Statewide score wrap: Poignant day draws close-knit community tighter in Avondale

Clubs across the Northern Districts Rugby League descended on Avondale on Sunday for the league's Anzac Round.

As is the nature of the competition made up of clubs like Avondale Tigers to the north Bundaberg and other on the outskirts of the sugar city, all teams were represented on a full program of women's League Tag and men's A grade matches.

The women's and men's matches were split by a solemn commemorative service, led by former Avondale resident and returned serviceman David Appo.

While one of the men's A grade didn't go ahead due to a lack of numbers, it presented a wonderful opportunity for coaches of all clubs to help the youngsters build their skills.

The wet weather rolled in just in time for the home side to take the field in the afternoon, earning a 34-8 win against an undermanned Calliope Roosters side.

Avondale Tigers president Adam Bush dusted off the boots to come off the bench in the win, said it was a special day for the community to reflect on the sacrifices of others and educate the younger generation on the continued importance of paying respects to fallen, returned and current soldiers.

"We get quite a lot of local people out here that are returned soldiers. I think they like the quieter life here living out of town," he said.

"It's something we try to keep doing and I think people expect it from us that we host the Anzac Round and people come for that reason.

"I think in today's society it means a lot for people to pay respect to the people that have done things to establish the nation we've got and the game of rugby league, what it does is it brings people together and when you're giving kids the chance to be so close with the community, it's good not just to give them an outlet with sport, it's the respect behind it as well - and it goes hand in hand with the Anzac theme.

"When the adults and players show respect for Anzac Day and returned services, I think it's a good message to get across to the kids... and they learn from a young age that (rugby league) is not just running amok and rough and tumble, but we've all got to respect the people around us, and I think it shows.

"You could see the kids who were out there with the adults when we were filling in that time from the game we lost, in that moment you could see how much they listened, because it came after something so serious.

"They were really switched on and engaged."

Bush said the togetherness of the day was no surprise knowing the tight-knit nature developed in the longstanding competition - an aspect also shown when the teams paused for a minute's silence in honour of his grandmother Doris Stehbens, who was a well-known volunteer around the league who had roles at Avondale and South Kolan.

"We're all sort of out-of-town local to each other so we've always been close and over the years when team have joined in it doesn't take long before you get to know everyone and become part of that family," he said.

"We got broken into and robbed in the preseason and Childers brought their scoreboard over.

 

"If you help one club, you end up helping other clubs. I've played for Gin Gin in the past because they were short and Biggenden when they were in the competition, and marked lines at South Kolan when their line-marking machine went down."

As for the A grade feature game, 40-year-old front rower Bush came off the bench and said the added depth made the difference as Calliope started strong but tired, allowing the home side - a new squad playing under new coach Ross Pershouse for the second - to get over the top.

"It was played in a really good nature. They played a nice physical game and even with the numbers they had, it was no easy game and they turned up to play," Bush said.

"Our team used it as an opportunity to work on our structure. We've got a lot of new players this year... and we definitely used it as an opportunity to square up our game plans."

The club's involvement in Anzac Day commemorations will extend to the official day on Thursday, when they will host a two-up fundraiser at the Railway Hotel, with proceeds going to the Bundaberg Defence Veterans Drop-In Centre.

The NDRL roadshow will move on to Gary Larson Oval at Miriam Vale for Round 4 on Saturday.

QRL Central region

Northern Districts Rugby League Men's A grade

Round 3 results

Isis Devils def Agnes Water Marlins (forfeit)

Gladstone Wallabys 24 def South Kolan Sharks 12

Avondale Tigers 34 def Calliope Roosters 8

Ladder

Bundaberg Broadcasters BRL A grade

Round 2 results

Wests Panthers 34 def Easts Magpies 16

Wallaroos 26 def Hervey Bay Seagulls 12

Waves Tigers 18 def Past Brothers 12

Ladder

Titan Industries Central Burnett Competition

Round 2 results

Mundubbera Tigers 48 def Eidsvold Eagles 6

Ladder

*Updated ladder not available

2024 Emerald Industrial Supplies Central Highlands Men's A grade Competition

Round 3 results

Clermont Bears 16 def Middlemount Panthers 14

Emerald Tigers 50 def Springsure Mountain Men 24

Bluff Rabbitohs 28 def Blackwater Crushers 20

Emerald Brothers 32 def Peak Downs Pirates 16

Ladder

2024 Sentinel Group Central Highlands Women's Competition

Round 2 results

Bluff Rabbitohs 36 def Middlemount Panthers 6

Emerald Tigers 30 def Dysart Bulls 6

Ladder

Wellshot Hotel Central West Rugby League Senior Men's Competition

Round 3 results

Alpha Brumbies 32 def Barcaldine Sangoannas 28

Blackall Magpies 32 def Winton-Diamantina Devils 16

Ladder

Rockhampton Rugby League Intersport Yeppoon Women's Premiership

Round 3 results

Norths Chargers v Tannum Sands Seagulls - no game due to weather

Emu Park Emus def Yeppoon Seagulls (forfeit)

