Macarthur Rugby League: Grand final talking points, 100+ photo gallery
The Macarthur Rugby League grand finals at Campbelltown Stadium delivered a host of surprises. And the fallout could well continue into the off-season. Talking points, 100+ GALLERY.
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Not everyone picked up the trophy at Campbelltown Stadium on Sunday, but everyone who attended the Macarthur RL grand finals were thoroughly entertained.
Camden were nearly trumped for the first grade title by a fast finishing Oaks Tigers. See what the coaches had to say following an epic encounter.
Grand final talking points.
SINKING FEELING
Carrying the scars from Thirlmere’s grand final comeback 12 months earlier and with the Tigers roaring towards the finishing post, Rams fans once again squirmed in the premiership torture chamber.
In a hectic closing 30 minutes, Camden’s 18-point lead evaporated and with all the play, an Oaks premiership miracle seemed inevitable.
“Grand finals are a totally different ball game,” said Camden captain-coach and player of the match, Brad Speechley.
“I felt we were the better team, especially in extra time. But once you lose momentum it’s hard to get it back. The Oaks were so courageous.
“We spoke about moving our feet and trying to win the next set. Then when Daniel Payne levelled the scores, we just wanted to get the ball back, I was too fatigued to recall what happened last year.”
BREAKOUT SEASON
On another day, Mitchell Brasington’s late surge at the line in the closing stages of regulation time might have won the grand final.
“It was a crazy game in the end,” said The Oaks’ captain -coach.
“Once the momentum swung around we got into a cycle and started to claw our way back. We almost scored at the end, and then thought we might get a shot at a field goal, but Camden’s defence shut down the chance.
“Payney won our players’ player and prop Joseph Ualesi wasn’t far behind.”
Despite the loss, Brasington’s side has made giant strides in 2024.
“We only lost five games all season, and four of those were to Camden,” he said.
“I can’t fault the effort of anyone at the club. Third grade made the grand final and reserve grade made the finals. We have an excellent committee and are definitely a club on the rise.
“But hats off to Camden, to go through undefeated is a significant achievement. I know how much time and effort Brad and the team put in, so I’m happy to see them rewarded.”
FAMOUS LAST WORDS
We’ve praised Camden’s miserly defence all season. But it begs the question, how does a community club instil such high standards across both grades?
“Camden is a great club, and have signed the right people,” said Speechley.
“We have 40 guys bash each other at training like in a game. Everyone gets on with the job and holds each other accountable.
“The opposed sessions with the reggies are sometimes more competitive than the games we play in first grade.”
That said, grand final pressure can do funny things. With the The Oaks down by six and thundering towards the line in the final minute of extra time, this was when every Ram needed to be on the same page.
History shows Jack Miller sealed the Tigers’ fate, racing away to score against the run of play.
“I told Jack not to go for the intercept,” said Speechley. “But I can’t fault him, he’s been on point for us all season.”
UNDECIDED
The grand final success capped off three big seasons for Speechley and the Camden Rams.
The tenacious captain-coach has been at the helm in all three grand final appearances, picking up the player of the match award in both Camden premiership victories.
Now, with a newborn baby on the home front the inspirational half is considering his priorities.
“I’m unsure if I’ll go around again,” the 29-year-old said.
“Give me a couple of weeks to think about it. Although, I won’t play anywhere else. If I play, it will be at Camden.”
WAITING IN THE WINGS
In the event the proud skipper does hang up the boots, the Rams have a ready replacement in James Davey.
“James’ family is Rams through and through. He picked up the player of the match in our reserve grade win,” said Speechley.
“A few of the boys reckon he’s already knocking on the door of first grade.”
GRAND FINAL DAY WRAP
The Macarthur region’s top rugby league teams shot the lights out on a thrilling Sunday of grand finals at Campbelltown Stadium.
Camden proved the club to catch, as the Rams chased the trophy in three of four encounters.
Grand finals wrap.
UNBEATEN RAMS KICK AGAIN IN EXTRA TIME
It was a near thing in first grade, but Brad Speechley’s Camden Rams have closed out the perfect season after holding off a fast finishing Oaks Tigers 38-26 to claim the club’s 11th premiership.
A year after Thirlmere finished in a flurry to sink Camden in the grand final, history looked like repeating itself as The Oaks reeled in an 18-point deficit to force the decider into extra time.
