Wests Devils won the Harrigan Premiership Grand Final at WIN Stadium, defeating Thirroul 31-20 on Sunday afternoon. The Devils scored six tries to three, denying the Butchers from securing back-to-back titles.
Devils halfback Dane Chisholm put on a dominant display to help his team overcome an early deficit and come out on top against a brave Butchers side.
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Trailing 12-0 early and 12-10 at halftime, the Devils outplayed the defending champions in the second half in the come-from-behind victory.
Thirroul halfback Tarje Whitford and second-row Toby Huxley crossed for four-pointers as the Butchers dominated proceedings early on before the Devils hit back with two tries of their own, reducing the margin to two points at the break.
The Devils were first across the stripe in the second half through a Jy Hitchcox four-pointer to give his side the lead for the first time, 14-12.
A Josh Martin penalty goal levelled the score before Wests scored under the posts regaining the lead 20-14 with 20 minutes remaining.
George Jennings, soon replaced with a dodgy hamstring, extended the Devils lead to 26-14 with thirteen minutes remaining.
With star playmaker Jarrod Boyle and fullback Dane Courtney watching on from the sideline after succumbing to injuries, Thirroul hooker Brad Deitz reduced the margin to six, ensuring a tense final 10 minutes.
Then, man of the match, Chisholm, calmly slotted a field goal to put the result beyond doubt.
Dylan Palmer-Quigg put the icing on the cake for the Devils in the final minute, sending the Devils faithful into raptures for the first time since 2018.
Winners are grinners: Wests skipper Tautau Moga holds the Harrigan Premiership trophy aloft
Devils Serve Up Plate Whitewash
Wests defeated Berkeley 42-0 in the Harrigan Plate, scoring seven unanswered tries.
Brock Sepulveda scored a hat-trick, with man of the match Kurt Field picking up a second-half double.
Field was a late inclusion in the side, dropping back after first-grade centre George Jennings passed a late fitness test.
Devils five-eighth and Steelers SG Ball representative Clay Baldock had a perfect day with the boot, landing 7 from 7.
Greyhounds Remain Undefeated In Season To Remember
Avondale Greyhounds have completed an undefeated season, beating Figtree Crushers 30-16 in a highly entertaining Harrigan Shield Grand Final.
Figtree took control early and led 12-10 at the break after tries to Jayden Zahra-Smith and Ilir Adjari. In the first half, Avondale’s Inia Liufau and Elwyn Roberts got their name on the scorer’s sheet.
Despite losing halfback Jake Harrigan, forced from the field for an HIA after a heavy collision, the Greyhounds scored two unanswered tries to Allen Buchan and Craig Tamanui to lead 20-12.
The plucky Crushers reduced the margin to four with a try out wide to Reece Fitzgerald with ten minutes remaining before two late tries to Locklyn Hogan and man of the match Tamati Ulukita sealed the win for the Greyhounds.
Butchers Pups Celebrate
Thirroul has beaten Aquinas Colts 26-8 in the Southern Corridor Under 18s Grand Final.
Thirroul scored five tries to two over the team from the Shire, with fullback Aaymon Fitzgibbon scoring a double and having a perfect day with the boot, kicking three conversions from three attempts and one penalty goal.
Butchers lock Jye Nightingale was awarded player of the match.
The Colts were valiant in defeat after coming from fourth place to reach the decider by springing a surprise 26-20 defeat of minor premiers St John Bosco in the Semi-Finals.
