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Biggest RFL final crowd in years at premier Narrandera Sportsground

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AFL officials were pleased to see a large increase in the crowd for this year’s Riverina League grand final at the Narrandera Sportsground on Sunday.

What was described as the biggest Riverina League grand final crowd post COVID turned out to watch Collingullie-Wagga upset the previously undefeated Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong.

Riverina League grand final gates:

  • 2023 – $25,378
  • 2022 – $21,800

The crowd paid $30,500 at the gate, which was up by more than $5000 on last year.

AFL Riverina chairman Michael Irons said he was happy with the crowd turnout and put the increase down to the interest surrounding the battle between the Lions and Demons.

The day ran without hiccup with Narrandera Sportsground again proving itself to be one of the premier sporting venues in country NSW.

The Demons trailed at every break but they booted three unanswered goals in the final term to claim a nail-biting 7.6 (48) to 5.12 (42) victory over the Lions.

Demons key forward Nate Mooney kicked what turned out to be the winning goal at the 18-minute mark of the fourth quarter which also signified the first time in the match the Demons had the lead.

Collingullie-Wagga assistant coach Kane Flack was awarded the Hutchins Medal for best-on-ground while Sam Stening finished with three goals.

Demons co-coach Shane Lenon was immensely proud of the effort shown from his side to overcome the odds and win the grand final.

There was a strong breeze to the northern end of the ground and it was the Lions who had that to their benefit after GGGM captain Ben Walsh won the toss.

The Lions however failed to make the most of the wind advantage and they entered quarter time at 0.9 after squandering a fair few chances in front of the sticks.

Stening kicked the opening goal of the grand final at the four-minute mark of the second term which was the first score of the match for the Demons after they failed to register a point in the opening quarter.

It was end-to-end footy for a fair portion of the second term with the Lions first goal of the decider finally coming just before halftime through Tom Anderson. A reply a few minutes later through Ed Perryman would see the Demons trailing by only three points as the teams entered the sheds at half-time.

The Lions again had the breeze to their advantage in the third quarter and an early goal to Jack Powell was the dream start to the second half for GGGM.

Matt Klemke hit straight back for the Demons, however back-to-back goals to Dan Foley saw the Lions open up what was a game-high 15-point lead.

A goal to Stening reduced that margin back to single figures before a goal in red time to Jack McCaig saw the Lions take a 14-point lead into the final change.

Brad McMillan had the opening goal of the final quarter to reduce the margin to nine points and when Stening had his third at the 12-minute mark, the Demons were trailing by just two.

The Demons hit the post twice within a minute to level things up, before Mooney kicked what proved to be the premiership winning goal.

It was a physical affair and both sides played the entirety of the second half with one man down on the bench after Tom Banuelos and Harry Radley were both ruled out through injury.

Full Time

Collingullie Wagga 0.0 2.2 4.3 7.6 (48) d GGGM 0.9 1.11 5.11 5.12 (42)
GOALS: Collingullie-Wagga: S. Stening 3, E. Perryman 1, B. McMil-lan 1, N. Mooney 1, M. Klemke 1; GGGM: D. Foley 2, T. Anderson 1, J. McCaig 1, J. Powell 1.

BEST: Collingullie-Wagga: K. Flack, E. Perryman, T. Byrnes, J. Thorpe, H. Wichman, S. Stening; GGGM: T. Quinn, T. Anderson, K. Mahon, D. Foley, B. Walsh, J. Fairman.

Under 17s

The under 17s got the grand final day underway pitting the Leeton Whitton Crows against the Mangoplah Cookardinia United Eastlakes Goannas.

The Goannas came out on top winning 18.9 (117) to 7.10 (52).

Racing away to an early lead, the Goannas piled on 39 points by the end of the first quarter, while restricting the Crows to just a single behind.

The Crows rallied in the second quarter but the margin proved too much to claw back.

Harrison Wheeler was the top goal kicker for the Goannas with six, closely followed by Jack Warden who kicked four goals.

Lewis Henley was the top goal kicker for the Crows with three six-pointers.

Reserves

The reserves played next and this year’s premiership decider featured the Ganmain Grong Grong Matong Lions up against the Collingullie Wagga Demons.

The Demons emerged triumphant with a 26-point victory, winning 9.8 (62) to 4.12 (36).

The Lions were up against it early in the game, kicking just three behinds in the first quarter, while the Demons racked up 25 points with four goals and one behind.

The Demons extended the lead to 29 points at the main break.

Matthew Geppert kicked the most goals for the Demons with a total of three.

Narrandera Argus 19 September 2024

This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 19 September 2024.

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