Tigers finals hopes in tatters after Knights ride to big win

The defending premiers were on song from the first whistle after crossing via Ernest Suavai in opening minute, the first of 12 tries they ran in against the Seahawks.

Yarrabah was reduced to 12 men in the 18th minute when Gabriel Stephen was sent to the sin bin, then both sides lost a man each when opposing centres Patrick Lewis (Brothers) and Menmuny Murgha (Yarrabah) were sent off.

Brothers adapted better, running in seven tries by half time before adding another five in the second half.

Yarrabah saved face two tries in three minutes at the hour mark, but Brothers were not to be denied on their home field.

KNIGHTS END TULLY FINALS FAIRYTALE

They came, they conquered, and now Ivanhoe Knights will move on from their 38-12 win against Tully as they face a tough test of their FNQRL premiership credentials.

Winger Matthew Gibuma and Northern Pride-contracted centre Rhy Young finished with doubles in the seven-tries-to-two triumph to heap pressure on the other five clubs who are in the thick of the fight for the minor premiership - or, at least, a top two finish which will give those sides a bye in the first week of the finals.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE REPLAY

Shortly after fulltime, Ivanhoes coach Lindsay Styles was already shifting his focus to Saturday’s mega clash against Kangaroos.

“It’s all crucial this time of year,” Styles said.

“You always want to finish in the top two, but it’s important to consolidate yourself in the top six.

“This is a big step towards that – I haven’t looked much at the table to be honest – but it sets up a good clash with Kangaroos.”

Persistent, light rain made for tough handling conditions but Ivanhoes adjusted better, running out to a 22-6 lead at the break.

Both sides struggled for consistency to open the second stanza before Ivanhoes struck a decisive triple blow.

Gibuma scored his double within three minutes, and when Young grabbed his second a few minutes later the Knights threatened to ride away with a massive win.

But Tully, as they do often do, fought back into the contest and refused to allow Ivanhoes another opportunity to score.

The Tigers debuted three more teenage talents and fielded a side with seven players aged 18 or under, and they more than held their own against a quality rival.

That loss means finals are out of the question for Tully, who will use their remaining few games to provide young talents with A-grade experience to help develop the talented batch for the future.

Tully co-coach Cameron Miller praised Styles and the way his staff have Ivanhoes rolling towards a finals appearance in a year in which they celebrate 100 years.

“Their defensive resilience is outstanding, they were very good,” Miller said.

“We’re looking towards our future, we’re extremely proud of them and me and Col (Wilkie, co-coach) are honoured to bring them through from our juniors.

“They didn’t look out of place out there, they were good. We didn’t match Ivanhoes’ class but the effort was there.

“It could’ve blown out but the boys showed resilience.

“They’re a good side, well-coached by Lindsay. They deserve all the credit for where they are across their three grades. They’re having a good 100th year.”

Young’s night finished two minutes early after he took exception to a penalty for taking the footy, the main official not hesitating to march an extra 10 metres for dissent then send him to the sin bin.

RESULTS

A-GRADE

MOSSMAN-PORT DOUGLAS SHARKS 44 (Barba 2, S Anau, Fujii, Webster, Banu, Newman, Schreiber tries; Barba 5, Fujii goals) def EDMONTON STORM 10 (Crathern, Bounghi tries; Harrison goal) at Petersen Park, Edmonton.

INNISFAIL LEPRECHAUNS 64 (Waireg-Ingui 2, Heron 2, Skelton, Vick, Heron Jia, Morton, Hallie, A Galea, C Galea tries; Morton 10 goals) def SOUTHERN SUBURBS 12 (Dunvan, Thompson-Dodd tries; Deen 2 goals) at Alley Park, Gordonvale.

IVANHOE KNIGHTS 38 (Gibuma 2, Young 2, Banister, Skardon, Hodges tries; Dugan 5 goals) def TULLY TIGERS 12 (Smith, Haywood-Scriven tries; Emmi, Black goals) at Tully Showgrounds.

BROTHERS 62 (Costello 2, Peni 2, Burgess 2, Suavai, Valentine, Lawson, Biondi-Odo, Cygler, Spark tries; Peni 7 goals) def YARRABAH SEAHAWKS 12 (Golchert, Satrick tries; C Murgha 2 goals) at Stan Williams Park, Manunda.

KANGAROOS 26 (S Tatipata 2, T Stephen 2, Pearson tries; B Stephen 2, Satrick goals) def ATHERTON ROOSTERS 22 (Dumbrell, Blackman, Dwyer, Munster tries; Grogan 3 goals) at Vico Oval, Mooroobool.

MAREEBA had the bye.

RESERVES

Innisfail 24 def Suburbs 10.

Tully Tigers 26 drew Ivanhoes 26.

Mossman-PD 30 def Edmonton 24.

Brothers 32 def Yarrabah 28.

Kangaroos 26 def Atherton 10.

UNDER-18S

Innisfail 40 def Suburbs 0.

Ivanhoes 24 def Tully Tigers 10.

