Sport
25 February, 2026
Fans love top league match
MORE than 5600 fans packed Callender Park last Saturday as Innisfail hosted its biggest rugby league celebration since 2017, with the International Legends of League exhibition match which brought hometown heroes Billy Slater and Ty Williams back to where it all began.
The atmosphere was electric as supporters travelled from across Australia to witness the star-studded showdown.
Innisfail icon, Kerry Boustead, Queensland’s first ever State of Origin try-scorer and former Australian international received a rousing ovation on his return.
The Cassowary Coast All Stars boasted a powerhouse line-up including Slater, Williams, Joel Reithmuller, Scott Bolton, Colin Wilkie, Ryan Ghietti, Beau Strickland, Robert Haren, Dean Howard, Chris Zanoletti, Jonathan Growcott, Dean Howard, Shaun McLeish, Luke Romano, Luke Horsford, Nick Accatino, Ryan Stepanoff, Ashley English, Noel Higgins, Raymond Laza, Sam Coffey, Steve Morice, Fabien Tauli, Paul, Aaron and Ben Ketchell, with Graham Clark as coach, Ian Willmett (assistant coach), Nathaniel Edwards and Jason McPherson (managers) and Scott Hayward and Anthony Emmi (trainers).
They faced off against the NRL Legends team stacked with greats such as Cliff Lyons, Noel Goldthorpe, Sam Thaiday, Kevin Campion, Gerald Beale, Ben Hannant, James Tamou, Michael Bani, Antonio Winterstein, Jaiman Lowe, Stuart Kelly, Darren Smith, Luke Goodwin, Neville Costigan, John Hopoate and Darren Smith.
The final score was 28-26 to the Cassowary Coast All Stars.
Slater scored the first try of the game for the All Stars. Other try scorers included Michael Bani (NRL legends), John Hopoate (NRL legends), Ryan Ghietti (All Stars), Sam Thaiday (NRL legends), Paul Ketchell (All Stars) and Mitchell Martin (NRL legends).
After full-time, fans flooded the field for photos and autographs before the Legends’ jerseys went under the hammer and Billy Slater’s All Stars full kit set a record at $7500.
The Stephenson family of Innisfail, who had all four of their boys involved in the event, said it was a night they will never forget. It was full of unbelievable, pinch-me moments from start to finish.
Dean Stephenson refereed the second half of the NRL Legends match and then was a referee and touch judge throughout the day. Jake stepped up as referee and touch judge, including in the Legends game.
Rick played with his under-13s team to kick off the day, then got to play with the NRL legends, coached by Kerry Boustead, where he ran alongside the former rugby league stars. He even warmed up passing the footy with Ben Hannant, then scored a try and kicked a conversion.
Ryan was ball boy all day and during the main game Billy Slater and Sam Thaiday asked him to kick their conversions where he nailed both.
While in the region, the NRL legends visited Goondi, Mourilyan, Innisfail State, Innisfail East, Tully State High Schools, Radiant Life, Innisfail State and Good Counsel Colleges. They shared messages of resilience, effort and positive life choices through the C.A.R.E Factor program. They also visited Tully Nursing Home, where they helped celebrate resident Fred’s 100th birthday and chatted with former Parramatta player Brian Bevan.
The NRL legends also joined the community for a packed sponsors’ bowls day at Innisfail Bowls Club followed by a sportsman’s dinner.
Innisfail marked the 100th International Legends of League match, following previous stops in Cairns, Ipswich, Gladstone, Mount Isa, Rockhampton, Mackay and Roma.