Rare pair of rematches set to kick off Group 16 finals as Devils’ victory gives Wright hometown swansong

Cover Photo: Razorback Sports Photography

Tallon Smith

Two rematches of last round fixtures will open the Group 16 finals series after a dramatic concluding round saw Narooma clinch a home final and one last game at Bill Smyth Oval for club stalwart Clint Wright against Batemans Bay with a 36-6 victory on Sunday.

The week one match-ups between the Devils and Tigers and Bega and Tathra were set in stone after Eden’s loss to Merimbula-Pambula on Saturday, though the sides had plenty to play for in determining the hosts of the two fixtures.

Narooma coach Kieran Wyld said it was a slightly odd feeling knowing his side would face Batemans Bay again the following week, but said once the game began, the sole focus was on securing home ground advantage for the elimination bout this weekend.

“It was a bit weird but once [the match] started then it was alright,” he said.

“Once we got out on the field we just played footy and didn’t really worry about it, all we were thinking about was playing at home the following week.”

The Devils burst out of the blocks to lead 10-0 thanks to a pair of tries to Ali Elmasri off kicks from retiring five-eighth Wright.

Wright then assisted another with his boot via a pinpoint kick for Tyson Hastie, before intercepting the ball to race away and score a four-pointer of his own to go with four try assists.

Connor Martin then crossed for Narooma’s fifth to open up a 26-0 lead after 49 minutes, with Jayden Wolfe’s reply for Batemans Bay cancelled out with two more late tries to Logan Bradbury and Colt Croser to seal the 30-point win.

Narooma coach Kieran Wyld attempts to palm off a Moruya defender earlier this year (Photo: Kat Patton Photography)

One factor driving Narooma was Wright’s forthcoming retirement, with the victory guaranteeing the playmaker one more game at home.

The 37-year-old said he was grateful for the opportunity to play in Narooma one final time as he dares to dream of a fairytale finals run to close out his career.

“It means a lot to get to play at home one last time, I’ve played there since I was four at that oval, I moved around a little bit, but that’s been my home ground for 30-odd years now,” Wright said.

“Hopefully we can go deeper into the finals, the more games I can get the better.”

Wright has happy memories of elimination finals, having famously booted a field goal in the 98th minute to down the Snowy River Bears in Jindabyne in 2023.

“We’d already gone through extra time, five minutes each way, and then it was into golden point I think,” Wright said.

“It was the first field goal I’ve kicked in a long time, I haven’t kicked one since.

“I don’t really practice them as much as I should, I did when I was younger, but it was good [going] all the way up there to Jindabyne to beat them.

“I think we picked up a couple of bad injuries out of that game that ruined the semi finals run, but that picture always pops up, it’s got one of my good mates in it with me, Jackson Kelly.

“We were heading off towards the bench to celebrate.”

Wright after kicking a match-winning field goal in the 2023 Elimination Final (Photo: Razorback Sports Photography)

Former club president and Clint’s father Jaimie Wright said this weekend will be an emotional one knowing it is the last time he will take to the field at Bill Smyth Oval.

“It’s pretty sad for me actually, he will be the last of my boys to retire, I’ll certainly miss watching him play on a Sunday,” he said.

“I’ve loved every minute of watching him play, [in] my years that I played and watched the teams after I retired, he is definitely the best half in my eyes, no doubt whatsoever.

“He deserves every accolade he gets, he’s just a true legend of the club.”

Aside from Wright’s farewell tour, another source of motivation for the Devils is improving on last season’s finish, where the side made the top five in its first season back from recess, only to be bundled out by Cooma in the opening week.

While he expects the Tigers to bounce back strongly this week and provide his side with a challenge, Wyld believes the Devils have what it takes to not only best last season’s finish with a victory, but push for a deeper run in the postseason.

“They will probably get two or three players back, whereas I don’t think we [will] get anyone back, but I think if we play that style of footy again, it will be hard for them to beat us,” he said.

“We finished fourth last year [and] we finished fourth this year, but I think we are a bit more consistent this year.

“Last year we actually lost this game, so we are determined to win this week.

“I think if we do win this game, we might be able to go on a cheeky run, no one’s expecting us to do anything, and I think a few teams would have been shocked with the scoreline on the weekend.”

Meanwhile, the qualifying final between Bega and Tathra will also be a rematch of a final round fixture, after the Roosters got the better of the Sea Eagles 42-10 over the weekend.

That result gives Bega home ground advantage for this weekend’s clash.

The weekend’s other two fixtures saw Merimbula-Pambula defeat Eden 36-16 and Cooma draw with local rivals Bombala 12-all.