Souths and Valleys dominate junior league grand final win list
Valleys Roosters wrote their names into the TJRL record books with a quirky grand final win. Get the inside scoop on Roosters big win plus all the action from grand final weekend here.
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Southern Suburbs Tigers almost clawed out a perfect grand final day performance at the weekend.
The club won five of the six finals they featured in at Toowoomba Sports Ground on Saturday.
Dalby under-13 girls were the only team able to stop the Tigers juggernaut with the Devils claiming an 18-8 win to round out an unbeaten season.
The Devils U13 girls were the only non Souths or Valleys Roosters side to win a premiership with the two Toowoomba clubs lifting nine trophies between them.
Under-17 boys Valleys v South Burnett
It was a case of lightning striking not once, not twice, but three times in the grand final clash between Valleys and South Burnett.
For the third year in a row, the two teams faced off in a decider and for the third straight year, Valleys claimed a two-point win over South Burnett.
This was also the fourth premiership in a row for this group and coach Andrew Clem was delighted with his side’s resilience to come from behind and complete an incredible dynasty.
“I am very proud, they all stood up and played the game plan and got away with a good win,” he said.
“South Burnett got the jump on us and they played a very strong game on the edges but the last 20 minutes we came back and controlled the game.”
As for what the key to success has been over the last four seasons, Clem put it all down to the players.
“They all train and work hard for each other,” he said.
“I’m lucky that I have a pretty talented team, I have six players in the Cyril Connell Clydesdales squad this year and a further three in the City-Country squads.”
With the Roosters needing to come from behind to complete their four-peat, every single player stepped up to pull off their thrilling premiership from the two halves, Braithen Scott and Fletcher Tate-Roche, to the players off the bench and the barnstorming forwards.
“Everyone played their role, Braithen Scott was outstanding,” Clem said.
“I thought my front rowers, Hunter Price, Harrison Shaw and William Emery all played very strong games.
“Then on the back of that Harry Robinson and Joey Litidamu out on the edges scoring the tries and the fullback Lachie McGrath played very strong and had good returns.”
Clem spoke of the determination within his side and the delight the boys had after another thrilling title.
“Everyone was so happy, especially to win it three times in a row where we have sort of taken it away from the South Burnett in the last 15 minutes,” he said.
“They know they’re never out of a game, there’s always time to score points, they just built up to it and got across the line.”
Under-13 girls Dalby vs Souths
The Devils girls broke the Souths and Valleys stranglehold on the premierships as they rounded out their undefeated season in style with an 18-8 win over Souths.
Dalby coach Storm Egel was delighted with her team’s incredible campaign, saying the coaching staff were beyond proud of the performances over the last few months.
“It is a major achievement for the girls being undefeated all season and to also be the grand final winners,” she said.
“Our girls all wanted to play on the big stage, so they really put their mind into the game, showed up to each training and trained hard.
“They put all their heart into every game and never let each other down on the field.
“Their commitment to the team played a big part in there success for the season.”
Egel was impressed by the way her side quickly gelled as a team despite players having limited levels of experience.
“The Devils girls line up for the season was made up of new timers and girls who hadn’t played for a local team before,” she said.
“It is impressive how well the girls bonded together through the year and grew stronger as a team each game and to come away as the grand final winners.”
Egel was blessed with some talented players in her squad this season and it was those key players who stepped up when it mattered most on the grand final day.
“The girls played really well the whole game and was great to see the positive attitudes leading into the game,” she said.
“Our girls really got going when Mia Johnson first went over the line followed closely by Neveah and Allie with Charlotte finishing off our score.”
Under-13/14 boys Souths vs Valleys
Souths coach David Briese admits there was a feeling of trepidation and nerves in his team as they lined up against Valleys on Saturday.
The sense of unease was heightened by the fact the Tigers were trying to protect their unbeaten record and a number of players had already played a full game earlier in the day.
“With the unbeaten record heading into the game there was already a little bit of trepidation in the boys,” Briese said.
“The fact that all but six or so of the boys had already played a game earlier on what was a pretty hot and sweaty difficult day added to it.
“Valleys are a really good side and we were down 14-0 in the first 20 minutes.”
Patrolling the sideline Briese was eager to see a response from his players and it came from his leadership group.
“It took us about 20 minutes to wake up and get into the game,” he said.
“After that it was great to see the leaders in the side taking control, talking among themselves and getting messages to their teammates.
