Ewen Jones (Herbert, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

It is football final season in Townsville, and it is all over the place. In the local TDRL finals, the Burdekin Roosters beat the Herbert River Crushers, who were the favourites. In the NRL this morning, the Sharkies will be able to commence Mad Monday on Magnetic Island, because they will be going down in Townsville on Saturday night as the Cowboys march towards a first premiership.

The Townsville Mendi Blackhawks, in the Intrust Super Cup, won the minor premiership. We beat the PNG Hunters on the weekend; we are in the grand final. The PNG Hunters are playing the Ipswich Jets this weekend to see who meets us at Lang Park. This is the first season for the Mendi Blackhawks, and we are in the grand final. The bad news for everybody who is going to play against us is that Daniel Beasley, our captain, our soul, the toughest man in the side, will be back from a hamstring strain, and he will be leading the side out.

In Rugby Union, everyone knows my relationship with the Brothers club in Townsville. I love you guys, but I hate your club. The Fish went down to Teachers West, my Doggies. They won after the full time siren had gone, with a try in the corner, with 3,000 Brothers supporters absolutely crying their eyes out over the weekend. It was the greatest moment in Townsville Rugby Union history. Congratulations to all.

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