroos will be out to extend their unbeaten start to the Cairns District Rugby League season when they travel to Mareeba on Sunday.

The game will be shown live at this link, after Southern Suburbs’ clash with Tully Tigers was postponed due to the heavy rain impacting Far North Queensland.

Mareeba Gladiators are 0-2 to start the 2022 campaign but have looked good under new coach Chris Sheppard.

The former Pride superstar has previously said this was a season to focus on development, but the Gators won’t go down without a fight.

Kangaroos bested Edmonton and Southern Suburbs in their first two games, but have endured a yoyo-like start to the year with games every second week due to the bye, Easter, and the rep round.

Second-year Kangaroos coach Jared Allen has his team firing to kickoff the year, and he’ll be chasing a third successive win to maintain the perfect record.