Rockhampton Rugby League grand finals: Yeppoon, Brothers win four straight
Spectators were treated to a fantastic day of finals footy as the Rockhampton Rugby League season came to a climactic end. See the results and what the four victorious captains had to say.
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Yeppoon got home in an extra-time thriller to claim their fourth straight Rockhampton Rugby League A-grade men’s premiership, capping what was a brilliant day of finals football at Browne Park.
The Seagulls big-game experience proved the difference in their 32-29 win over a gallant Emu Park, who delivered plenty in their first grand final appearance.
The teams scored five tries apiece, Emu Park’s last coming 30 seconds from full time to lock things up at 28-all at the final hooter.
Emu Park captain Travis Field slotted a field goal in the first stanza of extra time to put his team one point ahead.
But Yeppoon winger Jacob Voysey-McGrath sealed the victory with a spectacular try in the corner in the seventh minute of extra time.
More than 4500 spectators turned out to watch the season deciders in four divisions.
Rockhampton Brothers women also made it four straight titles with their come-from-behind win over Emu Park.
Trailing 12-nil after the eighth minute, the Brethren soon found their rhythm and the tryline seven times to run out 34-12 winners.
Captain Bree Spreadborough, who has been part of all four premierships, scored a double, her second coming in the last minute of the game.
Brothers celebrated a second for the day with a hard-fought win over the Biloela Panthers in reserve grade.
It was a spirited clash in which neither side gave an inch.
Biloela edged ahead 22-20 with a penalty conversion but Brothers scored with just three minutes on the clock to seal a 26-22 win.
Norths under-19s broke their grand final hoodoo, beating Rockhampton Brothers 22-12.
The club has made the final five times in the past six years, only to be beaten every time.
But the Jondean Asse-captained outfit would not be denied this time, completing the perfect season in which they never lost a game.
What the winning captains had to say
Sam Holzheimer, Yeppoon Seagulls A-grade men
“That’s the toughest grand final I’ve ever played in.
“We’ve got a few core players who are leaders in our team and they really stood up and got us home.
“I can’t believe it, four in a row, it’s such a good feeling.
“I seriously can’t believe we’ve just done that. It’s a credit to Emu Park, they really tested us.”
Bree Spreadborough, Rockhampton Brothers women
“I couldn’t be more proud. Everyone put in a 120 percent effort and did their job.
“We have such a young side and we’ve worked so hard to get here and it paid off in the end.
“We just controlled the ball and that was our focus today - we just had to control the ball, stay calm and work for each other and everyone turned up for each other.
“Everyone did an amazing job.”
Andrew Parker, Rockhampton Brothers reserve grade
“It was tough going out there, we had to play for the full 70 minutes.
“We were minor premiers but we were definitely nervous about them (Biloela), they’re sort of a smokey team and they know how to play.
“I think it was a full 19-man effort from us today, I couldn’t single any one player out.
“It’s a big relief to get the win.”
Jondean Asse, Norths Chargers under-19s
“It feels good to get the job done, the boys really dug deep.
“We did get off to a good start to lead 12-nil and after half-time, we started off well again.
“Our forward pack set it up for us and the backs finished it off.
“This is the best feeling.”
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