Charleville Comets rugby league team to return in 2026
Is it a rocket, a plane, maybe a shooting star? No, it’s the Charleville Comets, set to return to the park back after a near decade-long hiatus.
Inspired by the return of the Thargomindah Bulls after 26 long years away, another western Queensland town will lace up their boots and hit the field.
In March, the tiny outback Queensland town of Thargomindah, 1100km west of Brisbane with a population just shy of 300 people, was gutted when a deluge of water ripped through.
Following the devastation more young men returned home to be with their families and assist in the clean-up efforts.
Among the loss and tragedy an idea was born and after almost three decades away the once-defunct rugby league team has returned, with a committee, a coach and 30 players.
As part of the outback football resurgence the Charleville Comets have now announced they too will make their grand return in 2026.
The Comets were a staple of Charleville for decades but were forced to fold in 2019 due to a lack of opposition.
“After we finished up in 2019 most of us boys who were with the Comets have been playing in the Roma comp,” new vice president and former player Nick Russell said.
“The comp went from a four team to a three to a two team and we ended only playing Cunnamulla three times a year.”
He said seeing the return of the Bulls had lit a spark among the locals.
“Since Thargo started back up everyone is keen to come back and get the footy going, everyone is itchy to get back out there especially us older boys,” he said.
“We are doing a sign-up day on December 18 and we have over 20 players keen but there is still a lot more who will come on board, I think we should have a big squad.
“Seeing Thargo back has half pushed us to come back, I started in 2012 and there was no Thargo Bulls and to see them return has got us keen.”
As the plan stands the Comets will play against the Thargomindah Bulls and Cunnamulla Rams throughout a seven week competition with discussions underway to get a Quilpie side up and running.
Mr Russell said for outback towns sport was more than just a hobby but the true lifeblood of the community.
“Football was always a big thing, everyone came together, you got to travel around plus you had your home games and the whole town would get together for the games,” he said.
“It meant a lot to the town, it has always been a big thing out here and it will be great to get it back going again.”
Mr Russell encouraged locals to put on the blue jersey.
“Even if a town can't make their own side we encourage them to jump over and help another team,” he said.
“We have been invited to go play the Longreach Sevens, and we might see if the Thargo boys want to join in and we can run a bit of a rep side.
“Throw your hand up and get involved we will take anyone and we want to see footy go forward and grow.”
