Tallon Smith
The Singleton Greyhounds have taken out their first Group 21 First Grade title since 2012 with an 28-22 win over the Greta-Branxton Colts in the Grand Final at Pirtek Park on Sunday.
A quick-fire second half double to Cooper Harris set up the victory, with the Greyhounds withstanding a late charge from their opponents to secure a memorable victory on their home turf and add to Reserve Grade and Under 18s titles earlier in the day.
Singleton President Doug Spencer told Battlers For Bush Footy that it was a big win for the club, which has had its fair share of tough seasons, including finishing with the wooden spoon last year.
“It’s been massive, not only for the club, [but] for the town [after] 13 years, and to have it at home and get three-nil [across the day], the whole town got behind it,” he said.
“I asked everyone to paint the town red and white, and they joined in, and we got lucky and delivered the goods.”
The win comes after a 5-year dynasty from the Scone Thoroughbreds ended last week with a 32-20 loss to the Greta-Branxton Colts at Greta Central Oval.
Their Preliminary Final win avenged last year’s 18-10 loss to the Thoroughbreds in the Grand Final, but ultimately the Colts again fell short this time against a determined Singleton outfit contesting its first decider in well over a decade.
Spencer said that there was plenty of respect within the group for what Scone had achieved over the last half a decade.
“As far as the thoroughbreds go, everyone sort of looks at that within the group,their record is very enviable,” he said.
“It’s phenomenal what they’ve done over the last five to 10 years, and then down there with Toddy Andrews, Tyler Carter and that with Greta it’s been the same.”
Like many competitions, Spencer said Group 21 is built upon intense on-field battles, coupled by off-field mateship and respect, with strong inter-town rivalries between all the mining towns of the Hunter Valley making the premiership a highly sought after accolade.
“When it gets out on the footy field between the clubs, it doesn’t matter who’s playing, whether it be Singleton or the other clubs, they’re into it and the crowds are into it and the clubs are into it,” he said.
“At the end of day, [our] coal mining community, they do come together, sit down, have a beer, have a laugh and they’ll turn around and go again next week.
“It’s pretty good, it is a very tough physical comp.”
In addition to ending its 13-year premiership drought, Singleton doubled up in Reserve Grade, taking out the title with a hard-fought 12-8 win over the Murrurundi Mavericks.
Tyson Cullen proved to be the hero, scoring a try and kicking two crucial goals that saw the Greyhounds triumph.
The great day for the club didn’t end there however, with Singleton also taking out the Under 18s decider 26-16 over the Aberdeen Tigers.
The Greyhounds ran in five tries to three to take out the win, their first premiership of three on the day.
Meanwhile, in the Women’s competition, the Merriwa Magpies took out the Grand Final with a 14-4 win over the Muswellbrook Rams.
After a slow start, the Magpies dominated the contest to secure the win after finishing as Minor Premiers during the regular season.
