After very hard-fought wins, in wet and boggy conditions against the Far North Queensland Marlins and our nearest rival, the Townsville Stingers, the Mount Isa Mongrels were crowned the plate trophy winners.

Rugby League within the Queensland Police Service has a long and cherished history dating back to 1942 with police sides participating in various public service competitions.

In 1987 the first of QPSRLA state championship was played, and it has been played annually ever since

The Mount Isa Mongrels have been participants in the competition since its inception, with some success, however in the mid-2000s had difficulties forming a side, and for a number of years were unable to participate in the competition.

Since returning to the competition, the Mount Isa Mongrels have been made up of predominantly sworn officers from Mt Isa, Cloncurry, Normanton, Doomadgee, Mornington Island, and Julia Creek.

Police Liaison Officers are also represented as well as a couple of regular ring ins who are eligible to play by way of close association to the team (for example a local school teacher or related to a current player).

Since returning to the competition, the Mongrels have won the plate trophy twice, and have been crowned plate trophy runners up once.

On an individual level since coming back into the competition in 2012, the following Mongrels players have been selected to play for the Queensland Police representative side; Allan Heldsinger, Brent Shorten, Andrew Cridland, Adam Harwood, Simon Laing and Kurtis Ritchie.

Team coordinator Senior Sergeant Bradley Rix said these events are essential for boys in the bush to engage with each other outside work and to keep healthy.

The Mount Isa Mongrels are looking forward to defending the title in 2020.