MORNINGTON Island hosted the inaugural Dangkakurriijari Memorial Day Nines Tournament at Main Oval this week, after a long absence of formal rugby league on the island.
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The day was to remember and acknowledge the Mornington Island Plane Crash in 1999 where key community members passed away.
An emotional and passionate memorial service was held in the morning, where the community paid their respects to the loved ones who passed on.
Many rugby league entities such as the team at the Titans for Tomorrow, Titans Forward Ryan James, NRL ambassador Dean Widders, and regional co-ordinator for the QRL David Maiden attended.
The rugby league kicked off at 2pm with the community and the service providers packing the ground to create a wonderful atmosphere for some quality action to be played.
There were four teams in the tournament, playing a nines round robin format, with each side playing three games.
Mornington Island provided three sides – Black, Yellow and Green of equal ability, with Doomadgee United as the fourth side.
The Doomadgee team was transported from the mainland via the Mornington Island marine rescue boat the day before the tournament.
The results of the round robin matches were: Doomadgee 24 defeated Black 12; Green 14 defeated Yellow 12; Black 14 d Yellow 10; Doomadgee 14 d Green 12; Green 18 d Black 14; Doomadgee 14 d Yellow 4.
In the final, refereed by Dean Widders, Doomadgee proved too strong, claiming the Inaugural Dangkakurriijari Shield 18 to 6 against Green.
The day was concluded by the awarding of trophies to remember those that lost their lives.
Mornington Shire Council sport and recreation co-ordinator Sean Durant thanked all the volunteers and service providers for assisting on the day, making it a wonderful day for all involved.
