It was an eventful final round of the 2022 Group 9 competition, with the Minor Premiership, Challenge Cup and the top-five all decided.
The Gundagai Tigers have capped off one of the more impressive Group 9 regular seasons in recent memory, thrashing the Southcity Bulls 60-24 at McDonalds Park on Sunday to secure the first-grade Minor Premiership.
The 36-point win also means the Tigers maintain their unbeaten record, which is an 18-year first, with the 2004 Temora Dragons outfit the last team to accomplish that same feat in the home and away season.
In a dominant performance, the Tigers blew Southcity out of the water in the first 12 minutes when leading 18-nil, and despite mistakes allowing Southcity back into the contest at times, there was no stopping the Gundagai juggernaut, which led 34-18 at halftime before streaking away to win 60-24.
Latrell Siegwalt proved hard to stop, with the Tigers custodian scoring three tries, while debutant Toby Dasey scored a double, and Nathan Rose, Damian Willis, James Luff, Royce Tout, Corey Wilson, and Derek Hay all crossed.
Tigers coach Luke Berkrey was happy to land a big win on the eve of finals, and while he conceded there were some scrappy moments, he wasn’t too concerned.
“I’m really happy to come away with the win and with no injuries,” Berkrey said.
“I thought we had some periods that were really good, and we had some periods where we slacked off a little bit, but we will be better for it in a couple of weeks.”
On Saturday, Young travelled to Nixon Park and defeated Temora 30-16.
The Dragons led 10-nil early in the match, but the Cherrypickers finished strongly, with Jake Veney and Nick Hall scoring doubles in the good win, while Jesse Corcoran and Jaynayah Freeman crossed in the 14-point victory.
The win means the Cherrypickers finished second overall and have earned the right to host the third-placed Dragons at Alfred Oval on Sunday in the first round of finals.
The win also delivers Young the inaugural Group 9 Challenge Cup and the $5000 prizemoney.
Wagga Kangaroos landed the final spot in the top-five, defeating the Albury Thunder 22-10 at McDonalds Park on Saturday.
After leading 6-4 at the half time break, the Wagga side went further ahead to lead 16-4 midway through the second half, and despite an Albury fight-back, the James Smart-led Roos proved too strong.
Ryan Cronin crossed for a double and Tristan Wheeler and Noa Fotu scored tries as the Roos qualified for finals for the first time in five years, in turn setting up an elimination semi-final against the Tumut Blues at McDonalds Park on Saturday.
With finals footy now upon us, action turns to Wagga’s McDonalds Park on Saturday for a big day of elimination semi-finals, while on Sunday, major semi-finals will be played at Young’s Alfred Oval.
Round 16 first-grade results
Wagga Kangaroos 22 (Tries: Ryan Cronin 2, Noa Fotu, Tristan Wheeler; Conversions: Charles Barton 3) defeated Albury Thunder 10 (Tries: Seb Nelson, Ty Fletcher).
Young Cherrypickers 30 (Jake Veney 2, Nick Hall 2, Jesse Corcoran, Jaynayah Freeman; Conversions: Tyler Cornish 3) defeated Temora Dragons 16 (Tries: James Stewart, Zac Starr, Tyler Madden; Conversions: Hamish Starr 2).
Gundagai Tigers 60 (Tries: Latrell Siegwalt 3, Toby Dasey 2, Nathan Rose, Damian Willis, James Luff, Royce Tout, Corey Wilson, Derek Hay; Conversions: Latrell Siegwalt 8) defeated Southcity Bulls 24 (Tries: Kyle McCarthy 2, Joel Tracey, Travis Smith; Conversions: Kyle McCarthy 4).
Final draw – week one
First grade
Elimination Semi Tumut v Kangaroos McDonalds Park
Qualifying Semi Young v Temora Alfred Oval
Reserve
Elimination Semi Tumut v Brothers McDonalds Park
Qualifying Semi Gundagai v Junee Alfred Oval
League tag
Elimination Semi Albury v Tumut McDonalds Park
Qualifying Semi Temora v Kangaroos Alfred Oval
Under 18s
Elimination Semi Tumut v South City McDonalds Park
Qualifying Semi Junee v Young Alfred Oval
Under 16s
Elimination Semi Tumut v Junee McDonalds Park
Qualifying Semi Young v Kangaroos Alfred Oval
