The Last Wednesday Newsletter
Welcome to The Maroon Observer, a weekly newsletter about rugby league, Queensland and rugby league in Queensland.
The year up there
I’ve said it a few times but it’s been a good year for North Queensland rugby league. The Cutters won the women’s premiership. The Pride won the men’s minor premiership. The Cowboys are the last Queensland team standing in the NRLM.
It wasn’t perfect. The Pride were eliminated from the finals by Redcliffe in golden point - more on that below the fold. The Cowboys’ NRLW team has had a good season, currently batting .500 and teetering on the precipe of a winning record, but will need a win against Newcastle to make it a great season.
It stands in stark relief to the shitshow of 2023. So much promise had been built-up by North Queensland in 2022 and was then all blown on extremely bad and ill-advised vibes, culminating in eleventh place. Concentrating talent at Kirwan with the Blackhawks failed spectacularly and it was the neglected Northern Pride that dacked the Blackhawks twice and emerged as the courageous finals underdogs. Even they were eliminated in the first week. The NRLW team took two wins on debut, half coming in extremely strange circumstances that are unlikely to ever be repeated, which hit the under of what was possible. The Cutters’ women teams lost their semi-final and the men were nowhere to be found.
In the week of the Cowboys elimination final, this was all memory-holed as a flurry of attention blew about. NRL and NRL-adjacent journalists struggled to pitch a narrative:
Townsville prepares to host NRL final between North Queensland Cowboys and Newcastle Knights
Sleepless nights and the bold gambles behind Cowboys’ revival
‘Very likeable’ Cowboys ride into NRL spotlight with Queensland on their backs
After being silent all year, suddenly they (note: Colleen Edwards, a former cohost of a QRL podcast and QRL dot com writer, is naturally exempt from the following) remembered, or perhaps their more southerly editors needed reminding, there was a team in Townsville that begged for characterisation. Although it was much more firmly tethered to reality than Fox’s pre-game analysis, none of this seemed to reflect their recent turmoil or acknowledge the deep Unseriousness that had defined the Cowboys’ year to this point. North Queensland lost to arch rivals and thinking-about-firing-the-coach Brisbane, badly, as recently as August 10.
I’ve been to Cairns and Atherton, Townsville and Mount Isa, Mackay and Mirani - none for very long (Mt Isa was all of three hours) and almost all for work purposes - but it strikes me that one of the singular advantages the Cowboys have is how far removed they are. Not only does this result in the aforementioned reduced scrutiny from the greater rugby league media but the near 25,000 fans in attendance are almost uniformly Cowboys fans.
Few away fans are making the trip to Townsville (it’s further away from Brisbane than Sydney, as if you need reminding) and it’s been so long since 1995 that, other than perhaps a few fossilised Broncos fans, the other lingering holdovers from the before times have mostly converted. The few that haven’t are extremely sympathetic neutrals. The only other place in the league this might exist to a similar degree is that other bastion of Australian countryness, regionality and heart, the Newcastle Knights. Wouldn’t you know it, here they are.
I don’t know if this was a deliberate decision on the part of the broadcast producer, but they managed to find a heartwarming cross-section of humanity in the stands. It was predominantly white, but young and old, men and women, all together, a community united by this team, oblivious (perhaps consciously so) to its flaws and enjoying the moment for what it was. There was perhaps one (1) very excited Newcastle fan.
This helped smooth over my extremely fatigued and ruffled feathers as I begged this game to get on with it, either so the Knights would finally find themselves drowning in a deep end that the opposition’s ineptitude would not and could not rescue them from, as seemed likely pre-game, or so the Cowboys would be knocked out and I could stop thinking about them until March next year, as seemed likely at half time with Newcastle up 12-4 and North Queensland looking uncertain if they could work back into it.
The Cowboys won, mostly on a strategy of waiting for the Knights’ ardour to wane in a game that rarely stopped except when the errors came in runs of twos and threes scattered throughout proceedings, some more consequential than others. It was a well-balanced affair that really seems to have tipped towards the Cows because 55% possession yielded 55% of the running metres and 63% of the points. The much vaunted ‘strike’, and perhaps the absence of Bradman Best, put North Queensland over the top.
