CDRL: Yarrabah and Innisfail predictions ahead of grand final

Yarrabah locals have given their predictions as the Seahawks prepare to face the Innisfail Leprechauns in the CDRL grand final.

FRESHLY-PRINTED flags were flapping in the wind as Yarrabah Art Centre volunteers put the factory line into action ahead of the biggest clash of the year.

A small team of artists were screen-printing limited edition banners to be sold for $50-a-pop at Saturday’s game – 10 apiece for both the Yarrabah Seahawks and the Innisfail Leprechauns.

Yarrabah Mayor Ross Andrews knew a bargain he saw one and made sure to snap up the first Seahawks standard off the press, leaving just nine for diehard fans to squabble over.

Artist Karen Charlebois was certain they would sell fast – and that Yarrie would bring home the cup.

Yarrabah mayor Ross Andrews proudly flies a Seahawks banner at the Yarrabah Arts Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Oh, they’re going to kick arse,” she said.

“Everyone’s going to pop.

“They’re so excited, they’ve been talking about it for the past month.

“It will be a mass evacuation to Barlow Park.”

The town will be basically empty when the whistle blows as footy-mad locals make the pilgrimage to watch their boys at their best.

They were anticipating a battle of structure versus unpredictability with Innisfail’s disciplined squad channelling the legions of Ancient Rome against Yarrabah’s flanking attacks and erratic chip-and-chase game.

The entire town of Yarrabah are getting behind the Seahawks senior rugby league team, who will compete in this week's CDRL A Grade grand final match against the Innisfail Brothers Leprechauns. Karen Charlebois and Hannah Parker screen print some Seahawks supporters’ banners at the Yarrabah Arts Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

Edna Ambrym – spelt with a “y”, unlike those Ambrums in Innisfail – predicted a 24-18 win to the Seahawks.

“There’s always only one try in it,” she said.

Ms Ambrym said the town was ready to erupt in excitement.

“No one’s going to be here,” she said.

“Yarrabah will be a ghost town until they come back.

“Then they’ll go right through the night and finish up the next day.

“It’s mad. Here, football’s an obsession.”

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Originally published as CDRL: Yarrabah and Innisfail predictions ahead of grand final