The Kawana Dolphins rugby league club tried something a little bit unusual for Sunshine Coast sport on Friday night by playing matches on Anzac Day.

The response they received should be enough for the games to become an annual event, and something other sports could consider.

Their crowd was significantly larger than the one that turned out for the FOGs Cup game at Stockland Park the following night, even though the Brisbane Broncos were playing South Sydney live on television on Friday Night Football.

The Dolphins honoured Anzac Day with a suitable service and offered free entry to ex-servicemen and their partners.

Their rivals for the night, the Kilcoy Yowies, brought a sizeable contingent of supporters, adding to the atmosphere.

Whether night-time is the best time to play an Anzac Day match is questionable.

I still think an afternoon in the sun at the footy is more enticing than heading outdoors, especially during winter, but there are plenty of others who have the opposite opinion.

Kawana, which has been an inventive club with its promotions in recent years, might like to consider asking the Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League for a permanent home date on Anzac Day, even if it falls midweek, and invite Caloundra, its biggest rival, to be the opponent each year.

They already play for the Allan Langer Cup. Why not go the next step?
It could create the type of rivalry that is missing from the local competition, unlike the old days when Nambour clubs Souths and All Whites were fierce rivals – as was recalled at the Team of the Century function last week.

Fire gives Coast hope
Unfortunately most of the Sunshine Coast’s elite sporting teams don’t have a history of winning.

The Maroochydore Clippers have had their share of success in the QABL, and the Sunshine Coast Scorchers cricketers won a first-grade title a couple of seasons back.

But the Sunshine Coast Stingrays and Sea Eagles have struggled, and it’s been a while since an AFLQ senior premiership flag came north of Brisbane.

That’s why the whole Coast should get behind the Sunshine Coast FC Fire, which sits on top of the Queensland State League football table.

Club owner and chief executive Noel Woodall has done a fine job setting up the side and helping coach Andy Lynch get the calibre of players he needs for a competitive side.

The locals in the Fire squad have been outstanding and now have some imported help, which hopefully should keep them at or near the top of the table for the rest of the season.