RLMD Women’s grand final: Moranbah no match for rampaging Brothers

Brothers women’s side went through the home and away season undefeated before stumbling early in finals. They are now premiers. Discover the story behind their success.

Brothers A-grade side may have lost, but it was a memorable day for their women. Picture: Rugby League Mackay and District Facebook

Minor premierships can be a blessing and a curse.

A just reward for a dominant home and away season but it doesn’t always equate to grand final success.

Fortunately for the Brothers women’s side, it proved to be a blessing.

Coach Jamaiah Hutchinson was pleased with the premiership-winning display that saw Mackay Brothers prevail 18-4 over the Moranbah Miners.

“It was a very strong win, Moranbah put up a very good forward pack, but I think we used the wind to our advantage really well,” Hutchinson said.

Jen Kimber is also an Aussie rules talent. Picture: Michaela Harlow

“The girls kept turning around and just kept turning up for each other so it was good.”

Charlie Jackson set the tone for the Brothers win, opening the scoring with a sixth-minute try, but just moments later a blaring siren patrons sent to the carpark and the match paused.

A firetruck arrived at BB Print Stadium but soon after fans were allowed back in.

Moranbah came out swinging after the break and eventually a right edge overlap saw young cross-coder Jen Kimber dive over the stripe to level the scores at 4-4 in the Miners only points of the day.

Keegan Irelandes struck before the half, and Zoe Aitken after, to give Brothers a 14-4 advantage.

The contest would slip back into an arm wrestle for the ensuing 20 minutes, before Alicia Martin threw herself over in the corner to seal the result.

It was a dominant showing from Brothers. Picture: Rugby League Mackay and District Facebook

The bruising hits and runs of the Miners forward pack was a feature of the contest, with second-rower Maddison Heggarty adjudged player of the match.

For Brothers, Hutchinson said it was a solid team effort.

“(Captain) Imogen Healy lead them quite well and Katie Green held them very well at the back,” he said.

The triumph was particularly sweet for the Brothers women, who not only overcame the demons of last year’s grand final loss but of their 18-14 qualifying semi-final loss - and only one of the season- against the very same Miners outfit.

“To be knocked out last year and to come back shows real resilience,” Hutchinson said.

“I think it’s a bit of redemption for the girls.”