Tallon Smith
A six-try first half set up a 26-point win as the Griffith Black and Whites booked a place in the Group 20 finals against Darlington Point-Coleambally at Solar Mad Stadium on Saturday.
Needing a victory and a West Wyalong loss to claim fifth, the Black and Whites powered past the Roosters 50-24 and were the beneficiaries of a dominant Leeton display against the undermanned Mallee Men, climbing back into the top five on the final weekend of the regular season.
Having won four of their final five games to qualify, Black and Whites coach Kodie Charles said earning a return to the postseason meant a lot to the players after the side missed out last year.
“The boys have worked hard all year to get where they have,” he said.
“We wanted to do it on our own two feet, it would have been good to beat the Waratahs and finish strong in [all] three games towards the end.
“To come away with the win on Saturday, and jump in the five, I think it’s a big momentum booster for the boys.
“Once you get in the five, it’s anyone’s game.”
The Black and Whites burst out of the blocks, with William Charles and Kaiden Simpson finding their way over before long-range efforts from Mekhi Simpson and Matty Adams opened up a 24-0 lead through the opening 20 minutes.
The Roosters hit back when the ball spilled out the back of a contest off a Ben Jeffery kick, allowing Stevie Collins to collect the scraps and score, with Judd Stevenson’s reply for Black and Whites quickly cancelled out by another DPC try to George Broome.
However, it was Isaiah Buerckner who had the final say of the first half, diving over to extend Griffith’s lead to 34-12 at half time.
The home side controlled the match from there onwards, adding three more tries to the Roosters’ two, with Mehki Simpson completing his double as the side cruised to a comfortable win.
Coach Charles said fullback Simpson was among the Black and Whites’ best, with his support play around the ruck a highlight.
“He was one of the standouts, he was getting everywhere, and I’ve been pushing him a bit to follow the boys and push up with the Romas [Eseroma Nawaqa] and Williams [Will Charles],” he said.
“He’s just getting around and putting himself in the best opportunities [in] the games, so he definitely stood out in my eyes on Saturday.”
Awaiting the Black and Whites in next week’s elimination final is Leeton, a team the Griffith club defeated in their last meeting two weeks ago.
Heading into the sudden-death showdown, Charles said the focus for his side is on tightening up their defence and not letting the Greenies play from in front.
“We’ve just got to get our defence in order, I still think that we are a bit loose in defence, a bit patchy here and there, it’s got to be a little bit stronger,” he said.
“If we can get in the grind and keep the pressure on them, you just sort of come away with it, but if you let them get their tails up and get out in front, they’re hard to rein back.
“We’ve just got to try and keep the pressure on them and pick our defence up.”
Meanwhile, Darlington Point-Coleambally have bowed out before finals for the first time since the pandemic-affected seasons, ending a run of four grand finals in as many years and two consecutive premierships.
GRIFFITH BLACK & WHITES 50 (Mekhi Simpson 2, William Charles, Kaiden Simpson, Matty Adams, Judd Stevenson, Isaiah Buerckner, Dennis Kelly, Kaelan Little tries; Buerckner 6, Adams goals) DEFEATED DARLINGTON POINT-COLEAMBALLY 24 (Stevie Collins, George Broome, Sam Fattore, Ben Jeffery tries; Josh Veivers 4 goals) at Solar Mad Stadium, Saturday August 22.
