By Tallon Smith

The Griffith Waratah Tigers have capped their remarkable return from recess with a premiership after taking out the 2024 Group 20 Reserve Grade title with a 30-10 win over the Yenda Blueheelers at Solar Mad Stadium on Sunday.

The Waratahs burst out of the blocks, skipping out to an early lead and never letting it lapse, with young hooker Luke Cannon the star of the show with two tries in the big victory.

Waratah Tigers Captain-Coach Luke Farmer said that it was an incredible feeling when the fairytale return from what appeared to be the club’s deathbed just 12 months ago was finally complete.

“It was an amazing feeling, I’m lost for words actually,” he said.

“It’s a fantastic feeling, not just for the Ressies team, but for the whole Waratahs club.

“The League Tag players, First Graders and the committee were all there.

“When that siren went and it was game over, it makes a grown man cry.”

Two young stars who stole the show on the weekend were hooker Luke Cannon and back-rower Bernie Simpson, with the former scoring two tries and the latter the match-sealer in the dying stages, leaving their Captain-Coach feeling extremely proud.

“I hope so, he [Cannon] is something special, I just hope he remembers who his master number 7 is when he makes the big time, he was my apprentice,” Farmer laughed.

“But honestly, for a 17 year old kid, he owned that game, he’s a special talent and he’s a fantastic bloke off the field as well.”

“[And] what a way to finish, Bernie’s been fantastic in the second half of the year, and for him to get that try for his family, it was great, [the] perfect ending.”

Although he steered the ship at Reserves level, Farmer also was quick to thank two of the club’s leaders, President Robert Nascimben and First Grade Captain-Coach Willie Lolohea.

“I think Naso was very happy, he was very proud, he had to go inside for a couple of naps and then come back out,” he said.

“I think it was emotional for him, for what he does for the club and how much it hurt him last year, it’s a great feeling, especially for the President.

“[And] Willie, we wouldn’t be where we are without him, he’s done a lot for the club from the beginning of the year to Grand Final day, he’s definitely a leader, and respect goes to him.

“I wouldn’t have all these players if he didn’t do his job and recruit all these First Graders.”

Despite the Reserve Grade loss, the Yenda Blueheelers didn’t leave Grand Final day empty handed, taking out the Ladies’ League Tag title with a 14-10 golden point victory over West Wyalong.

The Blueheelers, who finished as Minor Premiers, won their second premiership in the League Tag competition in their Centenary season and their first in seven years, meanwhile for the Mallee Chicks, it marked their second loss in two seasons after last year’s heartbreak against Leeton.

In another amazing story, sisters Havana and Jayda Cook were jointly awarded the medal Best on Ground for the Blueheelers in their victory, the first time siblings have shared the honour.

An upset was the order of the day in the Under 18s decider as the Leeton Greenies took home the title against a previously undefeated Griffith Black and Whites side by 24 points to 18.

Vula Wate and Jesse Watson led the charge for the Greenies, with the former scoring two tries, while the latter also crossed the line and kicked four goals for a personal haul of 12 points.

The victory is Leeton’s second in three seasons in the Under 18s grade, and saw the Greenies turn the tables after their defeat to the Panthers last September.

Finally, to open the day, the Black and Whites completed a perfect season in the Under 16s with a 38-10 victory over the TLU Sharks in the decider.

Jezaiah Charles and Viliami Siale each scored try doubles in the Panthers’ victory, while Matthew Adams nabbed a four pointer of his own in addition to five goals as the Griffith side took home one title from its three Grand Finals of the day.

The victory marks the first time the Black and Whites have gone back-to-back in the Under 16s competition since 1975-76.

Attention in the Riverina now shifts to Group 9, with their Grand Final day headlined by a massive First Grade clash between the Wagga Kangaroos and Young Cherrypickers set for this Sunday at McDonald’s Park.

Cover Photo Credit: Melissa Davies (Group 20)