FNQRL, QRL, turn to FIFO referees to keep Yarrabah in the game
FNQRL and QRL have had to step in to ensure Yarrabah can play in the Cairns District Rugby League A-grade competition. THE LATEST >>
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FLY-in, fly-out officials will be called upon again to ensure Yarrabah Seahawks can play in the Cairns District Rugby League A-grade competition.
Cairns District Rugby League Referees Association has not budged on its decision, voted upon by members last week, to not supply officials to games involving Yarrabah.
The Seahawks were stood down for one round at the end of last month under the Queensland Rugby League’s Positive Environment Program after incidents during games.
CDRLRA made their decision based on the safety and mental wellbeing of its members.
FNQ Rugby League and QRL officials worked together to source referees from south east Queensland last weekend to ensure the Seahawks could return to the field against Southern Suburbs, which they did in spectacular fashion.
There was hope a deal could be struck in time for the Seahawks’ return to Jilara Oval, but the impasse remains despite a week of meetings between the parties.
The women’s game between Yarrabah and Mossman will kick-off the day at 9.30am.
Yarrabah then host Mareeba in U18s (11pm), reserves (12.30pm) and A-grade (2pm) in slightly earlier timeslots.
SEAHAWKS EXCITE IN SHOWDOWN
YARRABAH promised to end this year on a high and boy, did the Seahawks deliver in their return to the Cairns District Rugby League.
The Seahawks made sure those who went to Alley Park were treated to a brand of footy which makes the Seahawks among the best to watch.
Among those in the stands was FNQ Rugby League chairman Rob White, who took in the entire day from the main grandstand.
“I had a great day, it was one of the best I’ve been to,” White said.
“It was great to sit back and just watch entertaining football.
“And there was only one sin bin across all three games. It was a really positive day of hard rugby league played in the right spirit.”
Uncertainty surrounded the club’s return fixture with Southern Suburbs after the Cairns District Rugby League Referees Association voted to not supply officials to games involving Yarrabah for the rest of the year.
But the FNQRL, working with the QRL, engaged non-CDRLRA-affiliated referees, including officials with state league experience from south east Queensland, to ensure the game went ahead.
There were no major incidents out of Sunday’s games.
It may not be over yet, with CDRLRA yet to reverse their decision regarding the supply of referees to Yarrabah games.
It is understood all parties will meet throughout the week to find a way forward, with Yarrabah scheduled to host games in the final three weeks of the season.
“Flying referees in and out every week isn’t an ideal long-term solution at all,” White said.
“We want to get through the week and the rest of the season.
“We hope to get a resolution.”
With finals well out of the equation, and everything the club has gone through in the past fortnight, the players just wanted to have fun.
Sam Bann, who has excelled across the back line throughout his career, wore the No. 10 on his back.
Former state league gun Hezron Murgha had the No. 14 on his back, and played all over the park.
Props played in the backline, caution was thrown into the wind with the eyes-up footy for which the club is known, and every try - three of which went the way of Wade Smith - was lapped up by the Seahawks faithful.
The 38-28 win is a bonus for a team which went through the wringer.
Breaches of the Queensland Rugby League’s Positive Environment Program, which was introduced across the state to “proactively tackle behaviour issues” and create a “positive environment” at community rugby league games, led to their being stood down for a week.
The Seahawks spent the past fortnight fighting for their survival after being stood down by the FNQ Rugby League.
The ruling related to a number of incidents on and off the field this season, with their fiery clash with Edmonton the last straw.
But if their performance against Suburbs is anything from which to judge, it bodes well for a happy homecoming when they host Mareeba Gladiators at Jilara Oval on Sunday.
“We have processes in place, and I’m confident we won’t see there being any issues just because they’ll be playing at home,” White said.
SEAHAWKS SOAR IN CDRL RETURN
YARRABAH has enjoyed a winning return to the CDRL with a 38-28 win against Southern Suburbs at Alley Park on Sunday.
