FIRST GRADE:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jets' rookie back-rower Ryan James is named man of the match.
PRESENTATION:
Warilla captain Andrew Diomei is gracious in defeat, congratulating the Jets on their win.
Jets' captain Ben Wellington is the same, paying respect to Warilla and congratulating his side and thanking the vocal Jets supporters in attendance.
FULL TIME: JETS WIN! JETS WIN! JETS WIN! 30-20!
This will go down in Group 7 history, Warilla were the team to beat all year and were odds on to avenge last year's heartbreaking loss to Gerringong, but the Jets blew them away in the first half.
Warilla did their best to get back into it, but a masterclass kicking game from Geoff Johnson propelled the Jets to victory.
77th minute: TRY! Just as I say that, Warilla hit back as Damien Paulissen grabs his second to trim the lead to 10 at 30-20.
76th minute: It's hard to see the Gorillas coming back and looks like another Group 7 boil-over as they lead 30-16.
This is certainly a great achievement for the Jets who were winless after five rounds.
73rd minute: NO TRY! Warilla looked to be in through Damien Paulissen but he's called back for a forward pass.
Warilla will be kicking themselves, they've dominated field position and possession but time and time again have come away with nothing.
70th minute: The Jets still hold a 14 point lead as we head into the final 10 minutes.
63rd minute: TRY! The Jets are soaring again, another Geoff Johnson bomb lead to points as Isaac Mumberson crosses.
Mark Brandon converts and it's 30-16.
Warilla paid the price for letting the ball boounce, the Jets ad-libbing after regathering to send the full-back over.
61st minute: TRY! Keiran Brandon gets the try he was denied in the first half after Chad Lisch spilt a Geoff Johnson bomb for a 24-16 Jets' lead.
Again the Jets have found away to steal the momentum after the Gorillas looked well on top.
54th minute: TRY! There's no taking this one off the Gorillas, Tyson Brown grabs his second in almost identical fashion to his first.
Craig Nolan misses the conversion and it's 20-16 and it's hard to believe the Jets led 20-0 at one stage.
52nd minute: NO TRY! Warilla supporters erupt thinking Chad Lisch has scored, but the winger is ruled off side from Aaron Henry's grubber.
50th minute: Still an eight point lead for the Jets, but the Gorillas are starting to look dangerous.
SECOND HALF: The Jets' Ryan James gets the second half underway.
For anybody that didn't get my Billy Idol reference, have a watch of this.
MUSIC: While the playing facilities are top class at Collegians, who ever is in charge of the music is leaving something to be desired, so far today we've been "treated" to John Williamson, Shania Twain, Ricky Martin and Christine Anu.
In my opinion the best rugby league performer is Billy Idol (with no power like the 2002 NRL Grand Final).
HALF TIME: Well there we go, five tries in the first half as the Jets take an unlikely 20-12 lead at the break.
It was 40 minutes of thrilling football, the Jets taking control before a few late lapses let the Gorillas back into it.
Warilla seem to have gained all the momentum, but I don't think anybody can write the Jets off after what they've showed today.
35th minute: TRY! The Gorillas go back to back, catching the Jets short on the right hand side and Aaron Henry and Jarryd Pepper combine to put Tyson Brown over, Nolan converts and it's 20-12.
The Jet's will be kicking themselves for allowing the Gorillas back into it so close to half-time.
33rd minute: TRY! Finally the Gorillas are in, Damien Paulissen burrows over from dummy half under the posts, Craig Nolan converts and it's 20-6.
The Gorillas needed that, the Jets were looking pretty comfortable beforehand.
29th minute: TRY! The Brandons are causing the Gorillas all sorts of issues, this time Steve races the best part of 70 metres to score, brother Mark converts and it's 20-0.
The Jets have been on a role recently, but I don't think anybody expected this.
26th minute: NO TRY! Keiran Brandon dives over in the corner but the winger is called back for a forward pass.
Some much needed luck for the Gorillas who don't look all that switched on.
20th minute: PENALTY GOAL! The Jets seem to be taking control here and opt for the easy two points as the Gorillas infringe in front of the posts and Mark Brandon adds two more points and it's 14-0.
15th minute: TRY! Clear the runways, the Jets are taking off.
