https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/the-cancellation-of-the-intrust-super-cup-could-inject-new-life-townsville-rugby-league/news-story/56b7c814398fca051c09c155eaf07a69 STATE wide rugby league may be off for 2020, but hope remains for the Townsville competition. And with a squad of Intrust Super Cup players desperate to get on the field, their injection could mean great things for the region’s future in the sport. Picture the scenario: an emerging local five-eighth partners at the scrumbase with Jaelen Feeney and his 26 NRL games with the Newcastle Knights. Consider as well the insights into preparation a rising Townsville prop would receive surrounded by the likes of Jake Marketo and Sam Hoare. Furthermore, should the NRL resume, a player dropped from the team’s starting line up would not have the Intrust Super Cup to come back to — opening the door for local rugby league. There is already interest among the ISC group, with Blackhawks’ Papua New Guinea recruit Moses Meninga already eager to get on board. The experience would undoubtedly enhance the skill level Townsville’s players, a reality not lost on Ross Anderson. Since the coronavirus pandemic broke out the TDRL chairman has discussed the possible situation with the Townsville Blackhawks and North Queensland Cowboys.
And while the potential increase in ability across the region was an enticing prospect, the calibre of talent back in the competition could also come with promising financial impacts. “Crowds would certainly go up, clubs survive on gate takings and canteens and all that sort of stuff, and it would be well and truly worthwhile seeing people turn up to watch the ISC and NRL players compete in the local competition,” Anderson said. “What the TDRL would be hoping for would be a series of players in all sides throughout the competition. “It would be a matter of the clubs – as well as the Cowboys and Blackhawks – sitting down at the table and working out which would be the best players to go to which club, and which clubs would benefit most.” Whether or not first-grade players would be permitted to feature in the club-based competitions would come down to the NRL governing body. The TDRL would need at least 15 weeks to be able to complete a competition prior to November, when rugby league’s heat policies come into play. While the prospect of some of the region’s finest players entering the Townsville fold is enticing, Anderson said there was far more to worry about in the current climate. “The TDRL is financial at this stage, we’re sustainable – same as all of the clubs,” he said. “Whilst it’s important we certainly get out there and play we’ve also got to be mindful it’s the people who play the game – they may not have the necessary money to be involved in the sport. "No sport is free nowadays unfortunately.”
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AuthorOne of my main responsibilities was to cover the Blackhawks and Gold Stars and build strong relationships at the club. Archives
May 2020
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