The Seahawks put a fortnight of frustration, during which they were stood down from the CDRL competition and forced to fight for their future after a string of unsavoury and anti-social incidents, behind them in the seven tries to five triumph.
Wade Smith bagged a hat trick while Gregory Miller scored a double for the Seahawks as they announced their return to competition in the best possible way: by winning fair and square.
Uncertainty surrounded the round 17 fixture after Cairns District Rugby League Referees Association members voted to refuse to supply match officials for any game involving Yarrabah for the rest of the season.
An email obtained by the Cairns Post said the decision, voted upon members at a meeting on Monday night, was made to “protect the physical and mental wellbeing of our members and was not taken lightly”.
FNQRL worked to ensure the game will be played, and on Friday secured the solution which allowed the Seahawks to soar once again.
Several referees based in south east Queensland and with state league experience flew in to Cairns on Sunday morning, officiated the Alley Park game, then returned to Brisbane last night.
It is not an ideal solution, especially in the long-term, but FNQRL chairman Rob White said the governing body was determined to ensure Yarrabah could take the field.
FNQRL LOCKS IN YARRABAH RETURN
YARRABAH’s return to the Cairns District Rugby League is locked in after FNQ Rugby League sourced FIFO referees for the Seahawks’ clash with Southern Suburbs.
Uncertainty surrounded the round 17 fixture after Cairns District Rugby League Referees Association members voted refuse to supply match officials for any game involving Yarrabah for the rest of the season.
An email obtained by the Cairns Post said the decision, voted upon members at a meeting on Monday night, was made to “protect the physical and mental wellbeing of our members and was not taken lightly”.
FNQRL has worked to ensure the game will be played, and on Friday secured a solution which allows the Seahawks to soar once again.
Several referees based in south east Queensland will fly in to Cairns on Sunday morning, officiate the Alley Park game, then return to Brisbane that evening.
It is not an ideal solution, especially in the long-term, but FNQRL chairman Rob White said the governing body was determined to ensure Yarrabah could take the field.
It also ensures the CDRLRA position is not compromised.
“With the help of the Queensland Rugby League we have sourced referees who are not affiliated with the CDRLRA,” White said.
“Getting through this weekend has been the goal the whole time.
“We don’t want this to be the long term solution, we can’t do it every week for the rest of the season.
“But our focus has been to get this game operational, then we will look to the rest of the season.”
All eyes will be on Alley Park as Yarrabah returns to action for the first time since the dramatic clash with Edmonton a fortnight ago.
The Seahawks were issued a show cause notice in June after several incidents which breached the Queensland Rugby League’s Positive Environment Program.
Incidents at games against Innisfail and Brothers, both of which ended with referees abandoning A-grade fixtures before the end of the 80 minutes, sparked an intervention from FNQRL and QRL officials.
After a number of incidents during and after the game against Edmonton, FNQRL made the decision to stand down Yarrabah for one game.
FNQRL-Yarrabah decision affects finals race
FNQ Rugby League’s decision to stand down Yarrabah for one week and record their scheduled games as forfeit losses still does not sit well with one Cairns District Rugby League club.
But Brothers, who slipped to third and lost ground in the minor premiership race, aren’t about to make too big a fuss, with Head of Football Tim Rumford acknowledging how difficult a situation the league was in.
“It is a massive decision by the league,” Rumford said.
“To stand down a club for a week and risk the integrity of the competition is a big move.”
Yarrabah forfeited to Innisfail in the three senior male games, which is recorded as a 50-0 win for the Leprechauns.
The 50-0 scoreline for forfeits was adopted years ago as a way for governing bodies to reduce the number of no-shows in a season.
It does its job in that sense, but the circumstances surrounding Yarrabah were different - and it could have a bigger impact on the makeup of the finals.
That 50-point advantage allowed Innisfail to leapfrog Brothers into second spot on the ladder, and, now armed with the best points differential in the league, have a chance to swoop to the minor premiership.
