One hundred years of rugby league history in the Far North Qld town of Tully was celebrated in style with a well-attended gala dinner held at the local High school auditorium.
The hometown of current Queensland Maroons State of Origin players Tom Flegler and Romy Teitzel, as well as Cowboys halfback Jake Clifford, and several current and former Hostplus Cup players, the modern-day Tully Rugby league club plays in the Cairns and District Rugby league competition (CDRL).
In 1925 when Tully was established as a township, largely to service the new sugar mill (which celebrated its centenary in 2025), rugby league came along for the ride and has been a major part of the local community ever since.
In those very early years, up to six clubs played in a local competition and there were various numbers of clubs before and after WW2 with the town’s representative sides playing in inter-town competitions like the old Wilson Cup and later the Foley shield.
At numerous times during the 1960s and early 1970s, the town’s local competition boasted just two club sides, from which a Tully representative side would be picked.
From 1978 to 1987 the Tully Rugby league formed one club to play in the Innisfail competition, and later, from 1988 to 1993 they played in the Hebert River league.
From 1994 to today they play in the Cairns and District Rugby league competition (CDRL).
One of the defining moments in the Tully rugby league history came in 1963 by winning the coveted Foley Shield with former Queensland and Australian five-eighth Bob Banks captain / coach in what would be his last season in the game.
In that era Tully also boasted two locally-based Queensland players in Danny Clifford (Jake’s Grandfather) and Angelo Crema who went one step further in 1996 by being selected for Australia, from Tully.
The October 17 event was a who’s who of past and current players, coaches, administrators and sponsors.
QRL Chair Brian Canavan was on hand to help proceedings. He was joined by former Queensland player Grant Rix who played in Tully during the 1990s and returned from PNG to attend the event.
Long-serving club President Anthony Emmi was delighted with the evening.
“It was a great night, and it was really good to get everyone together to celebrate because rugby league means so much to our community,” Emmi said.
He also paid tribute to the many hard-working volunteers who have contributed for 100 years and beyond.
Pictured:
A classic Tully football family celebrating 100 years rugby league; former Queensland and Australian forward, Angelo Crema, and his great nephews: Left to right: Thomas Flegler, Ryan Flegler, Angleo, Jack Campagnolo and Benn Campagnolo