Locked at 26-all, Camden faced its most serious challenge of the season. Needing an 18th straight victory to remain undefeated and claim the club’s second title in three seasons, Rams favourite Jackson Willis quickly eased the tension with a solo effort from dummy half.
Camden held a slender six-point margin until the 90th and final minute. But with Mitchell Brasington’s Tigers surging down field, another twist loomed until Jack Miller latched onto to an intercept.
With 60m in front of him, the centre set off down field to score the championship winning try, his 17th of the season.
It was typical of the wild momentum swings all afternoon.
Prop Bailey Dickinson put the Rams on the front foot from the outset. And when halfback Speechley, the player of the match, stepped across in the second minute it looked a one horse race.
Aided by a howling southerly, Tigers halfback Daniel Payne kicked his side out of trouble with a 40-20, and in the next set Ben Scambary combined with fullback Chad Daniels to level the scores at six apiece.
Camden took a 12-8 lead to the sheds after Trent Peoples grounded a Willis grubber, and they exploded on return, turning up the heat with three tries in eight minutes.
Atini Gafa led the charge. After finishing a sweeping play in the left corner, the bustling centre cut against the grain to score under the posts. Josh Goulton continued the avalanche of points when the winger came down with a Willis bomb to make it 26-8.
But Payne was never far from the action, and with the No. 7 in irresistible finals form, The Oaks’ faith never wavered.
First, he backed up to plant the ball under the posts after Brasington regathered his chip kick. Then in the 58th minute, he sent Andrew Madden across to make in 26-20.
With the title on the line, the minor premiers began to falter. Twice they kicked long for seven-tackle sets, and when they gifted the Tigers a repeat set from close range with seven minutes remaining, Payne swooped on his own kick to level the scores.
When the restart sailed out on the full, Camden’s capitulation snowballed. And if not for the desperate efforts of Speechley and Ben Powers on a try bound Brasington, overtime would not have been required.
FAST START SAVES CAMDEN
In a precursor to what would unfold in first grade, Camden blasted clear in the reggies grand final before resisting a late Oakdale surge to hoist the trophy with a heart-stopping 22-20 victory.
Camden struck early through winger Brendon Tupuai, but they only led by two when Workers backrower Jack Phillips pounced on a fumbled ball midway through the first half.
Rams big man Billel Hamisi plunged over to make it 12-4, and they looked like going on with the job straight after halftime.
Ewan Xuereb crashed over, then after sustained pressure fullback Lindsay Munro put Hugh Prebble into the left corner to make it 22-4.
From there, Oakdale took over as the Workers turned the tables in spectacular fashion, piling on three tries in eight minutes to get within two of the lead with seven minutes to play.
Centre Brandon McKinnon set up the first of Logan Nori’s two tries with a classy offload which was quickly followed by a Brandon Maycock solo effort.
Then when skipper Josh Burke’s cut out pass found an unmarked Nori on the right wing, Oakdale were flying.
But the points dried up and the minor premiers held on, capping a comprehensive season that included just one defeat.
RAMS OVERPOWER EAGLES
The Camden Rams overcame an early deficit to claim the under-18s gold trophy, overpowering East Campbelltown 26-16.
Undeterred by Camden’s unbeaten run to the decider, the Eagles charged ahead 16-0 in as many minutes.
Five-eighth Matthew Lucas had the Camden defence in knots, laying on the opening three tries. Lucas Muir and prop Kimball Liufau both scored from kicks, before the clever No. 6 sent Tarelle Tutu into the left corner with a pinpoint cut-out ball.
In a high-octane end-to-end contest, Camden quickly flipped the script. In the nine minutes before the break, the Rams struck back with three of their own to trail 16-14.
Five-eighth Luke Fielding gifted winger Joel Collins the first, before fellow playmaker Hunter Redman teamed with centre and player of the match, Aidan Richards, for Camden’s second.
In a captain's knock, Rams skipper Dylan Smith scurried across for a crucial four pointer as the halftime siren sounded. Then upon the resumption, the hooker sent Jake Jones steaming over next to the posts.
With Richards’ conversion, Camden hit the front 20-16 and were never headed.
William Jenkins continued the surge, the backrower slicing through on the right edge for Camden’s fifth unanswered try.
GRAND FINAL PHOTO GALLERY
First grade: Camden v The Oaks
Reserve grade: Camden v Oakdale
Under-18s Gold: Camden v East Campbelltown
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