Club rugby grand finals: Brothers go back-to-back in Hospital Cup, Bond snare rare three-peat in Premier Women Magpies Colts 1 soar
Brothers’ Hospital Cup side and Bond University’s Premier Women joined rare air at Ballymore on Sunday in grand final epics. Read who starred and see the best pictures here along with comprehensive coverage from Colts 3, 2 and 1.
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Brothers flyhalf James O’Connor is the 64 Test veteran that had never won a club premiership - until today at Ballymore.
O’Connor kicked a penalty goal from close to the posts 90 seconds from full-time to sink Wests’ hearts and send blue and white teammates into hysterical celebration of a 29-27 victory.
It was Brothers’ second successive StoreLocal Hospital Cup premiership.
Phew. What a decider it was, a clash with more action than a Tom Cruise blockbuster.
And like all great dramas, it had a hero.
That was O’Connor.
“I might hang up the boots now,’’ O’Connor joked after playing his part in the epic.
“There were line breaks everywhere, great defence versus a few errors - a mixed bag and we just stuck tight,’’ O’Connor said.
Wests were so close to winning after recovering from a 21-12 halftime deficit.
With Wests fullback Fletcher Spicer the ignition source for the first try of the second half, Bulldogs winger Mosese Dawai scored to cut the deficit.
Wests then hit the front for the first time, 22-21, in the 51st minute courtesy of Louis Werchon’s successful penalty.
The game had everything, twists and turns and it was edge of your seat stuff with drama aplenty.
Controversy descended when Brothers were awarded a try to fullback Paddy James - the final touch on by Dre Pakeho seemed forward - but they were also denied an 80m try by Will Cartwright when officials ruled a Pakeho knock forward.
However, there was no debating inside centre Pakeho’s own try earlier in the first half when he stormed onto a flat pass by O’Connor.
That was the Under-20s Player of the Year at his best.
Highlight reel moments included a long range Cartwright intercept try, yellow card exits of both halfbacks Isaac Tarabay (Brothers) and Louis Werchon (Wests), and the successful charge down of a Mason Gordon conversion attempt by Brothers flanker Hamish Muller.
In the end, Muller’s charge down was the difference in the two-point-nailbiter.
There were also heroics by Brothers lock Ryan Smith to hold Wests up over the line, brute strength by Wests breakaway Angelo Smith who was everywhere in a big match, a remarkable second effort by Brothers lock Will Wilson late in the game and Fijian flair from Bulldogs try scoring winger Mosese Dawai.
“It is special to me because this is my home. This is my junior club… I am humbled and at the same time so grateful,” O’Connor told Stan Sport.
“Brothers have done a lot for me over the years. When I first came down to Brisbane as a young fella they looked after me and got me a job, they supported me and I owe them,” Brothers prop Harry Hoopert added.
StoreLocal Hospital Cup scores: Brothers 29 (W Cartwright, B Hanna, P James, D Pakeho tries; J O’Connor 3 conv, pen)) Wests (M Dawai 2, A Smith, D Vaihu tries; L Werchon 2 conv, pen)
TOP PERFORMERS
Angelo Smith (Wests)
The athletic Fijian backrower hadn’t played much for the Bulldogs this season but the recurring theme when he had lobbed back into the setup was scoring tries.
He added to his tally by scoring a ripping solo try early in the game and then won a Brothers lineout moments later which proved how important he was to Wests’ pursuit of victory.
The powerful blindside flanker’s pressuring line speed manufactured another opportunity for Wests later in the game when Brothers trailed by one point, 21-22.
Fletcher Spicer (Wests)
Wests’ trusty utility back didn’t touch the ball an awful lot but when he did he made a difference.
Spicer began the game with an impression making carry into the teeth of the Brothers defence and had nice involvements in attacking passages for Wests.
He was involved in the lead up to David Vaihu’s timely try assisted on by Lebron Paramore-Naea and Spicer’s direct game was a big positive for the Bulldogs.
Mosese Dawai can thank Spicer’s awareness of space for his stunning second half try.
Ryan Smith (Brothers)
On the front of his mind would have been back-to-back Hospital Cup premierships and at the back would have been his new born baby Fletcher who is too young to understand just how much Smith impacted play for the Brethren.
Smith made a try saving tackle holding up the hulking Timma Faingaanuku and soon after, his defensive presence forced an important error when Wests were moving in.
This led to a 80m try by left wing Will Cartwright.
In his first grand final as a dad, Smith was the incredible ironman Queensland Reds fans were familiar with.
