LISTED: Top performers from the Men’s A/B-grade and Women’s 2024-25 grand finals

The NT News sport team has run the rule over grand final day and compiled a list of the top performers from each match. See who made it from your club.

Action from the Darwin Rugby Union Men's A-grade 2024-25 grand final between South Darwin and University Pirates. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The 2024-25 Darwin Rugby Union season has come to a close following three action-packed senior grand finals.

From efforts in drought-breaking victories to solo-efforts on a losing team we’ve run the rule over the nights action and chosen our top six performers from each contest.

See who made the list as our best below.

MORE: Read our DRU grand final wraps here

GRAND FINAL TOP PERFORMERS

B-GRADE

MARC PILLA (South Darwin)

The scrum-half and player of the match medallist was an integral cog in his side’s grand final victory. His composure and quick play out of ruck enabled his teammates’ good passage in attacking phases.

CAROLAS DAI (South Darwin)

The rampaging number 8 was damaging in the final all game long. Dai put together a handful of highlight worthy moments, none more so than his solo try in which he sliced his way through the Cougars from the 22, past six defenders for an outrageous effort.

FRANCIS WAPAU(South Darwin)

South Darwin B-grade player Francis Wapau. Picture: From The Sideline Sports Photography

Despite wearing the number 1, Wapau was his classic Mr. Utility self. Whether it was throwing in lineouts, kicking for goal or playing first receiver the Bunny was rightfully awarded the ‘No More’ spirit of the game medallist. He finished with a conversion and penalty goal.

LIAM REELY (Casuarina Cougars)

The Cougars number 9 gave 100 per cent effort and then some in the final. His workrate was immense and was the only Cougar to cross for a five pointer.

ILALIO LUTUA (Casuarina Cougars)

Casuarina Cougars B-grade player Ilalio Lutua. Picture: From The Sideline Sports Photography

The teenage rugby league convert was a colossal off the bench, routinely running not just over but through the South Darwin pack.

JYE SNOWDEN (Casuarina Cougars)

The fullback might not have had a flawless game but if not for his determined efforts regularly as a last line of defence the margin could have been a blowout. He also scored the extras with a conversion and penalty goal.

Honourable Mentions – Jacob Rainger, Daniel Heikkinen, Kanae Gimini, Brandon Bohn

WOMEN

BIANCA SCRYMGOUR (Darwin Dragons)

The experienced Dragon was the driving force behind her team’s total forward dominance across both halves. The vice-captain’s talk on the field and game management were major factors in Darwin’s victory.

AYESHA KAY (Darwin Dragons)

Darwin Dragons Women's player Ayesha Kay. Picture: From The Sideline Sports Photography

The fullback had it on lockdown all night long. Her play reading ability and knack of turning up in the right place at the right time was unmatched. She also made three try-saving tackles as the last defender.

ELLIE NIKI (Darwin Dragons)

The ever reliable Niki was at her best in the final. Steering her troops across the park and making a number of decisive plays, namely in attack, the captain was rightfully awarded as player of the match for her efforts.

VICTORIA ALLEY (Palmerston Crocs)

Out on the wing the Croc had a solid performance despite being on the wrong end of the scoreline. Alley kicked the Cocs’ lone points of the contest via a monster penalty goal.

MEIGHAN BARKER (Palmerston Crocs)

Palmerston Crocs Women's player Meighan Barker. Picture: From The Sideline Sports Photography

By a country-mile the Crocs most effective and productive forward in the match, Barker was the motor of the team all night. Her countless tough carries and efforts in defence was courageous and impressive.

DAILENE DOYLE (Palmerston Crocs)

Palmerston’s captain had a great individual performance in the game with countless tough carries and line-breaks during both halves.

Honourable Mentions – Ayla Murfitt, Keisha Humes, Roxy Mahony-Gilchrist, Soana Palavi-Reed

A-GRADE

HAYDEN SUMMERS (South Darwin)

The big prop put together a performance to back up his chirp. Summers was constantly in the thick of the action on both sides of the ball and scored a work put together trick play at a critical moment in the second half.

SHUNSEI OKAZAKI (South Darwin)

Souuth Darwin’s Shunsei Okazki was the 2024-25 Darwin Rugby Union Men's A-grade grand final’s man of the match. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

South’s scrum-half worked his magic across the match to great effect for his men. In tandem with his captain and fly-half Vincent Mehn, Okazaki came up clutch with dialled play from the spot, having a hand in all of South’s six tries. While he was a bit wayward with the boot, he did kick a crucial two conversions and a penalty.

Vilimoni Matainadroga (South Darwin)

The rangy centre was a force to be reckoned with. His ability to hit a hole, create space and punish out of position Cougars cannot be understated. He also scored a try for good measure.

ROBERT BUTCHER (University Pirates)

There’s arguably nothing more Butcher could have done during the match that would have secured a Pirates victory than he already did. The veteran had his fingerprints on everything the Pirates touched, putting together one of the best individual performances of the season. He ended the contest with 21 points – or 58.3 per cent of University’s total – with a try, two conversions and four penalty goals.

HUGH HARBECK (University Pirates)

University Pirates’ Hugh Harbeck in action during the grand final. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

University’s blindside was another member of the Pirates who gave everything he could and more at the weekend. Harbeck was huge upfront and had a moment of brilliance when he picked up a loose ball inside South’s 22, danced his way down the left flank and crossed near the corner post in a dive for a five pointer.

STYLIANOS VRONTOS(University Pirates)

The multi-code talent was not putting up the attacking numbers we’ve come to associate him with but rather it was his defensive work that stuck up. The fullback stymied multiple South chances and kicked the Pirates out of danger countless times.

Honourable Mentions – Asiveli Rauga, Waisale Sekitoga, Vincent Mehn, Setefano Lemuel Cakaunivalu

Originally published as LISTED: Top performers from the Men’s A/B-grade and Women’s 2024-25 grand finals