Ngambaana Warriors claim thrilling Border Knockout win

‘When we do this sort of stuff together, we’re sort of classed as family.’

FIRST TIME WINNERS: Ngambaana Warriors were comprehensive winners in the Goondiwindi Border Knockout challenge.

RUGBY LEAGUE: It was just their second time competing in the Goondiwindi Border Knockout challenge, but the Ngambaana Warriors walked away victorious.

Playing in honour of Barbara Dennison, the team put in a dominant grand final performance, defeating the North Coast Cowboys, 28-12.

A team stacked with talent, Warriors player Coedie Tandy said this year’s inclusion of several Warwick Cowboys’ players went a long way to helping their victory.

“We pretty much had a family side but the talent we had was pretty crazy – the footy was great to watch,” he said.

“They’re quite fit and mobile players and really added a lot to our team.

“Their positive attitudes and the way they approach the game really did go a long way to helping.”

In a talented side of 25, it was difficult to determine the standout players of the carnival for Tandy.

“We had guys like Brandon McIntosh, Logan McGrady, Brenton Cochrane, and Yum Yum Cochrane who were all really impressive,” he said.

“It was a pretty drilled side – everyone knew what they had to do.

“A couple of guys like Jarred Bradfield and Matt Marshall really stood out for me.”

With a determined attitude throughout the entire carnival, Tandy said the win wouldn’t have been possible without team organiser Lance McGrady.

“Lance was pretty set from the start, he said we were going to win this and said it throughout the whole day,” he said.

“He really worked hard to get the whole team organised in time, and even had to get a new jersey supplier last minute so we’d be good to play.”

Despite many teams fielding exclusively Indigenous sides, the opportunity for the Warriors to include various Cowboys players was what the carnival was all about, according to Tandy.

“When we do this sort of stuff together, we’re sort of classed as family,” he said.

“It becomes more than footy when you’re playing for someone, the guys we brought in this year they respect who we were playing for, and they really enjoyed it.

“I think it helps to close the gap and barriers here at our club too, we were able to bring in players that we enjoy being around and also had the opportunity to watch and support the Cowboys team.”

Originally published as