Brothers Rockhampton def Fitzroy/Gracemere Sharks (forfeit)

Gladstone Wallabys 26 def Valleys Diehards Gladstone 6

Ladder

Rockhampton Rugby League Men's A grade Premiership

Round 3 results

Norths Chargers v Tannum Sands Seagulls - no game due to weather

Gladstone Brothers 18 def Valleys Diehards Gladstone 16

Emu Park Emus 24 def Yeppoon Seagulls 6

Ladder

Roma District Rugby League Men's A grade

Round 2 results

Roma Cities 29 def Mitchell Magpies 22

Taroom-Wandoan Battlers 22 def Chinchilla Bulldogs 18

St George Dragons 36 def Miles Devils 26

Ladder

Wide Bay Open Women's Competition

Round 1 results

Cherbourg Hornets def Bundaberg Bears (forfeit)

Fraser Coast Crushers v Wondai Wolves (washout)

Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League Men's A grade

Round 3 results

Maroochydore Swans 54 def Caboolture Snakes 0

Noosa Pirates 22 def Caloundra Sharks 16

Stanley River Wolves 22 drew with Nambour Crushers 22

Coolum Colts 20 def Kawana Dolphins 6

Ladder

Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League Open Women

Round 5 results

Caboolture Snakes 12 def Maroochydore Swans 8

Caloundra Sharks 18 def Noosa Pirates 4

Kawana Dolphins 48 def Beerwah Bulldogs 0

Ladder

Hutchison Builders Toowoomba Rugby League Men's A grade

Round 3 results

Newtown Lions 28 def Goondiwindi Boars 10

Warwick Cowboys 54 def Southern Suburbs Tigers 10

Wattles Warriors 17 def Valleys Roosters 16

Gatton Hawks 22 def Toowoomba Brothers 12

Dalby Diehards v Oakey Bears (washout)

Pittsworth Danes 20 def Highfields Eagles 12

Ladder

Toowoomba Rugby League Toowoomba Sports Club Women

Round 3 results

Gatton Hawks 28 def Toowoomba Brothers 0

Dalby Diehards v Oakey Bears (washout)

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QRL South East region

Brisbane Rugby League Premier A grade

Round 3 results

Redcliffe Juniors 30 def Beenleigh Pride 16

Souths Juniors 34 def Bulimba Bulldogs 10

West Brisbane Panthers 60 def Normanby Hounds 4

Carina Tigers 40 def Brighton Roosters 14

Valleys Diehards 16 def Wynnum Manly Juniors 14

Ladder

Rugby League Gold Coast Earth Fleet Cup A grade

Round 1 results

Runaway Bay Seagulls v Tugun Seahawks (washout)

Currumbin Eagles v Southport Tigers (washout)

Helensvale Hornets v Burleigh Bears (washout)

Ipswich Jets A grade Cup

Round 3 results

Brothers Ipswich 46 def Ipswich Jets 14

Swifts 38 def West End Bulldogs 18

Fassifern Bombers 40 def Norths Tigers 14

Ladder

South East Premier Grade Women's

Round 1 results

Goodna Eagles 32 def Currumbin Eagles 28

Mustangs Brothers 24 def Pine Central Holy Spirit Hornets 14

Burleigh Bears 20 def Runaway Bay Seagulls 14

Waterford Demons 26 def Aspley Devils 20

Ladder

FNQRL Men's A grade

Round 5 results

Tully Tigers 52 def Southern Suburbs 6

Cairns Brothers 44 def Innisfail Leprechauns 0

Mareeba Gladiators 28 drew with Yarrabah Seahawks 28

Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks 26 def Atherton Roosters 24

Ivanhoes Knights 22 def Edmonton Storm 12

Ladder

FNQRL Open Women's

Round 5 results

Cairns Kangaroos 30 def Yarrabah Seahawks 16

Ivanhoes Maidens 30 def Edmonton Storm 16

Ladder

Mount Isa Rugby League Men's A grade

Round 6 results

Brothers 26 def Townies 16

Ladder

Mount Isa Rugby League Women's A grade

Round 4 results

Cloncurry Eagles 32 def City Country Mt Isa 8

Ladder

Rugby League Mackay & District NQBE Men's A grade

Round 2 results

Wests Tigers 24 def Whitsunday Brahmans 0

Sarina Crocodiles 18 def Moranbah Miners 12

Mackay Brothers 44 def Carltons Devils 10

South Sharks 24 def Mackay Magpies 18

Ladder

Rugby League Townsville & District Men's A grade

Round 3 results

Souths Bulls 48 def Norths Devils 4

Burdekin Roosters 28 def Brothers Townsville 4

Charters Towers Miners 19 def Western Lions 16

Ladder

Rugby League Townsville & District Women's

Round 3 results

Burdekin Roosters 40 def Brothers Townsville 10

Western Lions 56 def Charters Towers Miners 4

Ladder