By Peter (Parra) Montgomery

Greenfield Park Albury will play host to players, supporters, officials and spectators for Sunday’s Group 9 Preliminary Finals in what is sure to be a sensational day of Rugby League on the border.

Seven of the nine first grade Clubs are involved in sudden death preliminary finals, vying for places in the premiership deciders to be played at McDonalds Park Wagga Wagga next Sunday, September 22.

The Albury Thunder Rugby League Football Club is pleased to host these games, it is a fitting reward for an outstanding season by the Club with four of the five grades involved in the final series, with the Reserve Grade team coached by Etu Uaisale qualified for the Big Dance after inflicting the first loss of the season on previously undefeated Gundagai Tigers last week.

First Grade Preview

2023 Grand Finalists Wagga Kangaroos meet Temora Dragons in the main game – with the winner to face Minor Premiers Young Cherrypickers in the premiership decider.

It is shaping as a classic match, with the teams looking evenly matched.
The Dragons will be looking for a chance to end a premiership drought.
Temora Dragons last experienced a Group 9 premiership in 2006 – a surprisingly long wait for a Club that has produced many current State of Origin and NRL players in its glittering history.

Zac Lomax and Liam Martin – who were part of the victorious State of Origin squad in 2024 are former Dragons, while Charlie Guymer, Joe Stimson and ex Parramatta coach, Trent Barrett, also previously played for Temora.

The Dragons produced a strong effort despite going down 26-16 to Minor Premiers Young Cherrypickers in the Grand Final qualifier.

Wagga Kangaroos won its spot in the preliminary final defeating Albury Thunder 22-18 in the elimination semi final, and following that up with a 28-20 victory over Gundagai Tigers last week.

In both wins by Kangaroos, the form of half-back James Smart was a factor, with the veteran displaying an excellent kicking game to keep his team on the front foot.

Another factor has been the availability of centre Dakota Ruta who has returned after missing much of the season through injury

Ruta had only played three games in the home and away series, racking up six tries in those games, and scored again in the semi final win over the Thunder.

He gives Kangaroos strike power on the left edge, and with Ned Cooper on the right edge the Roos have plenty of blokes who can worry the scorers.

Former NRL star Josh McCrone has done a great job in guiding the Dragons into the final.

He has had the team in the ‘top two’ all season, and a place in the decider would be a fitting result for a ‘good year’ by the Club.

Temora has a ‘lucky charm’ in prop Hayden Philp who has had great premiership success in Group 20 with the Leeton Greenies.

Lower Grades

Gundagai and Young meet in the Reserve Grade final for the right to play Albury Thunder in the decider, in other grades Brothers play Kangaroos in League Tag, Cootamundra in the Under 18s, and South City Bulls in the Under 16s.