Send offs, massive brawl, incredible comebacks, 70+ photo gallery: Souths Juniors grand final day
It was an incredible grand final day at Redfern Oval with two incredible comebacks, a viral brawl that went viral and a fairytale finish. See all the colour from a massive day with our huge photo gallery.
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Two late comebacks capped off a Souths Juniors grand final day that will be remembered for many reasons.
The gloss was taken off the football action with a brawl at the end of reserve grade, however the on-field action delivered in all the right ways.
It started with the Alexandria Rovers scoring two late tries to claim the A-reserve title, before the Redfern All Blacks stunned with three amazing back-to-back-to-back tries to claim the A-grade crown in amazing fashion.
Re-live the best of Souths Juniors grand final day, plus check out our huge gallery from the event.
‘FOR OUR COMMUNITY’
Just when you think you’re safe and a game is won against a Redfern All Blacks side, they go out and prove you wrong.
In the most spectacular comeback seen, RAB came from 18-8 down with 10 minutes to play to upset Matraville 20-18 in the A-grade decider.
Their run started with Eli Roberts hitting a gap and putting TJ Speedy Coe over in the corner.
From the next set a clean break from James Frazer put them into prime field position, with Roberts crashing over to bring them back within two points.
Then it was the moment of the game.
A piece of brilliance from Jay Belgrove saw the second rower etch his name into Redfern folklore.
He landed a perfect chip and chase before getting a miracle offload away to O’Shay Tyerman to put RAB in front and seal the grand final.
Five-eighth Matty Gordon paid tribute to the man of the match for his special play.
“I grew up playing with him and he was a halfback growing up, so I knew he had that in his bag,” Gordon said.
“He’s tough as a nail. When he pulls something out like that the whole side backs him.
“Magic like that is what Redfern is about.”
It continues a golden run for the All Blacks, who have now won five of the last seven A-grade titles after their four-peat from 2015-18.
“I knew the boys had that will to want to finish the game,” Gordon said.
“There was no doubts in any of the boys minds that we felt we were going to lose or we were down and out.
“The boys have the passion and love for this club. We’re all from the community, we’re all kids that have grown up down the street.
“It all means the world to us. It’s a community club and it’s all passion.”
BRAWL MARS EPIC DECIDER
Wild scenes have soured what was a thrilling grand final between the Alexandria Rovers and Redfern All Blacks.
With the Rovers taking the lead late in the game, a send off was followed up by a brawl that saw punches flying at a rate of knots.
It took the gloss off the 26-22 win by the Rovers, who looked down and out deep into the contest.
They trailed 22-14 inside the final five minutes, with Adam Morgan the recipient of some brilliant lead-up work from Jake Trindall and Jayden Riley to score in the corner.
It was Trindall in the thick of the action, with big right foot step that saw him run 20 metres to give the Rovers their first senior grand final in over 30 years.
“We came together last year as a memorial side. Unfortunately we had six from the club pass away,” captain Andy Tull said.
“We didn’t have enough time to win it last year. We had a better off-season, pulled ourselves together.
“This year was about supporting our sport, doing something for our club and our community.
“Our goal was to win the comp here and that’s what we’ve done.
“It will last forever. It’s the proudest achievement of my life.”
After starting well and leading 8-6, a lapse to close out the first half saw RAB race in three tries to hold a commanding 20-8 lead.
“We started the game we wanted to and came out strong,” Tull said.
“A few errors crept into the game. When you play against Redfern you know they’re always going to come up with special plays.
“They’re a good team that keeps the ball in motion. Our coach settled us down at halftime.
“Some special plays from Jayden Riley and Jake Trindall helped steer us home.”
Denver Burns starred at lock and was rewarded with player of the match honours.
PHOTO GALLERY
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