“It (back-to-back premierships) just shows this club is built on hard work and really getting after it for a long time. It is great to see the hard work throughout the year has paid off,” Smith said.
Will Cartwright (Brothers)
The livewire utility back scored a superb 80m try and almost had another long distance five-pointer before the referee brought it back for a double knock-on further up field.
When Brothers were down a man without their halfback Isaac Tarabay (yellow card), the pacy 21-year-old filled in at scrumhalf, his first-choice position.
Brad Kelegai (Wests)
He was the biggest asset Wests had off the bench and he terrorised the breakdown when he came on.
The best on-ball flanker in the competition, the prolific Kelegai earnt extra opportunities for the Bulldogs in a tense second stanza.
His attempted pilfer late in the game that granted O’Connor a look at goal (ruled not releasing) was fifty-fifty and on another day he may have been the hero that returned the Hospital Cup to Sylvan road.
Mosese Dawai (Wests)
The Fijian powerhouse was too big too strong in an incredible showcase of athleticism.
He scored two special tries, his second try a mix of power and pace which sent Wests ahead 27-21.
The leading try scorer in the competition with 18 five-pointers, Dawai dazzled with an excellent line to reward Fletcher Spicer for some brilliant ballplaying 15 minutes from time.
Dawai’s defence was also first class.
Grason Makara (Brothers)
The classy Brothers outside centre was first rate for his side out on the right edge.
He backed up a solid first half showing with a stunning second half performance where in the space of two minutes late in the game he made two breaks that got the Brethren into Wests’ half.
In a heated, physical encounter he not once made a mistake or overplayed his hand by throwing an offload that wasn’t there.
Connor Anderson (Wests) and Michael Wood (Brothers)
The veteran flankers had a tireless day out at Ballymore and it was unfortunate there had to be a loser.
Captain and flanker Anderson set the highest standard with his tireless work rate and Wood’s defensive efforts were something to behold. Both forward leaders played 80 minutes at a freakish ferocity.
“My first game (for Brothers) was when I was 10 years old … It’s been up and down the last couple of years … I didn’t know if I’d ever be back in a position like this so to be back here is too emotional to even talk about,” Wood told Stan Sport post game.
“There’s so many different players that bring so many different things and to put it all together on the big stage. What more could you ask for.”
Will Wilson (Brothers)
Inside the last five minutes there was a ball on the ground toed through. Wilson supported the player in pursuit at the breakdown then shuffled the ball quickly to a teammate from scrumhalf, who then pushed Brothers forward and gave the side momentum.
Ultimately that was the field position that eventually led to O’Connor’s match winning field goal and it started with trojan worker Wilson.
What a 24 hours it has been for the Wilson family. On Saturday night Harry captained the Wallabies to a thrilling win over Argentina and the following afternoon Will ensured Crosby Park’s clubhouse would be overflowing on the Sunday night.
STORELOCAL PREMIER WOMEN
In the Premier Women grand final, the Bond University Bull Sharks snared their third straight StoreLocal Premier Women premiership trophy in commanding fashion against Easts.
Bond University, the benchmark team of this decade, won 36-12 and put on a great showcase with Easts under scorching 32-degree heat.
The match was won in a few short moments after the halftime break when magnificent midfielder Mel Wilks stamped her mark on the match.
Bond held a 12-7 lead at oranges, and straight out of the gates Wilks ran 60m, evading four defenders on her merry way, before unloading to fantastic finisher Dianne Waight who strode over untouched.
This handed the Bull Sharks a 17-7 advantage and from there the Coast team were able to tame the Tigers, who were led well around the park by Reds playmaker Carys Dallinger.
SECOND HALF AMBUSH
It was anyone’s game at half time but sure enough the three-peat-premiers came out of the break with a certain ferocity at the breakdowns that ensured yet another title.
Ironically, Bond University were not the minor premiers in their premiership seasons of 2023 and 2024 but in the finals they remain unrivalled.
A flurry of quick tries in the second half put a canyon between Bond and their foes, with clinical tighthead prop Charli Jacoby scoring her second try after Waight pounced.
Then, to make it 29-7, hardworking halfback Tyler Birch went herself to grab Bond’s biggest lead of the game at 22 points.
The war had been won.
CAPTAIN’S KNOCK
Early on it looked as though Easts were going to get the better of Bond after Natahlia Moors and Leilani Hills combined to move the Tigers in front 7-nil but from there Bull Sharks captain Zoe Hanna and her athletic Bond forwards had their way.
