It was a weekend of mixed results for the Burdekin Roosters across all grades.

The action kicked off on Friday night, with the Burdekin River girls fighting back to earn a hard-fought 22-all draw against Brothers in Ingham. Missing several key players due to the early kick-off, including star attacker Martina Monday, the team showed great resilience to come from 16–4 down. Paige Horvat starred with three tries, earning best-on-ground honours. Abby King, Toni Daisy, Tanley Rowe and Lily Chappel were also among the standouts. King and Chappel added a try each, while Rebecca Pace slotted a conversion. The Burdekin River side now sits fourth, with the combined Burdekin–Herbert River experiment showing promising signs.

On Saturday, the Reserve Grade Roosters made it three wins in a row, storming back from an eight-point deficit to defeat Centrals 24–20. Coach Peter Horan praised his side’s determination after they trailed 20–12 early in the second half. “Centrals were on a roll, but the boys said no and fought back,” Horan said. “Some of these boys are still eligible for under 20s, so to see them respond like that was impressive.”

Dylan Doak led the way with a try and four goals. Adam Camer, Caleb Noah, and Riley Easton also crossed the line. Archer Swindey was named players’ player for his standout effort, while Camer was solid at fullback and Llama Ghee looked dangerous in attack. Horan also welcomed back Riley Easton after a week off due to illness. The reserve grade side is now sitting fifth and will look to continue their winning streak against Bowen this weekend before facing the strong Crushers outfit in Ingham the following week.

Later on Saturday, A Grade faced Centrals in Townsville and went down 24–14 in a controversial match. Despite a spirited comeback attempt, the Roosters were undone by both contentious calls and their own fundamental errors.

After previously defeating the Tigers 36–24, Burdekin began the match confidently but dropped ball and a fired-up Centrals outfit kept them scoreless in the first half, which ended 16–0. Defensive lapses and attacking mistakes continued to plague the visitors, who then conceded another try early in the second stanza to trail 20–0.

Burdekin rallied, scoring three tries to bring the margin back to 20–14. A fourth try was disallowed by the touch judge—a decision that, if reversed, could have levelled the scores with the conversion. Centrals sealed the match with a late try to secure the 24–14 win.

Coach Steve Lansley was blunt in his assessment. “We were our own worst enemies. Dropped ball, falling off tackles, poor decision-making in attack and defence—it cost us dearly.”

Logan Dickson was named players’ player for his efforts at fullback, while forward Terrence Mosby and big man Braedyn Cotter also impressed. “A few weeks ago, we hadn’t won a game after three rounds. Now we’re fifth, nearly in the top four—but we need to cut out the errors and stay focused,” Lansley added.
Try scorers were Terry Connors (2), Saleki Walifeo and Jye Olsen, with one goal kicked.

Weekend Results Summary

A Grade

• Centrals def Burdekin 24–14
• Brothers def Herbert River 24–12
• Charters Towers def Western Lions 38–24
• Souths def Norths 44–8

Reserve Grade

• Burdekin def Centrals 24–20
• Herbert River def Brothers 18–14
• Charters Towers def Bowen 14–6
• Souths def Norths 58–0
• Western Lions – Bye

Women’s Grade

• Burdekin River drew with Brothers 22–22
• Charters Towers def Bowen 54–0
• Byes: Western Lions, Centrals, Norths

This Week’s Fixtures

• Burdekin A Grade – Bye
• Burdekin Reserves & Women – vs Bowen in Bowen
• Souths host Charters Towers (A Grade & Reserve)
• Brothers host Norths (A Grade & Reserve)
• Western Lions host Centrals (A Grade, Reserve & Women)
• Herbert River – Bye (A Grade & Reserve)

‍

Local

It was a mixed weekend for the Panthers, with one win, one draw, and three losses across five matches. On Friday night in Townsville, the Division 2 Funkies drew 1–1 with JCU, while back home, the Division 1 Men lost 0–7 to Rebels. The Ladies, however, stormed to an 8–0 win over Saints Eagles South. On Saturday, in Townsville against Estates, both the Premiers and the Reserves went down, 0–3 and 0–10 respectively.

This Friday, the Division 1 Men, Division 2 Men, and the Ladies all travel to Townsville. The Division 1 side faces Ingham at 8.30pm, the Division 2 team meets Brothers at 6.30pm, and the Ladies take on Saints Eagles Souths at 6.30pm. On Saturday, the Premiers and Reserves are away to Brothers, kicking off at 7.30pm and 5.30pm respectively.

Premiers

The Ayr Anzac Club Panthers faced a tough assignment away to top-of-the-table Estates, always one of the most challenging fixtures on the calendar. The match started disastrously, with Estates scoring directly from a corner to put Burdekin on the back foot from the outset.

To their credit, the Panthers responded well. For the rest of the first half, they dominated possession and forced Estates to sit deep and absorb pressure. Despite the control, clear-cut chances were rare, and the half ended 1–0 to Estates.

