Sport
25 February, 2026
Former NRL star Hopoate leads winning bowls team
FORMER NRL stars have graced the rinks as Innisfail Bowls Club rolled out the green carpet on 20 February, hosting a lively bowls event to thank and celebrate the sponsors behind the International Legends of League event.
The afternoon brought together community supporters, sporting greats and local bowlers for a relaxed hit out that blended friendly rivalry with stacks of Far North Queensland spirit.
Former NRL stars Kerry Boustead, Kevin Campion, Noel Goldthorpe, Sam Thaiday, Michael Bani, Antonio Winterstein, Ben Hannant, Neville Costigan, Jaiman Lowe, Darren Smith, Gerald Beale, James Tamou and Stuart Kelly teamed up with event sponsors and local bowlers.
A full green of bowlers played three rounds with each game finishing after the completion of six songs.
Cassowary Coast All Stars team member Robert Haren won the corner-to-corner bowling contest and donated the money he won to the bowls club.
The bowls club team with NRL legend John Hopoate ran out winners. In second place was the Radiant Life College team with Michael Bani, while in third place was the Jason Aquilina Electrical team which featured Darren Smith.
After the bowls event, the NRL legends attended a packed cocktail function at Brothers Leagues Club Innisfail with three hours of wine, beer and canapes. The evening included live interviews with Sam Thaiday, John Hopoate, Cliff Lyons, Scott Bolton, Paul, Aaron and Ben Ketchell.
A stack of rugby league and sporting memorabilia went under the hammer where items attracted spirited bidding and certain items fetched impressive prices.