Some hard running put them in great field position and the wily Geoff Johnson sent Kurt Quinlan over after regathering his grubber.
Mark Brandon slots another conversion and it's 12-0.
11th minute: TRY! It's through the competition's leading try scorer as the Jet's Mark Brandon shows the speed and elusiveness he's known for to cross in the corner.
He then fades in a sideline conversion for an against the run of play 6-0 lead for the Jets.
8th minute: NO TRY! Aaron Henry is held up on the fifth as the Gorillas seem to be gaining the early ascendancy.
4th minute: NO TRY! Warilla's Tyson Brown thinks he has scored but referee Matt Treneman says goal line drop out.
The anthem has been sung and Warilla's Craig Nolan kicks off.
RESERVE GRADE:
PRESENTATION: Kiama captain Kal Baird accepts the Walter Stewart trophy in front of a jubilant Kiama crowd as Matt Morris is named man of the match.
FULL TIME: And I'm wrong for the third time today as Kiama spring a huge upset to knock off minor premiers Gerringong 22-4.
Kiama came out switched on from the outset while the Lions never really looked in the match.
It's a Cinderella story for the Knights who finished fifth in the regular season and heart break for Gerringong who have lost three straigh grand finals.
64th minute: TRY! Kiama are in again, this time through Fletch Atkins after he combined with Matt Morris on the fifth, Morris converted the try and it's 22-4 to Kiama.
With only four and half minutes remaining, you would have to say that's the final nail in the coffin as Kiama look like causing the biggest upset of the day after finishing in fifth during the season.
47th minute: TRY! Kiama take advantage of a Gerringong error and Kal Baird crashes over for Kiama.
Mitch Boles adds the conversion for a 16-4 Kiama lead.
38th minute: TRY! Gerringong pay the price for some poor decisions to start the half and Kiama are in under the post through Peter Rheinburger, the try's converted for a 10-4 Kiama lead.
SECOND HALF: And we're underway again in Reserve Grade, who will break the deadlock?
COIN TOSS: Could this be a sign of things to come? Nowra-Bomaderry have won the coin toss for first grade.
HALF TIME: Still 4-4, with both sides guilty of blowing a number of chances.
It hasn't been a great game to watch, and I'm sure coaches from both sides will have a few things to say.
30th minute: Still 4-4 as both sides have botched a few chances.
13th minute: TRY! Gerringong waste no time in hitting back, hooker Ewen McCarroll racing the better part of 70 metres to lock it up at 4-4.
9th minute: TRY! Kiama's Matt Morris opens the scoring in the corner with a fine solo effort to score out wide for 4-0.
Gerringong will be kicking themselves, they should've had the lead when Jade Blair raced away, but in trying to better the position the fullback lost the ball.
KICK OFF: And the Battle of the Bends is underway as Gerringong and Kiama contest the Reserve Grade decider and we're off as Gerringong's Jade Blair kicks off.
Under 18s:
PRESENTATION: Shellharbour captain Kurt Field accepts the Trevor Farmer Trophy as Jai Field is named man of the match.
FULL TIME: SHELLHARBOUR WIN! The Sharks escape with a hard-fought 16-14 win over Gerringong.
In probably the match of the day so far the two sides left nothing on the field in an end to end affair.
Shellharbour's size proved the difference, despite a spirited effort from the smaller Gerringong pack.
68th minute: TRY! Is the come-back on? Phillips grab his second after a Garrick bust and Taylor converts for 16-14.
65th minute: NO TRY! Duprez nearly grabs his second from a cross-field kick but can't reel it in, Shellharbour 16 - Gerringong 8.
56th minute: TRY! Gerringong give away a penalty in possession and the Sharks capitalise, front-rower Blake Lowrie too big as he crashes over off and inside ball.
Jai Field converts for 16-8.
52nd minute: TRY! The Honey Badger look-a-like Zac Duprez crosses out wide for Gerringong to make it 10-8.
Rueben Garrick is the man to thank for the try, the Gerringong five-eighth scooped up a Shellhabour kick and raced away to put his side on the attack.
42nd minute: TRY! Gerringong grab the first try of the half, Jake Taylor's intercept put them on the attack and they capitalised through Harry Phillips out wide to bring it to 10-4.
