Statewide score wrap: New Bears urge more to join 'instant family'

Eidsvold-based players part of the Bundaberg Bears women's team hope their involvement can be the incentive for more female players in the northern Burnett region to sign on in the future.

Malitha Guiney and Emma Opperman (pictured above) are among a crew of players from the Central Burnett Rugby League catchment who have made the journey to be part of the Wide Bay Open Women's season.

The Bears showed plenty of grit and determination in their final game of the season on Sunday, despite going down 16-0 to a talented Fraser Coast Crushers team at Salter Oval.

The result means the Crushers will go on to host a preliminary final against Cherbourg Hornets - the winner to play the unbeaten Wondai Wolves on Sunday, June 16.

While the Bears just have one point to show for their efforts this season, it has been well worth it.

For some, like Opperman, participating has been years in the making.

"I have always wanted to play footy. I signed up in Charters Towers when I was living up there, and then Covid hit, and since then I've wanted to play but haven't had the opportunity because of work and that sort of thing," she said.

"When I moved back last year, Melinda (Thorburn, Bears first aid officer) was talking about it again and I got bitten by the bug when I was in Charters Towers, so I thought yep, I'm going to give it another crack.

"I absolutely love playing the game, but I think my favourite part is that camaraderie. It's like an instant family, you're just part of a team and everyone gets along and that's my favourite part, being one of the girls, getting out there as a team and giving it our best shot each week."

Malitha Guiney, who was given a chance to captain the side twice during the season, said all the girls jumped at the chance to play, even with the four-hour round trips they knew they would be ahead of them.

Growing up in Eidsvold, where all the talk these days is about hometown hero Trai Fuller starring for the Redcliffe Dolphins and Maroons star Selwyn Cobbo, rugby league is a way of life, and Guiney was desperate to be part of it.

The road trips themselves have created lifelong memories.

"When we carpool, the drive seems a lot shorter. So when we have all the girls in the car, it's like a party bus, so we just crank the tunes, talk smack to each other about the game and training and it's really great. It's probably been the best bit," Guiney said.

"This team has been really good to be a part of, they've been really welcoming, our coach Drew has made it really easy to transition from being in our own team to being part of a new one."

The pair now hope seeing is believing for other women in the region as they strive to have a standalone Central Burnett team in future.

Opperman, who is also Central Burnett Rugby League treasurer, encouraged anyone with a love of footy to consider signing on in future.

"It gives you so much fulfilment and so much purpose and just makes you feel part of something," she said.

"The contact is not as bad as you think it is. I think people associate it with watching the NRL on TV. We're not playing professional males, we're playing our same level females.

"Once you get your first game under your belt you're like: 'Yeah, I can do this, easy'."

