Sport
2 October, 2024
Julia Creek's big weekend: Town and Country ready for battle
Rugby league and netball competitions will determine the champions.
Bragging rights will be up for grabs as McKinlay Shire’s best – or at least most enthusiastic – athletes take to the sporting fields in Julia Creek on Friday night.
The traditional Town v Country grudge matches will be fought on the netball court and rugby league arena in what Kalan Lococo says are friendly but highly competitive contests.
“It might not be as big as some of the camp drafts in terms of numbers but as far as a town event, it’s definitely right up there,” he said.
“We get about 500 people there on Friday night and then we have 230 or 240 for the ball on Saturday night.”
The president of the Julia Creek Combined Sporting Association said he expected the competition to be extra fierce on the rugby league field after a draw last year.
“We have a couple of fellas who organise the teams and there tends to be a bit of recruiting to fill in the numbers,” he said.
“We’ll have some blokes from Charters Towers and other places, which makes it interesting.”
With no organised senior rugby league in Julia Creek, the Town v Country match has become the highlight of the local sporting calendar.
However, the weekend is about more than just bragging rights.
“We need that social connectedness,” Lococo said.
“Most of the campdrafts and rodeos are done so it’s a good opportunity for the ringers and that to come into town and catch up with everyone.
“It’s a good chance to wind down after a long year and it gives the town a good economic boost.”
There will also be a junior rugby league clinic, starting at 4pm on Friday, which will be followed by the Town v Country netball clash at 6pm.
Then, the rugby league clash will kick off under lights at 7.30.
“We’ve got a Facebook page and those who can’t make it to Julia Creek will be able to watch a live stream, which was a big hit last year,” Lococo said.