Sport

sport Canberra Raiders relocate to Gold Coast

The Canberra Raiders will be based on the Gold Coast for at least the next month after the NRL moved 12 clubs into Queensland hubs amid the current NSW COVID-19 outbreak.

Every club will be permitted a maximum of 30 players and 11 staff while in Queensland. At this point, Canberra will take 29 players into the hub.

Canberra Raiders CEO Don Furner said he was “shocked” and frustrated to find out the club would have to relocate given how well the ACT has managed the pandemic.

“It was a bit of a shock because I thought we were safe, Canberra’s safe,” said Furner.

“Our stadium is allowed full capacity, the city has been pretty compliant, we wore masks for the last two weeks.”

The Raiders head up to Queensland with some newfound confidence after an upset 30-16 victory over Manly last round.

The Raiders started slowly but the injection of Tom Starling off the bench and the kicking game of five-eighth Matt Frawley gave them control.

Halfback Sam Williams crossed for two tries while Joe Tapine was outstanding off the bench, running for 234 metres.

The 10th placed Raiders are now just two points outside the top eight and take on the eighth placed Sharks this weekend.

Sydney Derby moved to Ballarat

For the second time in as many years, an AFL Sydney Derby will be held outside NSW with the Giants to meet the Swans at Mars Stadium in Ballarat on Saturday afternoon, 17 July.

The Giants were hoping the game could be played here in Canberra, having made Manuka Oval a second home base since the club entered the AFL in 2012, but that was ruled out when the Victorian Government declared the ACT a red zone last Sunday.

GWS got a taste of playing in Ballarat last week, going down to the Gold Coast Suns by one point in a thriller.

The Giants took a 13-point lead into the final quarter but the Suns used the breeze at their backs to claim a famous win.

The loss sees the Giants drop out of the top eight and into tenth spot on the ladder while the Swans remain in sixth after upsetting the Bulldogs by 19 points last Sunday afternoon.

Local talent an All Australian

Earlier this month, talented 17-yearold Queanbeyan Tiger Cynthia Hamilton was named at full-forward in the U19 AFLW All Australian team. Hamilton enjoyed a sensational national championship playing across the forward line and midfield for the Allies in April.

She averaged 21.5 disposals (13.5 contested), 10 tackles, 5 inside 50s and kicked 2 goals in two matches and took out her team’s MVP award.

“It took lots of time, practice and training and I’ve finally reached a significant place, I’m happy with my achievement,” she told CW.

Applications NOW OPEN

The ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards are managed and delivered by the Canberra Business Chamber