Burdekin Roosters Gear Up for R L T D Season with Strong Trials

The Burdekin Roosters are scheduled to begin the R L T D season on Sunday, April 12, when they meet Brothers at Jack Manski Oval in Townsville. They have, however, arranged trial matches for all four grades in Ayr on Saturday, March 21.

On that day, Souths from Townsville will visit the Roosters with three grades — A, Reserve, and Ladies. The Under 19s will play Norths from Townsville as the first game of the day. Souths were A-grade premiers in the R L T D in both 2024 and 2025. Their Reserve grade team were premiers in 2024, while the Ladies team is a brand-new addition for the club.

Souths have put together a strong women’s team, winning the Bowen Tens Ladies last weekend. The Under 19s are new to the R L T D, but both Norths and Burdekin had strong teams in the Under 18s last year. The day will start with the Under 19s at 1:30 pm, followed by the Ladies, Reserves, and A-grade at 6:00 pm.

The two Burdekin-based teams acquitted themselves well at the annual Bowen Tens in Bowen last Saturday. The Burdekin Delta Dolphins won two games from four in a tough pool, with the Pacifica side taking three of their four games and just missing the final. Wests Tigers from Mackay were the men’s winners, narrowly defeating last year’s champions Emu Park from Rockhampton in a 14-team competition.

The women’s competition attracted six teams, with first-timers Souths from Townsville crowned winners over Emu Park from Rockhampton. Burdekin players Stephanie and Martina Monday, along with Toni Daisy, played for Souths. Emu Park defended the relay victory from last year, with Runamuck from Bowen the women’s winner. Kudin from Bowen was judged the lucky team at the carnival.

Contributed with thanks to Brian Carnes

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