It was all smiles at PCYC Napranum when the AFL Premiership Cup tour arrived in all its glory. Photo: Supplied.
A rare opportunity to see the AFL Premiership Cup is keeping sporting dreams alive for young athletes in Napranum, Weipa and Thursday Island.
Organised by AFL Cape York, the coveted trophy – won by the Brisbane Lions at the 2025 grand final – made its way to the three communities on 22-23 January.
AFL Cape York general manager Rick Hanlon said it marked the first time the Premiership Cup tour had come to the Cape and Torres Strait.
“It’s historic – the first time it’s ever gone past Cairns,” he said.
“I think it’s about dreaming. It’s about seeing something that’s physically there instead of something you see on the TV.
“It’s about the opportunity to say you’ve seen the cup, you’ve had your photo with the cup, and it’s historical because we don’t know when the next opportunity might come – it might never come again.”
Fans also met AFLW Brisbane Lions superstars Ally Anderson and Cathy Svarc, and were given a chance to up their skills on the field with an AFL super clinic.
Mr Hanlon said the tour was a show of gratitude to the Cape York and Torres Strait communities’ ongoing partnership with AFL Cape York.
“We’re showing our thanks by working with the Lions to get the cup out of Cairns and as far north as possible,” he said.
“When Collingwood won (2023), it came to Cairns for one night, and then it was gone again. Prior to that, it was way back in the early 2000s when Brisbane won their premiership.
“This is a big commitment from the Lions to actually free it up for a couple of days and get it out to people in the remote areas.”
AFL Cape York’s game development team celebrates an incredible opportunity for Cape York and Torres Strait AFL lovers. Photo: AFL Cape York.
