Sport
30 October, 2024
Spirit of the past comes to life on the playing field
THE teams have been preparing for weeks and the old rivalry is back, as Mareeba and Dimbulah face off in the upcoming Fantin Football Cup.
One of the key organisers of the event, Sandro Soncin, will be lining up for Dimbulah, despite playing for both teams over the years, so a bit of sledging will likely colour the game. But more importantly, it will feature many of the past “local golden generation of Premier football stars” returning for this special event.
“Local Mareeba icon Mario Scarpel will be making the trek all the way from Perth for a guest appearance,” Sandro said. “Mario breathes football and is a die-hard Mareeba Club man whose dressing room chants and songs are revered.
“Veteran Mareeba player Louie Serafini (67) and Dimbulah legend Frank Tosoni (62) will be there, on Saturday night,” he continued. “They were teammates and last played together for the Mareeba State League over 40 years ago.”
Sandro said it will also be great to see a midfield tussle between Brian Schincariol from Dimbulah up against Mareeba’s hard man Angelo Tatti, while John Tomic – who has flown up from Melbourne – will need to contain the ageless Pasco Rogato from Mareeba.
Another “colourful clash” will be
between Dimbulah’s exalted Steven
Zelenika, who is up against a much more youthful Adam Zappia from the Bulls.
Testing his mettle on the night will be 59-year-old Steve Cosatto, from a family of Dimbulah patriots, including his father, Paul, who was heavily involved in the Dimbulah Club.
“Steve’s (who now resides in Cairns) last game for Dimbulah was when he was 12 years old,” Sandro said.
“It’s been 47 years since he last wore the Dimbulah shirt and he’lll be reliving his junior days.
“The match is going to be super competitive,” he added with a grin, “but despite the clashes in the past, the game will be played in the right spirit. It’s going to be a lot of good old-fashioned fun.
“The real show will be straight after the game, where we can expect to see which players have the best singing and dance moves, when Shandell entertains the night away.”
The Fantin Cup is a free event being held at Bruno Park, Dimbulah. It will have food, drinks, raffles and entertainment on the night. Camping is permitted on the grounds. The three matches kick off from 5pm and culminate in the main event, the over 45s clash, at 7pm.
The Dinosaur Legends:
Mareeba Team
Marcello Savaglio
Adam Zappia
Pasco Rogato
Dave Srhoj
Karl Srhoj
Angelo Tatti
Mario Scarpel
Doug Prizmic
Christian Mukadi
Sam Gambino
Paul Fagg
Andre Soncin
Allan Prizmic
Danny Shaw
Gug Micieli
Lewis Kalinau
Vince Tatti
Louie Serafini
Michael Haendal
Giuseppi Terranova
Dimbulah Team
Duilio DePasquale
Jose Lopez
Sandro Soncin
Angelo Serafin
John Tomic
Bryan Schincariol
Eddie Balzarola
Illario Pozzebon
Enver Selita
Chip Tosoni
Eddie Falcomer
Sasa Stankovic
Adrian Schincariol
Franco Fantin
Frank Tosoni
Nello Terzi
Steve Zelenika
Jim Hatchman
Troy Brunjes
Rudi Schincariol
Hasem Selita
Steve Cosatto
