Brenton Baira, Ben Barba, Isaiah Tass all among Koori Knockout winning side

Some of Mackay’s finest rugby league exports tasted coveted Koori Knockout success. Go inside their victory ahead of this weekend’s Indigenous Carnival in Mackay.

Mackay's Brenton Baira, Ben Barba, and Isaiah Tass all featured in WAC's Koori Knockout triumph. Picture: Supplied.

The Koori Knockout may be New South Wales’ showpiece Indigenous rugby league carnival, but that didn’t stop a Mackay trio from taking its 51st edition by storm.

Brenton Baira, Ben Barba, and Isaiah Tass were all among Walgett Aboriginal Connection’s winning side that downed Wiradjuri Aboriginal Rivers 22-12 to be crowned champions of the coveted event.

For Baira, memorable doesn’t begin to describe the weight of the achievement he felt.

“I was a bit in shock, words couldn’t explain it,” Baira reflected.

“We had a tough draw going into it and it was good to come off and win it after losing it last year… to come back and win it was probably nearly the best thing that’s happened.”

WAC came tantalisingly close to Koori Knockout success last season, falling to the Newcastle All Blacks 22-16 in the final game.

With that loss still vivid in his mind, Baira recalls the moment the whistle sounded on this year’s triumph.

Walgett celebrates the win in the men's Koori Knockout grand final. Picture: Andrea Francolini

“The hurt from last year just left out of my body and I was really happy we won it,” he said.

“I didn’t watch replays of the game at all from last year, it was hard, I couldn’t even think about it, but coming back and winning it this year was the best feeling.

“I was happy with how I played, my performance was really good… for the team and what we needed.”

Along with Rabbitohs centre Isaiah Tass and Dally M medallist Barba, Baira was fortunate enough to don Walgett’s striking red alongside another Dally M medallist in Jack Wighton and Joel Thompson, who has over 200 NRL appearances, in the star-studded line-up.

“It was very special, especially playing with Ben Barba who’s my uncle, it’s good to actually play alongside family members,” Baira said.

He hopes he can one day join those WAC teammates as an NRL representative, and he isn’t far off, having scored a try with his first touch for the Dolphins in a pre-season clash with the Cowboys this year.

Having spent the two previous seasons with the Cutters, Baira notched 10 Queensland Cup appearances with Redcliffe during the regular season.

Brenton Baira flies into the in-goal at the Koori Knockout. Picture: Supplied.

“It’s helped me out a lot getting around the NRL training and team, meeting new players,” Baira said of the Dolphins.

“It’s a great environment for me and can’t wait to continue.”

He could make it back-to-back carnival triumphs this weekend, returning home for this weekend’s Mackay Indigenous Rugby League Carnival, where he’ll line up for the Argun Warriors.

His uncle Barba’s set to play for Magpies United, while Tass isn’t expected to feature.

“I’m pretty confident after winning the Koori Knockout,” Baira said.

“Hopefully we can go out and win it.”