The second half resumed in similar fashion, with the Panthers pressing for an equaliser. But football can be cruel—against the run of play, Estates doubled their lead around the 60-minute mark. The goal rattled Burdekin’s composure, and just five minutes later, Estates made it 3–0. Despite a late push, the Panthers couldn’t claw their way back. The score didn’t reflect the effort, but it’s back to the drawing board as Burdekin look to regroup.

Reserves

Burdekin Tyre Services Reserves travelled to Estates with a reshuffled lineup due to more injuries and absences. It was another match full of effort and moments of strong possession, but the Panthers were undone by unlucky bounces and costly errors, gifting the ball back to a quick and skilful opposition. The game was effectively over by halftime at 0–4, and the final score of 0–10 is one best left in the past as the team enters the second half of the season.

Division 1 Men

The Austral Masonry Panthers struggled against an experienced Rebels side, going two goals down early. By halftime, it was 0–4. The Panthers showed improvement for the first 25 minutes of the second half, keeping Rebels scoreless during that stretch. However, they were unfortunate to concede a penalty, followed by two late goals. Seaton Ivory and Charlie Shears stood out in a tough 0–7 loss.

Division 2 Men

The C.A. Contracting Funkies were frustrated with a 1–1 draw against a lower-ranked JCU Riverway side in their Friday night clash. It felt more like a loss. Chris Achille opened the scoring off a well-placed pass from Heath Swindley midway through the first half.

Burdekin dominated play throughout but were wasteful in front of goal. That proved costly when JCU snatched a late equaliser from a free kick. The Funkies will aim to bounce back into the top four with a win over Brothers this Friday night.

Ladies

The Ayr Anzac Club Ladies had no issues dispatching Saints Eagles Souths on Friday night. They led 4–0 at halftime, with two goals from Sienna Lago and one apiece from Zandi Bonanno and Tearra Tinson.

It took a while to get going in the second half, but once they did, the Burdekin side added three goals in five minutes through Dayna Linton, Brielle Astorquia, and Karina Guglielmi. Charley Ruskin capped off the night with the eighth, just before full time.

Juniors

Perfect weather set the stage for a great Saturday of junior football, with competitive matches played across all grades against Mundingburra Olympic. A big thank you to MAO for making the trip down.

This Saturday, Under 5 to Under 7 teams play at home in Ayr, while Under 8 and up travel to Townsville. A reminder to all travelling teams: arrive at least 30 minutes before kickoff. Have fun!

Masters

A solid turnout on a cool Monday night saw Portugal and Spain replay the Nations League Final. Spain came from 0–2 down to win 3–2 in a cracking match. Man of the Match was Drac Bryen. Monday nights, 6.30pm. Be there.

National and International

The Matildas have two friendlies lined up against Slovenia, both at HBF Park in Perth on 26 and 29 June. New coach Joe Montemurro will take the reins for the first time.

The Socceroos have secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup and now wait—possibly until year’s end—to learn their group stage opponents and venues. The tournament kicks off 11 June in Mexico City, with the final scheduled for 19 July in New York.

Quote of the Week

From former Shrewsbury manager Ian McNeill after losing an FA Cup game to the bottom team in the league:

“I can’t decide whether to go out and get drunk or throw myself in the nearest canal.”

‍

Representing Burdekin Junior Rugby League

A school leader, student council member, and now a 2025 Burdekin Water Festival Junior Ambassador; Jorja Vasta will proudly represent Burdekin Junior Rugby League over the next four months.

After admiring the Burdekin Water Festival Grand Parade from the footpath for many years, Jorja has been eagerly waiting for her turn as a Junior Ambassador to come, and now that it’s become a reality, she’s beyond excited to create community connections, and expand her friendship circle.

“I have grown up watching the Burdekin Water Festival Procession and absolutely love the different floats and watching the community come together,” shared Jorja.

“After speaking with previous Ambassadors, I am most excited to be up on the float, enjoying the parade from a different view and I am also looking forward to gaining confidence during this time.”

When she’s not on the football field playing in the Rooster’s U11 team, Jorja keeps herself busy with her strong interests in gymnastics, crafts and knitting and volunteering at community events and school fundraisers on occasion.

Jorja’s journey is just beginning, and with her family cheering her on from the sidelines and cannot wait to experience everything the Ambassador Program has to offer.

“I attend a small school, and I am looking forward to getting to know more people,” added Jorja.

“Personally, rugby league is a big part of my family’s life and history, and I am grateful to be representing Burdekin Junior Rugby League and hope to promote our awesome club in the Burdekin Water Festival.”

‍

Jorja Vasta will represent Burdekin Junior Rugby League as a 2025 Burdekin Water Festival Junior Ambassador (Photo Credit: Sharron Bozzetto)

‍

Three Burdekin locals have done the region proud at the 2025 National Touch Football Championships in Coffs Harbour, representing at the highest level in both playing and officiating roles.

