XXXX Foley Shield: Everything you need to know
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The XXXX Foley Shield returns bigger and better in 2023 with some stacked teams to mark 75 years since the carnival began.
The carnival is named after north Queensland rugby league pioneer Arch Foley, who was pivotal in establishing the game in Townsville and dipped into his own pocket so a grandstand could be built for the fans to watch.
This year the shield will be handed over in the shadows of the grandstand at Barlow Park in Cairns, one of the rare occasions it has not been decided in Townsville.
In the men’s competition, Cairns has assembled a strong squad and will be looking to put on a show for the home crowd in the face of challenges from Mackay and reigning XXXX Foley Shield and XXXX League Championship holders Townsville, who have plenty with Hostplus Cup experience.
The men’s winner of the XXXX Foley Shield will earn the right to progress straight through to the XXXX League Championship final, in which they will head south to face either the winner of the XXXX Chairman’s Challenge (South East) or XXXX 47th Battalion (Central) carnivals.
The women’s competition will see Mackay – both teams playing under the Sea Eagles banner in 2023 – attempt to defend their title with Townsville and Cairns hot on their tail.
XXXX Foley Shield key information
When
Saturday, April 29 until Monday, May 1
Where
Barlow Park, Cairns
Match duration
Men’s – 2 x 40-minute halves
Women’s – 2 x 35-minute halves
Schedule
Watch every game live by subscribing at Qplus.tv.
Saturday, April 29
| When | What | Who | Match officials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5pm | Women | Cairns v Mackay | Andrew Edmonds, Nicholas Bowyer, Kaden Tindall |
| 6.30pm | Men | Cairns v Mackay | Peter MacKinnon, Conor Wilson, Guy Millar |
Sunday, April 30
| When | What | Who | Match officials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11.30am | Women | Mackay v Townsville | Nicholas Bowyer, Kaden Tindall, Andrew Edmonds |
| 1pm | Men | Mackay v Townsville | Conor Wilson, Kurt Sheather, Jeff Archer |
Monday, May 1
| When | What | Who | Match officials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12.30pm | Women | Cairns v Townsville | Jeff Archer, Tyler Gillam, Brock Innes |
| 2pm | Men | Cairns v Townsville | Guy Millar, Alan Bain, Andrew Edmonds |
Men's squads
Cairns
Aaron Jolley, Adam Hepworth, Aiden Day, Ammiel Harris, Baptiste Fabre, Ben Barba, Bradley Stephen, Brandon Tatipata, Budughi Gibuma, Dallas Skardon, Davin Crampton, Eddie Daniel, Ernest Suavai, Falcon Peni, Isiah Wigness, Jason Hallie, Joey Ratuvakacerereivu, Joey Wigness, Justin Timu, Lachlan Braun, Lewis Mene, Noel Underwood, Rhylee Herd, Ryan Magua, Taniela Taufoou, Tualata Fakalelu, Trezman Banjo, Will Messa, Zachery Mossman.
Coach: Jono Zangrande
Townsville
Jesse Pomare-Anderson, Farron Morris, John Cullen, Joseph Boyce, Kalifa Faifai-Loa, Nicholas Brown, Sione Lousi, Dylan White, Matthew Wright, Mckenzie Baker, Robert Lui, Maverick Pegoraro, Joseph Munro, Harry McQueen, Josh Radford, Dylan Gaggiano, Andrew Niemoller, Joel Marama, Michael Carroll, Curtis Dempsey, Jack Johnson, Joey Jensen, Jordan Ah-One Remfrey, Samuel Murphy, Shaun Nona, Jaelen Feeney, Declan Dowson, Nathan Traill, George Iasey, Braydon Ross
Coach: Matt Bowen
Mackay
Brandon Jackonia, Walter Lauenstein, Tyler Holmes, Harley Proctor, Hayden Pace, Liam Taylor, Luke Fletcher, Matolu Laumea, Kyle Barnwell, Josh Honan, Jackson Phillips, Tom Dwan, Tom Irelandes, Bryon Taylor, John Schwalger, Cody Kynaston, Andrew Dunkley, Hamilton Tai, Connor McDermott
Coaches: Tom Heggi, Brendan Carter
Women
Cairns
Aerielle Hobbler, Agnes Solomon, Ashleigh Sushames, Ashlyn Skeene, Brittany
Crampton, Chloe Buttigieg, Debra Toby, Etuina Suavai, Genavie Tabui, Igarie Ahmat, Indianna Tillet, Jarketta Smith, Kaiyla Ward, Kerrilee Lampton, LaSchaya Body, Montana Mook, Stephanie Barns, Tanisha Ahmat, Teesha Potts, Timekka Hunting
Coach: John Buttigieg
Townsville
Stella Abbott, Jahntae Mara, Chloe Watson, Shanaye Watson, Alexandra Scott, Shania Capper, Kazzia Lammon, Zanniah Baker, Jordii Mahendrarajah, Lyzarah Mairu, Mateeka Neilson, Janaye Williams, Teneal Baker, Eryn McCulloch, Shilah Caulton, Maddison Hegarty, Hannah DeDaunton, Jairel Martin-Savage, Jaydan Mattingley, Sian Williams, Logan Roncato, Taneisha Bulgarelli
Coach: Rothana Baira
Mackay
Adele Ginns, Chelsea McLeod, Ciara Thomson, Clarissa Baira, Emily Bella, Eve Doull, Fallhyn King, Jaquelyn Oberleuter, Jasmine Walters, Kaitlin Daley, Kayla Shepherd, Keegan Irelandes, Layla Fauid, Melody Tass, Nea Robinson, Olivia Hamilton, Pani Rupapere, Suyen Kawatt, Tahnee Guinea, Tina Hancock, Xanthe Topping
Coaches: Josh Stowers, Jimmy Ahmat
Squads correct as of Wednesday, April 26 at 5pm.
