Peter (Parra) Montgomery

Albury Thunder selectors have named a strong squad of 21 players for the Group 9 Grand Final against Wagga Kangaroos to be played at Geohex Stadium Wagga on Sunday.

Both Clubs will be out to end a premiership drought – Kangaroos last won the Reserve Grade premiership 35 years ago in 1990, while for the Thunder, the last time it won the title was in 2012.

Kangaroos last played in a decider in 2009, while the Thunder was runner-up to Gundagai last season, going down 18-16 with the Tigers scoring the match winner in the dying minutes.

The Thunder selectors have made a few positional changes to the team which beat Gundagai in the qualifying semi-final.

Crete Waaka has been named at fullback, with Jade Duroux switching to the wing, with Joe Hill relegated to the bench.

Tei Miti has been switched from back-row to left centre – a position he starred in during the early part of the season.

Tei stood out as a genuine try scorer, racking up 10 touch-downs in his first three games (including 5 in one game against Brothers)

He has a good turn of pace and step, and has been running in the second row in recent weeks to tighten up his defence. 

Miti has the tough task of lining up against Kangaroos speedster Khaileb Cameron-Pani, who is the competition leading tryscorer with 17 tries.

Cameron-Pani is elusive in attack, and the Thunder Club has pointed him out as a player who needs to be closely watched.

Cameron-Pani has had plenty of first grade experience, and stands out as a player who can be a match winner for the Roos if allowed to have a free rein.

Kangaroos halfback (and Captain) Tyler Jones, was the competition’s leading point scorer with 148, but apart from his goal kicking ability, is the organiser of the team’s attack.

He should have a great duel with Thunder’s Keiran Ford, the half back who was recently crowned ( joint) Group 9 Player of the Year for Reserve Grade.

The Thunder have named Ty Tindalevale in the second row, and he adds another attacking weapon to its attack.

Tindalevale is another ‘big body’ in the Thunder forward pack, and is a good runner with the ball.

The Thunder has built its success in 2025 on its resilience in defence, and match fitness. The team is well coached, with plenty of depth, and it will be driven by the experience of coming so close to claiming the premiership in 2024 – which was the last defeat inflicted upon the team.

TIP – Thunder winners 16-4, Player of Match – Crete Waaka