Veteran player Ian Kerr suited up for Brisbane in the Over 65s division and helped steer his team to an undefeated run in the round robin stage. In a tense grand final clash against the Sydney Scorpions, Kerr and co. held their nerve to clinch a 3–2 victory and take home the national title. His efforts didn’t go unnoticed—Kerr has since been selected to represent Queensland in the upcoming Touch State of Origin series against New South Wales, also in Coffs.

Peter Knapton flew the North Queensland flag in the Over 55s division, where his team scored solid wins over Hunter Hornets (3–2), Coolum Bluefins (4–3) and Victoria Storm (3–2). Despite some strong performances, the NQ side was edged out by the Gold Coast, ACT Raiders and Sydney Scorpions, before falling to the Gold Coast again in a semi-final showdown played in soggy conditions. The Gold Coast went on to defeat the Scorpions 3–1 in the final.

Meanwhile, Burdekin referee Michael Littlefield was in elite company, taking his place in the National Referees Squad. Over the week, he controlled six pool games, a Men’s Open Quarter Final, a Mixed Open Semi, and capped off the tournament with the Women’s Open Grand Final—an appointment that cements his reputation as one of the top whistleblowers in the country. Like Kerr, he’ll return to Coffs in two weeks for State of Origin duties.

‍

Ian Kerr, Michael Littlefield, and Peter Knapton recently flew the Burdekin flag at the 2025 National Touch Championships in Coffs Harbour.

‍

It was a red-letter day for Burdekin rugby league on Saturday in Ayr, with the Roosters defeating Charters Towers across all three grades.

A Grade made it three straight wins with a convincing 38–18 victory, backing up recent triumphs over Western Lions and Centrals. Despite a sluggish start and conceding the first try and conversion to trail 6–0, the Roosters didn’t take long to hit back. Front-rower Tate Brombal strolled through the Miners' defence to score beside the posts, and from there, captain and five-eighth Joel Mason took control.

Mason kicked seven from seven—six conversions and a penalty—in a flawless display with the boot. The Roosters crossed three more times before halftime to lead 24–8 at the break. A standout moment for the Miners came courtesy of player-coach Jake Bourke, who slotted a two-point field goal from near halfway.

The Miners opened the second-half scoring, but Burdekin responded with two more tries and a Mason penalty to seal the final 38–18 result.

Coach Steve Lansley admitted the side made a few errors but said they covered them well with smart football. He singled out Terrence Mosby for an outstanding performance, noting the utility’s speed around the rucks and reliable defence. Mosby had vied with Colby Thompson for the players' award last week, but with Thompson out, he made the honour his own.

Lock Hayde Munro was another standout, while his brother Jones impressed in the centres. Lansley also praised Dylan Doak, who played a full reserve grade match before coming off the bench in A Grade and making a big impact.

Burdekin A Grade Try Scorers: Kali Nauque 2, Jones Munro 2, Tate Brombal, Ethan Hagarty
Goals: Joel Mason 7

Roosters Reserves Go Back-to-Back

Despite missing several regulars, the Burdekin Reserve Grade side made it two in a row with a gritty 32–22 win over Charters Towers.

Coach Peter Horan welcomed back key players Jerome Iacco and Bokeem Moore Reid, both of whom made strong contributions. He admitted it wasn’t the prettiest of wins but credited strong defence for holding things together as the reshuffled attack found its feet.

Tala Pepa was named players' player for his dominant performance in both attack and defence. Dylan Doak directed the backs with class, John Zaro was a constant threat, and Caleb Noah continued his strong form, scoring with ease.

Jack Rushton was rewarded with an A Grade bench spot for his continued improvement. Braithen Heron and Jack O’Keefe were tireless, while Horan gave special praise to Jerome Iacco for his efforts despite limited training.

Burdekin Reserve Grade Try Scorers: Caleb Noah 2, Bokeem Moore Reid 2, Pacey Horan, John Zaro
Goals: Dylan Doak 4

River Girls Power to Big Win

The Burdekin River Ladies side secured a strong 18–4 win over Charters Towers, running in four tries to one.

Missing captain Paige Horvat, Lilly Chappell, and Aleikah Heron, the team reshuffled well. Martina Monday shifted to fullback and was unstoppable, earning players’ player honours for her decisive running game.

Abby King returned from injury and steered the team around the park, while Tianna Krutzfeldt shone in the backs, her try a showcase of slick hands. Rebekah Pace was again a force in the forwards, and Charlee Pott gave her all before being sidelined with injury.

Coach Anita Hagarty praised the effort, admitting fitness was a struggle. “They know what to do, but sometimes they just can’t get there,” she said. “Still, it was nice to get the win.”

Burdekin Ladies Try Scorers: Tianna Krutzfeldt, Abby King, Charlee Pott, Toni Daisy
Goals: Martina Monday

Around the Grounds – Other Results

A Grade:

Centrals 30 def. Norths 6
Souths 30 def. Brothers 24
Herbert River 30 def. Western Lions 14
Reserve Grade:

Centrals 32 def. Norths 16
Western Lions 32 def. Herbert River 30
Souths 48 def. Bowen 16
Ladies:

Centrals 46 def. Norths 6
Next Up: Roosters Face Centrals Again

This weekend sees Burdekin back on the road, facing Centrals again—this time at the Townsville Sports Reserve on Saturday across all three grades.

