Category: Tom Shankè

City District out of the race to win the cup

By Tom Shankè

The home of football, the City District is out of the race to win the District of Origin cup. After losing three of their four matches District of Origin matches.

On Thursday, they couldn’t hold on against the premiership star filled Mountain team at Mountain Ash Arena.

Results

TeamScoreOutcome
Mountains36Win
City29Loss

On Friday, all the heat was on at Queens Palace Stadium with the City taking on the Forest.

Results

TeamH1ScoreOutcome
City2135Loss
Forest1537Win

Today at Gumnut Grove, the Swamp couldn’t get on top of the City, resulting in the City Districts only win.

Results

TeamScoreOutcome
City21Win
Swamp8Loss

Two hours after, a tired City lost to the Rainforest a Revelry Garden Reserve.

Results

TeamH1ScoreOutcome
City1523Loss
Rainforest1328Win

After that, the ladder looks like this:

Benjo’s Recycled Timbers 2025 District of Origin Tour Ladder

PosTeamPWLDFA%Pts
1Bushland33002518112
2Mountains330000112
3Forest11000014
4City41300004
4Rainforest31200004
6Swamp2020182500
7Coast00000000
7Desert00000000
7Plains10100000
7River10100000

The City District had their share of a-grade stars, which showed in their first half. Their second half’s could not compete. In every game they lost, they led at half time. Hopefully, some young talent emerges to replace these out-classed aged fooballers.

The beating heart of it all: The City District

By Tom Shankè

The City district is where football started, the beating heart of football. Senior Reporter Tom Shankè dives deep into history of football in The City and the revenue it is now, ahead of the District of Origin clash between the City and their neighbours The Swamp.

The City District is centred around Queen’s Palace, which also happens to be the FCFL HQ. It is also appropriate that the third biggest stadium in the continent is situated right next to it; Queen’s Palace Stadium. You can see why the City District is the only district to have three FCFL clubs under its belt. And why the City District pumps out more talent and young players then any other district. It also happens to be where football started, 25 years ago in the CFL (city football league).

The CFL was where it all started, between four teams. The North, The Palace, The Eastern Bees and The Crocodiles. They played out 10 seasons before it was thought to include the neighbours in the Swamp District. So, the CFL became the CSFL (the city-swamp football league) And incorporated two new teams: the Frogs and the Snakes. This is how the junior league stands to this day.

Backtracking a bit, 15 years. Smaller leagues had begun to form in the Bushlands and Mountains District (MFL now the MBFL), the Forest district (FFL) and Rainforest district (RFL). It wasn’t until, four years ago, Gusta La Vidi came around and thought of combining them.

Mr Gusta La Vidi created the FCFL (the ferny creek football league) and tested out a small season in 2021, between the Kookaburras, the Lyrebirds, the Possums and the Wombats. They played and it was ultimately successful. In season two, now with six teams, the Kookaburras of the City District won the premiership. They have been in finals contention every season since.

Now, in the 2026 Fix Ya Fixture FCFL Premiership, two new teams have earned licenses from the City District. The Crocodiles and the Lorikeets.

If you go north of Queens Palace, you encounter the richer area of the City. Here, among small houses and luscious gardens you find Gumnut Grove. Built in 2025, smack on the world class Botanical Gardens the Lorikeets training venue is a perfect place for the district of origin tour to continue.

Go a little bit south, and you find yourself in the South of the City District. Home of the arts and sitting in the middle of that is the famous Revelry Garden and in the middle of that is the Revelry Garden Reserve. This venue is an open field with the picturesque Museum behind it. The Crocodiles train here. The District of Origin is brought here with the City and the Plains facing off here.

Now days, the City District pumps out more players than any other district and with the FCFL launching the new initiative to move towards players playing for their district of origin, we can expect performance to sky rocket for the three FCFL City District clubs. Unfortunately, this notion hasn’t shown in the 2025 District of Origin Tour with the City losing the two games they have played.

But, they have time to redeem themselves. With two matches left to play, the City have time to lift. The City face their neighbours and rivals the Swamp at Gumnut Grove on Friday night.

Tomorrow, Coen Pearson looks at footy in the Swamp district as part of the article series by fcfl.com.au for the District of Origin tour.

Two new teams look to add their names to the winners list

By Tom Shankè

The grand final is here and the FCFL world is pumped.

v

Venue

Sunset Stadium

Details

Date Time League Season
July 20, 2025 3:54 pm FCFL 2025 Finals

This is both teams first taste of finals footy. The Roos, who have sat on top all season, face the rising challenge in the underdog Cockatoos.

The Roos have dominated all season. They have won 7 games and lost 2, both at home. They managed to just overcome the Wombats at home and now they play the Cockatoos there.

