https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/red-devils-spirit-pulled-norths-back-from-the-brin/3887273/
SINCE competitive rugby launched in Mackay 100 years ago the Norths Devils have been ingrained in its history. But, if not for a community of dedicated clubmen and women, they would have fallen short of the esteemed century. Before the 2018 season began the club was in disarray - no training facilities, financial stresses and a lack of senior players. That is when Colin Hill assumed the presidency and called on a group of former Norths players and supporters to rebuild the foundation club - which returned to the name Carltons as season 2018 began.
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https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/what-drives-hockey-star-to-be-the-go-to-man/3886875/
Upon his selection in the Kookaburra's 2020 squad, Jacob Anderson has one main goal - to get a shot at Olympic gold. With the Tokyo showcase on the horizon, the Mackay product has begun his pre-season training to keep himself at the forefront of selection debates. Anderson has an opportunity to realise what millions of kids dream of - dreams he shared and still uses as fuel to this day. "I remember when I was a kid watching the Beijing Olympics and thinking how unreal it was, and I heard stories about the hockey guys that won in Athens - that still resonates," Anderson said. "You sort of play throughout the year and don't really think about it, but all your training and games are for selection again. https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/mackay-duo-defies-the-odds-to-make-australian-side/3884436/
WHEN Peter Sumpter first began coaching Cooper Whitestyles and Brayden Foxley-Conolly, he saw a couple of “diamonds in the rough”. Such has been their acceleration through the ranks, the pair has since laid the foundation for sustained success for Mackay wheelchair basketball. Whitestyles and 15-year-old Foxley-Conolly are in Japan after being selected for the Australian U23 side to take part in the Kitakyushu Champions’ Cup. The tour marks their first appearances in the green and gold. They will take on Japan, Canada and Germany. https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/kelly-i-was-told-i-wouldnt-play-again/3883315/
HE REMEMBERS it "clear as day". Daniel Kelly was involved in an opposed training session for the Mackay Cutters' U18 side against their Queensland Cup counterparts last February. An on-field collision almost left his rugby league dreams in tatters. "It was just a freak accident," Kelly recalled, "I got my leg caught in the wrong position and broke my tibia and fibia - now I have a titanium rod down my leg. "I also got compartment syndrome from the trauma on that, which left me with a big scar down my leg and in hospital for two weeks. "It was quite terrifying, and at a young age as well - I was told I wouldn't play again. It has been a lot of hard work to get back to where I am." https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/endeared-mackay-drag-racer-signs-off-in-style/3880869/
Two days after receiving his license, Peter Holt was absorbed by the drag racing scene. Finally, after 37 years, he has claimed his first championship win. Fittingly, his victory on the Palmyra Dragway — where he has dedicated countless hours to its operation — will also be his last race. After putting so much into the sport, through every race he has buckled in for, Holt said Saturday night’s triumph in the PDRC Championship would stand out as his greatest memory on the track. “It has taken me 37 years to win a track championship – my first Street Bracket win for a series. I’ve been trying so hard for so long and it just never happened for me,” he said. “It was just a dream; the car was perfect, I drove almost perfect – it was great.” https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/powerhouse-batsman-set-to-play-last-mackay-season/3880783/
If this is his last year in the Norths colours, Mitch English intends to make it his best yet. For years the Queensland Country batsman has been the name synonymous with the club’s success on the cricket pitch. But the 2019-20 DBCT Poole Cup is set to be the destructive opener’s last. Now an engaged man, English will be moving to England in July to start anew. Another half-century in Norths’ win against Brothers on Saturday continued his impressive form. With 431 runs at 71.8 to his credit, English said he could not recall such a season of consistency. https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/photos-mum-and-daughter-share-one-final-game/3875160/#/0
NATASHA Baggow broke down in tears as the final siren ended the women's Kanaka Proud Cup clash. For more than 20 years, the 42-year-old has been a cornerstone of women's rugby league in Mackay. She has loved the sport from an early age and has given to it as much as it gave her. To end a glittering career in front of family and friends was one thing. To take the field with her daughter Kelsi playing by her side made it a fitting final chapter. "We actually got to play a season with Brothers last year and we won the premiership. I've played comps with her this year too, so I don't think too many mothers and daughters get to do that," Baggow said after Mackay defeated Rockhampton 20-0. "It's an amazing experience to share it with her. I didn't think she would play rugby league, she's not really built for it, but she gets out there and among it. "All those young girls coming through are playing amazing footy, so it's time to hang up the boots and let them take over." https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/how-ben-barba-fared-in-his-return-to-league/3875101/#/0
DEAN Tass had not lined up alongside Ben Barba on the footy field for 10 years. It was at an indigenous carnival in Townsville, just before the former Dally M Medal winner established himself as a top NRL player. Reunited at the Mackay scrumbase for the Kanaka Proud Cup, it was as though they had never been apart. Tass captained the Mackay side to a 40-28 win against Rockhampton and was named player of the match. But he was in awe of Barba's natural ability, even though the latter has not played the game at a professional level for months. https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/cutters-plan-to-stop-nrls-most-feared-winger/3873443/
HE FOUGHT his way into the Papua New Guinea set-up and through the challenges of the inaugural World Cup Nines. Now Dan Russell is braced for his biggest test — the fend of Maika Sivo. The Mackay Cutters’ centre will make his Test Match debut in the Oceania Cup clash with Fiji on Saturday, where he will line up against the leading NRL try scorer of the 2019 season. Sivo crossed the white strip 22 times in his first season for the Parramatta Eels, and established a reputation as one of the most fearsome wingers in the game. Russell knows he will have his work cut out for him. https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/brothers-in-arms-claim-emotional-victory/3865046/
WHEN Dean Tass walked onto the field, his mind was on his brothers – those who played alongside him and those not with him anymore. The River Bulls featured in the Mackay Indigenous Carnival for the first time at the weekend, to honour the Tass clan’s lost loved ones, Feeney and Jesse. A large family contingent proudly wore their jerseys for the pair, who tragically took their own lives in 1998 and 2015 respectively. Five of the Tass brothers appeared in the River Bulls’s line up, with the sixth running the water. Their eldest nephew, Feeney’s son Levi, also took to the field while Jesse’s three kids watched on. The passion in the group was evident as they were crowned the winners of the Open Men’s Shield, defeating Hunters 28-16 in the final. Dean knew how emotional the experience would be for him. But his thoughts were with his brothers still with him – and whether they were okay to get through the battle. |
AuthorSelection of sport content. I was regularly called upon to assist with sport in the abscence of other staff. Archives
November 2019
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