Blackwater and District RLFC - Crushers & Crushettes

30/07/2026

🎉VOLUNTEER RAFFLE DRAW🎉

A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to help make our Country Week a success. From the gate and canteen to set-up, pack-up and everything in between, we couldn’t have done it without you. ❤️💛💙

Congratulations to all of our Volunteer Raffle winners! We hope you enjoy your prizes as a small thank you for giving up your time to support our club.

A very special thank you to Jellinbah for generously sponsoring our volunteer raffle prizes. Your ongoing support of the Blackwater Crushers and our volunteers is truly appreciated.

💙❤️💛 Thank you to every volunteer who stepped up. Our club is built on people like you!

27/07/2026

💙❤️💛 INDIGENOUS ROUND 12 | Wrap up ❤️💛💙

As the sun went down over Hinricks Oval on Saturday night, two proud clubs ran onto the field wearing their Indigenous jerseys with pride on Ghungalu Country. Looking around the ground, it was everything we hoped Country Week would be. Kids with footballs under their arms. Families lining the fence. Volunteers finally able to stop for a moment and enjoy what months of planning had created. And a crowd that found its voice every time the Crushers needed it.

The scoreboard says the Emerald Tigers won 36–24. What it doesn’t say is how close this contest really was.

At halftime we trailed just 12–6, and there wasn’t a supporter in blue, red and gold who thought we were out of it. We were matching one of the competition’s best sides through the middle, defending with intent and earning every metre the hard way.

When the Tigers found another gear after the break, our boys could have let the game slip away. Instead, they made everyone believe.

Coach Andrew Fox said the side was slow to settle into the grind in the first half, and it took another 20 minutes after halftime to find their rhythm. But once the Crushers held the ball, controlled the ruck and built pressure, they looked every bit the side they know they can be. The final 20 minutes showed exactly what this group is capable of and gives the team plenty to build on.

As the minutes ticked away, the atmosphere around the ground changed. Every tackle was louder. Every run was cheered harder. Joe looked certain to score before losing the ball just short of the line, then another attacking raid was halted by a forward pass that had everyone holding their breath. You could feel the momentum building. You could feel the crowd believing.

Unfortunately, football doesn’t always give you enough time for a comeback.

Our four tries came through Tomas Powell, Victor Little, Nathan Kleidon and Nick Melvin, while Luke Stenhouse was faultless with the boot, slotting all four conversions.

Coaches Wrap up: standout performances, Victor Little making a huge impact through the middle with strong leg speed, aggressive carries into the defensive line and some brutal defence. Nick Melvin faced the tough task of marking a much bigger opponent and handled it brilliantly, strengthening our edge defence before showing his pace late in the game. Braxtan Laherty again impressed, constantly asking questions of Emerald’s edge in attack, while his defensive effort ensured they never broke through on his side of the field. Bob Frame worked tirelessly, as we have come to expect from him week after week, with strong carries and tireless work in defence.

🏆Nick Melvin’s outstanding all-round performance earned him Dundee's Plumbing Man of the Match, while 🥈Braxtan Laherty collected two points and 🥉Bob Frame one. In a fitting reward, 🏅Victor Little was voted MCC’s Players’ Player by his teammates. Special Mention to 🏅Tomas Powell awarded outstanding player from Brisbane Tigers team staff.

To everyone who stood on the fence, cheered until they lost their voice and made Hinricks Oval feel like home once again—thank you. Your support never goes unnoticed, and our players feel it every time they pull on the blue, red and gold.

📸 more game Photos from Damian Freiberg to come!

Next up, the Crushers hit the road to take on the Dysart Bulls in Round 13.

📍 Hickey Oval, Dysart
📅 Saturday 1 August
🕖 7:00pm Kick-off

Then we return home for our final home game of the 2026 season.