The Cockatoos have won 5 and lost 4. Virtually un-injured they are in magnificent form.

We now take a look at both teams standings.

In 2023, when the Cockatoos where introduced,

Fix Ya Fixture 2023 FCFL Premiership

PosTeam
1
2
3
4
5
6

In 2024, when the Roos where introduced,

Fix Ya Fixture 2024 FCFL Premiership

PosTeam
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

And this year,

2025 Fix Ya fixture FCFL Premiership

PosTeamPWLDFA%Pts
1971199109130
297209186128
39540108117120
4954010596120
595409782120
695406492120
7945010874016
893606390012
9926111962010
1091807111704

Updated: THE FINALS RACE IS ON

By Coen Pearson, Tom Shankè

The finals teams are in. Our reporters analyse every team’s chances.

2025 Fix Ya fixture FCFL Premiership

PosTeamPWLDFA%Pts
1971199109130
297209186128
39540108117120
4954010596120
595409782120
695406492120
7945010874016
893606390012
9926111962010
1091807111704
  1. Sitting on the top of the ladder, the Kangaroos have had a magnificent season. They are 7-1 and 1 draw. However, they had a horror loss to the Platypus in Round 9. They still don’t have their star mid or their star forwards. There are holes everywhere in this young side. The question is, can the Roos continue their dream season? Can they beat the Wombats?

v

Venue

Sunset Stadium

Details

Date Time League Season
July 20, 2025 3:54 pm FCFL 2025 Finals

2. The ever consistent Kookaburras. This is their third season in a row in the finals. Sitting at 7-2. They are the oldest team in the competition, but they hold the record for the most wins ever. They have lost a few players this season, but they still are playing pretty well. Coming off a win over the reigning premiers with virtually no injures they must be feeling good. But can they overcome the Cockatoos? We can only wait.

v

Venue

Queen's Palace Stadium

Details

Date Time League Season
July 20, 2025 3:54 pm FCFL 2025 Finals

3. The Wombats. The reigning premiers. They have had a rocky season, being 5-4. They have an injury list that goes through the roof. Now with another great mid out, they will have a mighty test against the top-of-the ladder Roos. But their defence has not yet been hit by the injury storm. That will be the decider on Thursday.

4. The mighty Cockatoos have climbed the ranks to reach fourth. Finishing 7th last year (out of 8), they have progressed forward, and with the help of a new CEO and Senior Coach they turned around. They sitting at 5-4 and have only lost one game at home. After having troubles last week in the Desert District against the Echidnas, the new agreement with the Heritage Council should make it easier to compete on Friday night.

Cockatoos struggle to leave Bushlands District as protests ramp up.

By Tom Shankè

Echidnas v Cockatoos has been postponed to Sunday as the Cockatoos team are blocked into Eucalyptus Arena, following serious protests from the heritage council. After the announcement from the league to upgrade Eucalyptus Arena, protests have been interrupting the Cockatoos training all week. But they ramped up this afternoon as the Cockatoos attempted to leave Eucalyptus Arena to depart for Desert Country.

Following this, the league has a put a pause on Eucalyptus Arena upgrade works and waiting until and arrangement can be met.

“We deescalated the situation until we can come to an agreement that serves both parties. Says FCFL CEO at Eucalyptus Arena this evening. We ave agreed to let the Cockatoos leave to play the game and during the week, that they can train.”

The match has been moved to tomorrow morning.

v

Details

Date Time League Season
July 20, 2025 3:54 pm FCFL 2025

Venue

Blackwood Oval

Magpies Announce New Head Coach

By Tom Shankè

Bryce Wholack is set to join the Magpies at the end of this season. Wholack, a former Magpie himself will take from Ida Tralenski who started as senior coach in 2024. Previous coach of the Platypus he was known for working closely with the List Manager and the CEO to perfect the team and lead them to finish fourth on the ladder in 2024.

Senior Coach Bryce Wholak

Nationality
polPoland
Current Team
Magpies
Past Teams
Platypus
Magpies Announce New Head Coach

Him and list manger Bernie Green plan to make a lot of changes to the four-time bottom of the ladder side.

“Bernie and I played together, we were good mates. We know we have to deal some harsh blows, but that’s what part of joining a coaching team”

If the Magpies lose on Saturday, they will be three-times in a row wooden spooners.

“With the introduction of six new teams we have more chance to be in finals contention next season. Hopefully we get some good draft picks too. Ida’s done a good job, but the CEO reckons it is time for a change.”

The Magpies have only won one game this season. Yet they have great players in Izak Kakoo and Rooston Hide. Wholak is going to have to move lots of things around if he wants his team to be in finals contention in the coming seasons.