Everything you need to know: XXXX Foley Shield 2024
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The XXXX Foley Shield is all set for kickoff in Mackay on Saturday, with six games over three days to decide which league can claim men's and women's supremacy in north Queensland.
The Arch Foley Memorial Shield has been handed over since 1948 when an inter-town competition was formalised in honour of the rugby league revolutionary of the north.
It's set to be a massive weekend for hosts Mackay, who will be celebrating their past successes in 1984, 1994 and 2004 - and they're hoping to add their support to put 2024 on the list.
Cairns' women are taking the underdog tag into the carnival, despite their side having a number of hidden gems who have impressed in the FNQRL women's competition, alongside a core group who know what the XXXX Foley Shield is all about.
Cairns captain Genavie Tabuai said she had "no doubt in the fresh legs" and the squad well-prepared after the FNQRL Open Women's competition kicked off in mid-March.
"I think having a secured spine definitely helps the team and I think if everyone does their job on the day I think it’s going to work well," she said.
"And I always like to tell the girls, just love yourself and love the game and the results will come.
“I think we have a strong backline and a strong forward pack too and I think on the day I want to give the forward one or two goals to work on, and I want the halfback or fullback to do that for the backs.
“There is that rich history of Foley Shield and generations later the women have been able to come through that pathway too, which is great and I think it’s a great opportunity and a platform for the women’s game."
Cairns coach Creamer said he was looking forward to seeing Tabuai's leadership in action at the next level, and players such as fullback Indianna Tillett - who represented the First Nations Gems at the Women's National Championships earlier this year - come into their own.
“The girls look up to (Tabuai) and she does a lot of hard work off the field, and I think the other ones notice, so she’s a good role model for not just the rest of the team, but the younger generation up here," Creamer said.
“There’s a couple there who were involved last year and in the selection process we looked at players who were ready to play Foley. They’ve got to be up to it. There were a lot of good players who missed out.
“We need to be pretty focused when we get down there. Game 1 is against Mackay, it’s in their home town, so the pressure is on them to win.
“We’re looking at ourselves as the underdogs. All the talk seems to be about Mackay and Townsville. Townsville won it last year and they’re in a good spot.
“We know what we’ve got to do – come together and click on the day."
Day 1 matches will round out a 'Super Saturday' of rugby league at BB Print Stadium featuring BMD Premiership and Hostplus Cup matches between Mackay Cutters and Brisbane Tigers in the lead-up.
All XXXX Foley Shield matches will be broadcast on Qplus.tv. Subscribe for as little as $4.99 for a Round Pass, granting 7 days access.
XXXX Foley Shield - Everything you need to know
What: XXXX Foley Shield - men and women
When: Saturday, May 4 to Monday, May 6
Where: BB Print Stadium, Mackay
Broadcast: Qplus.tv
Schedule
Saturday, May 4
| Time | Teams | Match officials |
|---|---|---|
| 5pm | Women - Mackay v Cairns | Jayden Windle, Andy Sloan, Caden Graham |
| 6.30pm | Men - Mackay v Cairns | Josh Eaton, Jeremy Meadows, Guy Miller |
Sunday, May 5
| Time | Teams | Match officials |
|---|---|---|
| 11.30am | Women - Cairns v Townsville | Caden Graham, Andy Sloan, Jayden Windle |
| 1pm | Men - Cairns v Townsville | Jeremy Meadows, Josh Eaton, Guy Miller |
Monday, May 6
| Time | Teams | Match officials |
|---|---|---|
| 12.30pm | Women - Mackay v Townsville | Andy Sloan, Caden Graham, Jayden Windle |
| 2pm | Men - Mackay v Townsville | Guy Miller, Josh Eaton, Jeremy Meadows |
Squads
Men
Mackay Sea Eagles
Brent Anderson, Riccie Arriola, Ben Barba, Marmin Barba, Kyle Barnwell, Brad Campbell, Blake Coombes, Issaih Cooper-Tetevano, Sam Faapito, Kurt Fisher,
Mitch Fogarty, Usaia Fonongaloa, Bailey Gill, Jack Hoffman, Cody Kynaston, Kane Linnett, Robson Stevens, Ethan Sweet, Quintell Wailu, Will Wailu. Coach: Tom Heggie.
Townsville
1. Lennix Tovo, 2. Michael Carroll, 3. Jake Riley, 4. Harry Macqueen, 5. Ratu Rotavisaro, 6. Patrick Gallon, 7. Declan Dowson, 8. Faron Morris, 9. Curtis Dempsey, 10. Henry Teutau, 11. Josh Abbott, 12. Jeremiah Mata'utai, 13. Andrew Niemoeller, 14. Jaman Rio, 15. Tajshon Santo-Messa, 16. Braydon Ross, 17. Tyreece Tonga, 18. Corey Walker, 19. Will Clapham, 20. Tyreece Woods. Coach: Matthew Bowen.
Cairns
Lachlan Biondi-Odo, Jaymon Moore, Isaiah Wigness, Falcon Ataera, Reshaun Denny, Daniel Woodhouse, James Frazer, Denzel King, Jordan Biondi-Odo, Taniela Taufoou, Tomasi Skelton, Kenneth Fonati, Feao Tongia, Joey Ratuvakacereivalu, Paea Pua, Adam Hepworth, Elekana Suavai, Jayden Connors, Sam Cramp. Coach: Jordan Biondi-Odo.
Women
Mackay Sea Eagles
1. Sammy Cahill, 2. Nahlia Hine, 3. Jacques Oberleuter, 4. Keegan Irelandes, 5. Melody Tass, 6. Mesades Lawson, 7. Imogen Healy, 8. Xanthe Topping, 9. Miranda Davidson, 10. Vanique Malayta, 11. Lose Mafi, 12. Maddy Westecott, 13. Atalia Love, 14. Cass Adlam, 15. Zoe Aitken, 16. Jasmin Walters, 17. Shania Roberts, 18. Shaylee Hazeldine, 19. Ella Cronin, 20. Sidney Connor. Coach: Josh Stowers.
Townsville
1. Brandy Yallop, 2. Teneal Baker, 3. Gagie Mackie-Namok, 4. Grace Tai, 5. Kazzia Lammon, 6. Jairel Martin-Savage, 7. Aggie Solomon, 8. Chloe Watson, 9. Mateeka Neilson, 10. Shanaye Watson, 11. Samara Luta, 12. Jahntae Mara, 13. Jordii-Rae Mahendrarajah, 14. Courtney Reynolds, 15. Easther Mikaele, 16. Toni Daisy, 17. Emma Hannigan, 18. Chloe Buttigieg, 19. Jayden Mattingley, 25. Kimikka Ross. Coach: Rothana Baira.
Cairns
Indianna Tillet, Shai Graham, Mayleen Opperman, Frances Newman, Lisa Waireg, Tessa Hart, Teesha Potts, Tomiko Hirakawa, Rachael Abednego, Lexeen Mathieson, Genavie Tabuai (C), Igarie Ahmat, Jarketta Smith, Llawana Tomarra, Tanee Fauid, Jezebel Kelly, Lisa Sire, Rylee Wallace, Charlyn Harman, Chelsea Griffin. Coach: Peri Creamer.