💙❤️ Old Boys & Sponsors Day 💛💙
📅 Saturday 8 August
🏉 Round 14 – Blackwater Crushers vs Middlemount Panthers

🚂🚂 Our Team. Our Town. 🚂🚂

27/07/2026

💙❤️💛 RAFFLE PRIZE COLLECTION 💛❤️💙

Congratulations to all of our lucky winners! 🏆

Prizes are now ready for collection. Please contact a member of the Blackwater Crushers junior or senior Committee to arrange pickup.

A huge thank you to everyone who bought tickets, donated prizes and supported our Country Week raffle.

26/07/2026

💙❤️💛 COUNTRY WEEK 2026 | WE DID IT ❤️💛💙

Some days remind you why country rugby league is so special. Saturday was one of those days.

Hinricks Oval came alive from the first whistle to the last. Kids laughing, families reconnecting, volunteers everywhere you looked, and a community proudly celebrating football, culture and everything that makes Blackwater special.

Our annual Indigenous Round made Country Week even more memorable. Thank you to the Ghungalu Elders for leading the Acknowledgement of Country & Smoking Ceremony.

Events like this don’t happen by chance. They happen because people say, “I’ll help.”

People who give up their weekends.
People who solve the problems no one else sees.
People who spend months planning, then long days setting up, cooking, cleaning, packing away and taking care of the countless behind-the-scenes jobs that make an event like this possible.

To every volunteer, committee member and sponsor, thank you for believing in what we’re building.

A special thank you to the Blackwater Crushers JRLC, CQ Capras, Brisbane Tigers, Emerald junior & senior Tigers, QRL, CHRL, Damian Freiberg, Lewis Cooper, Elite Jumping Castle, Magical Flair – Glitter Tattoos, Mr Whippy, Freedom Grounds Collective, Miss Bubble Tea, Jellinbah Mining, Mining Pro, CHRC, Whitehaven and Ford for helping make the day one our community won’t forget.

Most importantly, thank you to everyone who came through the gates. Every player, coach, official, parent, supporter and visitor helped create an atmosphere that showcased the very best of country rugby league.

We’re incredibly proud of our club, our volunteers and our town.

💙❤️💛 Our Team. Our Town.
🚂 Get on the Train!

25/07/2026

❤️💛💙 What an incredible Super Saturday!

A huge thank you to everyone who came along, cheered on the teams, volunteered, sponsored, officiated, or helped behind the scenes. Your support created an amazing atmosphere and made the day such a success.

A special thank you to all visiting players, CQ Capras, Brisbane Tigers, Emerald Tigers, officials, and supporters for being part of an unforgettable day of rugby league.

It was fantastic to see our community come together to celebrate Country Week, Indigenous Round, and our great game.

We’re proud of what we achieved together and grateful to everyone who played a part.

Thank you for backing the Crushers! ❤️💛💙

24/07/2026

🖤💛❤️ INDIGENOUS ROUND | COUNTRY WEEK ❤️💛🖤

Join us From 8am as we celebrate Indigenous Round, honour culture, and enjoy the best of country footy. Bring the family, wear your Crushers colours, and help create an unforgettable atmosphere.

💙❤️💛 Get on the Train! 🚂

24/07/2026

24/07/2026

WE’RE CALLING ON OUR CRUSHERS FAMILY! ❤️🏉💙

Add your name to our Game Day Roster and you could WIN! 🎉

https://volunteersignup.org/D7389

A huge thank you to Jellinbah for proudly sponsoring our Country Week Volunteer Raffle.

Whether you can help for an hour or a whole shift, every volunteer goes into the draw to win some incredible prizes!

🏆 Prizes include:
🥇 Capras tickets + 2 nights accommodation
🥈 Double Swag
🥉 Two $100 gift vouchers

Country Week is our biggest day of the year, and it simply can’t happen without our amazing volunteers.

📋 Join the roster today:
https://volunteersignup.org/D7389

💙 Our Team. Our Town. Our Club.
🚂 Get On The Train
💛 Volunteers Make a Difference