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Edmonton bring home Ryan Deemal Memorial Shield

Edmonton stormed home over Southern Suburbs in chilly conditions at Alley Park on Saturday and reclaimed the Ryan Deemal Memorial Shield with a 36-10 win.

Since 2009, the Ryan Deemal Memorial Shield has been fiercely contested between both teams in a rivalry similar to State of Origin.

For the past two years, the shield was held by Southern Suburbs before this year's upset win by Edmonton.

Edmonton registered first points with a four-pointer to Asi Asi John.

Edmonton Storm's try scorer Horace Richards is brought down by three Suburbs players Photo: Maria Girgenti
Edmonton Storm's try scorer Horace Richards is brought down by three Suburbs players Photo: Maria Girgenti

This was backed up with another try to Storm by Isaiah Pau and when Sterling Amber knocked over the conversion, this put them out to a 10-point lead.

A try to Ryley Archibald right on the stroke of halftime put Suburbs on the scoreboard and with extras slotted by Richard Joinbee, the home side went into the sheds trailing by four.

Southern Suburbs player Taj Walker is held back by two Edmonton Storm players Photo: Maria Girgenti
Southern Suburbs player Taj Walker is held back by two Edmonton Storm players Photo: Maria Girgenti

Things started going awry for Suburbs when frustration boiled over and one of their players was sent to cool his heels in the sin bin.

Matters were made even worse after some backchat to the referee resulted in it being upgraded to a send off which left the home side a player down for most of the second half.

Ten minutes into the second half, a successful penalty kick by Edmonton extended their lead by six.

The Storm then posted 12 points in quick succession with tries to Horace Richards, Robert Nona and Monroe Stephens and one of the three conversions slotted put their lead out to 26-6.

A try to Kody Oliver was to be Suburbs only points in the second half, before Edmonton scored one more try through Jymaal Mellor-King to secure the win and bring home the prized shield.

After the game, Harry Deemal presented the shield named in memory of his son to winning Storm A grade captain Taputoa (Sonny) Rea.

Harry Deemal presented the Ryan Deemal Memorial Shield to winning Edmonton Storm captain Taputoa (Sonny) Rea Photo: Maria Girgenti
Harry Deemal presented the Ryan Deemal Memorial Shield to winning Edmonton Storm captain Taputoa (Sonny) Rea Photo: Maria Girgenti

This was the first time in the season Edmonton had notched back-to-back wins to put them four points out of the top five behind Suburbs who are currently sitting eighth on the ladder.

Edmonton coach Anthony Satrick said it was great to get the two points at Alley Park.

The coach said there has always been a fierce rivalry between both clubs so it was even more special to get the win.

"Our goal tonight was to come to Alley Park and cause an upset which we managed to do," Satrick said.

"We knew if we were good enough, and stayed in the game we could bring the trophy home.

"I felt our attitude was great, the boys played well and put in big minutes."

He believed it was their forward pack who won the game, as it was a real battle of the forwards.

Edmonton Storm players swarm on Suburbs player Ricky Macri and ensure he didn't make it over the try line Photo: Maria Girgenti
Edmonton Storm players swarm on Suburbs player Ricky Macri and ensure he didn't make it over the try line Photo: Maria Girgenti

"If we were able to build pressure through the middle, then I knew the younger boys would finish things off" Satrick said.

Satrick said it was a real honour to play for the shield and for the club to bring it back home to Petersen Park after two years.

He paid tribute to Mellor-King and their winger Munroe Mosby, both aged 17 who really stood up.

Edmonton Storm player Jymaal Mellor King runs into Southern Suburbs player Steven Tatipata Photo: Maria Girgenti
Edmonton Storm player Jymaal Mellor King runs into Southern Suburbs player Steven Tatipata Photo: Maria Girgenti

"It has been a building process within the club and playing group this season, as they are still learning their craft," Satrick said of the younger players who had provided a huge boost to the club.

"Over time, the boys are starting to trust in a few processes and structures, so it's just a matter of working on attitude."

At training this week, the coach said their focus would be on line speed, individual effort and knowing when to apply pressure.

This weekend, Edmonton will clash with Yarrabah at home where they are expecting their opposition to come out strong keen to avenge their previous one point loss to Storm when the teams last met at Jilara Oval.

A reunion of Southern Suburbs 2001 Under 18 premiership team was also held on the weekend where all but two team members attended.

It has been 18 years since the side defeated Yarrabah in the CDRL grand final to claim the Under 18 premiership.

(Ryan Deemal's name is used with the expressed permission of Harry Deemal)

Members of Southern Suburbs Under 18 premiership winning team reunited at Alley Park to celebrate 18 years since they defeated Yarrabah in the 2001 CDRL grand final Photo: Maria Girgenti
Members of Southern Suburbs Under 18 premiership winning team reunited at Alley Park to celebrate 18 years since they defeated Yarrabah in the 2001 CDRL grand final Photo: Maria Girgenti

Round 15 Results

A Grade

Yarrabah 36 defeated Tully 18
Edmonton 36 defeated Southern Suburbs 10

Cairns Brothers 24 defeated Mareeba 12

 Atherton 36 defeated Kangaroos 12

Innisfail 46 defeated Ivanhoes 4

Bye: Mossman-Port Douglas

Ladder: Mossman-Port Douglas 20, Yarrabah 20, Innisfail 19, Cairns Brothers 18, Atherton 14, Kangaroos 13, Ivanhoes 13, Southern Suburbs 12, Edmonton 10, Mareeba 8, Tully 1 

Reserve Grade

Southern Suburbs 33 defeated Edmonton 18

Tully 24 defeated Yarrabah 16

Atherton 64 defeated Kangaroos 4

Mareeba 60 defeated Cairns Brothers 22

Innisfail 50 defeated Ivanhoes 16

Under 18

Edmonton 62 defeated Southern Suburbs 0

Yarrabah won on forfeit by Tully

Cairns Brothers won on forfeit by Mareeba

Atherton won on forfeit by Kangaroos

Ivanhoes 22 defeated Innisfail 14

Round 16 A Grade Fixtures

Saturday, July 27

Atherton v Cairns Brothers at Mungalli Creek Dairy Stadium, Atherton

Innisfail v Kangaroos at Callendar Park, Innisfail

Mossman-Port Douglas v Mareeba at Coronation Park, Mossman

Sunday, July 28

Southern Suburbs v Ivanhoes at Alley Park, Gordonvale

Edmonton v Yarrabah at Petersen Park, Edmonton

Bye: Tully 

Main image: After two years, Edmonton Storm reclaimed the Ryan Deemal Memorial Shield which was presented to them by Harry Deemal after they defeated Southern Suburbs at Alley Park on Saturday Photo: Maria Girgenti

Acknowledgement of Country

Queensland Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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