TOWNSVILLE footy fans can show their true North Queensland colours at a pre-game party as the city’s three premier rugby league teams fight for finals glory.

The Townsville Bulletin will host a support rally on Friday to show off the city’s spirit ahead of the Cowboys’ NRL and under-20s do-or-die preliminary finals on Saturday and the Blackhawks tilt at premiership glory on Sunday.

The rally will be held at Townsville Bulletin Square from 12-2pm and will have an array of speakers to pump up the crowd, including radio personality Glenn ‘Minty’ Mintern, and Cowboys legends Brent Tate and Aaron Payne.

Tate admitted he would love to be pulling on a jersey again for the game against the Melbourne Storm on Saturday night.

“There are a whole raft of emotions that go into a week like this and it’s a great opportunity for me to share what it takes to prepare for a game,” he said.

“I really wanted to win a competition when I played for the Cowboys because I know what the team means to the people, and that has not been lost on the players.

“They really do want to do well for the people of North Queensland.”

Minty said he had not seen such belief in the Cowboys since their first grand final appearance in 2005.

“The finals are away from home but we need to still fire up here,” he said.

“It’s about making us loud and proud here in the North so the boys are going to get that feeling when they travel down south.”

There will be a free sausage sizzle and free face painting from Queensland Amusements.

Three lucky readers will also have the chance to win a signed Cowboys jersey or runner-up prize of a 20 Years in the Saddle limited edition leather-bound book.

The competition will close and be drawn at 12.30pm at the Square. Winners must be present to claim their prize.

To enter, fill in an entry form printed in the Bulletin all this week (page 39 today) and bring it into the newspaper’s office at Level 2, 538 Flinders St before 11am Friday or to Townsville Bulletin Square at 12pm.