“I thought our halves in particular did really well steering everyone around the field, but overall the whole team took it upon themselves to stand up and change the game.”
Souths beat Valleys 32-18.
Under-15 boys Souths vs Valleys
They say you have to lose a grand final before you win one and that rings true for John
Gilbert.
The Souths coach was delighted to see his side secure a convincing 28-6 win over Valleys to go through the season undefeated.
“We lost one (grand final) last year and they you have to do that before you can win one,” Gilbert said.
“I’ve been really impressed with how hard the boys worked in pre-season and during the season to improve and get back to the final.
“They bonded really well, which was a big focus of ours, and it really showed in the way they trusted and believed in each other.
“Our defence was amazing as well – it improved over the course of the season and that’s what got us over the line.”
Under-13 boys Souths vs Highfields
Dean Lyons could coach for another 10 years and he might not see a moment of brilliance like he did at the weekend.
A sublime chip and chase from Zach Gardner turned the game on its head with the Southern Suburbs Tigers second row scoring a try to get his team back into the game.
“I don’t think you’ll see a better chip and chase in juniors or seniors for some time let alone from a second row,” Tigers coach Dean Lyons said.
“It was a really special play.”
Gardner’s try was a huge turning point in the match giving the Tigers the confidence to grind out a 20-16 win over the previously unbeaten Highfields Eagles, but it was resilience that got them over the line this season according to Lyons.
“I’m really proud of what the boys achieved this year – coming from third to win,” Lyons said.
“Highfields had a wonderful season and we had not beat them or Valleys this year.
“We had a little bit of luck, I think you need that in grand finals, and our defence improved a lot this season.
“That (defence) is what won us the game.
“Earlier this year I said to a few people at the club our best game of the year will be our last one and it was.
“The boys played hard and defended really well.”
Under-15/16 Valleys vs Brothers
The Valleys juggernaut rounded out a stellar season with a comprehensive 28-8 victory over Brothers.
Coach Jason Fedrick was delighted with the effort from his team, who “executed the game plan to a tee”.
“(I am) super proud of the boys, they turned up with the right attitude and I am very proud of them,” he said.
“The boys stuck to the game plan and just executed it really great, they were up for the game, they were there to win the game.
“I couldn’t be any prouder.”
Fedrick revealed the players who held the key to such a comprehensive victory.
“Tyler Robinson, he really stepped up at the grand final day, Jack Eyles our captain and our hooker and Billy Thompson who ended up winning man of the match,” he said.
With several Valleys sides making grand finals across all levels, Fedrick revealed the key to such a successful culture at the club.
“Chris Hillman our president and first-aid, he makes everyone feel welcome and the boys love coming to the club because of someone like him, he is an outstanding president,” he said.
Under-15 girls Valleys vs Brothers
Valleys’ perfect season reached a fitting finale as the under-15 girls claimed an impressive 28-0 win over Brothers.
The Roosters were a class above during the regalr season, winning all 14 games by an average margin of 28 points.
Coach Junior Chong-Nee was delighted with his side’s performance in the decider as they rounded out an unforgettable invincible campaign.
“It was a really gritty season for the girls,” he said.
“Just really stuck to the structure and came out with the win to stay undefeated for the year, it is a brilliant season for the girls which makes it a whole lot better for them.
“Not many teams can do that so for the girls to do that and achieve that accomplishment so early in their footy careers is really special to them.”
Chong-Nee said every player stepped up throughout the course of the season, which was another reason why he was so proud.
“The key to success was the girls buying into everything that we were trying to train towards and just sticking together as a team,” he said.
“Everybody, from one to 20, everybody stepped up and did their job.
“Everybody knew their roles, so it was really good, it was a real team effort.
“All the girls were ready to play and ready to go out and give their all.”
Under-16 boys Valleys vs Brothers
With the Roosters boys chasing a fourth consecutive premiership against a side which had claimed consecutive victories over them, the Valleys under-16s saved their best for last with a stellar 34-6 win over Brothers.
“I was really proud, they played their best game of the season so it was good to see it all clicked,” coach Ned Murphy said.
“Brothers had beat us the last two times so we came in with a chip on our shoulder.
“They ran and tackled as hard as I’ve seen in a couple of years.”
Murphy revealed the pride his side had as they continued their dynasty for another season.
“They were all pretty happy with that,” he said.
“It hasn’t been a great deal mentioned about it really, they were really happy as a group, I could tell that it meant something, which I think they deserved.”
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