FNQRL 2025 live stream: Ivanhoes v Brothers, Round 1
The FNQRL returned with a bang and so did the reigning premiers, taking down Ivanhoes once again in the grand final rematch. Watch REPLAYS of all four games here.
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Brothers have made an early statement that they will not let go of the crown easily after an entertaining and at times fiery FNQRL grand final rematch on Sunday.
The reigning premiers used a big second-half performance to take down Ivanhoes 42-20 at Smithfield Sporting Complex in the Round 1 clash.
The hosts almost got off to a perfect start when a Josh Dugan try was ruled out but Brothers’ resistance did not last long.
Nine minutes in, the ball found its way to Jayden Seden from a Knights scrum and the winger showed his supreme speed to streak away for an 80m opening score.
The hosts then added a second when Dmitri Ahwang’s kick was knocked back by Dugan into William England’s path, who planted it down.
Liam O’Brien hit back for Brothers when he got on the end of a try but Ivanhoes swiftly responded when Seden crossed for his second only minutes later.
However he second half was all the reigning premiers.
Isaiah Wigness scored one of the tries of the day four minutes after the break, blocking a short kick and pouncing for a long range score.
The result was summed up not long after when a Jordan Biondi-Odo high ball was batted backwards, bobbled and somehow landed back in the captain’s hands for another try.
Not even a remarkable try saving tackle from centre Dallas Skardon was enough to spark Ivanhoes to stem the flow of Brothers scores.
Earlier, a second-half double from Tyron Waim and a superb performance by Caidan Thaiday led Ivanhoes to a 30-18 victory in the reserves.
However it was Brothers who dominated the U19 clash in a 10-62 drubbing as they piled on 12 tries.
The opening match of the day saw the Kangaroos women secure a comfortable 6-30 victory over Ivanhoes.
Indianna Tillett and Genavie Tabuai were among the standouts for the Roos.
REPLAYS
Ivanhoes v Brothers (Reserves)
Ivanhoes v Brothers (U19)
Ivanhoes v Kangaroos (Women)
PREVIEW
Brothers Cairns will be looking to hit the ground running in a massive round 1 clash as they prepare to mount their premiership defence.
And the Far North Queensland Rugby League hasn’t allowed them to ease themselves into the 2025 campaign, as they’re set to lock horns with their grand final opponent in Ivanhoe.
KommunityTV will live stream the A-grade, reserves, under-19 and women’s clash – where Ivanhoes take on Kangaroos – live from 10.30am on Sunday.
It kicks off a massive season of live FNQRL with the match of the round to be streamed on the Cairns Post website.
“Every time we play Ivanhoes it's a tough game. I’m sure they’ll be still burning from last year,” Brothers coach Jordan Biondi-Odo said.
“We’ve just got focus on ourselves and do our best and hopefully we can come away with the win.
“We’ve had a really good pre-season, uninterrupted and I’m pretty happy with where the boys are at for the moment.”
Biondi-Odo said the club hasn’t experienced much significant turnover from the team that brought them a premiership, and he’s confident they have what it takes to back it up again.
“We haven’t had any major changes to the list, we’ll just be giving some of the younger guys more opportunities which just brings a bit of energy to the squad.
“It’s good to have that consistency week-to-week, winning is contagious and that’s our focus.
“It’ll still take us some time to click, but it won’t be long at all before we hit our stride.
“The boys are just really excited to play footy, no one has played in five months so we’re just keen to go.”
Ivanhoes ‘ready to rock’
Ivanhoes coach Josh Parker says his new-look side is “ready to rock and roll” as it comes into a new FNQRL season with a point to prove.
The Knights went down to Cairns Brothers in an agonising grand final defeat last year but don’t have to wait long as the two clubs clash to begin the 2025 campaign.
With last year’s grand final defeat fresh in their memory, Parker said his revamped Knights side was excited for the campaign ahead.
“They’re chomping at the bit, ready to rock and roll,” Parker said.
“We’ve had some turnover with a few players going to different clubs in the off-season, so for us now its about seeing that next crop of young fellas coming through step up.
“It’s honestly exciting to see.”
In addition to the fresh players coming through the ranks, Parker said Ivanhoes would also be boosted by an influx of players from previous years who had a break through the 2024 campaign to reset.
“It’s a very good squad, I’m happy with it,” he said.
“I think we’ve just got to back ourselves on our defence, we have to be gritty, that’s what we’re known for.
“You’re not going to beat Brothers in the first 10 minutes, you’re going to beat them in the 80th minute.
“That’s where they got us in the last couple of games of last season, they beat us where it counted in the final minutes.”
While Parker expressed confidence in his entire list from top to bottom, he singled out a couple of experienced heads in Zane Knowles and Lachlan Braun who he was excited to see on the park.
Live stream action begins from 10.30am Sunday when Ivanhoes take on Kangaroos before the Knights battle Brothers in U19, reserves and A-grade clashes.
You can catch all the action this weekend and future fixtures every week of the FNQRL season on KommunityTV.
Originally published as FNQRL 2025 live stream: Ivanhoes v Brothers, Round 1
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