"Belief."
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That was the difference for the South Dubbo Raiders on Saturday, according to coach Tyrone Gordon after his talented under 14s side out-lasted the Nyngan Tigers in a bruising back-and-forth battle to decide the 2019 premiership
"We wanted it more, I think," Gordon said of his side's tremendous effort in the 14-12 victory.
The Tigers weren't lacking in motivation though, leading for much of the contest and giving the Raiders plenty of trouble down the centre off the back of their powerful forwards and their running game.
Gordon's Raiders put the first points on the board, striking in the corner early on but they were left to rue a missed conversion when the Tigers muscled their way across and then kicked a goal of their own, making the score 6-4 at half-time.
Gordon knew his side was still well in the match and capable of getting the job done and he told his players that in the break.
You can play footy, go out there and do it yourself.
- Tyrone Gordon on his half-time talk
His side then got through plenty of defence in the second half before snatching a try and the conversion to put them back in control, but it didn't last long as the Tigers hit back again.
The power of props Harry Hammond and Braith Boyd and the speed of youngster Toby Cosgrove was proving key for the Tigers but it was Macquarie's Mikey Ross who made the difference.
Ross grabbed his second try of the game in the dying moments to secure the 14-12 grand final victory.
"They're quality footballers," Gordon said.
"They can play footy, that's all I wanted to say to them at half-time, 'you can play footy, go out there and do it yourself'."
Ross finished as man of the match for his heroics for the young Raiders.
The premiership was one of two the club one on the day, the other being the under 16s decider.