Naturally, this entire piece would take an entirely different tone had the Cowboys lost but they didn’t and the assiest team in Australia continues onwards. It would still take an extraordinarily optimistic fan to look at the throughline of the watery Sharks, then the brick wall of the Panthers, then probably followed by the nearly inexplicably good Storm or maybe the high octane Roosters, and see three wins.
One would be good, two great and three is almost impossible to dream about.
Thank you for reading The Maroon Observer
Cowboys relocating to Cairns
I missed this story. I dunno why but I’m willing to blame the way Newscorp presents its content and not because I’m as guilty as anyone of forgetting the Cowboys.
Anyway, back in July:
A NRLW team could soon call Barlow Park home with officials set to visit the Far North again this week as part of bold new plans to relocate the squad by 2026…
Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel and chair Lewis Ramsay have been quietly advancing a bid to shift the women’s program, meeting with community leaders in an effort to strengthen ties in the region…
But, as exclusively reported by the Cairns Post in June, Sports Minister Michael Healy has instructed his department to look into establishing a Sporting Centre of Excellence in the region with Premier Steven Miles giving his “in-principle” support.
Gotta love the marriage of politics and sport in this state.
It does look a lot like the Cowboys took FNQ for granted and then belatedly realised, even though no one of any relevance seriously proposed it, that if the NRL drops a PNG team in Cairns, that might be a problem for Railway Estate. Oh and this coming off the back of dumping the local QCup team? You can deny it all you like but that just makes me think it more.
That news went down well:
A hastily arranged crisis meeting with Cowboys’ NRLW players, who had yet to be informed of the plans, was held soon after with “an advanced relocation proposal” tabled to the playing group, sparking criticism from the league’s players union…
The club had refused to comment for the last three weeks but in a scheduled appearance on ABC Grandstand at the weekend, general manager Micheal Luck acknowledged discussions were underway to head north.
“We want to make sure that our footprint, which is from Sarina all the way north to the Cape, is well and truly covered,” Mr Luck said…
NRLW legend Heather Ballinger, who started playing rugby league in Cairns, said she hoped the game’s power brokers had considered the challenges a standalone women’s team would face in the Far North.
“The first couple of years is going to be hard because there’s not much in Cairns,” Ms Ballinger, who won a premiership with the Brisbane Broncos in 2018 [and now manages a pool in Longreach], said…
It’s understood that the council’s interim CEO John Andrejic has grown increasingly frustrated with information related to council matters being reported on publicly.
Lol, good one.
As you’ll have already guessed from the tenor of these quotes, and the fact that I am writing about it at all, this was confirmed this week:
The North Queensland Cowboys have outlined their vision to turn Cairns into the home of NRLW in the north by 2027, with plans to build a multimillion-dollar high performance centre for their women's team at Barlow Park.
I don’t hate this line of strategic thinking. I think this offers a good opportunity for the Cowboys to keep the brand relevant across the region, engage the Cairns fanbase better and make better use of Barlow Park. If the NRLW continues to grow at current pace, maybe the Cowboys can wrangle a 25k seat stadium out of the government for Cairns.
Then again, I don’t have to live in Cairns to access the facilities required to do my job and it’s not clear why these facilities can’t be provided in Townsville, although I’d guess this is the government providing funding if spent in the Far North. The market will tell us a lot about how the players feel about this move.
Around the NRLW grounds
Broncos 20 defeated Sharks 16. The Sharks had all the possession they could possibly want. Territory too. The ref even spotted them two tries, the first that was not grounded and a second coming directly after a knock on. Julia Robinson dropped the ball a million times. Ali Brigginshaw couldn't find touch. And yet when the end of the game came, you'd think Cronulla had been defending their line for half an hour straight. Once again, the Sharks’ soft draw has been confused with quality. Broncos good. Stacey Waaka broken leg bad.
Knights 46 defeated Titans 10. Welcome to the Gold Coast, Titans NRLW. You’ll notice the faint sense of dread hanging in the air, as if nothing you do will ever make an inch of difference in the Sisphyean task of trying to make a Gold Coast professional sports enterprise nationally relevant for more than a season. It permeates everything, whether it be Parkwood, Oxenford or Robina. Scientists think this miasma originates somewhere in the upper reaches of Nerang River but consensus has not yet been reached. A Heart of Darkness style expedition to go upstream to find, and possibly slay or sate this demonic force, is proposed but unfunded.
