Sport
19 August, 2025
Mornington Island geared up for Gulf Cluster grand final
The Raiders are into the decider after their semi-final rival forfeited.
Anton Saltmere says he’s not sure if a straight run into the grand final will be an advantage or work against his side on Saturday.
The Mornington Island captain/coach found out on Monday that the Raiders wouldn’t be required to play a semi-final after Moungibi Danggara informed the Battle of the Gulf Cluster competition that it would forfeit its semi-final.
It means the Raiders, as minor premiers, will advance straight to the grand final, while Normanton and the Doomadgee Dragons will face off to make the decider.
“I’m a little bit on the fence,” Saltmere said of the news.
“It’s great to be in a grand final but we would have backed ourselves to win that semi-final.
“Now, we go straight into the grand final without a game under our belts for a month.”
Saltmere, a seasoned veteran who has played in plenty of big matches in Mount Isa and at representative level, said he would get his team ready to face either the Stingers or Dragons.
“Both sides are dangerous on their day and we respect them both,” he said.
“We just need to play our style of footy.”
Stingers coach Rob Murray said he expected a close game against Doomadgee, but predicted his men would step up when needed.
The Dragons knocked off the old rivals by two points in the final cluster round in Burketown.
“Every time we play, the games are decided by a try or less,” Murray said.
“We know they will be tough to beat, and so will Mornington, but that’s why we play.”
Murray said Saturday’s finals would be bittersweet for the Gulf rugby league community, with too many players, past and present, lost to premature deaths.
“There’ll be a minute’s silence out of respect for those people,” he said.
“In the last 12 months, we’ve lost two former players. They should have been with us on Saturday but we’ll be thinking of them.”
Normanton’s women’s team will also be coached by Murray.
The Stingers, who finished both third and last, will play Moungibi Magawas in the semi-final, with the winner to meet Doomadgee in the grand final.
“It doesn’t feel right that we didn’t win a game but can still win the competition, but those are the rules and we’ll play to them,” Murray said.
“Our girls will give it their best and see if we can cause an upset.”
SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE
12.05pm: Women’s semi-final
12.50pm: Men’s semi-final
3pm: Women’s grand final
4pm: Men’s grand final
At John Henry Oval, Normanton