Hanna, last year’s Player of the Final, was at the epicentre of Bond’s second half barrage that guaranteed the trophy was headed back down the M1 and into the club’s cabinet.
Tireless No. 8 Hanna was immense in ensuring this with her smart runs from the ruck base, ability to fill in at halfback, stoic defence and lineout presence.
ROARING HOME
Despite time dwindling down and being out of grasp on the scoreboard, the Easts girls rose to deliver an excellent showcase approaching time.
Bond led 29-7 and then 36-12 when reserve scrumhalf Akira Michelle-Crocker was on the finishing end of a Zoe Hanna rampage and Easts took no prisoners despite the game being gone.
This was eclipsed when inspirational Easts skipper Loretta Lealiifano returned from the sin bin with a barnstorming 25m run where she left defenders in her wake.
Their fight was also highlighted when spark plug Gemma Walker made a cracking 45m linebreak, got the wind taken out of her when getting cleaned out, and got up again to make a telling pilfer moments later.
Not to mention former Marsden State High School enforcer April Ngatupuna’s stirring second half performance where she left a mark with a great try and plenty of carries.
TOP PERFORMERS
Zoe Hanna (Bond)
Hanna was a forward leader taylormade for the grand final day. Initially she led an all consuming defensive unit in deflecting Easts power game. Then as the match loosened up, her efficiency at the breakdown came to the fore, including snaring a crucial turnover in the final minute of the first half when Easts smelt blood in the water. She even found energy to sprint away late in the game and set up the final try of the game after Lucy Thorpe had pierced Easts armour with a sideline run. Hanna’s complete performance included playing a part in a smart lineout trick play which all contributed to Bond wearing down Easts.
Carys Dallinger (Easts)
Dallinger may as well have driven the Tigers’ team bus to the ground - because she did everything else on grand final day. Try saving tackles, a chip, chase and regather, sideline conversion, another try saving tackle and then a pilfer - all in the same play - it was quite the performance. Oh, did we mention her tactical kicking in the first half?
Mel Wilks (Bond)
The official player of the game, inside centre Wilks instigated the try of the match scored by Dianne Waight, but around that she made a series of half breaks when she creatively carried the ball in two hands which put the Easts’ defenders into two minds. With the ball she was a circuit breaker when the match swayed in the balance at 7-all, and her defence stood up the rampaging Easts’ runners. She was elite.
Laina Cooper-Finau (Easts)
Cooper-Finau led an early front row wipe out in the scrum which forced Bond into an early change to try and quell the advancing Easts set piece. Props Tyrah Finau and Maletina Brown stood like centurions either side of her, but hooker Cooper-Finau was the centrepiece. She also carried the ball strongly.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Jemma Bemrose (Bond)
Bemrose’s fierce tackling curtailed Easts’ first half sorties, then her runs impacted as a part of a momentum shift in the second period of play. It was her thrust which took Bond to the brink of scoring just prior to Charlie Jacoby’s important try.
Lucy Thorpe (Bond)
Thorpe cut an inspired figure in the grand final day with her work at the breakdown almost giving Bond another flanker. She carried strongly against the odds given the size of the Easts pack, and garnished her outstanding performance with a classical cover tackle 90 seconds from full-time. It was also her break which contributed to a spectacular second half try.
April Ngatupuna (Easts)
She came on as a second half replacement but had vim and vigour to an overheating Easts side trying desperately to stay with their rivals.
Leticia Medeiros (Bond)
It was appropriate that Medeiros wore her national flag of Brazil as a cape at the end of the match because she was a part of a supergirl back row threesome of Hanna and Bemrose who stayed the course, in good times and in bad, across the duration of the game.
Gemma Walker (Easts)
Walker was another interchange marvel who offered great energy, made a 50m break, snared a pilfer - all after being clobbered in a tackle. She was so gutsy.
COLTS 1
With the swing of his boot and a dash for his life, Souths fullback Dre-dyn Laban emphatically altered the orbit of the colts grand final as the Magpies enjoyed redemption at Ballymore.
Souths, narrow losers to Brothers 12 months earlier, grasped the cherished premiership trophy by beating Wests 31-15 in a corker of the final.
At full-time the Magpies’ players disappeared into a sea of celebrating supporters whose delirious intervention distracted players away from an on field push and shove after the referee had blown full-time.
It was a pulsating final and the highlight reel would have filled up quickly as Wests rallied from 19-3 down to get as close as 19-15.
Even when Souths went ahead 26-15, Wests looked capable and had Jamie Alexander got a lucky bounce, the Bulldogs would have scored.
