Rob Haren signs off from Innisfail as a winner in final season
Innisfail legend Rob Haren has signed off on his last game at Callendar Park. Now the Leprechauns legend is chasing a premiership for a fairytale farewell.
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INNISFAIL legend Rob Haren has signed off on his last game at Callendar Park.
Now the Leprechauns legend is chasing a premiership for a fairytale farewell from the game and club he loves.
Haren scored a try in Innisfail’s 34-20 win against rivals Tully Tigers, and the victorious skipper was given a guard of honour as he left the field.
Haren will finish his rugby league career at the end of the season, with the hours put into the sport he loves being freed up for his family.
“There’s a lot of mixed emotions,” Haren said. “It is very sad, this club has been a massive part of my life and my family’s lives.
“It is sad to be finishing. The future is looking good for the club, so it’s a good time for me to step aside.”
Haren made his debut for Innisfail at Callendar Park back in 2006, the year the Leprechauns won the premiership in all three grades.
The club has celebrated only two premierships since then - the second came in 2015 - but they have played numerous grand finals in the time.
A premiership is what Haren wants more than anything as his league career winds down, and if his side can keep producing the way they have in recent time, they will take some stopping.
“I’m hoping we can go out with the premiership this year,” Haren said.
“The past few years we’ve been close but it hasn’t worked out on the day, which is disappointing. Grand finals don’t usually come around too often.
“Hopefully we can get it done this year.”
Haren will play out the season with Innisfail, with his last game to come at a carnival towards the end of the year.
Pateresio Vota scored a double as Innisfail ran in six tries against the Tigers, for whom young gun Braithan Ketchell crossed twice.
“It’s always tough against Tully,” Haren said.
“It doesn’t matter where you are on the ladder, it’s a rivalry game - you don’t want to lose to them.”
Innisfail remains in second spot on the table, two points behind Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks and ahead of Brothers on points differential.
The Leprechauns will finish their campaign with road trips to Mossman, which could decide the minor premiership, and finals hopeful Kangaroos.
RESULTS
INNISFAIL LEPRECHAUNS 34 (Vota 2, Stephen, Hallie, Haren, Mooka tries; Addo-Nona 5 goals) def TULLY TIGERS 20 (Ketchell 2, Ivey, Kuriyalavou tries; Nona, Ketchell goals) at Callendar Park, Innisfail.
IVANHOES KNIGHTS 54 (Messa 2, Stott 2, Young 2, Waim 2, Whiting, Valmadre, Burnett tries; Knowles 3, Young, Waim goals) def MAREEBA GLADIATORS 10 (Patolo, Shadrick tries; Dodd goal) at Davies Park, Mareeba.
MOSSMAN-PORT DOUGLAS SHARKS 48 (M Gibuma 2, A Gibuma, Baira, Banu, Schrieber, Amber, G Bon tries; Murgha 8 goals) def KANGAROOS 30 (King, Jacko, Ganaia, Clarke, Pearson, T Stephen tries; B Stephen 3 goals) at Coronation Park, Mossman.
YARRABAH SEAHAWKS 38 (Smith 3, Miller 2, Murgha, Hunter-Flanders tries; Hunter-Flanders 4, Saumalu goals)def SOUTHERN SUBURBS 28 (Chambers 2, Jackson, Thomas, Colahan tries; Chambers 3, Colahan goals)at Alley Park, Gordonvale.
ATHERTON ROOSTERS 28 (N Curcio 2, Cuda 2, Skeen, tries; Grogan 2 goals) def EDMONTON 8 (Dau tries; Simpson 2 goals) at Petersen Park, Edmonton.
BROTHERS had the bye.
RESERVES
Innisfail 26 def Tully Tigers 12.
Mossman-PD 24 def Kangaroos 16.
Ivanhoes 48 def Mareeba 22.
Suburbs 32 def Yarrabah 30.
Edmonton 32 def Atherton 16.
Brothers had the bye.
UNDER-18S
Tully Tigers 26 def Innisfail 22.
Ivanhoes 26 def Mareeba 10.
Suburbs 30 def Yarrabah 20.
Atherton 42 def Edmonton 12.
Brothers and Kangaroos had the bye.
WOMEN
Kangaroos 30 def Mareeba 8.
Edmonton v Yarrabah was not played.
FIXTURES
Round 18
SATURDAY, AUGUST 13
Tully Tigers v Mossman-Port Douglas at Tully Showgrounds.
Kangaroos v Ivanhoe Knights at Vico Oval, Mooroobool.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14
Yarrabah Seahawks v Mareeba Gladiators at Jilara Oval, Yarrabah.
Brothers v Edmonton Storm at Stan Williams Park, Manunda.
Atherton Roosters v Southern Suburbs at Mungalli Creek Dairy Stadium, Atherton.
Brothers have the bye.
Kick-off times not listed at time of print.
matthew.mcinerney1@news.com.au
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