By Matt McInerney - courtesy of the Bundaberg News Mail
Pictured: Miriam Vale celebrate a recent title.
RUGBY league lovers in Miriam Vale will have more footy than they can poke a stick at come March 14.
In what can only be described as a huge coup for the Magpies, the Central Queensland Capras will play their second Intrust Super Cup of the season between at least two season-opening Northern Districts Rugby League games.
The proposal will see two NDRL games played in the afternoon as a curtain raiser to the Capras' fixture, with the third NDRL game of the round player immediately afterwards.
The Capras will play South Logan Magpies.
It is not the first time the Capras have ventured to Miriam Vale, with the Brisbane Broncos-aligned feeder club venturing to Gary Larson Oval last year for a trial game.
Capras operations manager Eddie Doherty said that experience exceeded the club's expectations, so when the opportunity to run a full day of games with NDRL came along the club were happy to oblige.
"The weather was terrible but we still managed to get more than 3000 people there," Doherty said.
While fans will potentially get the chance to see fringe Broncos players, there is an opportunity for local players to make their big break.
Doherty said when the Capras took a game to Emerald last year they picked up local talent Ray Ebsworth after seeing him play in a local fixture.
NDRL officials were more than happy to reschedule their games to the Saturday evening, though one small spanner may enter the works.
An unnamed club had much of their team in doubt for the round as it clashed with a player's wedding, and "half the team" would be unavailable.
The NDRL are currently working to address the issue, which could see one of the games postponed or forfeited.
"We're potentially looking at three to four games on the day," NDRL secretary Robert "Neil" Redfern said.
"At this stage we believe we've done everything we need.
"Everything is looking good to go."
Despite the game technically being a Souths Logan home game, Doherty said the Brisbane-based club had a passion for country rugby league.
"Souths are very keen to ensure people in the country get to experience top flight footy," Doherty said.
NDRL: Round One
- Avondale Tigers v South Kolan Sharks
- Gin Gin Hawks v Burnett Heads Cutters
- Miriam Vale Magpies v Agnes Water Marlins
