Colleges building a GCDRU dynasty at Heeb St

The Griffith University Colleges Knights have wrapped up their third GCDRU club championship in three seasons with minor premierships across all three senior grades.

The Griffith University Colleges Knights have wrapped up their third GCDRU club championship in three seasons with minor premierships across all three senior grades.

It was a dominant season for the club from bottom to top but especially in first grade, who finished 24 competition points clear of second-placed Nerang on the ladder.

After a round-one washout Colleges recorded bonus-point wins in every fixture except one, reeling in 64 from a possible 65 points across the remainder of the season.

MORE GOLD COAST RUGBY

■ TEENAGE STROKE VICTIM’S STUNNING RUGBY COMEBACK

■ EIGHT PLAYERS WHO COULD WIN COAST’S MVP AWARD

■ BOND UNI’S FINALS HEARTBREAK

In second grade Colleges finished 11 points clear of the Gold Coast Eagles while third grade enjoyed a closer run to the minor premiership, defeating Helensvale by a single point in the final round to lead them by that same margin on the final ladder.

Knights senior co-ordinator Josh Scott said the club’s success was a remarkable achievement for an organisation who had experienced life on the other end of the scoreboard.

Griffith Uni Colleges Knights forward Kerrod Martorella runs at the Nerang Bulls defence during their GCDRU First Grade clash at Ashmore. Photograph : Jason O'Brien

“It’s absolutely huge, particularly seeing that seven years ago we were really struggling to make finals in any grade,” he said.

“We’ve been building something special with our recruitment and development of players and coaches.

“We’ve paid attention to our depth across the board and with the culture we’ve built guys want to be a part of our club and stay around.”

WATCH 2019 GRAND FINAL REMATCH IN PLAYER ABOVE

Scott dismissed complaints his club had paid players as the grumbling of jealous rivals.

“I’ve been at the club for 10 years and we have never paid any of our players,” he said.

“We have never bought anyone so it’s comical that we’re accused of that.

“We invest into our coaches but never players. That’s one thing we’re proud of, developing our own players or attracting players.

“I don’t think it’s a bad thing because I like that people are talking about us. We know what we’ve done and how we’ve done it.”

Conquering the demons of 2019, where all three grades were defeated in grand finals, is the club’s most pressing concern with the finals series beginning for first and second grade and already underway in third grade.