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Sport

15 July, 2026

Clean sweep by Roos in Tully

A POWERFUL show of solidarity marked the Tully Tigers’ domestic and family violence awareness round on 12 July, with both A grade sides wearing purple socks and observing a minute’s silence before kick off at Tully Showgrounds.

By Maria Girgenti

Tully’s Matthew Gibuma (with ball) scored a double against Kangaroos in the reserve grade clash. Picture: Maria Girgenti
Tully’s Matthew Gibuma (with ball) scored a double against Kangaroos in the reserve grade clash. Picture: Maria Girgenti
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But despite the emotion and determination behind the occasion, Tully fell 32-18 to a clinical Kangaroos outfit in a tough, physical contest.

Kangaroos exploded out of the blocks, piling on four unanswered tries to jump to a 22 point lead. Tully steadied with a late first half try and narrowed the margin but still trailed by 16 at the break.

The visitors kept the pressure on after halftime, crossing twice more to stretch their advantage to 26. Tully refused to roll over, producing two late consolation tries, but time ran out on their comeback hopes.

Tully try scorers: Phil Nona, Benjamin Toby, Luke Nocon. Goals: Phil Nona (3).

Long-time supporter and rugby league tragic Shane Muriata praised the side’s resilience, noting the effort shown by players backing up.

“Kangaroos came ready to play and with little to no errors, we knew it would be a tough assignment,” he said.

“Tully are fighting for their lives in the push for finals and need to start stringing together wins. We need to take care of our own destiny now.”

In reserves, Kangaroos posted two early tries before Tully hit back with one of their own.

Another pair of opposition tries saw the visitors take an 18 point lead into halftime.

After the break, Kangaroos extended their buffer with three more tries, but Tully mounted a spirited fightback with two converted tries to reduce the margin to 20.

A late surge brought the Tigers within eight and set up a grandstand finish, but the clock beat them and Kangaroos held on for the win.

Tully try scorers: Charles Gibuma (2), Matthew Gibuma (2), Mani Ketchell. Goals: Darian Burton (1), Jaiden Mothe (1), Jack Quirk (2).

Tully’s under-19s started strongly with two early tries to lead by 10, before Kangaroos responded with back to back efforts to edge ahead by two. Tully regained the lead before halftime and pushed further ahead with two unanswered tries to lead by 14.

Kangaroos clawed back to within eight, Tully replied with another four pointer, but the visitors refused to fade storming home with three successive late tries to snatch a thrilling two point victory.

Tully try scorers: Tama Wilson, Jaiden Mothe, Justin Ulutui, Kaedyn Ketchell, Nicholas Muriata, Reggae Dorego. Goals: Tama Wilson (3).

Tully host Mossman Port Douglas in reserve and A grade catch up fixtures this Saturday 18 July at Tully Showgrounds.

Results - FNQRL Round 15 fixtures - 11-12 July

A-grade

  • Kangaroos 32 def Tully 18

  • Innisfail 24 def Mareeba 22

  • Atherton 36 def Ivanhoe Knights 30

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  • Southern Suburbs 37 def Yarrabah 16

  • Cairns Brothers 46 def Mossman-Port Douglas 4

  • FNQRL A-grade ladder – Round 15: Cairns Brothers 24, Innisfail 24, Atherton 23, Mareeba 19, Kangaroos 16, Southern Suburbs 14, Ivanhoe Knights 12, Tully 8, Yarrabah 4 and Mossman-Port Douglas 2.

Reserves

  • Kangaroos 36 def Tully 28

  • Innisfail 20 def Mareeba 16

  • Ivanhoe Knights 32 def Atherton 20

  • Southern Suburbs 24 def Yarrabah 16

  • Cairns Brothers 52 def Mossman-Port Douglas 30

Under-19s

  • Kangaroos 32 def Tully 30

  • Mareeba 40 def Innisfail 28

  • Atherton 32 def Ivanhoe Knights 20

  • Bye: Cairns Brothers

Women’s

  • Kangaroos 44 def Mossman-Port Douglas 4

  • Ivanhoe Maidens 32 def Atherton 14

  • Southern Suburbs 34 def Yarrabah 32

  • Bye: Innisfail

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