QRL Central region

Rockhampton Rugby League Men's Premiership

Round 7 results

Brothers Rockhampton 52 def Yeppoon Seagulls 0

Brothers Gladstone 62 def Tannum Sands Seagulls 0

Emu Park Emus 38 def Norths Chargers 4

Ladder

Rockhampton Rugby League Women's Premiership

Round 7 results

Emu Park Emus 28 def Norths Chargers 0

Fitzroy/Gracemere Sharks 44 def Gladstone Valleys 4

Gladstone Wallabys 30 def Tannum Sands Seagulls 8

Ladder

Northern Districts Rugby League Men's Competition

Round 9 results

Miriam Vale Magpies 56 def Gin Gin Hawks 16

Isis Devils 30 def Calliope Roosters 0

Avondale Tigers 22 def Agnes Water Marlins 6

Ladder

Central West Rugby League Men's Competition

Round 9 results

Barcaldine Sandgoannas 48 def Winton Diamantina Devils 14

Blackall Magpies 22 def Longreach-Ilfracombe Tigers 10

Ladder

Roma District Rugby League Men's A grade

Round 8 results

Miles Devils 24 def Chinchilla Bulldogs 6

Mitchell Magpies 24 def Taroom-Wandoan Battlers 18

Wallumbilla-Surat Red Bulls 20 def Roma Cities 18

Ladder

Updated ladder not available

Bundaberg Rugby League Men's A grade

Round 6 results

Wests Panthers 52 def Hervey Bay Seagulls 4

Past Brothers 24 def Wallaroos 6

Waves Tigers 34 def Easts Magpies 4

Ladder

Wide Bay Open Women's Competition

Round 6 results

Wondai Wolves 30 def Cherbourg Hornets 0

Fraser Coast Crushers 16 def Bundaberg Bears 0

Ladder

Central Burnett Rugby League Men's A grade

Round 6 results

Monto Roos 26 drew with Mundubbera Tigers 26

Gayndah Gladiators 44 def Eidsvold Eagles 6

Ladder

Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League Men's A grade

Round 8 results

Caloundra Sharks 28 def Stanley River Wolves 18

Nambour Crushers 40 def Beerwah Bulldogs 20

Coolum Colts 32 def Caboolture Snakes 10

Noosa Pirates 36 def Maroochydore Swans 14

Ladder

Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League Open Women

Round 10 results

Maroochydore Swans 32 def Noosa Pirates 6

Kawana Dolphins 26 def Caboolture Snakes 20

Caloundra Sharks 20 def Beerwah Bulldogs 0

Ladder

South Burnett Rugby League Men's A grade

Round 4 results

Nanango Stags 22 def Murgon Mustangs 18

Cherbourg Hornets 50 def Kingaroy Red Ants 10

Ladder

Toowoomba Rugby League Men's A grade

Round 8 results

Warwick Cowboys 18 def Gatton Hawks 10

Highfields Eagles 35 def Oakey Bears 10

Wattles Warriors 12 drew with Pittsworth Danes 12

Goondiwindi Boars 38 def Southern Suburbs Tigers 30

Toowoomba Brothers 60 def Newtown Lions 16

Toowoomba Valleys Roosters 28 def Dalby Diehards 12

Ladder

Toowoomba Rugby League Women's A grade

Round 8 results

Toowoomba Valleys Roosters 38 def Dalby Diehards 10

Highfields Eagles 58 def Oakey Bears 0

Newtown Lions 20 def Toowoomba Brothers 10

Ladder

Border Rugby League Men's Competition

Round 3 results

Texas Terriers 24 drew with Stanthorpe Gremlins 24

Inglewood Roosters 38 def MacIntyre Warriors 20

Ladder

QRL North region

Rugby League Townsville & District Men's A grade

Round 8 results

Herbert River Crushers 24 def Centrals Tigers 22

Burdekin Roosters 24 def Norths Devils 22

Souths Bulls 32 def Charters Towers Miners 18

Western Lions 32 def Brothers Townsville 16

Ladder

Rugby League Townsville & District Women's A grade

Round 8 results

Burdekin Roosters 64 def Norths Devils 4

Centrals Tigers 38 def Herbert River Crushers 0

Western Lions 40 def Brothers Townsville 0

Ladder

Mount Isa Rugby League Men's A grade

Round 11 results

Wanderers v Townies - match cancelled due to weather

Updated ladder not available

Mount Isa Rugby League Women's A grade

Round 9 results

Wranglers v City/Country Mount Isa - match cancelled due to weather

Updated ladder not available

FNQRL Men's A grade

Round 10 results

Cairns Brothers 36 def Yarrabah Seahawks 18

Atherton Roosters 36 def Cairns Kangaroos 32

Ivanhoes Knights 50 def Tully Tigers 14

Edmonton Storm 38 def Mossman-Port Douglas 22

Innisfail Leprechauns 66 def Southern Suburbs Cockatoos 10

Ladder

FNQRL Open Women

Round 10 results

Cairns Kangaroos 28 def Atherton Roosters 4

Ivanhoes Maidens 36 def Yarrabah Seahawks 6

Ladder

Zenadth Kes Rugby League Island Rooster Cup

Round 4 results

Suburbs 30 def Pioneer Knights 26

Mulga Tigers 24 def Roosters 18

Ladder not available

Rugby League Mackay & District Men's A grade

Round 6 results

Souths Sharks 40 def Whitsunday Brahmans 10

Mackay Brothers 30 def Wests Tigers 0

Moranbah Miners 64 def Carltons Devils 0

Sarina Crocodiles 18 drew with Mackay Magpies 18

Ladder

Rugby League Mackay & District Women's A grade

Round 2 results

Moranbah Miners 14 def Carltons Devils 10

Mackay Magpies 24 def Sarina Crocodiles 10

Ladder

QRL South East region

South East Premier Grade Women

Round 6 results

Waterford Demons 56 def Burleigh Bears 0

Aspley Devils 20 def Beenleigh Pride 14

Pine Central Holy Spirit Hornets 38 def Valleys Diehards 8

Currumbin Eagles 28 def Mustangs Brothers 8

Goodna Eagles v Runaway Bay Seagulls - match not played

Ladder

Ipswich Jets A grade

Round 7 results

Ipswich Jets 26 def Norths Tigers 22

Brothers Ipswich 20 def Redbank Plains Bears 8

Fassifern Bombers 29 def Swifts 20

Ladder

Brisbane Rugby League Premier A grade

Round 8 results

Carina Tigers 22 def Bulimba Bulldogs 20

Beenleigh Pride 38 def Souths Juniors 10

Wynnum Manly Juniors 32 def Brighton Roosters 18

Valleys Diehards 42 def Normanby Hounds 8

West Brisbane Panthers 40 def Redcliffe Juniors 6

Ladder

Rugby League Gold Coast A grade

Round 6 results

Currumbin Eagles 30 def Southport Tigers 26

Runaway Bay Seagulls 52 def Tugun Seahawks 22

Burleigh Bears 46 def Helensvale Hornets 0

Ladder