A Grade will be without five-eighth Joel Mason, opening the door for utility Terrence Mosby to step into the playmaker role. Hooker Colby Thompson is also set to return.

Centrals bounced back last week with five team changes following their loss to Burdekin, and there’s a chance Cowboys-linked Selikeo Malifeo could return this week.

The Reserves are set to welcome back Adam Camer, Riley Easton, Matthew Lee, and Luca Lago—adding depth across the board.

The River Ladies face a tough challenge against the Tigers, but as the Miners showed, an upset isn’t out of the question.

‍

Last Sunday, the Home Hill Tennis Association hosted its second annual Cane Country Cup pickleball tournament, with cheers, sighs, lows and highs marking each match from the first at 8am to the last at 3:30pm.

The tournament featured 24 teams—a mix of local and travelling outfits—all battling it out for glory on a day that, for the most part, delivered perfect weather conditions.

Play was split into two divisions: competitive and social. Each fixture across both categories included four matches—men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and two mixed doubles.

Teams in the social division played seven fixtures in a round-robin format, with final rankings determined by point differential. The competitive division followed a standard format, building to a semi-final and then a grand final showdown.

Continued on page 28.

Pickleball & Good Vibes

Morning tea was served early, with lunch later in the day featuring a generously stocked menu. The venue buzzed with energy, the atmosphere a lively blend of competitive grit, cheerful banter, and good-natured chatter.

At day’s end, the winners of both divisions—Pickle d'Lulu in the comopetitive division and the Jubilee Pocket Rockets in social—hoisted trophies, while second and third place teams also earned recognition for their efforts. In a new addition this year, a “Team Spirit” award—voted on by fellow players—was handed out to the side that best embodied sportsmanship throughout the day.

Home Hill Tennis Association Secretary Kate Casswell was glad that the occasion could bring people together.

“It was fantastic! Everybody came along, and they all had a good time,” she said. “I heard a lot of laughing, a lot of fun going on… We think that’s more important than winning.”

Results:
Competitive
1st: Pickle d'Lulu
2nd: Let's Pickle
3rd: Airlie
Team Spirit: Extra Pickles Please

Social:
1st: Jubilee Pocket Rockets
2nd: Smiley Whitsundays
3rd: Mixed Pickles
Team Spirit: Cardwell Crocs

‍

Home Hill representative teams
Social Team Spirit winners: Cardwell Crocs
Competitive winners: Pickle d'Lulu
Competitive Team Spirit winners: Extra Pickles Please
Social winners: Jubilee Pocket Rockets

‍

A great Pennants practice session was held on Wednesday, with the Home Hill ladies joining in. Margaret Linton, Judy Elton, Lyn Storrie, and Colleen Olsen secured a win over Meryl Smith, Ann Newton, Sandra Darwen, and Helen Collins.

Despite low numbers on Friday, 6th June—due to other commitments—10 bowlers braved the very smoky conditions and enjoyed the games.

In a tight game of triples, Dave Sheehan, Lyn Storrie, and Ross McLaughlin defeated Dion McIntosh, Rob Jorgensen, and Gary Pearce.

In the final match, Damion Morello and Jamie Wood gave Brad McIntosh and Jayson Farry a bowling lesson.

Sunday, 8th June saw a strong turnout with 30 bowlers enjoying a beautiful afternoon in near-perfect conditions. Three games of rinks and one game of triples were played.

Sandra Darwen, Jayson Farry, and Richi Mau defeated Glenn Woodford, Brett Wilshire, and Leo Kenny.
Gary Nosworthy, Judy Elton, Rob Garner, and Allan Gairoch defeated Kaye Garner, Mick McCloskey, Vince Beitia, and Doug Robins.
Gary Pearce, Danny O’Shea, and Chris Pearce defeated Lloyd Shepherd, Ben Mills, Jamie Woods, and Peter Jorgenson.
Dave Sheehan, Doug Kiehne, Lyn Storrie, and Trevor Elton defeated Ken Fergusen, Joe Yipnazar, Helen Collins, and Peter Henderson.
Upcoming Event:
The Trophy Bowls Night will be held on Friday, 13th June, starting with a sausage sizzle at 6:30pm, followed by bowls at 7:00pm.
Reminder to members: Please bring a plate for smoko.

‍

A great Pennants practice session was held on Wednesday, with the Home Hill ladies joining in. Photo supplied

‍

Ayr Bowling Club has enjoyed a fantastic week of bowls, camaraderie and community spirit, with events rolling across the greens from Tuesday right through to the weekend.

