Sport
1 April, 2026
Brothers grab 18-10 victory
TEMPERS flared and the crowd roared at Callendar Park on Saturday as the Innisfail Leprechauns and Cairns Brothers came within inches of an all in scuffle in a fiery finish to their A grade showdown.
But it was the reigning premiers who escaped with an 18-10 win in the latest chapter of the ‘Battle of the Fish’.
Innisfail stunned the visitors early, muscling their way to a 10-0 half time lead, but Brothers stormed home with three unanswered tries to silence the home crowd and snatch victory.
The match also marked a surprise return for Patrick Gallen, who pulled on the Leprechauns jersey for the first time in a decade, slotting into the lock position. Former Brothers playmaker Lachlan Biondi Odo added extra spice to the encounter, facing his old teammates in a clash that lived up to its reputation for intensity and high emotion.
Innisfail’s try scorers were Starrison Whaleboat and Madison Barriball, with Aaron Jolley adding a goal.
In the reserve grade, Innisfail held their nerve in a nail-biting finish, clinging to a two point win after leading 6-0 at the break. Brothers mounted a strong second half surge, but the Leprechauns refused to let the result slip.
Try scorers were Malachi Donaldson, Cameron Nelson and Brayden Cassady, with Michael Morton nailing three goals.
The under-19s fell agonisingly short, going down by two points after holding a narrow half time lead. Innisfail’s tries came from Archie Averkoff, Ben Mariu and a double to Jafari Brown, with Tristan Silva adding a goal.
In the women’s clash played at Jones Park on 27 March, Innisfail delivered a dominant performance, leading 8–0 at half time before running riot in the second stanza to crush the Mossman–Port Douglas Sharkettes 42–0.
Try scorers were Mac McNeil, Anastasia Dempsey, Milla Hayes, Tahlia Hayes, Arianna Martin, Lisa Waireg (2) and Teneisha Ah Kee. Ashley Marshall kicked three goals and Llawana Tomarra added two.
Local rugby league action has a break over Easter and when Round 3 fixtures return on 11 April, the Innisfail Leprechauns four teams travel to Jilara Oval to face Yarrabah, whilst the Tully Tigers’ also have a road trip to Davies Park for a clash against the Mareeba Gladiators.
Results - FNQRL Round 2 fixtures - 28 - 29 March
A-Grade
Cairns Brothers 18 def Innisfail 10
Tully 32 def Mossman-Port Douglas 28
Atherton 36 def Yarrabah 24
Cairns Kangaroos 42 def Ivanhoe Knights 12
Mareeba 30 def Southern Suburbs 16
FNQRL A-Grade Ladder - Round 2: Cairns Brothers 4, Mareeba 3, Atherton 3, Kangaroos 2, Innisfail 2, Yarrabah 2, Tully 2, Southern Suburbs 0, Mossman-Port Douglas 0 and Ivanhoe Knights 0.
Reserve-Grade
Innisfail 18 def Cairns Brothers 16
Tully 44 def Mossman-Port Douglas 16
Ivanhoe Knights 28 def Cairns Kangaroos 6
Southern Suburbs 22 def Mareeba 0
Under 19
Cairns Brothers 20 def Innisfail 18
Atherton 22 def Yarrabah 18
Cairns Kangaroos 28 drew with Ivanhoe Knights 28
Southern Suburbs 22 def Mareeba 18
Bye: Tully Tigers
Women’s
Innisfail 42 def Mossman-Port Douglas 0
Atherton 52 def Yarrabah 10
Cairns Kangaroos 18 def Ivanhoe Knights Maidens 16
Bye: Southern Suburbs