LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Indigenous All Stars' scintillating backline was the star of the show as they secured a hard-fought 22-14 victory over the Māori All Stars on Friday night in Townsville.
With the crowd roaring in support, the brilliant Bulldogs wing Josh Addo-Carr made his mark early on with two tries in the first 20 minutes, setting the tone for the Indigenous side.
Locals were then treated to another try just before halftime, courtesy of fan favorite Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
This win marked a significant achievement for the Indigenous All Stars, as it was their second consecutive victory since the inclusion of the Māori team in 2019.
The stage was set for an unforgettable finale when Titans flyer Alofiana Khan-Pereira sealed the deal with a fourth try in the dying moments of the game.
It was a fitting end to the match, leaving fans elated.
The stunning performance of five-eighth Braydon Trindall deserves special mention, as he was awarded the prestigious Preston Campbell Medal for his outstanding contribution.
Trindall's partnership with Nicho Hynes in the halves proved to be a winning formula, as they orchestrated two of their team's four tries and demonstrated their immense kicking abilities.
While both teams came out firing, the heavy rain posed a challenge, resulting in a number of errors throughout the first half.
However, this did not dampen the spirits of the players or the fans, and the game remained fiercely competitive until the final whistle.