Gold Coast Dolphins go back-to-back with second grand final win of the season

The Gold Coast Dolphins are on track to notch an incredible feat after winning their second grand final in just six weeks.

The Gold Coast Dolphins have won the 2022/23 One Day final.

The Gold Coast Dolphins are on track to notch an incredible feat after winning their second grand final in just six weeks.

The Dolphins defeated Northern Suburbs in Queensland Premier Cricket to become back-to-back Kookaburra One Day premiers, just weeks after achieving a three-peat in the T20 series.

The Dolphins journeyed to Kedron to take on the minor premiers where it was Max Bryant and Lachy Aitken who put on a 30-run opening stand, with Bryant out for 12 (11) after hitting a big six.

Caleb Ziebell bowling for the Dolphins. Picture Lachie Millard

Aitken scored the Dolphins’ top score of the day with 35 off 41 balls, and the side managed to never lose wickets in clumps and instead put together modest partnerships throughout the innings.

191 was the target set for the Vikings, who got off to a blistering start thanks to damaging hitter Josh Brown — who recently received a Brisbane Heat replacement player contract for the upcoming Big Bash.

Brown made 53 off just 28 balls and the home side found themselves 0/73 after just 7 overs.

Skipper Kuhnemann’s leadership was called upon when he delivered a key breakthrough removing Brown and then two more quick wickets in Connor Carroll and Raveesh Srivastava.

Jackson Smith bowling for the Gold Coast Dolphins against Norths during the First Grade One Day Cricket Grand Final at Wooloowin. Picture Lachie Millard

Bradley Munro took 2/16, while Jackson Smith, Kane Hurley and Caleb Ziebell took one wicket each.

Kuhnemann sealed the 40-run win with a final wicket stumped by Aitken, and was awarded the Jimmy Maher Medal for best player in the grand final, thanks to his 4/16 off 9 overs (including two caught-and-bowleds) and 19 runs off 56 balls.

Matt Kuhnemann was awarded the Jimmy Maher Medal for best player in the grand final, thanks to his 4/16 off 9 overs and 19 runs off 56 balls.

“It was an amazing effort from the whole team, everyone chipped in at the right time,” captain Kuhnemann said.

“I think throughout the whole tournament someone has had to step up in each different game.

“It could be Max Bryant, Ziebell or Jackson Smith; it’s been the whole team over the tournament.”

The Dolphins currently lead the overall champions ladder and are on track to potentially win all three grand finals if they can secure the two day grand final early next year.

“It’s been amazing, we’re very fortunate to have some great players and we’ve been playing together for a few years so everyone knows their role,” Kuhnemann said.

“Winning titles is the pinnacle of your career, once you finish off your career and look back, you really cherish those wins.”

The Dolphins will welcome back UK players Callum Taylor and Joey Evison for the remainder of the two day series.

Kuhnemann and Xavier Bartlett now head to NSW with Queensland for the Sheffield Shield clash on Tuesday.

Gold Coast Dolphins players celebrate the wicket of Norths batsman Noah McFadyen during the First Grade One Day Cricket Grand Final at Wooloowin. Picture Lachie Millard