League fans in Darwin got their annual fix of NRL action on Saturday night and it did not disappoint.
The North Queensland Cowboys dominated the Parramatta Eels at the TIO Stadium. In front of the 11,968-strong crowd that was 70 per cent Cowboys fans, the boys from North Queensland won 32-6.
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While there was plenty of support for the Cowboys, the stadium was also full of league fans of all stripes as every NRL jersey was on site – including Queensland and NSW. It showed that all league fans wanted their fix in the Top End.
Johnathan Thurston returned to the NRL with a perfect ten performance, having a hand in most of the Cowboys points. The Cowboys got out to an early lead with Kyle Feldt scoring off a Thurston kick to lead 6-0.
Shortly thereafter the Cowboys would stretch out the lead to 10-0.
Thurston himself would be part of the scoring and give the Cowboys a 14-0 lead at half time.
With Kyle Feldt scoring a double, the Eels had little answer to the Cowboys onslaught – only managing to score in the 60th minute.
The Darwin crowd was entertained not only by the game but by the old Mexican wave, which found its way around ground.
Then there were the halftime games played by the kids. The try of the night goes to a little blonde boy that ran thirty-five metres around the entire opposition – and the ref – to make his individual effort. It was a crowd favourite and completed with a high five with the ref.
This destruction of the Eels has caused them to lose their undefeated streak in Darwin as it now stands at 3-1. This could possibly mean that the NT government could be looking for a new team as clearly the support for the Eels was not there.
Maybe the Cowboys or the Storm would be better replacements. The possibility of more than just one game per year would also help.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Sammy Cairns already get an NRL game or two a year and only being 400kms north of Townsville lots of people make the trip to townsvile for home games same with mackay. Rocky would be the best option as it gets no Nrl games at all. But it would have to be a Sydney team as a qld derby match would cost the NRL $$$ as dye to brown parke only holding about 6000 people and we have the NRL losing money can we. Plus i really dont think sarficing one home game for the Cowboys woukd be the big of a deal.
Sammy
Guest
BigJ, when taking NRL matches to regional areas its important to ensure that both teams can pull an equal crowd. When Penrith take a home match to Bathurst, the opposition is usually the Canberra Raiders who have a large following in Country NSW. The Cowboys should hope that Parramatta continues to takes one of their home matches to Darwin - that way the Cowboys get to play one of their AWAY matches in Darwin (good support) rather than Sydney (low support). Plus the Townsville residents should not be forced to sacrifice one of their home matches. If they do sacrifice the odd match then Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton would be better options.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Sarina is not really central Queensland borderline North Queensland. Thats mate that a great addition for my cq list.
Nat
Roar Guru
Gday mate. Sure. Travis Norton, Clinton Schifcofski and Josh Hannay - Moranbah and Qld reps. Dennis Scott, Moranbah SQ Crushers, Bulldogs. Grant Bell, Emerald & Qld. Matt Sing and Danny Bampton, Dysart. Shane Martini, Bulldogs, Clermont. Marty Bella, Dell Sailor, Sarina. DCE, Ben Barba + a few more from Mackay. Look forward to the article.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Hey mate what were the names of those blokes you suggested for a central Queensland lists, norton etc
Nat
Roar Guru
After the masterclass JT put on Saturday night I would suspect there will be quite a few kids interested in the game. His influence off the field as large as on in the north. I mean, he stood up on GF day and asked for a new stadium in Townsville. One convenient election later - Ta Da! Bringing more games up would definitely bring wider exposure and both Sammy and Jimmy have good points. The games would need a JT or GI, relatable superstar/s to get the turnout but the Cowboys fans and members do deserve their 12 games (as do the Sydney fans) but Wests vs Parra may not get the traction. Cowboys, Broncos, Souths and Dragons have large regional supporters base. I wonder if the NRL can use NT TV audiences as a guide to popular teams as opposed to the political pull of one fan (assuming the validity of the Chief Minister statement). In this instance, it would be more about the right teams than the best teams that grow the game up there.
BigJ
Roar Guru
I think the answer is too many teams in Sydney but who knows. This is an once off so of course people will come. As a permenant fixture it would be brilliant. As i have said it other artilces the NT is a sporting untapped resource and its just a matter of who turnsthe tap on first
Mike
Guest
Great crowd and looked like a fantastic promotion. It really makes you shake your head when Sydney clubs are routinely getting crowds of 10 to 12,000 and less sometimes. Is there anybody in clubland or the NRL working to increase Sydney crowds?? Surely Sydney derby games should pull 20 to 30,000 in a population of 5 mill.
Mike Gordon
Roar Rookie
It would be interesting to how many of our homegrown Top End talent are already playing in the Cowboys "official" feeder clubs.
BigJ
Roar Guru
The Adelaide Crows are playing the Melbourne Demons next month lets see if they can break the 11968 crowd on Saturday night.,?? This will be interesting.
BigJ
Roar Guru
I agree with jimmy sammy. I think the Cowboys will get more development to the game than any other in the Northern Territory. With Airnorth direct flights are possible from Darwin to Townsville so the run around to get to Darwin is over. Obviously many people came for Thurston but the Cowboys on a whole are extremely popular in the Nt.
Jimmmy
Guest
Depends Sammy. I have always thought the Top End has a natural affinity with Cows. The ' North' is a powerful symbol up here. . It's a little hard to say but I would think the Cows and the Broncs are the most popular teams up here. Certainly on Sat night the Cows fans out numbered the Parra fans two to one. The Cows could really develop a strong feeder area if they came up every year, There is a huge amount of sporting talent up here. There is no doubt the Top End is more AFL than RL but League is highly popular as well. Do you want to grow the game or not.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Sammy after that performance by the Eels on Saturday thier is no way im going to add Parramatta to my lists on clubs. And im not a Darwin resident just a visitor until i get back Townsville next year. Also the only reason the Eels travel here is because the former Chief Minister is a mad Eels supporter. He was booted out in a landslide last election. Just like him the Eels were booted out of Darwin, time for a new team. If it has to be a Sydney team atleast make it the Rabbitohs.
Sammy
Guest
The responsibility for taking matches to regional areas must lie with the Sydney-based clubs. Fans living in Sydney have access to plenty of home and away matches each year. Cities like Townsville, Melbourne, Canberra, Auckland, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Newcastle deserve to host all 12 of their home matches each year. BigJ, as a Darwin resident I think it's time to add Parramatta to your list of Clubs!