“We’re not happy with how it affects us but we lost to Mossman twice and Ivanhoes,” Rumford said.
“If we win those games we are still on top. That’s in our control.
“It’s difficult for the governing body to find a solution.
“We had our own meeting. We put some points across along the lines of when is a forfeit not a forfeit.
“This was a forfeit but not in the true sense.
“But it’s difficult for FNQRL to find a solution which could fit for everyone, and we’re not going to criticise the governing the body.”
FNQRL chair Rob White said the 50-0 scoreline for forfeits was in the competition rules.
“We considered a numer of options, like playing midweek, but logistically that was difficult so it was ruled out,” White said.
Yarrabah is scheduled to face Southern Suburbs at Alley Park on Sunday, but that fixture is under threat with Cairns District Rugby League Referees Association refusing to supply match officials.
REFEREES MAKE A STAND
YARRABAH may be cleared by the FNQ Rugby League to play out the rest of the season, but the Seahawks will not play another game if the demands of referees are not met.
There’s no game without referees, and that is exactly the scenario the FNQRL and Seahawks are facing, with Cairns District Rugby League Referees Association to refuse to supply match officials for any game involving Yarrabah for the rest of the season.
An email obtained by the Cairns Post said the decision, which was voted upon members at a meeting on Monday night, was made to “protect the physical and mental wellbeing of our members and was not taken lightly”.
“It’s vital that we as an association we remain steadfast and united on this issue,” the email read.
FNQRL and Yarrabah released statements on Wednesday confirming the Seahawks’ return to action this weekend, but CDRLRA president Kane Schwartz said the association was not included in the discussion.
Schwartz said he informed FNQRL of his members’ decision on Monday night, with the CDRLRA outlining the minimum requirements for Yarrabah’s four remaining games to go ahead would be:
■ A police presence at the Seahawks’ expense,
■ Two game day managers per club who are willing to intervene and ask unruly spectators to leave the grounds, and
■ All Yarrabah home games moved to a neutral venue.
FNQRL chairman Rob White said the organisation was working with the CDRLRA to find an outcome as soon as possible.
“They came back to us with a couple of points ... we hope to get a positive resolution on that soon,” White said.
“We’re working on those with the association.”
Schwartz said the drastic action had come after a season during which he said referees had been abused verbally by players and spectators.
In Yarrabah’s recent fiery clash with Edmonton, the tipping point which led to the Seahawks being stood down by the FNQRL, a Yarrabah trainer threw a water bottle at the referee at the end of the game.
But Schwartz said it continued off the field, with referees locked in the change rooms for more than half an hour after fulltime as unruly patrons hurled abuse through the windows.
It was also claimed a teenage official was followed to his car by six people, who made threats of violence.
It is understood one official involved in that game against the Storm made clear they did not want to be assigned to any Yarrabah game moving forward.
Schwartz made clear the action was to protect the physical and mental wellbeing of members, and said he believed Yarrabah should be stood down for the rest of the season.
“We’re not really satisfied, FNQRL has gone soft on the show cause notice,” Schwartz said.
“They gave them the show cause, then four weeks later we had the blow up with our refs being locked in the change room and one followed to his car.
“Their teams can’t make finals, and it won’t really affect the other teams.
“They would have more time to take action and put things in place for next season.”
Yarrabah is scheduled to face Southern Suburbs at Alley Park this Sunday afternoon, their last away game of a season in which they can no longer make the finals.
But, if the CDRLRA is not satisfied, FNQRL may need to source referees from other regions to cover the game.
White was confident the game was proceed as scheduled.
“We’ve been in discussion with CDRLRA and the QRL. There is a game scheduled for Sunday, and I’m confident it will go ahead,” White said.
“FNQRL represents all of rugby league, our meetings with Yarrabah were on behalf of the league.
“The priority was to make sure we could gte a positive result with Yarrabah then work from there.
“We’re hopeful we’ll get confirmation (on Thursday evening), certainly by Friday.”
