Macarthur Rugby League: Grand final blockbusters, coach pulls pin, grand final talking points
When Camden and Thirlmere face-off in the Macarthur Rugby League decider, both will be aiming to replicate a unique piece of club history. That and more, grand final talking points.
Macarthur
Don't miss out on the headlines from Macarthur. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Camden Rams and Thirlmere Roosters headline a massive day of Macarthur Rugby League grand finals this Sunday at Campbelltown Stadium.
But with two blockbusters on the undercard and one coach already on the move, there’s plenty to discuss. Grand final talking points.
RELUCTANT HERO KEEPS IT TOGETHER
Josh Bryant’s last minute heroics to get Thirlmere into Sunday’s decider will be long remembered. But his rich vein of form continued straight after the final whistle too.
“I tried to retire last year, and had half this season off until they drew me back in,” said Bryant.
“I’m just trying to keep the body together. I should be wearing one of those masters bibs, the one where they can’t tackle me.”
NEW MITTAGONG COACH
After almost guiding the Lions to the grand final, captain-coach James Grehan has decided to hang up the boots.
“I’m done now,” said Grehan.
“Keiran Rankmore has agreed to coach the side next year, and I will help out where I can. The goal was to help turn the club around and I think it is now placed for a strong future.
“Most of the guys have agreed to play on next season, so the Lions are in good shape.”
PICTON BIG SCREEN
Picton’s Victoria Park was humming last Sunday.
With a full card of finals action, the Magpies turned on a great day for both players and fans.
The live action on the big screen was next level, and had many asking, “what’s next?”
CAN CAMDEN GO BACK-TO -BACK?
Last year Camden headed to the decider with East Campbelltown as underdogs, now 12 months later, they’re odds-on to make it consecutive titles.
In the club’s long history, the Rams have won 10 titles including their first in 1948 and have only gone back-to-back once, in 1997-98.
20TH ANNIVERSARY
Camden and Thirlmere have only faced off once in a grand final.
It was back in 2003, and on that day Thirlmere proved too strong, claiming the club’s second title 32-16.
TOUGH TO SPLIT
The reserve grade grand final promises to be a nail biter. Trying to split The Oaks and last year’s runners-up Mittagong is difficult.
The Tigers finished as runaway leaders at the top of the ladder with only one defeat, a 20-14 loss to the Lions.
Two weeks ago, The Oaks won through to the decider after running down reigning premiers Camden in the second half. While last Sunday, against the same opposition, Mittagong were never headed.
COLLIES NOT ABOUT TO ROLLOVER
The Jets are flying high in the Women’s Open Age. After finishing in third place, a resurgent Narellan have knocked over both of last year’s grand finalists in the finals.
Collies rolled Narellan twice in the home and away rounds, before the Jets pegged one back to secure a spot in the grand final.
Stung by the loss, Collies roared back to form last week with a comprehensive demolition of Camden and they don’t look like surrendering their crown without a fight.
ANNUAL AWARDS
It was a big night for Campbelltown Collegians at the Seniors Player Awards last Friday.
In a much improved side, halfback and captain Netane Masima was crowned Macarthur first grade player of the year. While in the reggies, fullback Raymond Mu was rewarded for an outstanding season.
In the women’s, Narellan playmaker Jemma Crane scored the top gong.
First Grade Player of the Year: Netane Masima (Campbelltown Collegians)
Reserve Grade Player of the Year: Raymond Mu (Campbelltown Collegians)
Open Age Women’s Player of the Year: Jemma Crane (Narellan Jets)
GRAND FINALS
Sunday 17 September at Campbelltown Stadium
First Grade: Camden v Thirlmere at 3:15pm
Reserve Grade: The Oaks v Mittagong at 1:15pm
Open Age Women’s: Narellan v Campbelltown Collegians at 11:30am
FINALS WEEK THREE WRAP
If ever there was a contest that didn’t deserve a loser, it was Sunday’s heartbreaking sudden death clash between Thirlmere and Mittagong.
On a day where all three senior winners progressed to the grand final, it was the first grade clash that left hearts racing.
Week three finals wrap.
BRILLIANT BRYANT RESCUES THIRLMERE
Who’d be a Thirlmere fan?
Last week the Roosters held on for a miraculous victory, then on Sunday when all looked lost, the Macarthur Cardiac Kings turned to old legs in another heart-stopper.
With two minutes left on the clock at Victoria Park the Lions led 24-22, and with Thirlmere pinned deep in their own territory a date with Camden in the grand final seemed assured.
But when Roosters centre Josh Bryant picked up the ball from dummy half, things changed in the blink of an eye.
The 36-year-old – in the cleanest jumper on the field, weaved and crabbed, then weaved some more. Then he was gone, arm raised under the posts celebrating a remarkable 28-24 victory.
“It was a tough grind back-and-forth and they had the wood over us a couple of weeks ago,” said Bryant after the full time hooter.
