MORE than 1000 extra people doubled the population of Blackall on the weekend, all in the name of rugby league and sportsmanship.
The central western town was one of seven to host a game for round 23 of the Intrust Super Cup QRL competition which saw some of the best league players in the state go north and west to showcase their game in front of regional audiences.
Country Week has become one of the most important events on the QRL calendar, thanks to its role in reaching juniors and shoring up future talent development, and western Queensland responded to the opportunity to benefit.
Around 350 juniors from as far away as Kingaroy and the south west travelled for hours with dedicated parents to enjoy the expanded competition and coaching clinics, thanks to state government support for the Get in the Game initiative.
Blackall’s senior players rose to the big occasion in front of a big home crowd, holding out the six-time premiership team from Winton for an 18-10 win in the local curtain-raiser game.
It was the first time in many years that anyone could remember the Magpies getting the better of the Devils and it was celebrated nearly as much as a grand final win.
The day was capped off with a clash between fifth-placed East Tigers and Souths Logan Magpies in 13th place in the Intrust Super Cup feature game.
Katrina Harmsworth, Holly Hawkes, Hannah Coulthard and Cherie Walker had lots to cheer about when the Blackall Magpies took on the Winton Devils in the main central west game before the Intrust Super Cup players took to the field. Click on the image to view a gallery from the event.
Despite the margin on the ladder, the home crowd affinity with the Magpies label and local connections with coach Josh Hannay gave Souths Logan a boost.
Easts prevailed in a come-from-behind 20-18 win.
According to central Queensland divisional chair Danny Maguire, Country Week not only gives people in the regions a chance to see a high-class game of football, it gives city teams a chance to go bush and experience no-frills rugby league.
The weekend also supported the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which received a percentage of gate takings from the seven regional games.
