Sport
30 April, 2025
Footy's future looks bleak with just two teams left in Mount Isa
There is no women's competition and just two senior men's teams in 2025.
The future of senior rugby league in Mount Isa appears to be in grave doubt, with just two clubs left in the men’s competition, while there will be no women’s comp in 2025.
Reigning premiers Townies and long-time rival Wanderers remain, and kicked off the MIRL season on Saturday night, with Town taking a 36-22 win at Alec Inch Oval.
MIRL president Bob Jakeman said the two-team situation was far from ideal, but said there was no choice but to push ahead without Brothers Rugby League Club.
“Brothers wouldn’t reply to any emails or phone calls,” he said.
“They couldn’t tell us if they were going to join up.
“I don’t think they even have a president.”
Mr Jakeman said Brothers, along with Black Stars, who have been out of the A-grade men’s competition for several years, would be welcomed back if they showed interest.
“There’s no shortage of rugby league players in Mount Isa but we do have a shortage of administrators willing to do the work and get organised. Brothers and Black Stars just need to get organised and have a go ... Brothers have had some good people over the years who have since left,” Mr Jakeman told North West Weekly.
“Wanderers and Townies have about 50 players each but because of the shift work they need to play different sides almost every week.
“It’s not ideal to have two teams in the competition but we hope to run some Nines competitions and put up some prizemoney and get visiting teams to come and play.”
The women’s competition fell over after reigning premiers Wranglers opted out, preferring to play in carnivals. Many of last year’s Wranglers players will pull on the boots for teams in the Gulf Cluster in 2025.
Despite having just one team to play against this year, Wanderers coach Tim O’Sullivan was still hopeful of a good season.
“Because of the nature of the town, it won’t be the same two sides playing each other every week, so that’s a positive,” he said.
“Credit to Mount Isa Rugby League, they’ve started later and will run a condensed season so it doesn’t drag on too long.
“The standard of footy on Saturday night was as good as it has been here for a while, so it’s not all doom and gloom.”
There will be no Mount Isa Rugby League this weekend, with the season to resume on May 10.