By Tallon Smith

The Leeton Greenies have broken an 89-year curse, defending their title with a heartstopping 28-24 win over the Darlington Point-Coleambally Roosters in the Group 20 Grand Final in Griffith on Sunday.

In front of a crowd numbering around 2000, the fast-starting Greenies warded off a massive second half charge by the Roosters to hold on for their first back to back titles since 1933-34.

After both sides had an early share of possession, it was Leeton who struck first, with a long break up field by fullback Kirtis Fisher followed up by a weaving run from dummy-half by Beniel Dakunibubului which finished with a try underneath the posts.

Then, just six minutes later, the Greenies struck again, with another dummy-half dart from hooker Will Barnes putting the score out to 12-0 after Tyler O’Connell’s conversion.

Not to be left out, O’Connell was the next to score, picking up a Shanon Bradbrook grubber to race away and dive in the corner, finishing one of the tries of the season.

The margin then got to its widest of the day when the Greenies’ winger Billy Rabua raced away to score, with O’Connell adding the extras to put Leeton 22 clear of DPC with 33 minutes played.

Falling a long way behind very quickly, the Roosters knew they needed a try before the break if they were to have any chance of a comeback in the 31-degree Griffith heat.

That plea was answered in the 38th minute when newly-announced 2024 head coach Guy Thompson-Collier crashed over to put the Roosters on the board at 22-6, which remained the score at the break.

First Grade Grand Final – Gallery

After an impassioned half-time speech by captain Ben Jeffery, the Roosters came out of the blocks with vigour and determination to start the second stanza, with Jon Huggett grabbing the first of two tries just a minute after the resumption.

Shortly after, it was well and truly game on when Kane Simpson dived over from dummy-half, with Josh Veivers’ perfect kicking helping to further narrow the margin to 22-18 after 45 minutes played.

The Roosters looked to have the momentum at this point, seeking to complete another massive comeback just two weeks after their gargantuan effort against the Griffith Black and Whites where they overcame a 26-0 deficit to win 32-31.

However, it was the Greenies who nabbed the next try, with Beniel Dakunibubului yet again answering the call for his side, weaving in from the centres to score his 23rd try of the season right underneath the posts to give his side a 28-18 lead with 25 minutes to play.

With DPC needing a try to set up the grandstand finish the match deserved, Prop Jon Huggett stormed over for his second, reducing the margin to four points with six minutes to play.

Then, with just over two minutes to play, DPC centre Jonathan Sila made a break and raced down centre field in front of a roaring crowd, and appeared destined to score, until Leeton’s two try hero Beniel Dakunibubului came from the absolute clouds to make a premiership-saving tackle and etch his name into Greenies folklore.

From there, Leeton held on, defending and then closing out the game with a conservative final set in attack to send the crowd at the Eastern end into raptures and secure their eighth title in club history, equalling local rivals Yanco-Wamoon and second only to the Griffith Waratahs with 13.

Unsurprisingly, Dakunibubului was awarded the Barry Hails Medal for his best on ground performance of two tries as well as the amazing cover tackle.

Leeton captain-coach Hayden Philp said the win was “really courageous” by his side, especially given the pressure they were under as DPC mounted a comeback.

“It’s amazing mate, it’s tough grit, and a really courageous win,” he said.

“Really pleased with how the guys just kept showing up for each other, particularly in that last 15 minutes.

“It went down to the wire, and we were down to 12 men, so to do that and defend for most of that was really courageous, I’m really happy with that.”

Philp said that the key to closing out the match was remaining “composed” under pressure.

“We just had to stay composed, just get the ball back and complete a set of defence, get them to a kick,” he said.

“We knew they would come out like that [from half time], and they sort of had to, to be honest.

“We were up there for a bit, and they needed to start like that, but we held it pretty well, obviously they got a couple of tries at the start [of the second half], but the composure shown by Shan [Shanon Bradbrook] and Cam [Bruest] and Corey Graham, it was an awesome effort.”

As for next season, Philp is keen to hand over the reins while at the top, affording someone else the opportunity to coach the club to a potential hat-trick next year.

“Someone else can coach next year,” he laughed.

“I need to do something [else] and focus on work a bit, so it’s time for someone else, and I’ll definitely be there if they need it.

“I’m really grateful to have [had] the opportunity.”

Philp also spoke of the pride within the Leeton club at the moment, with all five grades making the Grand Final in an extremely successful year for the club.

“To get five grades in, no matter the result, it’s an awesome achievement in itself, probably creating history,” he said.

“[The crowd was] amazing, and there were a lot of blokes that still couldn’t make it today, so it could have been bigger.

“I’m really grateful that all the guys there got us over the line there at the end, so thank you to all [of them].”

18-year-old Leeton winger Tyler O’Connell said that the feeling of winning the Grand Final was hard to put into words.

“Honestly, it’s really hard to describe,” he said.

“I’ve never felt anything like this, being part of a footy club that is so devoted to their players, and I’d just like to say thanks to our volunteers and everyone who has helped us get to this point, because without them, none of this would be ever possible.

“I’m just glad I got there in the end, to get us a try, get the boys in front.”

The young gun, who along with Beniel Dakunibubului had also featured in the Under 18s competition until receiving the full-time call up to First Grade, said that he had worked on his goalkicking throughout the finals series, which ended up being crucial at points over the past few weeks.

“Last few weeks, probably three or four weeks, I’ve just been down at training practising my goalkicking, just to make sure I can get them, and make them consecutively and just put us in a good position to win,” he said.

“Earlier in the season, we were really bad with our goalkicking and it almost cost us a few games.”

DPC captain-coach Ben Jeffery was disappointed but still proud of his side for making it to the Grand Final after an arduous campaign where the side struggled to have their best 13 on the paddock.

“You’ve got to get into them [Grand Finals] to give yourself a chance to win them,” he said.

“Nobody likes losing them, but if you don’t get in them you’re not giving yourself chance to win them are you.”

“Obviously extremely disappointing that we couldn’t get over the line today, but you know it’s a good achievement to get ourselves in it.”

Jeffery said that despite the loss, the community and the culture of the DPC club has been a driving force behind the team’s success in 2023.

“It’s a great football club and the culture out there is really good, and we really enjoy each other’s company,” he said.

“I’m pretty sure [despite the loss] the community are all proud of their footy players.”

Group 20 now enters the off-season, with all nine clubs looking to nominate for the 2024 season, including the returning Griffith Waratahs.