The week kicked off with the Tuesday Social Afternoon on June 3rd, which saw some thrilling matches and great sportsmanship. Congratulations to the winning trio—Meryl Smith, Beryl Cornford and Heather Jorgensen—who defeated Isabel Cislowski, Rayleen Hervey and Dot Cutting. In another well-fought game, Katharina Stuckler and Pam Power emerged victorious over Donna Soper and Mary Poli.

Thursday, June 5th, was one for the record books as the final of the Women’s Open Pairs Competition was played. After a hard-fought match, Beryl Cornford and Pam Power were crowned champions, defeating Lorraine Wolffe and Irene Wilson in an exciting showdown.

Wednesday night, June 4th, brought the greens alive with three games under the lights. Winners on the night were:

• Evelyn Wiltshere, Rob Jorgensen and Joe Grabbi
• Ali Vasefi, Katharina Stuckler and Ross McLaughlin
• Barry Hewson and Gary Pearce

But it was Fun Friday Night that stole the show! With a full green, music, laughter and fantastic energy, players enjoyed their first Friday night bowls under the new lights – and what a difference it made! A huge thank you to Ferguson Plumbing for sponsoring the night, with Gareth Ferguson on hand to present the prizes.

The results for the night:
🥇 Winners: Masayeb, Ali & Ron
🥈 Second: Lyndal, Ross & Helen
🏅 Sportsman’s Prize: Sam, Mary, Angela & Arthur

Mark your calendars – the next Fun Friday Night is set for July 4th, and promises to be just as enjoyable!

Rounding out the week was a great Saturday afternoon of mixed social bowls, featuring two triples games and a pairs match. The winners of the day were Linda and Joe, capping off a successful and social week at the club.

With strong turnouts, competitive spirit and a great sense of community, it’s clear that Ayr Bowling Club is the place to be each week. See you on the green!

The Winners from Friday Night Fun Night. Photo supplied

‍

Local

A much better weekend for the Panthers, winning four of five matches and scoring twenty goals! On Friday night in Townsville, the Division 2 Funkies beat Rebels 5-1, while the Division 2 Men lost 1-3 at home to SES. The Ladies defeated Wulguru 5-0. On Saturday, at home to SES, the Premiers won 5-0 and the Reserves won 4-1.

This Friday, the Division 1 Men and the Ladies are at home. Division 1 play Rebels at 8.30, and the Ladies play Saints Eagles Souths at 6.30. The Division 2 Men play JCU in Townsville at 6.30. Then on Saturday, the Premiers and Reserves are away to Estates—the Premiers at 8.00 and the Reserves at 6.00.

Premiers

The Ayr Anzac Club Panthers took on Saints Eagles South for the first time this season. Burdekin knew not to be fooled by the Saints’ recent results. The Saints have quality across the park and came out firing. The first half was a grind—Saints brought the intensity early and made life difficult for the Panthers, who couldn’t find any real rhythm. Chances were few in a dour opening forty-five minutes, with neither side able to break the deadlock.

The Panthers came out after the break with a point to prove. In-form striker Matthew Kolb opened the scoring in the 62nd minute, before two rapid-fire goals from Jay Leckenby turned the game on its head. Leckenby’s first goals of the regular season had Burdekin up 3-0 by the 65th minute. Kolb added his second in the 75th, while Cooper Kross capped off the performance with a well-taken goal in the final minute. Burdekin now shift their focus to league-leaders Estates this week—an away clash that promises to be their toughest test yet.

Reserves

The Burdekin Tyre Services Reserves returned to International Park after a disappointing loss last week. Injuries and absences continue to impact the line-up, but a committed and capable squad was ready to return to the winners list. The home team had weight of possession, but it took 30 minutes before Oscar Licciardello netted the opening goal. The team lifted the intensity and kept the lead into the break.

An unfortunate error gifted Saints a goal just 30 seconds after the restart and the game was back level. However, patience and persistence paid off, and at the 50-minute mark, Cooper Kross put Burdekin back in the lead. From there the Panthers were always in control and continued to create chances. The third goal came from a deflected Tarryn Smith shot, and then Smith iced the cake late to make it 4-1.

Division 1 Men

The Austral Masonry Panthers, up against SES, played well in the first half although there was no score at halftime. The Panthers took the lead after 54 minutes with a goal from Jack Shears. However, SES replied with three goals in twenty minutes—all of them from free kicks—to win 3-1. Jack Shears was the Panthers’ Man of the Match.

Division 2 Men

The C.A. Contracting Funkies returned to winning ways with a 5-1 defeat of Wulguru.

Burdekin started well, and Eugene Burelli opened the scoring in the third minute. The Funkies were well on top and created several chances and shots on goal before Simon Scuderi made it 2-0 just before half-time.

Travis Butler continued the scoring immediately after the break with a superb free kick. Wulguru did get a goal back during the second half, before two goals to Jake Lacey gave the Funkies a dominant 5-1 victory. Burdekin were very convincing winners despite missing a lot of chances in front of goal. Hopefully, that will improve in the coming weeks.