TICK OF APPROVAL FOR SEAHAWKS
Yarrabah will play out the remainder of the Cairns District Rugby League season.
The Seahawks’ future was put under a cloud after the FNQ Rugby League stood down the club for one weekend.
Club officials met with FNQRL representatives this week where a path forward was agreed upon, which included a guarantee regarding behaviour.
In a Facebook post signed off by the Yarrabah Seahawks committee, the club pleaded for spectators to abide by the Queensland Rugby League’s Positive Environment Program
“There were a lot of issues raised and addressed.
However, officials of both Seahawks and FNQRL managed to work together through those issues moving forward,” the statement read.
“The club will continue to see out the season giving FNQRL guarantee to commit and adhered to the PEP, to spectate and play the game in the True Spirit of Rugby League and ensure the safety of all players and match officials.
“We are sincerely asking our players and spectators to please refrain from using vulgar language at home and away games and to respect the club officials and Volunteers who have worked hard over many years to keep our club in the strongest competition in Far North Queensland.”
In a statement, the FNQRL chairperson Rob White said “Yarrabah provided positive statements and have agreed to a number of action items centred around the QRL’s Positive Environment Program.”
“These actions relate to the 2022 season and any further breaches may result in action being taken by the FNQRL,” his statement read.
“The FNQRL acknowledges the work of Yarrabah President Sam Bann and the Yarrabah committee in assisting with a positive resolution at this time.”
Yarrabah host three of their remaining four games at Jilara Oval.
Seahawks president Sam Bann Snr and club members led a community meeting at Jilara Oval on Sunday afternoon, with witnesses estimating about 100 supporters, officials and players turned up to the home of Yarrabah rugby league.
It was a show of strength in a community which was turned upside down on Thursday, when news of the decision filtered through.
Incidents at games against Innisfail and Brothers earlier in the season, both of which ended with referees abandoning A-grade fixtures before the end of the 80 minutes, sparked an intervention from FNQRL and Queensland Rugby League officials.
On Thursday, FNQ Rugby League chairman Rob White issued a statement in which it was made clear the club had not implemented a number of actions, set out in the show cause notice issued on June 9, to stay in the competition.
“The FNQRL has received a number of complaints of anti-social behaviour regarding Yarrabah officials and supporters at the games last weekend between Yarrabah and Edmonton which identifies certain actions that were agreed upon unfortunately not implemented,” the statement read.
“The FNQRL Board has adopted the QRL’s Positive Environment Program … and in terms of that policy considers it essential that the Yarrabah Senior Rugby League club be stood down from this weekend’s games against Innisfail to mitigate any likely risk to players, spectators and officials of the games.”
Seahawks’ plea to be heard
YARRABAH has claimed it not given the chance to plead its case before the FNQ Rugby League’s sensational decision to stand down the club from senior competition.
Seahawks president Sam Bann Snr and club members led a community meeting at Jilara Oval on Sunday afternoon, with witnesses estimating about 100 supporters, officials and players turned up to the home of Yarrabah rugby league.
It was a show of strength in a community which was turned upside down on Thursday, when news of the decision filtered through.
FNQRL’s decision affected only the senior teams.
The whole ordeal has upset plenty of devoted Seahawks, and the club’s committee has worked for the past few days to formulate its response to the FNQRL board.
“We need to be given the chance to defend ourselves,” Bann Snr said.
“We’re working closely with the FNQRL, as we did the CDRL in the past.
“Some of the allegations, we found to be untrue. The majority of them were untrue.
“We talked through the four points on the show cause notice, and various people got up to have their say.
“It’s about us moving and working forward.
“I hope FNQRL and the referees can support us.”
Incidents at games against Innisfail and Brothers earlier in the season, both of which ended with referees abandoning A-grade fixtures before the end of the 80 minutes, sparked an intervention from FNQRL and Queensland Rugby League officials.
On Thursday, FNQ Rugby League chairman Rob White issued a statement in which it was made clear the club had not implemented a number of actions, set out in the show cause notice issued on June 9, to stay in the competition.
