Huge crowds enjoy double blockbuster in Townsville NRL

Waiben rugby league follower LJ Shibasaki was amongst an invasion of Torres Strait Islanders from around North Queensland who converged on Townsville for the double header NRL games between the Cowboys and Brisbane Broncos last weekend.

LJ, a highly respected Waiben resident, was a hard working secretary of the local Kaiwalagal Rugby League competition for many years.

The Torres News unexpectedly saw LJ, her sister Florence Mills and husband Fred Mills from Mount Isa at the Cardwell Choice Roadhouse on Friday 4 August.

It was the day before the NRL women’s and men’s blockbuster matches between the Cowboys and Broncos at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

“We are really looking forward to the games,” LJ said.

Also there was Cairns resident Don Bowie, the father of Cowboys ladies co-captain Tallisha Harden.

They caught up with a relative Lilian Bosun, who has worked at the roadhouse for seven years.

“It was really good to see them,” Lilian said.

LJ has many relatives in Townsville, including her nephews Gehamat and his younger brother Jamal Shibasaki.

The brothers were travelling away from Townsville for the weekend, with Gehamat on the team for the Queensland Hostplus Cup Blackhawks team taking on the CQ Capras at Rockhampton’s Browne Park. Jamal was in the Blackhawks Hasting Deering Colts side also meeting the Capras in Rockhampton.

Torres News also met up with Cape York family Alfred Bond, Tessa Bosuen, Geraldine Kris, Kaylene Jawai and Alayah Bond in the Townsville CBD, all ready to get to the games.

“We have come down from Napranum and Weipa,” Tessa said.

They caught up with young Townsville girls Tahliyah Jawai and Miriam Kris as they watched the drum beat for the hundreds who marched from the Cowboys League’s Club in the CBD to the stadium.

Mackay’s Julie Tass was also heading off to the football, she was related to Isaiah Tass, a star back for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.