League Legends Clash With Allstar Crushers

International Legends of League and The Herbert River Crushers players together pre-game. Photo credit: International Legends of League

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It was a weekend of rugby league and plenty of star power as the Legends of League came to the Hinchinbrook Shire. From school visits and community events, to a packed day at the Ingham Bowls Club and an evening at Lee’s Hotel, the weekend gave locals the chance to meet some of the game’s biggest names. The action culminated at Artie Gofton Oval, where more than 2,500 people watched the Australian League Legends take on the Herbert River Crushers Allstars.

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A 16-ALL THRILLER IN INGHAM AS LEGENDS TAKE ON CRUSHERS

A huge weekend of rugby league has wrapped up in Ingham, with the International Legends of League event bringing NRL stars, local legends and more than 2,500 spectators to Artie Gofton Oval on Saturday night.

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The Hinchinbrook event was the 102nd Legends of League showcase, but the first time the organisation had brought its NRL legends to the region, with players taking part in community visits and activities throughout the weekend.

The weekend began with the legends visiting schools across the Hinchinbrook Shire, delivering the Dream, Believe, Achieve program and speaking with students at Trebonne, Forrest Beach, Halifax, Ingham, Toobanna and Abergowrie State Schools.

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The players also visited the Ingham Bowls Club for a bowls day, while Friday night featured a dinner at the Lees Hotel.

Saturday's main event featured junior rugby league games before the Lewie Fire Protection Australian Legends took on the DRM Plumbing FNQ Pty Ltd Herbert River Crushers Allstars.

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The star-studded Australian Legends side included the likes of Matt Bowen, Sam Thaiday, Ben Hannant, Antonio Winterstein and Alex Glenn, while the Crushers team featured local rugby league legends from across the region.

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The visitors took a 16-6 lead into the second half, but the local side fought back in a thrilling finish. Jarrod Modder, a local fan who joined the team through an auction, levelled the scores at full-time. He had the chance to win the match with the conversion, but the kick missed, leaving the game tied 16-all.

The event was proudly presented by Hinchinbrook Shire Council, supported by the Queensland Government and made possible through the efforts of the Herbert River Crushers RLFC committee, sponsors, volunteers and the wider community.

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“Footy is part of the fabric of our community, and events like this give us the chance to celebrate that while also delivering real benefits for our young people and local clubs,” Mayor Jayo said.

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Organisers thanked the more than 2,500 people who attended and supported the event, as well as the many local businesses, schools and organisations that helped make the weekend possible. Special thanks were extended to Matt Chiesa and the hard-working Herbert River Crushers RLFC committee for partnering in the event, along with all sponsors whose support helped bring the Legends of League weekend to the Hinchinbrook Shire.

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See more photos here: https://www.hinchinbrooklife.com/social-pics/international-legends-of-league-vs-the-herberts-river-crushers-all-stars

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List of notable players include:

Visiting Lewie Fire Protection Australian Legends Players

Craig Wilson

Craig Teevan

Russell Bawden

Luke Goodwin

Stu Kelly

Scott Bolton

Jaiman Lowe

Neville Costigan

Kevin Campion

Noel Goldthorpe

John Hopoate

Darren Smith

Antonio Winterstein

Alex Glenn

Ben Hannant

Matt Bowen

Sam Thaiday

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DRM Plumbing FNQ Pty Ltd Herbert River Crushers Allstars Players

Todd Cockburn

Scott Vardanega

Paul Rose

Mitchell Seri

Grant Swarbrick

Damon Cockburn

Brenden Seri

Brendan Chapman

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