By Tallon Smith

The Port Macquarie Sharks are the 2024 Group 3 Rugby League Premiers after a narrow 16-10 win over the Macleay Valley Mustangs in the Grand Final at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium on Saturday.

The Sharks scored three tries to the Mustangs’ two to take home their first title since 2018 and their eighth in club history.

Tryscorers for the Sharks were Wil Rosenbaum, Jyi Little and Joel Anttilla, with William Ramsey booting two goals, while for the Mustangs Jason Russell and Miles Mongta crossed the stripe, with Shane Davis-Caldwell kicking one from two conversions.

Meanwhile, for the Kempsey-based Mustangs, their season may have ended in defeat, but they have much to look forward to after two finals victories and a Grand Final appearance following a third place finish in their first season under the coaching of South Sydney great Beau Champion.

In the only other Grand Final on the weekend, the Maitland Pickers won their third successive Newcastle Rugby League title with a 24-4 win over the Central Newcastle Butcher Boys in the Grand Final at McDonald Jones Stadium.

The Pumpkin Pickers’ hat-trick of premierships is their first since their 1956-57-58 triumphs, and only the fifth in Newcastle Rugby League history, after Lakes United’s threepeat from 1985-87, Kurri Kurri’s trifecta from 1993-95 and West Newcastle’s two triple premiership efforts from 1997-99 and 2012-14.

Meanwhile, for the Butcher Boys, their appearance in Sunday’s Grand Final was their first since their 12-7 loss to South Newcastle in 1963.

The two finales are the last of the winter bush footy season, with all groups’ Grand Finals across the state covered on our website in free to read articles over the past three months.

The end of the season also means this is our last article of the year; thus we wish you a healthy and happy off-season and we look forward to your readership next season.

Cover Image: Port Macquarie Sharks Facebook