Sport
20 November, 2025
League legends draw a crowd
The largest local rugby league crowd of the year turned out for the International Legends of League carnival on Saturday night, after a host of ex-NRL legends had visited schools and community events during the week.
Saturday’s exhibition match attracted well over a thousand spectators to the Den, most of whom came out to watch the headline acts of Sam Thaiday, Scott Prince and the self-proclaimed ‘Doctor’ John Hopoate.
Earlier in the week, the Legends had attended all of Oakey’s schools on Thursday.
At the schools, the players shared how they achieved their dreams and overcame challenge along the way.
“We ask the students what their dream is. And that’s what the players talk to the kids about,” event organiser Troy Byers said.
“You don’t have to make it early. If you don’t make it, don’t give up.
“That’s the biggest thing – not giving up on anything.”
They also brought along positive messages about mental wellbeing, healthy eating, the importance of physical activity and having a good support network of friends and family.
On Friday, focus shifted to the Bowls Club charity event, before Saturday’s carnival of matches.
Intriguingly, Oakey’s two primary schools faced off against each other (for the record, the match was won by St. Monica’s School 24-12).
This match was followed by many other interesting clashes - Oakey Sons vs. Fathers, Oakey Masters vs. Toowoomba Masters, Cherbourg Women vs. Toowoomba Women and Cherbourg vs. Oakey Red Belly Blacks, along with Oakey Bears’ junior sides.
Passing storms, which had affected some of the lead-in matches, thankfully cleared for the main event, between the Australian Legends of League and the Toowoomba & South West Indigenous All Stars.
A parochial crowd was firmly behind the Indigenous All Stars side, and every line break, offload and big hit they made created a roar.
The Aussie team, which included 64-years-old former Manly half Cliff Lyons, may not have had the speed and powers of recovery of their youth, but still put on an entertaining display for the large crowd.
“Cliff has a large following with people,” Mr Byers said.
“He enjoys it.”
At the end of the night, the Australian team had held off the Indigenous All Stars side, coached by Peter Wharton for the win.
However, event organiser Byers, along with his trusty sidekick Craig Teevan, said the real barometer of success was the smiles on the faces of the local children.
“The whole idea is taking some of these footballers to the communities who might never have seen them play before,” he said.
“It was a fantastic community event.
“You could see the smiles on the kids’ faces.”
Having just come back from the Torres Strait, the International Legends of League caravan now heads to Innisfail, home of event co-founder Kerry Boustead.
Photos from the International Legends of League Carnival on Page 12.