Ladies

The Ayr Anzac Club Ladies delivered a commanding performance on Friday, controlling the match against Wulguru from start to finish. Karina Guglielmi set the tone early, finding the back of the net in the 17th minute to give Burdekin the lead. She doubled the advantage in the 35th minute with a brilliant strike into the top right corner, capping off a strong first half.

After the break, it was Sienna Lago who took charge. Using her pace, Lago netted three goals in the second half to complete a stunning hat-trick and seal a 5-0 victory for the Panthers.

Juniors

With Townsville hosting an FQ Academy carnival last Saturday, juniors played local games. Junior players who represented Northern in Townsville in the academy matches on Saturday and Sunday played well and in great spirits against teams from Far Northern and the Whitsundays.

Masters

A good turnout on Monday night, with PSG playing Inter Milan in a replay of the European Champions League Final. Mick Taylor-Martinez scored the winning goal for Inter in the last minute. Man of the Match was George Koukouris.

Monday Nights at 6.30. Be There.

National and International

The Matildas, after their success in two friendlies against Argentina, have two more lined up against Slovenia. Both games are at HBF Park in Perth on June 26 and 29. New coach Joe Montemurro will be in charge.

The Socceroos played the first of their two 2026 World Cup Qualifying Group C matches on Thursday night against Japan in Perth, winning 1-0 in front of 57,000 spectators. On Thursday, June 10th, they are away to Saudi Arabia in their final group game. Provided they don’t suffer a heavy loss, they should qualify for the 2026 tournament.

Quote of the Week
From Sir David Beckham:
“Alex Ferguson is the best manager I've ever had at this level. Well, he's the only manager I've actually had at this level. But he's the best manager I've ever had.”

‍

On Saturday, 31st May, the Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships swung into action under perfect weather and buzzing crowds. From seasoned veterans to fresh faces, competitors showed off their skill and speed—and a bit of friendly rivalry—across a range of divisions sponsored by some of the region’s top local businesses.

The day saw fierce competition and plenty of impressive performances across all categories, culminating in the final showdown—the Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championship, taken out by first-time winner and Burdekin local, Mark Vass.

“It’s great to get it back home,” he said. “The Vass’ and the Gilbert’s have always had a big rivalry. They’re great people, and they were hard to beat for years, so it’s good to get the Vass name back on there.”

He added, “It was the best turnout I’ve seen for a long time. What they did this year with the extra shade and the smoke-offs and stuff like that, it was just amazing and I loved every bit of it.”

Results:

Over 55 Years
Sponsored by Next Gen Building Co
1st Place: Wayne Borellini – 10:57
2nd Place: Enzo Codega – 12:26
3rd Place: Joe Gallea – 13:16

35–55 Years
Sponsored by Diamantina Lime & Gypsum
1st Place: Adam Gilbert – 11:26
2nd Place: Karl Vass – 13:15
3rd Place: Mark Vass – 13:22

Under 35 Years
Sponsored by Wilmar Sugar and Renewables
1st Place: Keith Gilbert – 11:29
2nd Place: Stuart Gilbert – 12:35
3rd Place: Angus Gilbert – 18:53

Ladies Novice
Sponsored by Tallai Project Group
1st Place: Nichola Borellini – 2:30
2nd Place: Patrea Bojack – 4:41
3rd Place: Laura Gilbert – 5:16

Ladies Cup
Sponsored by Lillie’s Cubby House
1st Place: Lyn McLaughlin – 4:30
2nd Place: Rosie McLean – 6:45
3rd Place: Krystel Kerr – 7:44

Corporate Team Challenge
Sponsored by Keir Steele Waldon Lawyers
1st Place: Vass Engineering
2nd Place: Next Gen Building Co
3rd Place: QSL

Cut, Top and Load Team Challenge
Sponsored by Elders Insurance Ayr
1st Place: Gilbert Group – 15:00
2nd Place: Vass Group – 16:21
3rd Place: Codega Group – 20:25

2025 Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships
Sponsored by Parkside Group
1st Place: Mark Vass – 14:08
2nd Place: Stuart Gilbert – 15:58
3rd Place: Adam Gilbert – 16:52

‍

Burdekin Catholic High School’s Open Rugby League team has made a powerful impression in their inaugural year competing in the prestigious Townsville Blackhawks Schoolboys Shield, North Queensland’s elite secondary schools rugby league competition.

The BCHS Bears entered the competition with high hopes and quickly proved they belonged among the region's best. Their campaign began with a commanding 20–8 win over All Souls St Gabriels School, showcasing grit, skill, and impressive teamwork.

“The boys really came together on the field,” said Principal, Lorraine Wolffe. “It was a solid team performance that set the tone for the rest of the competition.”

Building on that strong start, the Bears powered through their next match with a thrilling 30–20 victory over Blackheath & Thornburgh College. Known for their fast-paced play and relentless drive, the BCHS boys demonstrated composure under pressure and excellent cohesion across all positions.

“There’s always room for improvement,” Coach, Luke Marano added, “but the effort, determination, and spirit shown by the team was outstanding.”