SECOND HALF: We're back underway as Gerringong's Jake Taylor kicks off.
HALF TIME: Gerringong have had their chances, but Shellharbour have dominated the first half for a 10-0 lead at the break.
While you wait for the action to resume, here's a recap of the thrilling third grade grand final win by the Stingrays of Shellharbour.
30th minute: TRY! It was bound to happen through sheer weight of possession as the Sharks get their second try, captain Kurt Field crosses in the corner off a second man play for 10-0.
28th minute: It's still 6-0 to Shellharbour, the Sharks are dominating filed position, but some resolute Gerringong defence is holding firm for now.
15th minute: NO TRY! The Sharks come close to getting their second try, but Nick King is called back for a forward pass.
10th minute: TRY! Some ill-discipline costs Gerringong as they give away a penalty on their line and Sharks' half-back Jai Field steps his way over next to the posts and converts his own try for 6-0.
KICK OFF: We're underway in the 18s as Shellharbour kick-off.
Well there you go, another upset as the Stingrays showed great determination to come back and take the win and also make me none from two for my picks.
THIRD GRADE:
PRESENTATION: Stingrays' back-rower and try scorer Tim Davies is named man of the match.
FULL TIME: STINGRAYS WIN! The fairytale is complete and it's another upset as the Stingrays rack up a one point grand final win in their first year.
A five-star performance from captain-coach Josh Check guiding them to the win.
68th minute: FIELD GOAL! Josh Check continues his stellar game, slotting an under pressure one pointer for a 19-18 Stingrays lead.
60th minute: PENALTY GOAL! We're all tied up now at 18-18 after Brent Slade slots a penalty goal from in front.
56th minute: TRY! It's game on now, the second kick brings the Outlaws undone as Stingrays' Jye Brooker follows his grubber into the in-goal for a four pointer and Josh Check slots the tough conversion for a 18-16 Stingrays lead.
53rd minute: TRY! We've got a game on our hands now, Josh Check again the man for the Stingrays, he found just enough space to reach over next to the posts, he converts his own try and it's 16-12.
RECAP: Checkout Brendan Crabb's report on the League Tag thriller.
39th minute: TRY! Maybe not, the Outlaws extend the lead to 10 at 16-6 when Mitchell Jackson crashes over for his second.
SECOND HALF: We're back underway, can the Stingrays cause the second upset of the day?
33rd minute: TRY! Just before half-time the Stingrays get the try they needed, a nice inside ball from captain Josh Check sends Tim Davies over.
Luke Hughes knocks over the conversion and it's 12-6 to the Outlaws at half-time.
20th minute: TRY! Albion Park's Slade brothers bring the Stingrays undone, half-back Brent's 40/20 put his side on the attack and brother Scott crosses over under the posts.
Brent's conversion makes it 12-0.
15th minute: TRY! The deadlock is broken as the Outlaws' danger-man Mitchell Jackson crashes over out wide.
Brent Slade converts and it's 6-0 to the Outlaws.
10th minute: Still 0-0 here in Third Grade, the Stingrays have had the better of the running, but just can't find away over.
4th minute: We've got an injury delay here as Outlaws' five-eighth Nathan Austin is carried off.
KICK OFF: And we're away, as the Outlaws kick off.
We're just minutes away from the kick-off of the Third Grade Grand Final, can the Stingrays complete a fairy-tale run and win a premiership in their first season or will the Outlaws continue their late season dominance?
While we wait for the Third Grade clash between Albion Park and Stingrays of Shellharbour, I suppose I should admit to now being none from one in my picks for today's game.
League Tag:
PRESENTATION: Graceful words from both captains at the presentation and Milton's Emmah Haynes is named player of the match.
Congratulations to the Bulldogs on their premiership after only their second year in the comepetition.
FULL TIME: BULLDOGS WIN! Kiama had their chance at the end though, but the first game has ended with a boil-over as Milton-Ulladulla claim their first ever League Tag premiership with a 12-8 win over the Knights.
43rd minute: TRY! Talarah Bell charges the ball back from a Milton kick and links up with Mel Hole who scores out wide, the comeback could be on.
Milton 12 - Kiama 8.
40th minute: Kiama are dominating possession at the moment but can't find a way over, they need to be next to score as well.
