RLMD grand final 2021: Top five moments between Sarina and Wests
Watch as Sarina and Wests battle it out in one of the more memorable grand final clashes in recent history. These are the five pivotal moments in the match.
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It will go down as one of Rugby League Mackay and Districts most memorable grand finals.
Reigning premiers Wests came into the last match of the season as the underdog, and would play Sarina for premiership glory.
Both sides had beaten top-of-the-table Brothers on their respective paths to the grand final, and Sarina had enjoyed success against the Tigers in the two teams’ last clash.
The grand final was filled with huge plays that swung momentum and changed the course of the game.
Nerves dominant early
It is one statistic you do not want to lead in grand finals.
Both sides were clearly affected by the big stage early on, with jitters and nerves in front of the several hundred fans.
Dropped kicks, knock-ons and basic errors were littered throughout the opening 10 minutes before the teams settled into the match and gave the fans a spectacle.
Tigers claws were swinging
Despite coming into the grand final as the slight underdogs, the Tigers were the clear winners of the first half.
After conceding the first try, Wests scored the next three to take a 16-6 just 29 minutes into the match.
While an element of skill was apparent in each of the three tries, some luck came into play for Sam Cook when a kick bounced off the crossbar and into his waiting hands.
Sa send-off
Setaimata Sa is a dominant player on the football field, but he had a moment he would rather forget.
Down 16-6 and with Tigers in possession, a lazy tackle attempt from Sa clotheslined his opponent.
The high tackle led to a small affray, and Sa was sin-binned for his clumsy attempt.
The penalty was deep in the Tigers’ attacking territory but they could not capitalise on good field position.
Interception a turning point
It sometimes only takes one action to swing momentum.
Shortly after Sa was sin-binned, Tigers pushed forward only for Buchanan Rawhiti to make a crucial interception.
Rawhiti ran the length of the field with Tigers in pursuit, but reached the try zone comfortably.
His try was the first of three consecutive Sarina trips to the try zone that gave the Crocs the lead 24-16.
Late comeback not enough
Wests still pushed hard as the side lost its 10-point buffer.
A try from Kellen Jenner was scored with just one minute remaining in the match.
Down by four, the Tigers opted to forego their conversion attempt, instead hurrying back into receiving position for one last-ditch effort to score the tying try.
One possession was not enough, with Sarina securing a memorable come-from-behind victory in front of a loud fanbase.
The final score ended 24-20 in Sarina’s favour.
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