Champion Crocs: How Sarina took out the MDRL A grade premiership in an epic season finale
Sarina are the new premiers of the Mackay and District Rugby League A grade competition, prevailing against a valiant Brothers outfit. Captain-coach Kane Linnett provided his unique insight into how the Crocs prevailed in a thrilling grand final.
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In a Mackay and District Rugby League grand final which more than lived up to expectations, Sarina toppled Brothers to claim a famous victory to cap off a thrilling 2024 campaign.
With the Crocs clinging to a slim 16-14 lead with just over 10 minutes remaining, they received the worst news possible as star prop Usaia Fonongaloa was put in the sin bin, leaving them down to 12 men for essentially the rest of the contest.
But, true to the spirit instilled in them by captain-coach Kane Linnett, the Crocs held strong despite being a man down, holding off the minor premiers to hang on to a stirring two-point victory.
“That last 10 minutes there were a lot of nerves, especially with just 12 men. But the boys dug deep and we’re just happy that all the hard work they’ve done across the season paid off,” Linnett said.
“It could have gone both ways, but I think our efforts on defence and just how much the boys wanted it for each other was enough to get us over the line.”
Sarina got the perfect start to the game, with Mitch Fogarty crossing the line for the opening try within three minutes of the first whistle.
However, from then on it was a classic grinded out affair that supporters have become accustomed to seeing from these two sides, with Brothers’ Jayden Batchelor producing the only other try of the first half in the 16th minute.
Disaster struck for the Crocs late in the first half when Linnett was sent to the sin bin, with Rydge Smith nailing the ensuing penalty kick to see the game knotted at 6-6 at the end of the first half.
“We were down to 12 men for a quarter of the game, but we’ve battled through adversity as a club throughout the year and that put us good shape,” Linnett said.
“I don’t know if there’s many teams that would have been able to defend the way we did when we were a man down.”
This contest was certainly reminiscent of their contests throughout the season, with multiple contests decided by a try or less, including the major semi-final two weeks ago which went to extra time.
“I think the game lived up to expectations, these have been the two best teams all year and it ended up being a great game and a great atmosphere,” he said.
“It’s great how being from a small town the people of Sarina really get behind their club and support us, the crowd was buzzing and we’re just grateful that we could bring a trophy back to them.”
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