Bindal Sharks All Blacks rugby league carnival brings back popular tradition

The Bindal Sharks All Blacks rugby league carnival is back for its 39th edition, with 32 teams from around the region playing for bragging rights at the Townsville Sports Reserve from Friday to Sunday.

Patrick Woods

@PatWoods321

2 min read

October 11, 2024 - 1:59PM

News Sport Network

Players prepare for the 2024 Bindal Sharks All Blacks rugby league carnival. Left to right: Christopher Bray (QPS), Les Wragge (All Stars), Josh Munckton (QPS), Cass McMullan (QPS), Elva Mait (All Stars), Nikita Asanuma (QPS). Picture: Patrick Woods.

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The carnival welcomes back a women’s exhibition match for the first time in five years with an Indigenous All Stars team playing a Queensland Police Service team in both men’s and women’s reconciliation matches.

QPS women’s forward Cass McMullan said it was important to the local policing community to reintroduce the ladies fixture.

“The women haven’t had a team in for a few years so this year is special for us to get back into the carnival and back into the community,” McMullan said.

“I know the Police boys have been in the tournament for a few years and I think it’s a really good way to connect to the community.

Players prepare for the 2024 Bindal Sharks All Blacks rugby league carnival. Left to right: Fred Billy, Raymond Wosomo, Norman Prior Bounghi and Nelson Doolan. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“I’m super excited that the girls have an opportunity to play this tournament. I don’t think we’ve played since 2019, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

McMullan said the return of the women’s exhibition reconciliation match came about after a push from local policewomen.

“Predominantly the QPS is based out of Brisbane so we like to promote our local regional girls as well and we like to get involved with our community,” McMullan said.

Players prepare for the 2024 Bindal Sharks All Blacks rugby league carnival. Left to right: Cutika Illin, Theophelia Mosby-Nona, Cass McMullan, Leandra Illin, Nikita Asanuma, Elva Mait, Ana Ahmat. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“Half the team that we’ve got are local girls but we’ve also got a detective inspector coming from down south and a couple of ring-ins who just really like the occasion – they’ll fly from anywhere to play with us.”

The men’s side of the draw will see 24 teams battle it out on the field while eight women’s teams will contest the carnival.

Some of Townsville’s best rising women’s rugby league players will feature in the carnival, including former Queensland Under-19s player Theophelia Mosby-Nona and 2024 Confraternity Carnival ‘most potential award’ winner Ana Ahmat.

The Gulf Raiders will take part in the carnival for the first time, with players travelling from Gulf communities including Mornington Island, Doomadgee, Burketown and Mount Isa.

Defending men’s champions Thugerr Warriors will look to defend their Davco Shield title while 2023 women’s champions the Eastern Warriors have not returned this year, opening the door for a new winner to be crowned.