It was a huge weekend in the Isa, and not just because Bob Katter wanted our vote (and he got it alright, polling almost 50% in the biggest Mount Isa booth, Central).
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No, it was also huge because of the international Legends of League game which packed out Alec Inch Oval on Saturday night.
It was a great day for Mount Isa Rugby League and it's been a while since the oval has heaved with so many people.
It comes after some tough times for the league with Normanton pulling out to join a Gulf competition, sides struggling for numbers due to work commitments, and then the stands at Alec Inch needed to be closed down with structural issues forcing fans to sit by the side of the field to watch the game.
Fixing those stands in time for the game was absolutely must and my congratulations to the MIRL and its volunteer helpers from Cava Constructions, Hardrok and Steelcon who donated material and labour to get it done in time.
It's no surprise Cava Constructions were involved, their boss Mick Tully was not only named in the Mount Isa Linmar All Stars side but he was the Mount Isa City councillor instrumental in bringing the Legends to Mount Isa for the first time ever.
I could understand why he want to make it happen.
I had seen one of their games down south once before, and I knew how much excitement and fun they bring to each town they play.
The Legends might be getting on a bit (though Willie Tonga for one looks like he could still do a decent job in the NRL and Matty Bowen was unstoppable) but what they lack in pace they more than make up for in skills and intelligence and you could see why none of the teams they'd played had beaten them.
Mount Isa ran them close, with a legend of our own in Scotty Prince causing danger whenever he got near the ball.
It was a fantastic night with nearby carparks as full as the moon that shone brightly above it.
The players from the five local clubs - Town, Wanderers, Brothers, Black Stars and Cloncurry - who took part would all have learned a lot from the occasion - Derek Barry