Football Matters with Cyclops

Seniors

The 2026 season kicked off last weekend with four matches. There should have been five, but the Ladies match was postponed because the pitch was too wet. On Sunday, the Premiers and Reserves were away to Rebels with the Premiers winning 9-2 and the Reserves winning 4-0. The Division 1 and Division 2 teams played Estates at home on Friday night with the Division 1 team drawing 1-1 but the Division 2 team lost 0-1.

The Premiers and Reserves first home games of the season are against Estates this Saturday 28 March. The Premiers kick off at 7.00 and the Reserves at 5.00. On Friday night the Ladies are away to Brothers at 8.30 and the Division 1 and Division 2 teams both have byes.

Premiers – Ayr Anzac Club

Round 1 finally arrived, and after a heavy loss in the Kappa Cup match, it was important for the Panthers to bounce back and make a statement. With new players still being integrated across the squad, the game started slowly with plenty of errors. At the 15th minute mark, Jack Gimson, an unlikely source, popped up with a well-taken goal to open the scoring. Shortly afterwards, some nice play between Elliott Dal Santo and Jay Leckenby resulted in a penalty, which Jake Siandri converted to make it 2–0. Following a scramble in the box, Dal Santo got a foot to the ball to extend the lead to 3–0, before Siandri doubled his tally just before half time with a composed finish.

Five minutes into the second half, the lead had blown out to 7–0, with goals to Sean Young and two to Jay Leckenby. Rebels responded with a goal, and after a nasty head clash that required an ambulance, added another once play resumed. Siandri then completed his hat-trick after a well-worked build-up, before Antoine Moncoudiol capped things off with another goal on full time to seal a 9–2 win, an excellent start to the season.

Reserves - Burdekin Tyre Service

A new season with renewed enthusiasm and some new players adding depth to the squads. The first game of the season carried an expectation of a good showing, and it did not disappoint. The match seemed under Burdekin’s control although the first real chance came from Rebels, a long range shot and header that tested new keeper Haydn Grazioli. But from the 35th minute mark the Panthers dominance showed and Jalan Pedro scored from his second touch after winning a ball at the top of the box. The rest of the half remained scoreless, but chances were being created.

After halftime the Panthers showed renewed energy and from a corner at the 55th minute mark Braelyn Cole's excellent cross found the head of Jonte Grazioli to get him his first Burdekin goal. Two minutes later Antoine scored to finish a good move and the result was secure. Jalan Pedro capped a good performance with a nice shot from distance to score in the 90th minute. Coach Tarryn Smith was very pleased with the contribution of all the players and looking forward to the potential for this side to continue to play well.

Division 1 – Austral Masonry

This was a tough first match at home against Estates, the reigning Minor Premiers. The Panthers were slow to get going, with a period of poor passing leading to an early, fifteenth minute, goal to Estates. After conceding this goal the Burdekin grew into the game, starting to create good chances of their own. Not long into the second half the breakthrough came from a Dom Arrate penalty. With the scores tied up the Panthers kept pushing, hitting the post on a few occasions. The game finished at 1-1, a good result to start the season off.

Division 2 – RG Customs NQ

Burdekin 2nd division kicked off a new season for 2026 with a home game vs Estates on Friday night. A large part of the playing group has returned for another season along with several new faces adding great energy and depth for this season. The Funkies were very competitive against Estates, a side they were convincingly beaten by on both occasions last year. After a goalless first half, it took until the 73rd minute for Estates to take the lead through a very well taken free kick from distance. The Funkies pushed hard for an equaliser towards full time and were definitely the better team in the second half but unfortunately couldn’t find a goal .A lot of players had really good games and overall, a very positive start to the season for the team.

Junior

Training for both Boys and Girls is back on this week. Girls from Under 5 to Under 11 play on Tuesdays at 5.00 and Boys aged 6-9 play on Wednesdays. Boys Under 7 and Under 12 years will train on Thursdays.

Pre-season games kicked off last Saturday and will be on again this Saturday. Fixtures with Townsville Clubs will begin after Easter.

Masters

The Masters had to be cancelled again last Monday as the pitches were too wet. The season should now start next Monday Night. The Magic (or Mayhem) should now kick off on 23rd March. All are welcome, male, and female, useful and hopeless, halt and lame. Be there, International Park for 6.30 Kick off.

National and International

The Socceroos are warming up for the 2026 World Cup with three friendlies, the first of them is on Friday when they play Cameroon. Then on 31 March they meet Curacao. The Socceroos travel to the USA to play Mexico on 31 May at the Rosebowl in Pasadena.

In the A League with four rounds left Newcastle now leads Auckland by four points. Newcastle beat Sydney 2-1 and Auckland lost to Macarthur by the same score. Victory move up to third place after beating Central Coast, ahead of Adelaide on goal difference. Brisbane lost at home to Wellington drops to tenth place. Perth and Western Sydney continue to hold up the league.

In the A League Women, Melbourne City beat Western Sydney to stay top of the table five points clear of Wellington who beat Sydney 3-1. Canberra moves up to third place with a 3-2 defeat of Adelaide who drop to fourth spot on goal difference. Brisbane defeated Newcastle 4-2 and move up to sixth place. Sydney FC and Western Sydney are still holding up the table.

The Quote of the Week is from ex- Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp "It's not so important what people think when you come in. It's much more important what people feel when you leave".

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