“We just wanted it so bad.”
If not for a last-ditch ankle-tap on halfway, Bryant’s magic moment could’ve happened 20 minutes earlier.
“I was conserving energy for most of the game, just waiting for it to open up,” said Bryant of his magic play.
“I started to bounce across field, and there's always someone that will bite. Then once I saw the goal line, I just headed straight for it.
“I was worried about James Coyne, and Liam Cassidy actually ran me down a couple of weeks ago. I could hear the pitter patter of feet behind me, but I thought I’ll just put the finger up and get over the line.”
It was the crowning moment of an epic contest that could have gone either way.
A flu stricken Mittagong started regular half Thomas Maloney on the bench, and quickly trailed 12-0 when prop Matthew Scott and lock Kye Madden crashed over for the opening two tries.
Once again Coyne was brilliant, and it was the fullback’s desperation that got the Lions on the board when he put Liam Henry over in the 27th minute.
Thirlmere counted through Harrison Coskerie, before Bryson Goodwin struck on halftime to narrow the margin to 16-12.
Mittagong returned to the field all guns blazing and with five eighth Nicholas Eccleston’s solo effort, the Lions found themselves up by two.
Mitch New was a constant threat, and after coming close to scoring earlier in the match, the Roosters hooker burrowed over for another lead change.
But Cassidy dashed over to level the scores in the 71st minute, and with Goodwin’s booming sideline conversion it was Mittagong by a nose at the top of the home straight.
And it remained that way until Bryant kicked again over the final 70m.
MITTAGONG END CAMDEN’S GOLDEN RUN
Mittagong have moved a step closer to erasing the memory of last year’s reserve grade grand final loss, after the Lions knocked over reigning premiers Camden 28-12 to book a shootout with The Oaks.
After an undefeated 2022, Camden’s reggies were targeting another big day alongside the club’s first grade side at Campbelltown Stadium.
But against a ruthless Mittagong, they never really looked likely.
After trading early sets, Mittagong landed a hammer blow with back-to-back tries to lead 10-0 after 16 minutes.
Winger Josh Harrison carried several defenders over for the first, before hooker Samuel Ellis sent five-eighth Liam Bayliss racing away to score under the posts.
Camden struggled for momentum and slipped further behind immediately after the break, but when fullback Patrick Dumont narrowed the margin to 10, they weren’t without hope.
But with 15 to play their faint hopes vanished in the face of Mittagong bookends Harrison Fletcher and Brendan Bayliss. After Fletcher powered to get within range, Bayliss simply crashed over for an unassailable 22-6 advantage.
For centre and coach Regan Economos, the result was a long time coming.
“Camden have been our bogey side for a couple of years, we’ve beaten everyone else multiple times but just couldn't beat them,” said Economos.
“Last week was a 70-minute performance when we held Oakdale to nil, and this week we carried it on which was nice.
“Fletcher and Bayliss were great upfront. Everyone played well across the park, and we had 18-year-old hooker Harley Rebbeck play his part off the bench in place of Ellis.”
While they remain the only side to beat The Oaks this year, Mittagong won’t be short of motivation.
“This is my last year,” said Economos. “It has been an enjoyable year with these guys, so it would be nice to go out on top.”
COLLIES BOUNCE BACK
A week after Narellan lowered their colours in the Women’s Open Age upset of the season, Campbelltown Collegians have returned to their dominant best to eliminate Camden in a 24-0 rout.
Collies dominated from the outset, powering through the middle in a rematch of last year’s grand final.
After a wealth of field position, centre Fanaafi Fauese finally broke through Camden’s line after 11 minutes. And while they continued to enjoy the better of play, Collies paid the price poor handling until playmaker Imogen Lowe crossed just before the break.
Lagi Toilalo weaved her way through the right edge to extend the margin to 12, before five-eighth Pandora Visesio and winger Gwen Swann showed great pace to round out the scoring.
“Last week was a big disappointment,” said hooker and coach Aggie Dean.
“We just did it ourselves with little mistakes like losing the ball and not having enough numbers in the tackles. But today everyone just relaxed and played our game.
“We just wanted to make it simple this week. We have big forwards, so we wanted to run three or four plays through the middle before using our speedsters out wide.”
Now as Collies prepare for back-to-back titles, Dean is confident of turning the tables on Narellan in Sunday’s grand final.
“Our main goal is just to mark-up man-on-man and not fall for any dummies, she said. “We just want to focus working inside and outside, and making our tackles.”
Join the conversation
‘Best No.12 I can’: Rugby goal of son of an NRL gun Zach Fittler
After a code switch that surprised many, teen powerhouse Zach Fittler has spoken about his love of rugby, opening up on the rollercoaster that is playing with a famous rugby league surname.
Read more
Incredible 15 minute purple patch sounds Super Rugby warning
It was a 15 minute purple patch that stunned both their rivals and even the players as the Waratahs amped up their preparations for the Super Rugby season.
Read more