Sport
26 June, 2024
Mount Isa to host Country Round game on MIRL grand final day
The Townsville Blackhawks will play the Brisbane Tigers at Alec Inch Oval.
Mount Isa Rugby League’s grand final day will be bolstered by a Hostplus Cup match featuring two finals contenders.
The Townsville Blackhawks and Brisbane Tigers will do battle at Alec Inch Oval on July 27 as part of Queensland Rugby League’s Country Week initiative which sees a round of matches taken to regional areas each season.
And while the focus of the day would usually be on the men’s and women’s A-grade deciders, Mount Isa Rugby League is hoping the addition of the Hostplus Cup game will increase interest and bolster gate takings.
The Tigers are currently eighth on the ladder in a competition that boasts a top-eight finals system, while the Blackhawks are half a point away in 11th position.
North West Weekly could not confirm the time the game would be scheduled to start, although it seems likely the state league game would be played in the afternoon as a curtain-raiser to the women’s and men’s deciders.
Minister for Sport Michael Healy said games would be played in Middlemount, South Kolan and Tamborine Mountain for the first time during Country Week, while Cooktown, Bowen, Dalby and Mount Isa would also get another chance at hosting matches.
Alec Inch Oval first staged a Queensland Cup match in 2012 when the Blackhawks took on the Northern Pride. It also hosted the CQ Capras and Townsville in 2016.
QRL competitions manager Dave Maiden said Country Week, would bring people together through school and community visits as well as various game day activities.
“Credit must go to our clubs, who embrace the opportunity each year to engage with local clubs and their communities,” Maiden said.
“Country Week is a fantastic all-round exercise that delivers many benefits to regional areas, long after the full-time siren sounds at each ground.
“Young boys and girls get to meet and watch players with NRL experience, and the players themselves receive a big lift from the experience.”