But it was Souths day at the big dance, and unequivocally a three minute period leading up to halftime was the difference - and it all started with fullback Magpies’ fullback Laban.
This is how it all unfolded. It was late in the first half and although Souths were leading 7-3, Wests were on the attack and seeking to take advantage of an extra man after a yellow card was waved in the face of Magpies lock Sam Hanna.
But a mistimed interchange of passing saw an obstruction penalty awarded Souths way.
Enter Laban. Instead of kicking for line, he quickly tapped and kicked down field for himself after noticing no one home for Wests who were attacking seconds earlier.
Laban chased the kick for all he was worth, and with teammate Te Ohorei Totorewa also roaring after the ball, they were able to win Souths possession which led directly to pressure that saw Cooper Hoare score - off a Rourke Symonds pass.
Moments later came a mistake from the restart when Wests kicked out on the full, and from the centre field scrum Souths conjured up a startling 50m try via the hands of Dom Thygesen, Kaleb Akaria and onto the speedy Denzil Perkins who scurried over. From 7-3 the score ballooned 19-3 within the space of 240 seconds. The entire momentum of the game changed on Laban’s quick tap, kick-chase.
But then came Wests’ remarkable revival to start the second half, cutting the margin to 19-15.
Bulldogs’ fullback Ben Mooney was involved with a withering run to put Dom Kalquist away next to the posts, and 90 seconds later Mooney handled again as Wests’ chain passed 85m - a movement ending with Fynn Rielley scoring.
At 19-15 Wests looked like they were at the crest of a wave and would swamp Souths - but a dropped ball was grubber kicked through by Souths’ centre Xavier Rubens who got the grand final day bounce to score under the posts. The Magpies had kicked away again to lead 26-15.
A rugged run by Souths lock Akaroa then carved a gorge toward Souths’ final try - which involved a sensational burst and pass by Rubens who put his winger Totorewa over and it was game, set and match.
TOP PERFORMERS
Dre-dyn Laban (Souths)
Big time players make big time plays and the Souths fullback lived by this with a moment of magic to kick ahead off a penalty.
His decision to take a quick tap rather than kick for touch paid off after himself and Te Ohorei Totorewa chased the ball 80m and trapped Carter Liddiard in goal.
Souths earnt a 5m scrum and hooker Cooper Hoare made the most of that previous field position.
Kaleb Akaroa (Souths)
Finals phenom Kaleb Akaroa had another important performance for the Magpies after two cracking showings at GPS against Wests (semi-finals) and Bond University (preliminary finals) in the lead up to this game.
Akaroa wore No. 4 but did things you don’t see a lock do.
He was the middleman in Souths’ startling try seconds from halftime when he freed himself from a centrefield scrum to support runaway No. 8 Dom Thygesen, before offering the ball to tryscorer Denzil Perkins.
Later, with Wests still clinging to Souths’ coat-tails, Akaroa’s brutish running powered Souths onto the front foot, giving them depth in which to release star centre Rubens on his magical left side run that ended in the hands of Totorewa.
Finlay King (Wests)
The trusty Wests hooker who didn’t play a bad game all season saved his best for last to impact the final with great force.
King was his reliable self throwing the ball straight and he attacked the breakdown with intent.
On one occasion he jackalled, won the ball and unloaded to Charlie Cooke whose run downfield set up a try to Fynn O’Rielley.
Xavier Rubens (Souths)
BBC old boy Xavier Rubens made a ripping impact on the right edge where he set up a telling try to Te Ohorei Totorewa, who was one Campbell King tackle away from giving Rubens his second try assist.
It was a classic finals game where the bounce of the ball had its say and damaging outside centre Rubens had the bounce in his favour when he toed ahead Wests’ dropped ball, regathered, and dived in under the sticks.
When he had the ball, he made a difference.
Charlie Cooke (Wests)
Who else but Cooke?
Not once but twice the discovery player of the year made try saving tackles, holding up his rival over the line.
Cooke’s henchman defence was on show when he held up the biggest player on the field, Dom Thygesen and his agility and speed was also highlighted when he curled around the breakdown and ran 50m before unloading to Carter Liddiard.
His blue headgear popped up everywhere.
Ben Mooney (Wests)
The Wests fullback was safe as houses under the high ball and in the first half made the breaks that led to the Bulldogs’ tries.
Mooney’s positioning in the backline was telepathic with his playmakers Ryan Shaw and Campbell King and he just made the right passes in a mistake free game that demanded respect.
