Dragons out to make amends for disappointing 2023-24 Darwin rugby grand final defeat

The sting of last season’s grand final loss still lingers for the Darwin Dragons, who are determined to make up for 2024’s heartbreak.

Darwin Dragons Women are on the cusp of a perfect season. Picture: From The Sideline Sports Photography

The bitter taste of last season’s grand final defeat is yet to leave the mouths’ of the Darwin Dragons who’ve vowed to make amends for last year’s heartbreak.

An unfortunate conflicting schedule left the Dragons decimated for the final as a large cohort represented the NT at the 2024 rugby league Women’s National Championships on the Gold Coast.

As a result an undermanned Dragons outfit, propped up by the addition of numerous Palmerston Crocs players took to the field, ultimately losing 24-0 at the hands of University Pirates.

Darwin Dragons President and Women's player Jordan Lewis. Picture: From The Sideline Sports Photography

Darwin has been left hurting from this outcome for the past 12-months and are more determined than ever to right their wrongs.

“We are still definitely upset with how last season ended,” Dragons player and club president Jordan Lewis said.

“The defeat has been a massive driving force for our resurgence and form this season.”

While the outcome is firmly in the past, Lewis said she and her teammates haven’t forgotten how some sides struggled to contain their happiness at Darwin’s shortfall.

“Some of the clubs ended up cheering for our downfall last season and that has stuck with us as a group,” she said.

“Palmerston were the only side that offered to help us out last season, lending us players for the grand final.

Darwin Dragons and Palmerston Crocs Women mid-scrum during their 2024-25 semi-final. Picture: From The Sideline Sports Photography

“To see where those girls have come from in the recent couple of seasons is fantastic and they’ve improved so much as a side but at the end of the day our sights are firmly set on bringing the championship trophy back home.”

Lewis is also adamant that while she firmly believes her team deserve the cup, they will not approach the match with any complacent, well aware of the Crocs’ ability to strike from nothing.

“All the girls know that we’ve put in the hours and the effort and that we deserve to win but Palmerston have been brutally tough physically this season and know how to inflict the hurt so we have to stay on our toes all game,” she said.

Originally published as Dragons out to make amends for disappointing 2023-24 Darwin rugby grand final defeat