“The FNQRL has received a number of complaints of anti-social behaviour regarding Yarrabah officials and supporters at the games last weekend between Yarrabah and Edmonton which identifies certain actions that were agreed upon unfortunately not implemented,” the statement read.
“The FNQRL Board has adopted the QRL’s Positive Environment Program … and in terms of that policy considers it essential that the Yarrabah Senior Rugby League club be stood down from this weekend’s games against Innisfail to mitigate any likely risk to players, spectators and officials of the games.”
The games against Innisfail were recorded as forfeits, with Leprechauns taking the two points in all three grades.
Yarrabah was given until COB on Monday to provide any response to the FNQRL Board.
Yarrabah president Sam Bann Snr released this statement on Sunday evening
“The Yarrabah Seahawks have always and will always remain committed to conducting and hosting rugby league games in a family-friendly environment.
“We have always and will remain committed to working with the CDRL and now FNQRL to ensure rugby league is conducted at the highest standard both on and off the field in Yarrabah.
“This is why, we have voluntarily accepted a higher level of accountability than any other club in the competition and we have taken significant steps to build a positive gameday experience here in Yarrabah.
“We can only control what we have control over, we take steps to ensure we present the game and conduct ourselves in a manner that reflect the game positively. We cannot control all actions at away games, and host clubs need to be held accountable for many of the outcomes at their games.
“We elect not to serve alcohol at our home games. This is to respect the wishes of our community Elders.
“It is beholden upon the host clubs to uphold the requirements of the responsible serving of alcohol at their games. The licensee at the games should ensure they have the appropriate number of security personnel for the number of people attending and they must also ensure they practice the safe and responsible serving of alcohol at their games.
“We are not saying we are faultless, we have to accept and be held accountable for the actions of our club and our members, and we will always work closely with the FNQRL to ensure the game grows and prospers in a positive manner here in Yarrabah.”
SEAHAWKS BACKED AT COMMUNITY MEETING
YARRABAH has reinforced their commitment to working with the region’s governing body as they prepare to respond to the FNQ Rugby League.
The Seahawks were sensationally stood down from senior competition for one weekend, with the games against Innisfail were recorded as forfeits against Yarrabah, in an unprecedented decision by the governing body.
Yarrabah’s juniors were not affected.
At the time the Seahawks were scheduled to host Innisfail in their round 16 clash, more than 100 supports, officials and players met at Jilara Oval to discuss the issue and way forward.
Yarrabah president Sam Bann Snr said the club was committed to working the governing body, formerly the CDRL and now FNQRL to ensure the game is “conducted at the highest standard on and off the field in Yarrabah”.
“This is why, we have voluntarily accepted a higher level of accountability than any other club in the competition and we have taken significant steps to build a positive gameday experience here in Yarrabah," Bann Snr said.
“We can only control what we have control over, we take steps to ensure we present the game and conduct ourselves in a manner that reflect the game positively.”
The Seahawks were issued a show cause notice in June after several incidents which breached the Queensland Rugby League’s Positive Environment Program.
The defending champion Seahawks have been mired in controversy this season, with the club struggling through the opening rounds of the season due to player unavailability, injury and suspension.
Incidents at games against Innisfail and Brothers earlier in the season, both of which ended with referees abandoning A-grade fixtures before the end of the 80 minutes, sparked an intervention from FNQRL and Queensland Rugby League officials.
FNQ Rugby League chairman Rob White issued a statement in which it was made clear the club had not implemented a number of actions, set out in the show cause notice issued on June 9, to stay in the competition.
Yarrabah president Sam Bann Snr’s statement is published in full below.
“The Yarrabah Seahawks have always and will always remain committed to conducting and hosting rugby league games in a family-friendly environment.
“We have always and will remain committed to working with the CDRL and now FNQRL to ensure rugby league is conducted at the highest standard both on and off the field in Yarrabah.
