Sport
11 September, 2026
Brothers are simply the best
LEAGUE team wins fifth straight premiership, while basketball readies for finals.
Rugby league
CAIRNS Brothers have cemented their status as the dominant force in CDRL senior rugby league, claiming an incredible fifth consecutive premiership with a commanding 48-20 victory over Southern Suburbs in the grand final.
The result continues an extraordinary period of dominance for Brothers, who once again proved too strong when it mattered most.
Southern Suburbs entered the decider hoping to end Brothers’ remarkable reign, but the defending premiers quickly established control and never looked back.
Despite Suburbs’ best efforts to remain within striking distance, Brothers’ attacking firepower eventually proved decisive, running away with the contest to secure another convincing grand-final victory.
The fifth consecutive premiership further strengthens Brothers’ place at the top of the CDRL landscape, with the club once again demonstrating its ability to perform on the biggest stage.
While Brothers celebrated another chapter in their remarkable dynasty, Southern Suburbs had their own reason to celebrate after producing a thrilling reserve-grade grand-final victory over Kangaroos.
Suburbs survived a nail-biting contest 16-14, holding their nerve in a tense finish to secure the premiership.
Wade Smith proved crucial for the eventual premiers, crossing for a double to provide the attacking spark Suburbs needed to get over the line.
With just two points separating the sides at full-time, the result came down to composure and determination, with Suburbs doing enough to withstand everything Kangaroos threw at them late in the contest.
For coach Anthony Volpe, the victory was a fitting reward for the effort his players had put in throughout the season.
“This was a great team win and these boys deserve it,” Volpe said.
The reserve-grade triumph capped off a memorable day for Southern Suburbs, while Brothers once again stood alone at the summit of CDRL senior football.
With six straight premierships now secured, the question facing the competition is no longer whether Brothers can win another title, but who can finally find a way to stop them.
Basketball
CAIRNS Basketball’s junior season will reach its biggest day this Saturday, with the region’s best young basketballers set to battle it out for premiership glory across a packed day of grand final action.
More than 20 different age groups and divisions will take to the court across the junior competition, with teams ranging from the association’s youngest players through to the older junior divisions all chasing the ultimate prize.
After months of regular-season basketball, finals campaigns and plenty of close contests, Saturday represents the culmination of the season for players, coaches, families and clubs, with bragging rights and premiership success on the line.
For many of the young players, it will be their first experience of a grand final, bringing an added level of excitement and nerves as they prepare to play on the biggest stage of their season.
For others, Saturday provides another opportunity to add a championship to their basketball journey.
Cairns Basketball’s junior competition continues to provide a pathway for players of all ages and abilities, with teams competing across multiple age groups and divisions.
The competition structure sees the top four teams in each age division progress to the finals series before the remaining contenders battle it out for a place in the grand final.
That depth will be on full display this weekend, with more than 20 premierships to be decided as clubs fight for championship honours.
Beyond the scoreboard, the grand finals will also provide a celebration of the junior basketball community, with parents, siblings, coaches and teammates expected to pack the venue and support the next generation of Cairns basketballers.
Every possession, rebound and basket will carry extra weight as players look to finish their season on the highest possible note.
With so many teams competing for premiership glory, Saturday promises to be one of the biggest days on the Cairns Basketball calendar — and by the final buzzer, more than 20 teams will have earned the right to call themselves 2026 junior premiers.
Editor’s note: Jake Black is Cairns Basketball’s community engagement and junior development officer.
