Peter (Parra) Montgomery

Albury Thunder Rugby League Club celebrated Group 9 Indigenous Round on its last home game at Greenfield Park on Sunday with an impressive welcome – an
Aboriginal-led cultural collective from Wiradjuri Country.

The welcome featured Dinawan Connection traditional dance performances with over 15 years of dedicated work,weaving together sacred storytelling, dance, and cultural education and bringing Dreamtime narratives vividly to life—bridging ancient wisdom with today’s community experience.

Through a mesmerising movement that celebrates the land, its spirits, and the unity of people, their performance embodied both artistry and reverence.

In doing so, they not only honoured Indigenous heritage but also inspired deeper understanding, empathy, and connection across generations.

The welcome was well received by the large crowd in attendance.

The Thunder players wore special jumpers and uniforms designed especially for the round by popular Thunder player Curtis Reid, who proudly explained the reasons for the design, before conducting the ‘smoking ceremony’

On the field of play, the Thunder came away with impressive wins in First and Reserve Grade, but narrowly went down in the Under 18 match, 12-10 to sixth place South City.

Eric Tui again demonstrated his skill with the ball, scoring both tries for his team and getting stuck into the defence.

The 18s had a chance to pull a win out of the fire, attacking the Bulls defence in the final five minutes of the match, but were met with dogged defence by the visitors who clung on to record the win.

The First Grade team, with one round to play, will finish just out of semi-final contention.

The Reserve Grade team is undefeated coming into the final match of the home and away series, but struggled for most of the game against the Bulls.

The Reserve Grade team had one of those games ‘you have to have’ before the finals.

It was a game where handling was ‘off’ and dropping the ball at crucial times put the ‘brakes’ on many attacking plays.

The Thunder lost Brodie Ford with an injury during the match and it is hoped that he will be fit to take his place in the final series.

Coach Andrew Smith had a fine game for his side, leading from the front. He played a big part in the Thunder tries scored by Eli Tipene and Aiden Young.

Bailey Muras added to his try scoring tally for the season, running in his seventh of the season to wrap up the win late in the match.

Keiran Ford and Aiden Young combined well around the scrumbase, while Jade Duroux booted three from three with conversion kicks.

For South City Bulls Jacob Greenhalgh caused Thunder problems with his aggressive style of play.

A late charge by South City Bulls in the First Grade match played on Sunday, sent a few nervous tremors through the Thunder ranks before the team crossed in the last two minutes to wrap up a well deserved victory.

The Thunder jumped out to a good start with tries in the opening twelve minutes with wingers showing plenty of speed to get around their opponents.
First Vili Cerei took advantage of a 60/40 restart after his five-eight Paul Kariatiana turned defence into attack with a well placed kick.

A quick movement of the ball and Vili – who doesn’t need any encouragement to run the ball scooted over in the corner to open the scoring.

Just minutes later, the other winger Milton Amaiu produced a similar burst after being put into a gap by Lachy Munro.

Sebastian Nelson converted to put the Thunder out to 10 nil break.

Bulls started to make inroads with wily playmaker Kyle McCarthy taking charge of the ruck and directing play.

He sliced through to score himself in the twentieth minute of the half, and two minutes later engineered a try scored by fullback Travis Smith and then converted to take the Bulls out to a shock 12-10 lead.

Just out of half time, the Thunder scored again, with “Special K” Paul Kariatiana plunging over after Nathan Darby had taken play close to the line with a bullocking run.

Cerei added the extras to put the home-side ahead 16-12 at the break..

The Bulls came out after half time, using the wind and several high kicks had the Thunder under pressure.

Bulls coach Cleveland McGhie was causing problems with his strong running.

The big centre had the defence under pressure every time he involved himself in the action.

He scored in the corner and pin-point accurate conversion from touch added the extras and kicked the Bulls out to 18-16 break.

The Thunder lost hard second rower Braeden Stephens to a concussion after he took a full blooded ball to the face attempting to charge down a clearing kick.

The injury stirred the Thunder into action, and the “Big Pom”, Nathan Darby crashed over for his first try of the season and Nelson added the conversion to stretch the lead out to 22-18.

Further tries were added by Isaac Carpenter, Cerei (again) and Kariatiana and Thunderlooked to be racing away with the game leading 40-18 and full of running.

However, the Bulls with 20 to go, found their second win. With McCarthy directing play, and strong running by the forwards led byTim Hurst and McGhie pitching in, the Wagga side looked threatening.

McCarthy scooted over for a try (converted) and fullback Smith was over, and at 40-30 scoreline Thunder supporters were nervously watching the last minutes.

However, the Thunder put the game to bed with a brilliant piece of work from half back Kaufononga.

The half back broke the Bulls defensive line in a 70 metre run, when confronted by the fullback, chip kicked ahead, regathered and then laid the ball back for Thunder lock Clayton Couley to scoop it up and dive over to complete the match scoring.

Following the try scoring, Bulls five-eight Siegwalt was sent off. I do not know for what reason. I assume that it was for dissent.

Thunder blooded another junior during the match with Luka Higoe getting a run in first grade.

Luka pulled off a few good tackles, including a couple on the biggest bloke on the field, Bulls coach Cleve McGhie – which is a big task in itself.

McGhie has been replaced as coach of the Bulls for 2026. He is a very good player and would be a good pickup for a Club looking to move forward.

BEST FOR THUNDER – Osika Kaufononga, Paul Kariatiana, Hugh Duncan, Clayton Couley, Lachy Munro.

BEST FOR BULLS – Kyle McCarthy, Cleveland McGhie, Tim Hurst, Travis Smith.

ALBURY THUNDER 46 (Paul Karaitiana 2, Vili Cerei 2, Milton Amaiu, Isaac Carpenter, Clayton Couley, Nathan Darby tries Sebastian Nelson 6, Vili Cerei goals) defeated SOUTH CITY BULLS 30 (Kyle McCarthy 2, Travis Smith 2, Cleveland McGhie tries Joshua Siegwalt 5 goals)