In their final game of the round, the Bears faced a formidable challenge in Columba Catholic College — last year’s champions. Despite falling short with a 24–10 result, the BCHS side played with heart and courage, never backing down from the contest.

“Columba is a well-drilled team with a lot of experience in this competition,” said team captain Lleylan Lampton. “But we’re proud of how we played — we showed resilience, stuck to our game plan, and represented our school with pride.”

The team's debut season in the Blackhawks Schoolboys Shield has not only been a significant milestone for the school but also a perfect build-up to the upcoming QISSRL Confraternity Carnival in Rockhampton this July. The Confraternity Carnival, often referred to as "Confro," is an annual rugby league competition organized by the Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Rugby League (QISSRL). Established in 1980, it brings together Catholic and independent secondary schools from across Queensland and other regions for a week-long tournament that emphasizes sportsmanship, community, and the values of Catholic education. Many NRL players have risen from this competition.

Principal Mrs. Lorraine Wolffe praised the team’s performance and attitude throughout the tournament.

“Our students have shown what it means to wear the BCHS jersey — with determination, respect, and school pride,” she said. “We’re incredibly proud of our Open Rugby League team and can’t wait to see what they achieve in July.”

As the Bears turn their focus to the QISSRL Carnival, one thing is clear: Burdekin Catholic High School has arrived as a force in schoolboy rugby league in the North.

‍

They say two is better than one—and in the case of the Burdekin Roosters winning games, that’s absolutely true.

Last week, the A Grade side notched their first win of the season by defeating the Western Lions. Then, on Sunday, they backed it up with a solid victory over Centrals. The Reserves also broke through for their first win of the season, defeating Centrals as well.

A Grade started slowly against the Tigers, who scored early to take the lead. But the locals fought back, with Terrence Mosby and Kali Nauque crossing for tries to push the Roosters ahead 12–4. It could have been 18, but a try held up over the line was waved away—much to the frustration of players who protested the decision.

Centrals hit back soon after, and at halftime the Roosters led 12–8.

After the break, Centrals came out firing, scoring twice to take control at 20–12. But the locals weren’t done—they shifted gears, scoring four more tries to Centrals’ one and claiming an entertaining 36–24 win.

Coach Steve Lansley said it was pleasing to see the boys dig deep and come back for the win.

“They’ve been working hard and deserved the victory,” he said, adding that he was especially impressed with the team’s defence in the final stages when they repelled wave after wave of attack.

Colby Thompson and Terrence Mosby were neck and neck in the players' player tally, until Colby mesmerised the opposition with a 50-metre solo try. Lansley also praised Jesse Yallop’s performance at fullback, saying he looked set to keep the jersey.

Try scorers were Aiden Arusa (2), Terrence Mosby, Kali Nauque, Nemia Nawave, and Colby Thompson. Joel Mason kicked 6 goals.

In other A Grade matches:

Charters Towers defeated Herbert River 24–18
Western Lions edged Norths 34–32
Souths and Brothers had byes

Reserves

Reserves coach Peter Horan has been saying all season he lacked quality numbers—but this time, he had them, and the result was a 34–10 win over Centrals.

Horan had watched his side start games well before fading due to injuries and fatigue. Not this time. The team led 24–0 at halftime and held strong in the second half to draw the session and secure the win.

The inclusion of Caleb Noah provided the spark the team had been missing, and with Llama Ghee working hard up front, Caleb and Dylan Doak ran amok, making plenty of metres.

Luca Lago was another standout, along with Jye Starr, Matthew Lee, and Jack Rushton.

The team scored six tries, with Dylan Doak landing five goals—four from four in the first half.

Try scorers: Harvey Horan, Matthew Lee, Luca Lago, Caleb Noah, Llama Ghee, Jye Starr
Goals: Dylan Doak (5)

In other Reserves matches:

Herbert River defeated Charters Towers 38–14
Brothers beat Bowen 34–10
Lions narrowly beat Norths 16–12

Ladies

The newly formed Burdekin River Ladies team took on last year’s premiers, Centrals, and for most of the game it looked like an upset was on the cards. With just two minutes remaining, the score was locked at 12-all.

But the Tigers’ experience told in the end, scoring a late try to win 18–12.

The visitors showed their class with some sharp attacking footy, and ironically, their best player was former Ingham product Eryn McCulloch.

The Burdekin River girls showed marked improvement from last week, with much better ball movement. Alekiah Heron combined well with Toni Daisy and Martina Monday, both of whom were standouts. Alyssa Partch worked hard in the forwards, but none were better than Paige Horvat, who looked dangerous every time she touched the ball.

Toni Daisy scored two tries, while Martina Monday kicked two goals.

In other Ladies matches:

Brothers thrashed Bowen 50–4
Lions defeated Norths 42–6

Coming Up

This Saturday will be another Super Saturday, with the Burdekin Juniors playing 13 games and Bowen Juniors also in town for 13 games of their own—followed by three senior matches featuring the Roosters and Burdekin River taking on Charters Towers.