Roosters 24 defeated Cowboys 12. Winning is better than losing but if you’re going to lose to one of the best teams in the competition, this is the way to do it. The difference between North Queensland of last year and the North Queensland of this game is clear, stark and highly encouraging that the franchise is headed in the right direction. The wind didn’t help, the Roosters’ giant pack even less so but the Cowboys coped, kept themselves in the contest and can leave the Central Coast (preferably as quickly as possible) with their heads held high.
Season outlook. There is one round of the regular season left and neither the Titans nor Cowboys have enough wins to qualify for the post-season, unless North Queensland can beat Newcastle by 62 points and the Eels lose. The Broncos have six wins, so have punched their ticket to the finals and will face a Dragons team in their final match that has shown very little beyond a few bright sparks, has nothing to play for and is losing their coach.
Eels and Cowboys wins would put Parramatta into the top four over the Knights, but barring that minor miracle, if results go as expected, the top four now will be the top four next week. The degree of crushing victory for the Roosters or Broncos will likely decide the minor premiership, although if both lose and the Sharks win, then Cronulla can regain first place.
It’s a fools game to guess at the potential semi-final pairings and outcomes but I would give the Broncos a very good chance of making the grand final. After that, it’s in the hands of the fates.
Around the QCup grounds
Dolphins 17 defeated Pride 16. I was immediately impressed that the Pride seemed willing to play up to the physicality of the Dolphins. That they almost immediately conceded a try to Trai Fuller did not bode well for the rest of the afternoon. Northern stabilised quickly, as they have all season, and settled into the contest, only conceding another try on half time to a long range Val Te Whare break.
Redcliffe couldn’t contain the Pride when they got a bit of shape going and didn’t drop the ball. Scores were level late in the game but the Pride seemed unable to work their way to a position to take a proper shot at goal, inexplicably and infuriatingly blowing two attempts before full time. The Dolphins were given one shot in golden point and took it cleanly. That was the difference in the end.
The Pride probably win this game if Jake Clifford plays and the Pride probably aren’t a 17-4 team if Jake Clifford doesn’t spend most of the season in Cairns. A 14 or 15 win Pride losing to a 13 win Dolphins doesn’t seem like quite the upset it might appear on paper. Trai Fuller did his ACL during the game, which greatly weakens the Dolphins’ premiership case. It's one thing to kick in the door, which the Phins might be able to do if the sea breeze cools Kayo Stadium down quickly enough on Sunday evening, but it is quite another to have enough talent in the backs to make that matter. Josh James is going to need to have a blinder to make space for Valynce Te Whare because I wouldn’t personally want to rely on that backline winning me many games.
Devils 46 defeated Hunters 30. 16 points is both an accurate and inaccurate summation of the gap between these two teams. It was the margin after 17 minutes, before reducing to six well before halftime, coming as close as four after the break and then fluctuating back to 16 by full time. PNG played parts of the game with otherworldly finesse and toughness. I simply do not have the energy to turn these all tries into clips but there’s enough for like six Intermissions. At other times, the Hunters were beaten by a coaching clinic of contesting the ball, support running and simple through the hands passes that made Tesi Niu look like a star.
It is a shame that the Hunters didn't progress to the final because the nuclear hellfire of those packs going head to head for a title would have been all time but Norths have proven the better team for most of the year. The Devils tailed off a little towards the end of the season but these last two high scoring finals performances suggest they are in fine form. It is hard to put a pin in where Norths really excel. It may just be that they are a good team, that play well together and don’t make things too complicated for themselves, with a few aces up the sleeve when required. Julian Christian and Oryn Keeley have really helped punch up this side that would otherwise rely on some classic Cup Guys that are crafty but also getting on a bit.
Grand final preview. I bought the Norths grand final shirt. It was not cheap. I am in the tank for 3 of 4 in ‘24.
Intermission
Still laughing like Mr Burns crippling an Irishman.
Not quite a rugby league sunset but in a similar vein to 6pm at Browne Park in Rockhampton, this angle out of Barlow Park in Cairns towards the Great Dividing Range has always appealed to me. It feels very of its place.