“This is why, we have voluntarily accepted a higher level of accountability than any other club in the competition and we have taken significant steps to build a positive gameday experience here in Yarrabah.
“We can only control what we have control over, we take steps to ensure we present the game and conduct ourselves in a manner that reflect the game positively. We cannot control all actions at away games, and host clubs need to be held accountable for many of the outcomes at their games.
“We elect not to serve alcohol at our home games. This is to respect the wishes of our community Elders.
“It is beholden upon the host clubs to uphold the requirements of the responsible serving of alcohol at their games. The licensee at the games should ensure they have the appropriate number of security personnel for the number of people attending and they must also ensure they practice the safe and responsible serving of alcohol at their games.
“We are not saying we are faultless, we have to accept and be held accountable for the actions of our club and our members, and we will always work closely with the FNQRL to ensure the game grows and prospers in a positive manner here in Yarrabah.”
YARRABAH ROCKED BY SUSPENSION
YARRABAH fans packed Barlow Park, turning the hill maroon as their champion Seahawks took the last steps to clinching the Cairns District Rugby League premiership.
When Oswald Fourmile crossed in the corner to seal the 20-16 win against Innisfail in extra time, Seahawks fans jumped the fence and mobbed the players in one of the most joyous scenes of celebration seen in the CDRL in years.
Just 10 months on, the Seahawks are sadly in disarray.
The final nail in Yarrabah’s A-grade premiership defence came off the field, with FNQ Rugby League’s decision to stand the club down from the round 16 clash with Innisfail finally snuffing out their finals hopes.
The Seahawks needed a miracle to finish in the top five as it was, though with Atherton and Ivanhoes slipping in recent weeks and Yarrabah embarking on what has become a traditional late-season surge, only the bravest person would rule them out.
We will never learn if the club could have made it.
Instead, the hardworking people around the club who have ensured its presence in the CDRL remained strong are focusing what energy they have to saving its future.
The Seahawks were issued a show cause notice in June after several incidents which breached the Queensland Rugby League’s Positive Environment Program.
The defending champion Seahawks have been mired in controversy this season, with the club struggling through the opening rounds of the season due to player unavailability, injury and suspension.
Incidents at games against Innisfail and Brothers earlier in the season, both of which ended with referees abandoning A-grade fixtures before the end of the 80 minutes, sparked an intervention from FNQRL and Queensland Rugby League officials.
FNQ Rugby League chairman Rob White issued a statement in which it was made clear the club had not implemented a number of actions, set out in the show cause notice issued on June 9, to stay in the competition.
“The FNQRL has received a number of complaints of anti-social behaviour regarding Yarrabah
officials and supporters at the games last weekend between Yarrabah and Edmonton which identifies certain actions that were agreed upon unfortunately not implemented,” the statement read.
“The FNQRL Board has adopted the QRL’s Positive Environment Program … and in terms of that policy considers it essential that the Yarrabah Senior Rugby League club be stood down from this weekend’s games against Innisfail to mitigate any likely risk to players, spectators and officials of the games.”
Yarrabah is a passionate rugby league town, with the beloved Seahawks riding the ultimate wave of momentum to capture their second CDRL premiership in 2021.
White acknowledged the hard work by Yarrabah officials to ensure the Seahawks could play on, but the board was left with little choice but to act after the weight of complaints throughout the season.
Yarrabah Seahawks are unable to comment due to sorry business in the community.
It all but ends their premiership defence, and gifts the team they beat in last year’s grand final - Innisfail - with a locked in spot in the finals, with the side staying at least four wins clear of sixth-placed Ivanhoes regardless of the Knights’ result.
They are the second club to have their season determined off the field.
Edmonton Storm have so far been docked eight points for multiple player eligibility breaches, which, when combined with a poor start to the season, all but ended their finals hopes within the first five weeks of competition.
But the biggest losers, however, are the Yarrabah players who pour their hearts into wearing the Seahawks crest on their chest every week, and the club officials who make it happen.
