It was a long time coming – seven years in fact – but the Euabalong Tigers have finally taken out the Dubbo Waratahs Rugby League Knockout.
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They did it in style too, with a decisive 42-6 victory over the defending champions Ualarai Sand Goannas at Apex Oval on Saturday.
It almost didn’t happen; they only advanced on the first-try rule after a 10-10 draw in their opening match.
“We’ve all been waiting seven years for this,” Tigers captain Jaden Clarke said after the final.
“Very happy, still feels surreal and I’m just very proud.
“It means a lot because we get to represent our community, and all the young boys that have come through and all the older boys that are there. You can’t beat the feeling.
“A couple of the boys are playing with their brothers, their uncles their fathers. It’s an awesome feeling.”
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He hailed Jesse Wighton’s player-of-the-tournament-winning performance.
“Jesse has been a good player to come through [the Tigers ranks],” Clarke said.
“He was something else today. Everything just went right for him – he’s a superstar.”
The final got off to a blistering start when Parkes legend Dennis Moran sent Tyrell Charters over for a try on the edge and Steve ‘Boxxy’ Tracey converted the first of many from the sideline.
Some classy, quick passing from Jaden Kelly and Brent Pike sent Michael Mitchell over before Wighton scored his first in controversial circumstances.
The Tigers’ forwards surged up the field before the ball spilled in a tackle, and the referee looked set to make a call.
But he belatedly called advantage and in the confusion that followed, Wighton picked up the loose ball to score under the black dot.
Watch the final (story continues below)
A 20-0 half-time scoreline blew out with the classy Tigers recording four more tries in the second period, with Allan McGrath nabbing a consolation try for the under-strength Sand Goannas.
“You play five or six games in one day, it’s a big effort from the boys,” Goannas player Gregory Davis said post-match.
“We lost a couple of boys due to injury last game, a broken arm, me and me shoulder. I wasn’t even going to play but … that’s how much it means to us.
“We all actually lifted for each other when we had to, our tackles were alright just we couldn’t complete our sets.
“When we had the ball we were making breaks, offloading as well but they just wanted it more.”
Davis and his Sand Goannas teammates were upset they couldn’t repeat their 2017 success, but are determined to return “better and stronger” next year.
And a number of them will back up next weekend at the NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout.
“I play football all year but still, no feeling can compare to coming to these knockouts,” Davis said.
“You get to see people you don’t see a lot, see a lot of family, see a lot of friends … it also keeps you in touch with your culture.”
Clarke agreed: “That’s what it’s all about is just family, building memories and we’ll definitely cherish this one for a long time to come.”
EUABALONG TIGERS 42 (Jesse Wighton 2, Tyrell Charters, Michael Mitchell, Steve Tracey, Michael Mogliotti, Jaden Kelly, Sinell Thorpe tries; Steve Tracey 5, Dennis Moran conv) def UALARAI SAND GOANNAS 6 (Allan McGrath try)