The 2015 A Grade premiership-winning team will also be holding a 10-year reunion. Look for another article in this edition detailing that memorable season.

Elsewhere in the R.L.T.D. this weekend:

Western Lions host Herbert River Crushers on Sunday
Centrals play Norths on Saturday
Souths face Brothers in a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday
Tiana Krutzfeldt and Lilly Chappell also had strong games.

‍

It’s been another big week at the Ayr Bowling Club. The highlight was our men travelling to Bowen for the North Queensland Purple Pennants.

Our team went into the final day of play with four match wins—equal top with Bowen—putting them in a strong position. Ayr faced Bowen first up, who went on to win the Purple Pennants, and unfortunately we couldn’t secure the win.

In our last game against Giru, we notched another match win, bringing our total to five for the weekend and placing Ayr second overall—Runners Up. This was a fantastic result for our club, and the playing group had a strong campaign against some quality sides.

Earlier in the week, Tuesday Ladies’ Social Bowls featured two games of triples. Winners on the day were Karen Shepherd, Donna Soper, and Irene Wilson, who defeated Meryl Smith, Beryl Cornford, and Heather Jorgensen. Runners-up were Katharina Stuckler, Rayleen Hervey, and Pam Power, who defeated Isabel Cislowski, Linda Giumelli, and Mary Poli.

On Wednesday, Men’s Social Bowls saw three games of triples and one pairs match played. Competition was close out on the green. Taking out the honours on the day were Arthur Gauvin, Peter Sauer, and Lew Stisdton, who defeated Barry Hewson, Helena Sauer, and Ron Soper. It was a great afternoon of camaraderie and quality bowls, enjoyed by all.

In Championship action, the Ladies’ Competition Open Pairs Final will be played on Thursday, June 5th at 3:30pm. It will be Beryl Cornford and Pam Power taking on Lorraine Wolffe and Irene Wilson.

The Ayr Bowling Club invites everyone to its Fun Friday Night Bowls, sponsored by Ferguson Plumbing, on Friday, June 6th, starting at 6:00pm under our new lights. The evening promises fun for bowlers of all levels—bring your friends or come solo and meet new people. The $10 entry fee includes a sausage sizzle at 6:00pm and a light supper once bowling starts at 7:00pm.

If you're interested in giving bowls a try, Friday Roll-Ups are a great place to start. Held every Friday from 3:00–5:30pm, these casual sessions are perfect for sharpening your skills, getting friendly tips, or just relaxing with a drink. Come down for some light training, enjoy a few drinks, and join in the fun with fellow club members.

‍

A smaller group of juniors took to the course this week—perhaps deterred by the cooler morning or earlier tee time—but that didn’t stop a close and competitive round across both the 6-hole and 9-hole events.

A big thank you to Menkens Farms for generously sponsoring the morning, with Drummond Golf gift vouchers up for grabs.

In the 9-hole competition, Amaya claimed the gross win with a score of 41. Kyle took out the nett honours with a score of 40, just edging out Riley by one shot and Heath by another—making for a tightly contested leaderboard.

In the 6-hole comp, Evelyn topped the field, beating the boys with a gross score of 53, while Maxx took out the nett prize with a strong score of 19.

Well done to all juniors for participating and continuing to support Ayr Juniors.

This weekend marks the Ayr Juniors Closed Championship, with some incredible prizes on offer. Keep an eye on the Ayr Golf Club Facebook page for full event details.

‍

A smaller group of juniors took to the course this week, but that didn’t stop a close and competitive round across both the 6-hole and 9-hole events.

‍

This year, Brandon Bowls Club’s Red Pennants team hit the Bruce Highway for a tough three-day competition across seven rounds at Suburban and South Townsville Bowls Clubs.

Facing off against some of the region’s powerhouse clubs, 12 Brandon bowlers gave it their all in what remains one of the district’s most fiercely contested events.

Results – Suburban Bowls Club

Round 1: Brandon def. Cutheringa
Round 2: Brandon lost to Macknade
Round 3: Brandon lost to Suburban
Round 4: Brandon lost to Thuringowa
Round 5: Brandon lost to Bowen
Results – South Townsville Bowls Club

Round 6: Brandon def. Jubilee
Round 7: Brandon def. South Townsville
A special congratulations goes to Gary Pearce (skip), Chris Pearce, Peter Lejarraga, and Lloyd Shepherd, who recorded five wins and two losses to finish third overall in the special trophy event.

Macknade Bowls Club took out the Red Pennants section—well done to them on a strong showing.

While the Red Pennants team was away, Brandon Bowls Club proudly hosted two days of Blue Pennants—the top-tier colour in the region. A huge thank you goes to all the ladies in the kitchen, the grounds crew who prepared the green and surrounds, and our hardworking bar staff. Hosting an event like this takes a village.

Congratulations to Jubilee on taking out the Blue Pennants title for the third year in a row.

‍