Julian Christian reaches 100 Hostplus Cup matches in Sunday’s grand final to continue a journey unlike any other in Queensland’s premier rugby league competition.
Christian points out that it’s taken eight years and three clubs to reach his century, adding significance to the milestone in Norths Devils’ showdown with Redcliffe at Kayo Stadium.
It will be Christian’s first Cup grand final but not his first experience in a decider.
Three years ago, he was part of the Innisfail Leprechauns’ grand final in the Cairns first grade competition.
And that’s a chapter of Christian’s football journey that his Cup record doesn’t show.
He had stepped away from his five seasons with the Ipswich Jets to return home to far north Queensland for family reasons.
“I really didn’t know if I’d play footy again at that level – I wasn’t thinking about that when I went home,” Christian said.
“But a few mates asked me to play and I thought I’d do it and we made it to a grand final.”
The Leprechauns lost that game but reignited the love for football that sent Christian to his hometown Northern Pride for two years before a move to Norths for 2024.
Christian’s career has been one of travel, following Devils’ captain Kierran Moseley in leaving home to move to Townsville to attend renowned rugby league school Kirwan State High.
Kirwan won the national championship in 2015 with Christian starting opposite Jarome Luai and scoring two tries in the decider against Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown.
Christian then joined the Brisbane Broncos’ National Youth Competition squad alongside Devils teammate Sam Elliott and the likes of Payne Haas, Tom Flegler, Pat Carrigan and Kotoni Staggs.
He’s now back in Brisbane and feeling settled in a Devils team that has used him at fullback, winger, centre, five-eighth and hooker in 20 matches this season.
In the Devils’ two finals wins, Christian, 26, has scored three tries as the interchange dummy-half including two in Sunday’s preliminary final win over PNG Hunters.
“I’m happy to play anywhere the team needs me,” Julian said.
“I’ve really enjoyed being at Norths. I’ve got a club at the right time and now we have the chance to play in a grand final.
“I’m very thankful to so many people who have made sacrifices to help me to get to 100 games and I really can’t thank them enough for what they have done for me over many years.”
Christian will have his daughters Indiana Rose, 5, and Alira Jay, 3, at the ground on Sunday for his milestone match.
The proud Yidinji-Erub man, with ties to the Innisfail region and the Torres Strait, will again provide his coach Dave Elliott with options from the bench.
It will be the fourth time the Devils have played Redcliffe this season including the recent 46-18 win in the first week of finals.
“Those results won’t mean anything in a grand final,” Christian said.
“This will be a completely new game. We know each other well and we know they’re a very good team.
“They played very well last week (defeating the Northern Pride in Cairns) and they’re going to be really tough to beat.”
Photo by Alan Drinnen
