Round 6 of Gridiron Queensland unfolded at the South Pine Sports Complex in a special Hall of Fame edition. Teams from across Southeast Queensland converged on three side-by-side fields, promising a day filled with football action.
The kickoff saw the youth teams at 2 pm, followed by the juniors at 3 pm. Beyond the games, the day held a significant halftime ceremony where five individuals were inducted into the Gridiron Queensland Hall of Fame. Commemorative rings were presented, acknowledging the enduring contributions of these individuals to the sport.
At 7 pm, attention turned to the Men’s and Women’s leagues. The women’s league, returning in an 8-a-side format, marked a notable resurgence.
Field 1 saw a heated match between the Men’s Brisbane Rhinos and the Gold Coast Sting Rays, culminating in a 24-14 victory for the Sting Rays. Concurrently, on Field 2, the Women’s Bayside Ravens dominated the Logan City Bears with an impressive score of 46-0. Over on Field 3, the Men’s Logan City Bears triumphed over the Sunshine Coast Spartans with a scoreline of 15-0. Regrettably, the Men’s Griffith Thunder, hindered by injuries and illnesses, had to concede their round, resulting in a forfeit against the Bayside Ravens.
The day’s highlight was the reinvigorated energy in the women’s league. In a pre-game discussion, Bayside Ravens QB Kristy Moran expressed enthusiasm for the smaller format, viewing it as a catalyst to attract more women to the sport. Stepping into the quarterback role for the first time, Kristy, under the guidance of Coach Gerard, orchestrated a resounding victory for the Bayside Ravens, triumphing over the Logan City Bears with a commanding 46-0 scoreline. The Logan City Men’s team tallied to support the women during their halftime, epitomizing the spirit of camaraderie.
Gridiron Queensland Round 6, with its blend of thrilling matchups and heartfelt tributes in the Hall of Fame ceremony, captured the essence of the sport. As the day concluded under the glowing stadium lights, it left a lasting impression on the ongoing season, setting the stage for more memorable moments in Queensland’s gridiron journey.