Indigenous and Territory All Stars feature in Deadly Cup Carnival ahead of NAIDOC week
The men and women of the NRL NT put on a show in the 2024 edition of the Deadly Cup. Check out all the action and photos.
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The enterprising Indigenous All Stars showed off their pace and skills to get the better of their pragmatic opposition in the Deadly Cup senior men’s match.
The Indigenous outfit comprised of players from across the NRL NT competition took out the win 24-16 to cap off the fifth edition of the Deadly Cup Carnival.
Their pace was apparent from the offset with reigning Frank Johnson medallist Caleb Niki and the Indigenous captain David Tabuai racing their side into range.
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And once there they were able to release the youngster from Darwin Brothers, Dallas Caulton, over the line for the opener.
There was too much pace and power for the Territory All Stars side not to figure, and they soon bounced back with their powerful ball runners.
Great ball movement and running from Suliasi Tavodi set the course for Peni Draunidalo get over and equalise, in the match sped up with no conversions.
Seru Digoniqere showed his strength in another attacking move soon after, when he held his
ground against two defenders before surging to score the Territory’s second.
The effective halves pairing of Trey Crowley and Jacob Rainger helped recompose the Indigenous outfit thereafter, just as the side appeared to be getting sliced apart.
The renowned running of Niki got the side to the right spot and a skilful offload to his captain Tabuai notched the equaliser.
Then came Shaun Wauchope, known for his battering ram runs at club level, who with a 10m run up was unstoppable as he crashed through four defenders to put the Indigenous side ahead.
However, the Territory came again with Asiveli Rauga and Brodie Morcom punching holes in the defence to give Eli Adams the room to score on half time.
Again though the Wauchope battering ram came to the Indigenous’ aid just past half time and a try not long after to Bailey Zaro put the reigning cup holders in a strong positon.
The Territory came again late, and this time it was Tavodi who got the score to go within a try to equalise, but a Dustin Briscoe pounce over the line at the other end put the match to bed.
“This type of event is what brings mob together and footy is just a tool for that,” Tabuai said.
“The importance of this match is huge because it brings us all together as one, and credit to the Territory boys who came down for it too.
“We only had one week together, but it’s midseason for us so everyone knows how to play footy already.
“This match it was just great to showcase black fella footy and combine players who play that way.
“It was fast, I blinked and it was half time and that was awesome and showed what happens when we play in this way.”
Territory All Stars women power through
The Territory All Stars came back from an early deficit to keep their hold of the Women’s Deadly Cup after another thrilling encounter with the Indigenous All Stars.
The Territory side had to weather an early surge from their pacey opposition, but their powerful forwards made their presence known later to help the side defend the title 18-6.
The Indigenous All Stars brought the early spark befitting the occasion and used their big ball runners, such as Taylah Garling, to take the challenge to their opposition.
Sharks’ playmaker Ayesha Kay was the early instigator for the Indigenous side with her kicking and passing game putting the side on the front.
She almost went herself for the opening try but some dogged defence held her up on the line, only to be scored on with a diving finish from Sasha Blomley.
Their pace continued to pressure their opposition forcing a mistake from a Tamara Mazika and Lavinia Norris recovery effort, and it was Freda Wosomo who darted away for the second try.
The Territory side didn’t let the early effort dampen their spirits and soon it was their big runners who had some time on the ball.
Captain Shari Togo, Victoria Alley and Jamie Clissod combined with some direct runs against the line, while Lucy Aigea put in more than one bulldozing effort.
Tiana Storey was the benefactor of those efforts to launch the comeback, and a slew of penalties and another set of big runs gave up the equaliser to Ciara Aigea.
The Territory side had themselves a foothold going into the second half and their running lines continued to punch holes in their opposition’s defence.
Lucy Aigea soon had a try of her own, while Storey completed her brace getting her arm over the line through a tackle.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous outfit never stopped trying with Gloriana Luta and Garling complete menaces when they had their hands on the pill, forcing the Territory defence to work late.
Territory All Stars captain Togo was proud of her side’s performance, but even more so of what the event means for the community.
“It’s a great way to start NAIDOC week up here in the Top End, league is everyone’s language so it’s a really nice event to have,” she said.
“It was a really competitive hit out, made even faster because we didn’t have conversions and the fact everyone was up for the contest.
“For me this is my last year of this Cup so it was great to be able to mix up and play alongside my friends.”
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Full details: Deadly Cup Carnival back for exciting fifth edition
The beloved Deadly Cup is back for its fifth edition celebrating community and culture through rugby league as the lead up event to NAIDOC week.
About 3000 players, fans and volunteers are set to crowd into TRL Stadium for a day filled with league action on Sunday.
There will also be plenty of cultural activities including the opening ceremony, a weaving workshop and a damper cooking demonstration.
The event has long promoted healthy living and wellbeing, and more recently cemented itself as one of the biggest events on the NAIDOC calendar.
Deadly Vision Centre director Shaun Tatipata said it was “incredibly humbling” for the event to be so highly respected by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous members of the NRL NT community.
“It’s truly humbling to see the amount of support out there that helps us deliver this amazing celebration,” he said.
“The rugby league action is always top notch. When players come down and play for their families and community it always makes it that little bit more special.
“And our non-Aboriginal brothers and sisters show their ally ship and come down to participate and make the showcase as amazing as it is.”
Last year it was the Indigenous All Stars that got the tight 30-24 win in the men’s game, surviving a late surge from their rivals.
The Territory All Stars won the women’s contest with a strong side in the fray to take the win back from their Indigenous opposition.
Mr Tatipata is expecting higher class action this year with players set to put on a big performance for the occasion.
“They’re playing for something completely different and it just brings a whole new level of rugby league,” he said.
“The teams are willing to try things a little bit differently, and the ancestors are with us so those things come off whether it’s chip and chase or a long ball to the wing.
“Rugby league brings the community together being a game we all love, and the event is a celebration of how amazing or rugby league community in the NT is.
“Everyone is extremely passionate about it and there’s a deep appreciation and respect for everyone, and I’m extremely proud to have been a part of this.”
Gates open at 11.30am, with a welcome ceremony at 12pm, and the first game at 1.30pm.
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