I obviously wouldn’t normally include something that brings Manly-Warringah fans any joy, however, there is a magnificent shot of Queensland Origin legend, Daly Cherry-Evans scoring highlighted in Jason Oliver’s RLW week 1 review.
Programming note
This is definitely the last Wednesday Maroon Observer of the year. You will hear about the Queensland Cup after the grand final. You will hear about the Broncos NRLW exploits when they finish in a Pony Picayune season review. You’ll have to imagine me congratulating the Cowboys on the outcome of their season, as well as my declaration that I will not watch the Roosters-Panthers grand final with anything approaching enthusiasm. At this point, I don’t think the latter will require a great deal of mental energy on your part.
Thank you for reading, sharing and subscribing and occasionally emailing me. You're all appreciated.
Notes
I made a mental note to check how the Datawrapper tables looked in email. If it is of interest to you, the email subscriber, click/tap any graphs or tables and it will open a window that will provide full functionality and not just an abbreviation of the data cornucopia I am trying to provide.
More:
Seagulls win back-to-back BRL titles, sweep all three grades
Stalwart skipper ends a winner as Brethren snare Ipswich 'grand slam'
Rugby League Gold Coast: A-grade, reserves, under-20, and under-18 grand final wraps (Kane Elgey and Kevin Proctor sightings!)
Gatton Hawks win 2024 Toowoomba Rugby League grand final in golden point
Waves break six-year drought on glorious Bundaberg grand final day
New website for South Island Kea. It looks good and is a good pitch, but it feels more Brisbane Bombers than Brisbane Tigers in substance. As previously stated, I'd be fine with the Western Bears, the Jetty Jet Jets (or the Brisbane Bengals or something) and a version of the South Island Kea as a reasonably realistic path to 20 teams. Important to note that there are no perfect bids. Everyone has flaws, although PNG’s are existential rather than inconvenient. We will have to wait and see what tickles the whims of the ARLC and the broadcasters
Signings: Tweed re-signed Lamar Manuel-Liolevave, Joseph Vuna and Lindon McGrady. Luke Maddaford, Clayton Mack, Kyle Foxwell, Samuel Inoke, Blake Lenehan, Brett Greinke are flying back for the Jets. James Frazer, Nick Lui-Toso, Samuel Cramp, Harry Freebairn, Daniel Woodhouse and Nat McGavin return for the Pride.
Coaches: Jordy Dwyer has been appointed the Bears’ BMD coach. Applications are open for the Tigers’ position.
Buzz managed to spin an entire article out of Skydance buying Paramount (and so Channel 10) and pretending that Australian free-to-air and Peter V’Landys are in any way relevant to that deal. “Peter V’landys will try to convince one of the world’s richest men to buy the NRL’s free-to-air television rights in the game’s next broadcast deal.” Uh-huh. His PA is not taking that call.
Murdoch Courtroom Fight to Be a Verdict on Lachlan’s Leadership. “Murdoch, 93, is seeking to change an irrevocable family trust to favor his eldest son Lachlan as his successor, prompting three other children, Prudence, Elisabeth and James, to fight back in probate court in Reno. If Murdoch gets his way, Lachlan will control Fox Corp. and News Corp. after his death, rather than dividing power among the four, as the trust had prescribed… He has said Lachlan’s political leanings make him a better steward of the media outlets, which are popular with conservatives.” This probably won’t affect anything directly at the Courier Mail, Kayo or the Broncos but interesting nonetheless.
Can’t also help but notice that a major sponsor of the Broncos and Titans are in the papers a lot, in close proximity to words like “regulators” and “court battle” and “suspended from the stock exchange”. Not great!
Not rugby league: The NFL Media's Hypocrisy Never Quits. While I’m pretty sure Freddie de Boer is one of those quote-unquote rationalist types that always seems to be on the verge of reinventing phrenology, and to the extent that the post’s foundation is likely a strawman, de Boer makes a salient point. My favourite was the concern over America exporting their football to the rest of the world despite not knowing it’s safe. It’s OK, we have our own head-cracking lifestyles. I am also more concerned about the American military-industrial complex exerting its reach (even though I benefit from it) over the globe and a complete abrogation of greenhouse gas emission reductions, you know, if we were doing a risk management exercise about bad things America is doing to the world. Oh well.