Party time for Darwin Brothers after big upset victory over Litchfield Bears in 2020 NRL NT Grand Final at Marrara

THE young Darwin Brothers outfit came of age with a courageous 28-26 grand final win over reigning premiers Litchfield Bears to seal the 2020 NRL NT A-grade title.

Litchfield’s Aaron Barnes is met by Brothers’ Caleb Niki in the thrilling 2020 NRL NT Grand Final. Picture: KATRINA BRIDGEFORD

THE young Darwin Brothers outfit came of age with a courageous 28-26 grand final win over reigning premiers Litchfield Bears to seal the 2020 NRL NT A-grade title.

The two-time champions Bears came in as raging-hot favourites with experience and previous results on their side, but Brothers refused to let that daunt them.

Litchfield probed early on with plenty of chips over the Brothers defensive line, but the young Brethren proved to be no pushovers under the high ball.

And it was Brothers with their speedy backs who scored first.

A Nick Yarran run down the left wing gave the side the momentum needed to see Rodney Baird over the line moments later.

Brothers found themselves scoring again soon afterwards, a Thomas Clarke chip gifting his side’s most experienced player, Leon Rotumah, with a try.

But the Bears weren’t out of the battle long with big Adam Hall crashing over to bring the two-time premiers back within a score.

The Brethren kept composure beyond their collective experience and pushed on in attack, with Yarran this time scoring himself after breaking a tackle on the left wing.

Litchfield opened the second half with intent but once again found themselves up against a solid Brothers line.

Inspired by their defensive work the Brethren pushed up the field once again and another Clarke chip allowed fullback Isaac Kurnoth to outpace two Litchfield defenders to score.

Aidan Singleton scored soon after and by then the young Brothers could probably dare to dream of a title.

The Bears refused to go down without a fight applying pressure offensively and scoring through Clint Chettle, Luke Beatty and Sam McAuley as Brothers began to tire, before holding on and sending their partisan fans in to raptures.

But it wasn’t enough with Brothers defending their lead giving captain Aaron Pollard and his squad their first taste of finals glory.

“There’s a lot of emotions. It’s been a long time for this club and we’ve finally pulled through and that’s down to the hard work the club has put into these juniors,” Pollard said.

“Now everyone here is not only a grand finalists but winners. We were hungry and believed in eachother, that’s what this club is about.

“They shouldn’t have given us a taste because with these young guys we won’t go away.”

Coach Leon Cleal was elated with the win naming it one of his proudest wins.

“The emotion is overwhelming. We’ve held it back for the past few weeks to build to this,” Cleal said.

“I thought it may have been a bit to much for them in the last 20 when Litchfield came back at us but to their credit they held on. They’ve got a real self-belief that even I underestimate.

“This rates up their as one of the best wins I’ve had. Next year will be a big challenge for us as we become the hunted but we’re not going to think about that now.”