Sport
14 March, 2026
Tigers nail it
THE Tully Tigers kicked off their centenary year in emphatic fashion on 28 February, with a packed Tully Leagues Club for their 2026 season launch and jersey auction, where a record-breaking $53,700 was raised.
The evening began with a moment’s silence for highly respected former player, president and life member John Jones, whose contribution to the club was warmly acknowledged by the crowd.
This year’s senior teams will proudly wear jerseys featuring a special Tully Tigers 100 years emblem, and the auction for those jersey numbers quickly turned into a spirited bidding war.
Current players who wore the jerseys were joined on stage by a group of Tully Old Boys which included Brett Blennerhassett, Darryl Edwards, Peter Nona, Aaron Tongalea, Peter Buttsworth, Steve Morice, Peter Lucy, Michael Jones, Con Frumento, Ray Arcidiacono and Peter Jones which added nostalgia to the occasion.
Auctioneer Mark Peters kept the room buzzing as bids flew for all 17 jerseys. The coveted number nine jersey topped the night at an impressive $3,600, followed closely by number six at $3,400, number five at $3,200 and number seven at $3,100.
The generosity did not stop there as Bingil Bay Beef, the highest jersey bidder, who secured a pair of boots signed by Broncos’ premiership stars Reece Walsh and Tamika Upton, donated them straight back which helped raise an additional $1,700 for the club. A Brisbane Broncos jersey signed by Walsh also fetched $2,000.
The crowd was treated to an inspiring address from hometown hero, Romy Teitzel, dual NRLW premiership winner, Queensland Origin representative and NRLW Top Point-Scorer in 2025 when she finished with 106 points, from four tries and 45 goals.
Last season, Teitzel, was part of the Brisbane Broncos NRLW premiership team and won a premiership title with the Newcastle Knights in 2022.
Teitzel, a former Tully State High School student and daughter of former first-grade player Craig Teitzel, shared her inspirational journey from playing rugby league in high school to elite professional, which earned a resounding reception from the audience.
A highlight of the night was the awarding of life membership to long-serving President Anthony Emmi, in recognition of more than a decade of service, unwavering commitment and dedicated leadership, since taking on the role of club president in 2013.
Jamie Muriata, Isiah Ketchell, Blake Morice, Jimmy Waireg-Ingui, Phil Nona, Diega Teaukura and Dujuayne (Shane) Sua-Bacon have resigned to play for the Tigers this season.
New recruits for Tully in 2026, include former Northern Pride player James Clark, minor premiership-winner Matt Gibuma, and Fijian speedster Isaac Lumelume, who brings NRL and international experience, with over 40 games in the Queensland and New South Wales Cup competitions.
The FNQ Rugby League season officially begins on 21 March, with Tully hosting arch-rivals Innisfail Leprechauns in the highly anticipated Cassowary Coast derby.
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