32nd minute: TRY! Kiama fail to find touch from a penalty right on their line and they pay the ultimate price as Taryn Love hits a hole out wide to cross.
Murray then show's no qualms about slotting the tough conversion and it's 12-4.
HALF TIME: Milton rolled the dice at the end there with a kick on the hooter, but it was no good and we go to the sheds with Milton up 6-4.
While you're waiting for the action to start up again, why not have a trip down memory lane with some photos from Group 7 Grand Finals from 2003 - 2009.
22nd minute: TRY! Just as I say that, Milton find a way over through Kaela Thomas to level it up, Ebony Murray then slots the conversion and it's a 6-4 Milton lead.
20th minute: There's some clinical tagging going on by the Kiama side, Milton keep finding themselves on the Kiama line, but they can't find away through.
11th minute: NO TRY! After four or five sets camped on Kiama's line the Bulldogs looked like they would even things up but the ball was dropped over the line.
3rd minute: TRY! Kiama take a 4-0 lead over Milton-Ulladulla thanks to Talarah Bell's try in the corner.
Worrying signs for Milton there, Kiama easily found the space they needed out wide.
We're underway at Collegians Sport Centre with the League Tag game just having kicked off.
PICKS:
Right, it’s time to get down to serious business and put my reputation on the line, so here’s how I think each game will unfold.
First Grade winners – Warilla
Why they’ll win: The Gorillas heave been the standard-bearers through out the season and deserve favouritism in the decider.
With a week off they go into today’s game well rested following their convincing 22-4 win over Shellharbour two weeks ago.
This is the fourth grand final for the Gorillas in five years and they will take motivation from last year’s heartbreaking extra time grand final loss to Gerringong.
While the Jets boast plenty of attacking power, the Gorillas pride themselves on defense and I think that and the Warilla pack will see the Artie Smith trophy in blue and yellow hands this afternoon.
Reserve Grade winners: Gerringong
Why they’ll win: This is the fourth straight grand final for the Lions in reserve grade and they’ll be hoping to make up for back-to-back losses in 2012 and 2013.
This year’s minor premiers, they only suffered two losses through the season and have been a defensive powerhouse, conceding on average less than 10 points per game through the regular season.
In my opinion, what really sets the two sides apart is Gerringong’s “spine” of their hooker, half-back, five-eighth and full-back.
At the back, Jade Blair, the season’s leading try scorer is probably the fastest player on the field and has proved he can score from anywhere.
Isaac Russell and captain Daniel Brown in the halves provide excellent direction and top-notch kicking games, while Ewen McCarroll is arguably the best hooker in reserve grade and will provide 70 minutes of quality football.
Under 18s winners: Shellharbour City
While they’ll win: After knocking off Gerringong in the first week of the finals and then being the first side into the decider, the smart money would be on the Sharks.
Playing with an undersized pack and shorter on numbers than they would like, Gerringong have shown great spirit through the season, but I think Shellharbour’s size will get them home in a close one.
Third Grade winners: Albion Park Outlaws
While they’ll win: After finishing second, the Outlaws were the first side through to the grand final after wins over Gerringong and Shellharbour.
While the Stingrays knocked out minor premiers Shellharbour last week, I think the size and aggressiveness of the Outlaws will see them victorious.
League Tag winners: Kiama
While they’ll win: The Knights have been the side in League Tag since the competition’s inception, with multiple grand final appearances and premierships.
The defending premiers are looking to go back-to-back for the first time and taking out the minor premiership with only one loss through pout the season has them well on the way to doing that.
ALRIGHT folks, it’s early and we’ve got five games so lets get into it and look at who’s playing who today.
The first game on the schedule is the League Tag and Kiama will be looking to make it back-to-back premierships when they take on Milton-Ulladulla.
After the ladies it’s Third Grade and Stingrays of Shellharbour will be looking for a premiership in their maiden season when they take on the Albion Park Outlaws.
We’ll then move onto the Under 18s, where it’s a second verse third battle with Gerringong taking on Shellharbour City.
In Reserve Grade, it’s the Battle of the Bends with traditional rivals Gerringong and Kiama facing off.
In the main game, minor premiers Warilla-Lake South will hope to make up for last year’s heartbreak when they take on Nowra-Bomaderry in First Grade.