Army edge JCU in thrilling Battle of the Icons
Townsville’s 3rd Brigade have regained bragging rights over James Cook University after edging their rivals five wins to three in the annual “Battle of the Icons” sporting challenge last Friday.
Army’s seven-year stranglehold of the event was broken last year when JCU claimed overall honours, but the might of 3rd Brigade bounced back in 2025 and returned to Lavarack Barracks as overall champions.
The games began at Townsville Stadium, where Army’s always tough men’s basketball team ran out winners 64-46, with Chris Jones leading the way for the victors and claiming most valuable player honours.
JCU evened the ledger in the women’s netball with a comfortable 37-12 victory before Army edged ahead again with a 35-28 victory in mixed netball.
From there the action moved to Joe Baker Field on at JCU Townsville’s campus, with JCU’s women’s football team scoring a hard-fought 1-0 victory, with Danika Wetherell named best on ground.
The men’s football followed directly after, with Army claiming a thrilling 6-5 penalty shootout win after scores were locked at 1-1 at the end of play, with Army’s Tyler Fuller named MVP.
Army then scored another narrow win with a 7-6 triumph in mixed touch football, with Jack Mason named best afield in what was a tight contest throughout.
JCU scored a much-needed win as MVP Siena Tabacchi steered her side to a narrow 29-22 triumph in the women’s rugby sevens, leaving JCU with a chance to even things at four wins apiece heading into the men’s rugby union.
It wasn’t to be as multi-sport star Jack Mason added another MVP by guiding Army to a dominant 48-7 win to claim the Chancellor’s Cup and give Army the 5-3 overall victory.
JCU Acting Sport and Recreation Manager Vincent said as always, the games were played in great spirit, as he thanked all involved with coordinating the event from both Army and JCU.
“Supporters of both these great organisations should be very proud of the efforts from all the Army and JCU teams, they all showed great sportsmanship throughout the event,” he said.
“The event was successful in all aspects and we are proud we are able to continue this great rivalry that brings these two institutions of Townsville together and will continue to do so in future.’
‘We’ll be sure to regroup and bring another hard-fought competition to the Army next year in hopes of brining bragging rights back to JCU in 2026.’
UNI V ARMY – RESULTS 2025
Men’s Basketball: JCU 46 – Army 64
- MVP: ARMY - Chris Jones
Women’s Netball: JCU 37 – Army – 12
- MVP: ARMY – Alex S
Mixed Netball: JCU 28 – Army – 35
- MVP: ARMY – Ashtyn W
Women’s Football: JCU 1 – Army 0
- MVP: JCU – Danika Wetherell
Men’s Football: JCU 1 (5) – Army 1 (6)
- MVP: ARMY Tyler Fuller
Mixed Touch Football: JCU 6 – Army 7
- MVP: ARMY - Jack Mason
Women’s Rugby 7’s: JCU 29 – Army – 22
- MVP: JCU – Sienna Tabacchi
Men’s Rugby Union: JCU 7 – Army 48
MVP: ARMY – Jack Mason
Overall results: ARMY (five wins) def JCU (three wins)