REPLAYS: Watch the NQ Gridiron League, Round 1 double header

The Townsville Cyclones play the Cairns Falcons while the Mackay Mavericks and Mulgrave Vikings collide in a massive first week of the North Queensland Gridiron League. WATCH THE REPLAYS>>>

It is set to be the biggest showcase of North Queensland gridiron in history.

With new teams entering the fore, and a Townsville Cyclones outfit determined to end their two-year wait for the Reef Bowl to return home, the competition is expected to be as fierce as ever.

The opening three rounds of the North Queensland Gridiron League will be livestreamed here, beginning with a double header in Townsville.

The Cyclones will host the Cairns Falcons in a championship rematch of last season when the campaign begins on Saturday, immediately followed by the Mackay Mavericks’ clash with debutants’ the Mulgrave Vikings.

With the Gladstone Pirates also joining the ranks, the expansion is the culmination of years of work dedicated by the likes of Cyclones skipper Kyle Reynolds.

Gridiron

When the expansion was announced, Reynolds said the endeavours of the players who had helped shaped the league needed to be commended, given the extensive travel between competing towns required.

Now the game will be highlighted on a far wider scale.

“It’s shaping up to be the biggest season to date and eight years of dedicating my life to bringing this sport to Queensland. It’s really heartening to see we are getting growth and spreading the word,” Reynolds said.

“It’s a massive effort. We’re not a semi-professional, we’re completely amateur and the dudes are playing just to play.”

ROUND ONE @ Townsville

Townsville Cyclones 38 def Cairns Falcons 12

Mackay Mavericks 22 def Mulgrave Vikings 0

ROUND TWO @ Townsville

November 6

- Mackay Mavericks vs Cairns Falcons @ 3.30pm

- Townsville Cyclones vs Mulgrave Vikings @ 7pm

ROUND THREE @ Mackay

- Mackay Mavericks vs Rockhampton Wolverines @ 3.30pm

- Townsville Cyclones vs Gladstone Pirates @ 7pm

ROUND THREE @ Cairns

- Mulgrave Vikings vs Cairns Falcons @ 6pm

Originally published as REPLAYS: Watch the NQ Gridiron League, Round 1 double header