The repercussions could be bigger if Yarrabah’s ban is extended until the end of the season.
Sunday’s clash with Innisfail was the first of four home games in their final five fixtures of the regular season.
The players have already met as a group to discuss how they will handle the next few weeks.
The Seahawks have until Monday to respond to the FNQRL, and if they are wiped from the remaining fixtures, it could do more damage to the club, its finances and its people.
It caps an unfortunate chapter to what started as a promising year for the club, who won the 2021 premiership and then were visited by the entire South Sydney Rabbitohs squad ahead of the NRL club’s preseason trial against the Cowboys at Barlow Park.
BAILEY SADDENED BY DOWNFALL
FORMER Cairns District Rugby League secretary Pat Bailey counts the introduction and success of Yarrabah Seahawks as being among the greatest highlights of her years in the game.
With four decades of service to sport – she was also the backbone of rugby league in Far North Queensland for more three decades – Bailey can only look at the current situation and shed a tear.
Yarrabah was stood down by the FNQ Rugby League for this weekend after a number of incidents and complaints throughout the season, and there is a chance they will play no further role in 2022.
Bailey, who retired at the end of the last season as the CDRL transferred to the new entity, was among those to have worked extremely hard to introduce a Yarrabah side.
“I’ve been there from before the beginning, when they played for Babinda,” she said.
“They were Yarrabinda then. The players have all been there through the other clubs.”
Bailey is among those who have done an immense amount of work over the years to help the beloved club, which is incredibly important to the community, thrive.
She was awarded life membership by the Seahawks at the end of last year, which was presented at the start of the 2022 season.
When the club was first introduced to the league, they were forced to play out of Barlow Park as a condition of their participation.
They built up to home games at Jilara Oval, the introduction of night fixtures, and when they won their CDRL premierships in 2017 and 2021, the Seahawks and their fans created moments which last long in the memory.
“They have really tried hard over the years,” Bailey said.
“Rugby league is life there.”
HOW THE PREMIERSHIP PICTURE HAS CHANGED
YARRABAH’S suspension from the Cairns District Rugby League has finally snuffed out their chances of defending the A-grade premiership – and they beat in that grand final could be the biggest winners.
Incidents at games against Innisfail and Brothers earlier this season, both of which ended with referees abandoning A-grade fixtures before the end of the 80 minutes, sparked an intervention from FNQRL and Queensland Rugby League officials.
It included a ‘show cause’ notice and meetings between league and Yarrabah officials.
But a number of incidents and complaints stemming from their loss to Edmonton on Sunday has left FNQ Rugby League little choice but to stand the club down.
The club’s three senior teams – A-grade, reserves and under-18s – will not play against Innisfail, with the game recorded as a forfeit loss and handing the Leprechauns the two points in all grades.
It means the Leprechauns’ A-grade side, who Yarrabah beat in the 2021 decider, has all but sealed its spot in the finals, with the side staying at least four wins clear of sixth-placed Ivanhoes regardless of the result.
The reserve grade side’s hold on fifth spot strengthens, while the under-18s’ running battle with fifth-placed Mareeba received a timely boost as they jostle for the last spot in the post-season.
Brothers may also have a right to feel aggrieved, with the two competitions points a gift for Innisfail as the clubs fight over second spot on the ladder.
The biggest losers, however, are the Yarrabah players who pour their hearts into wearing the Seahawks crest on their chest every week.
The repercussions could be bigger if Yarrabah’s ban is extended until the end of the season.
Sunday’s clash with Innisfail was the first of four home games in their final five fixtures of the regular season.
And if they are wiped, it could do more damage to the club, its finances and its people.
It caps an unfortunate chapter to what started as a promising year for the club, who won the premiership then were visited by the entire South Sydney Rabbitohs squad ahead of the NRL club’s preseason trial against the Cowboys at Barlow Park.
matthew.mcinerney1@news.com.au
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Originally published as FNQRL, QRL, turn to FIFO referees to keep Yarrabah in the game
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