‘A f**king special day’: Nerang’s quest for premiership trifecta in GCDRU first, second, third grade finals blitz

The Nerang Bulls broke an 18-year drought by claiming the GCDRU first grade premiership 38-16 on home soil against a rattled Griffith Uni Colleges Knights roster, but the club went one step further in claiming all three grades. How they did it:

GCDRU major semi final between Colleges Knights and Nerang Bulls. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The Nerang Bulls broke an 18-year drought by claiming the GCDRU first grade premiership 38-16 on home soil against a rattled Griffith Uni Colleges Knights roster, Saturday August 24.

What’s more, they did so undefeated - the first time since 1997.

Nerang won their last first grade premiership under then-skipper Ray Fidow. This year, his son Sheldon led them to the honours.

And while the Phil Temperton Cup was enough to celebrate on its own, the club went one step further in claiming all three grades - first, second and third.

“To have the opportunity to play in it, and come away with it, is really special for ... first, second and third grade,” Bulls coach Te Ari Mahuri said.

“It’s a crazy feeling at the moment.

“My boys ... the group of men I’ve coached who have put all their trust in me ...they mean the world to me.”

A whopping six different try scorers meant Mahuri couldn’t pinpoint a singular ‘most valuable,’ instead labelling it a 23-man game.

GCDRU major semi final between Colleges Knights and Nerang Bulls. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“I don’t have one.

“Everyone played their part and it was a f**king special day.”

Helensvale Hogs were the last team to be in line for a trifecta, in 2021, but were stunned to miss out on all three.

Mahuri admitted that year had been on his mind leading into the weekend.

“(It) was a conversation we had throughout the week but we did come away with all three so (I’m) super stoked,” he said.

“We set the right things in place for the boys this week for this moment and it showed.

“We were ready from the get-go, we’ve been ready since January.”

Nicholas Harrex was the only player not to take the field, having twinged his neck in the earlier second grade clash and decided against putting his body in harms way.

“I know it was a hard decision for him to make,” Mahuri said.

Three trophies securely in-tow, how did the day unfold?

GCDRU major semi final between Colleges Knights and Nerang Bulls. Picture: Glenn Campbell

FIRST GRADE

Controversy broke early on, with Knights’ Jack O’Shaughnessy sent off for his involvement in the striking of Bulls’ Thomas Bird, leaving his side a man down.

Jarrod Nyssen took advantage of the shakeup with a try on the wing, Kyle Lotz only narrowly missing the conversion.

Tyran Isaac, Maiz George and William Bird followed suit to gift the Bulls a comfortable four tries-to-one lead at half time, Knights’ six points coming from Jordan Maher with two penalty goals.

Tyler Stevens wasted no time joining the scoring party, finding the line early in the second half off a kick chase to keep Nerang’s momentum flowing.

The final blow came from Bryson Rukuwai to seal the 22-point win.

GCDRU major semi final between Colleges Knights and Nerang Bulls. Picture: Glenn Campbell

THIRD GRADE

The trifecta looked a promising possibility from first siren, Bulls winger Nathan Mcanalley finding the line in third grade to open scoring.

Palm Beach couldn’t replicate the art, though fullback Joseph Herselman kicked two goals to put the side’s six points on the board.

Trailing 5-6 with just over two minutes of play, flyhalf Cody Vicker dished his own goal to put Bulls ahead and secure the 8-6 victory.

SECOND GRADE

Second grade were next to take the field, though started on less-than-ideal terms.

Hinterland Celtics winger Quiann Feterika-Mafoe executed a try from interception further down field before converting his own to notch 7-0, 15 minutes into play.

Yannis Mafoe went on to double the scoreline with a try and conversion of his own, before Bulls found form through Callum Boomer who zipped between defenders on the wing just before halftime.

Trailing 10-14 and the clock running down, Bulls’ Ted Tauroa dotted the line, his five points turned into 7 as Boomer converted from the sideline.

The scoreboard saw just one change from there: a penalty goal off the boot of Boomer, Bulls taking out the premiership with their well-deserved 20-14 fight back.

Then came first grade. With one final nail in the coffin to complete a historic, hard fought year of Gold Coast District Rugby Union.