Brothers 32 def Yarrabah 20.

Atherton 22 def Kangaroos 12.

FIXTURES

ROUND 15

Saturday, July 22

Tully Tigers v Innisfail Leprechauns at Tully Showgrounds.

Ivanhoe Knights v Kangaroos at Smithfield Sporting Complex.

Atherton Roosters v Mareeba Gladiators at Mungalli Creek Dairy Stadium.

Sunday, July 23

Yarrabah Seahawks v Edmonton Storm at Jilara Oval, Yarrabah.

Southern Suburbs v Brothers at Alley Park, Gordonvale.

Mossman-Port Douglas have the bye.

LEPS STRENGTHEN BID

Innisfail have strengthed their grip in the FNQRL A-grade minor premiership ahead of a tough run home with a big win on the road against Southern Suburbs.

The Leprechauns ran in 11 tries in the 64-12 win, their sixth straight victory and a margin which has helped boost their already league-best points differential.

Abraham Waireg-Ingui added a further two tries to his haul of 19 four-pointers this season, while the league’s leading pointscorer Michael Morton scored his first try of the season as he collected 24 points against the Cockatoos.

Innisfail will travel to Tully Showgrounds on Saturday for the second Cassowary Coast derby of the 2023 season, then after a round 17 bye finish the regular season with heavyweight bouts with Mossman-Port Douglas and Brothers - both of which could have a major bearing on the finals.

The Sharks enjoyed a 44-10 win against Edmonton Storm at Petersen Park to strengthen their hold on a top six spot.

Mossman-Port Douglas are on 20 competition points, and while they enjoy a six-point gap to Mareeba, the Gladiators are still a chance of closing the gap if they win their remaining four games.

Mareeba will travel to Mungalli Creek Dairy Stadium for a massive Tablelands derby clash in which Atherton can all but end the Gladiators’ finals hopes if the Roosters can jag a rare win.

TIGERS TURN TO TALENTED TEENS

Tully Tigers will turn to their teenage talents as they face a last throw of the dice to make the FNQRL A-grade finals.

The Tigers are set to debut three more teenagers when they face joint competition leader Ivanhoes.

And you can catch every minute of the action with the Tully Showgrounds clash the KommunityTV Match of the Round, with three games to be livestreamed from 2pm.

The A-grade game, which kicks off at 6pm, is key for the Tully club with the side needing to claim all remaining competition points and other results to go their way if they are to be any hope of making the FNQRL A-grade finals.

“It’s not been a year where things have gone our way,” said coach Colin Wilkie.

“We recruited well, and we’ve been close but not close enough. We’ve shown we can compete with the top sides.

“The signs are good for the future and that’s where we’re going in these last few games.”

Wilkie said the club would roll out three debutants on Saturday night, adding to the existing teens already in the club’s top squad.

“It’s a big occasion for them,” Wilkie said.

“You get one debut, and to do it on Old Boys Day which pulls a big crowd, and be up against Josh Dugan, I’m sure it will be something they remember.”

Cohen Emmi, Cameron Nelson and Marley Helion are 17 and have already debuted, while 18-year-old Morgan Black has spent much of the season on the wing.

Blake Morice, Dylan Cummingham (both 17) and Nathan Muriata (18) are all set to run out for their first A-grade appearances against the Knights.

It means a quarter of the A-grade side won’t legally be allowed to celebrate any victory with a post-game beer, but it shows the faith the Tigers have in a production line led by Broncos and Maroons star Thomas Flegler, former Cowboys and Knights halfback Jake Clifford, and Souths Logan Magpies playmaker Jack Campagnolo.

Cowboys and Origin star Romy Teitzel, PNG international Essay Banu and Eels winger Kim Hunt have also come through Tully.

The five 17-year-olds will return to under-18s for the finals, but Wilkie said it was a good opportunity to give them a taste of first grade.

“Something our club has really hung its hat on is the opportunities we provide for our local juniors,” Wilkie said.

“Thomas and Jake are flying the flag there, and our three NRLW players as well.

“Over the years we’ve had a number of kids playing for the Pride, we’ve had a couple of kids down at Kirwan, Harley re-signing for the Cowboys for a couple of years.

“It’s something we hang our hats on, providing opportunities for our boys and three more fellas get a chance.

“Playing A-grade at 17 isn’t something everyone can do, but we have full confidence in these boys.”

ROUND 14

Saturday

Edmonton Storm v Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks at Petersen Park.

Tully Tigers v Ivanhoes Knights at Tully Showground. WATCH IT LIVE

Southern Suburbs v Innisfail Leprechauns at Alley Park.

Sunday

More Coverage

FNQRL LIVE: Tully Tigers v Ivanhoe Knights, Round 14

Matthew McInerney

Origin star’s advice for rising Yarrabah young gun

Matthew McInerney

Brothers v Yarrabah at Stan Williams Park.

Kangaroos v Atherton Roosters at Vico Oval.

matthew.mcinerney1@news.com.au

Originally published as Tigers finals hopes in tatters after Knights ride to big win