Macarthur Rugby League: Camden vs The Oaks, grand final talking points – all grades

All roads lead to Campbelltown Stadium this Sunday for the Macarthur RL senior grand finals. In first grade, Camden are the side to beat but The Oaks won’t roll over. Talking points, all grades

Daniel Payne helped guide The Oaks to their first grand final since 2018. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

The Camden Rams are one win shy of completing a perfect season, but despite their underdog status, The Oaks will be out to prove the doubters wrong.

In a massive season across the board, Camden also hold the aces in reserve grade and under-18s gold.

Latest talking points ahead of the final weekend of local footy in 2024.

RAMS PRIMED

Campbelltown Stadium should be a sea of red, white and blue on Sunday.

With three minor premierships already in the bag, Camden are raging favourites to claim the trophy in under-18s, reserves and first grade.

Both the 18s and first grade are yet to taste defeat, while the club’s only loss was in reggies, way back in round three. In all, the Rams have blitzed all comers, combining for 45 victories, one loss and a draw.

HIGHER HONOURS

If not for last season’s nail biting grand final loss to Thirlmere, Brad Speechley’s Rams would be chasing a three-peat when Camden face The Oaks in the top grade.

Spurred on from the heartache caused by the Roosters’ late comeback, Camden have been relentless this season. In 17 matches, they’ve scored 731 points at 43 per match, while in defence they’ve conceded 132 at an eye watering 7.8.

With an 18th straight win at Campbelltown, it could be enough to secure the Clayton Cup – awarded to the NSW country team with the best overall record.

Previous Macarthur/Group 6 winners include East Campbelltown (2012), Mittagong (1991) and Picton (1966).

(L-R) Mason Cerruto and Brad Speechley celebrate Camden’s 2022 grand final victory. Pic by Julian Andrews.

UNDERDOGS

The Oaks will play their first grand final in the top grade since 2018, but with a host of players missing to injury and suspension, the past month hasn’t been plain sailing for the Tigers.

Season ending suspensions to Kyle Bell and gun prop Evrett Vaurasi, combined with nasty injuries to Challis Tupuola and Cruise Iosefa have all threatened to derail the Tigers’ campaign, but they keep finding a way forward.

In promising signs ahead of the big dance, Mitchell Brasington’s outfit brushed aside a growing list of excuses last week to keep their season alive. And despite trailing 12-0, the Tigers roared home with confidence, downing a strong Oakdale side by 16 points.

Mitchell Brasington will lead the The Oaks in the grand final. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

LEAVING IT LATE

Oakdale left it late in the reserve grade prelim, ending Campbelltown City’s season in spectacular fashion on Sunday at Waminda Oval.

In a contest of wild swings, Oakdale jumped to an early 12-0 lead, before City went into overdrive to post 28 unanswered points.

With just over 20 minutes left to play, City led 28-12 and were odds on to face Camden in the grand final. But when five-eighth Josh Burke pegged one back, the Workers got a sniff and went on with the job.

Mathew Indlekofer raced 50m after catching the Roos defence napping with a quick tap. And another two tries followed, including the match winner – a solo effort by Burke in the final minute.

Oakdale’s Joshua Burke scored two late tries in the prelim final against City. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

EAGLE ROCK

East Campbelltown rounded out a disappointing day for City, overpowering the Roos in the under-18s prelim 36-10.

Among a host of fine performers, Eagles fullback Patrick Toomalatai and rising prop Kimball Liufau both scored doubles.

WK3 FINALS WRAP: TIGERS BOARD THE PAYNE TRAIN

A Daniel Payne masterclass has The Oaks on the cusp of history after the Tigers advanced to the Macarthur RL grand final with a comfortable 28-12 victory over rivals Oakdale at Waminda Oval on Sunday.

Staring down the barrel of a 12-point deficit midway through the first half, the Tigers seemed long shots to make their first grand final since 2018.

The Oaks got the result when the sides met a fortnight earlier, but with quick tries to five-eighth Jake Steadman and winger Jackson Blatch, it was Oakdale who were steaming towards a decider with the unbeaten Rams at Campbelltown Stadium.

Daniel Payne was at his sparkling best against Oakdale. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

But with a combination of fleet footed deception and desperate scrambling defence, Payne flipped the script in an instance.

In the 16 minutes leading up to half time, the No.7 delivered four touches of magic to help Mitchell Brasington’s side to an unlikely 18-12 halftime advantage.

The momentum shifted when he regathered his own grubber kick to help Josh Van der Meulen across in the 24th minute. Then minutes later, he did it all himself, dancing through from close range to level the scores.

Even when Blatch seemed certain to put the Workers back in front, Payne arrived from nowhere to smash him over the sideline. Oakdale kept coming, and once again Blatch looked primed for points until Payne snatched the final pass and ran the length of the field right on halftime.

“Payney’s defence was outstanding, when that’s on it usually sets up the rest of his game,” Brasington said.

“We want him feeling good about his footy, and taking on the line. He’s got a smart footy brain and knows how to read the game.”

A penalty goal after the break and a try to high flying backrower Ragen Gilbert increased the margin to 14, but when Van der Meulen was sin binned for a professional in the 60th minute, alarm bells started to ring.

Jake Steadman scored an early try for Oakdale. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

But in good signs ahead of the grand final, The Oaks repelled multiple sets with 12 men and were never seriously threatened in the closing stages.

The only major blow ahead of Sunday’s decider was a nasty injury to powerhouse winger Cruise Iosefa.

“Cruise has fractured his leg and is sadly done for the season,” said Brasington. “It’s a shame, because he’s been in great form and is one of our leaders.”

Having already fallen to Camden in the finals, the Tigers captain is optimistic The Oaks can reverse the tables and secure the club’s first top grade title since 1992.

“We took plenty of lessons from our recent clash with Camden. We got off to a poor start with cheap turnovers and didn’t really give ourselves a chance.”

The news wasn’t all bad for Oakdale, in reserve grade, the Workers defeated Campbelltown City to win a spot alongside Camden in the grand final.