Cooper Hoare and Slater Galloway (Souths)
Like two peas in a pod these two went everywhere together in the final and both props came away with a five-pointer.
Their tries were of high importance, Hoare and Galloway getting Souths off to a flyer and handing the side a lead that was not once lost.
The front row pair played 140 minutes between them and spearheaded a strong Souths scrum that won two penalties.
COLTS 3 GRAND FINAL
UNIVERSITY 27 DEF BROTHERS 10
TOP PERFORMERS
Bailey Moss (University)
Playing a sizable role in University’s convincing grand final defeat of the Brethren was classy conductor Bailey Moss, the Red Heavies fantastic flyhalf.
Moss saved his best for last with his booming kicking game, crafty ballplaying and threatening runs giving his side their best chance at victory.
Moss scored a timely try on the cusp of halftime where he stepped right to left to beat his defender and across the game he ensured proceedings were unfolding in Brothers’ half with his colossal clearing kicks.
In attack, Moss had a way of sucking in defenders and making the right reads out wide to create overlaps and take advantage of his sharp outside backs Mitch Moss, Angus Kelly and Max Boulton.
Angus Kelly (University)
The Queensland Reds Under-18s selection earlier this year added another dimension to University’s backline and with almost every touch he left his mark.
After missing much of the year through injury Kelly showed he hasn’t missed a beat when it comes to making a break or coming across in support to make a cover tackle.
The productive outside centre scored two wonderful tries and had his say in the lead up to others.
Adam Kelly (University)
The Ion College schoolboy was a ball of energy for the Red Heavies that maintained the same high intensity from minute one to minute 70.
The headgear wearing No. 8, who plays flanker for school, proved a key link player between his hardworking forwards and fleet footed back division and his stunning solo try midway through the second half capped off a brilliant performance.
Nathan Mccarthy (University)
Talk about a captain’s knock. This guy provided that from blindside flanker where he did all the grunt work of a forward before shifting out to the backs where he mimicked an outside centre.
Mccarthy scored a fantastic solo try with two telling dummies to stroll straight through a bamboozled Brothers defence.
His 70 minute showcase began with a stellar trysaving cover tackle where he took a Brothers attacker into touch in the left corner and it finished with him defending strongly on his line.
Noah James (Brothers)
The workhorse right winger was threatening with limited opportunities and looked the most likely to split the University defence open.
A St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe product, James drew on his light footwork and turn of foot to return the ball and he did a great job bringing the ball to centrefield.
Dan O’Hara (Brothers)
Brothers’ inspirational captain led with his actions and led well.
He scored the only try for his team on the stroke of full-time and that was a nice little reward for his efforts.
He got through an immense amount of work and dug in for 70 minutes and what he did on the defensive end he backed up in attack as a crash runner, link player and just the complete package.
He shed tackles with ease at times and when Brothers were closing in, he was at the epicentre of the action looking for work.
COLTS 2
SOUTHS 27 DEF UNIVERSITY 24
TOP PERFORMERS
Jimmy Jackson (University)
The quick between the ears scrumhalf was excellent for the Red Heavies.
His scheming runs were smart and unexpected, while his speedy service from the ruck base allowed University to play quick and take advantage of tired bodies.
He’s a Colts 1 calibre player.
Finn Mackay and Darcy Rowan (Souths)
The ace Souths playmakers had their fingerprints all over this victory.
St Laurence’s College schoolboy Finn Mackay kicked the decisive penalty goal approaching fulltime that gave Souths a telling advantage and it was not easy.
Before this, Mackay’s kicking game was the best you can get. His booming left boot raised eyebrows on countless occasions and Souths would have been in no place to win without his territorial kicking game.
Rowan fronted up on the defensive end well to give his side an edge. Another St Laurence’s product, Rowan made a handful of crucial cover tackles and ran the ball well at inside centre.
Joel Broderick (Souths)
The tireless Brisbane State High product got through a mountain of work and yet in the 70th minute he was still working.
The mobile No.8 was everywhere. One second he was helping Liam Manu win a lineout, the next he was taking a strong carry and a moment later he was sprinting from centerfield to the sideline to thwart a threatening University backline shift.
The big No.8 was instrumental, as was his lock Liam Manu who’s reliability at the lineout demanded praise.
Xavier Grambower (University)
Similar to Broderick’s efforts, Grambower just worked and worked and left it all out there for his Red Heavies.
The rough and tumble forward leader popped up everywhere and was often the first to raise his hand for a carry when University ploughed forward.
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