The Les Boyd Oval roared to life, not just with the usual cheers of a Group 9 show-down but with the palpable excitement of a Gundagai Tigers side determined to assert its dominance. In a clash against the Cootamundra Bulldogs, the Tigers delivered a performance that was both commanding and clinical, led by a young talent whose star continues to burn brighter with every game.
The spotlight on this day belonged to Benjy Hannan. The gun back rower has been a standout performer this season, consistently rewarding the trust of coach Aaron Gorrell. Today, however, he elevated his game to another level, delivering a performance that will be talked about for weeks to come. Hannan was a force of nature, his explosive speed and keen instinct on full display as he sliced through the Bulldogs’ defence not once, not twice, but an incredible three times. His hat-trick was the centre-piece of the Tigers’ victory, a testament to his raw talent and tireless work ethic. With each try, he solidified his reputation as a key player in Gorrell’s plans, a game-breaker who can turn the tide of a match with a single, brilliant run.
While Hannan led the charge, the Tigers’ victory was a true team effort. The attacking prowess of the Gundagai side was on full display as they piled on the points. Gabriel Gul and Derek Hay were also instrumental, with Hay adding two tries and Gul one, further showcasing the depth of talent within the Tigers’ lineup.
The points kept coming, and with Will Herring successfully converting three of their six tries, the scoreboard began to reflect Gundagai’s superiority. The Cootamundra Bulldogs, to their credit, fought hard. They managed to cross the line through debutant Harry Boxsell and Teakatauira Matapo, with Sam Gash converting both tries.
It was a spirited effort that, in the end, served to keep the score within the 20.5-point parameter needed for them to hold onto the Group 9 Challenge Cup. But for the Tigers, the outcome was exactly what they came for. The final score of 30-12 in their favour secured them the two competition points.
As coach Aaron Gorrell had emphasised before the game, while winning the cup would have been a bonus, the priority was always to secure the win. The players had delivered on that directive, putting in a powerful performance that demonstrated their focus and discipline. Though they were unable to pry the Cup from the Bulldogs’ grasp, the Gundagai Tigers left the field with a resounding victory and a clear message for the rest of the competition. They are a team on a mission, with a rising star in Benjy Hannan leading the way.
The two points secured from this commanding win are far more valuable than any piece of silverware, a crucial step forward in their campaign for a premiership. For the Gundagai faithful, the memory of Benjy Hannan’s hat-trick and the team’s dominant performance will be more than enough to celebrate.
Coach Aaron Gorrell was pleased with his team’s performance, particularly their ability to secure a crucial win on the road against a physical opponent. “We went there to get the two points; we can be at the level of semi-final football. They’re a physical team; we knew they were going to be physical, and it was, and I thought our middles stood up. We didn’t have Royce or Pat, also Jack and Joie, so we went in with four key players out, and the blokes that came in did the job, and by 18 points, I think we only beat it by eight the first time we played them, so it was a pleasing result.”
Gorrell also praised the team’s overall effort. “I don’t think we had a bad player, to be honest. There was a good all-round team performance, and we started well, which we probably haven’t done in the last few games. So that’s been a key focus for us to get out of the blocks and not be chasing points, and I thought we did that pretty well.”
Looking ahead, the coach discussed his approach to managing the squad with the semi-finals on the horizon.
“The only blokes that will get a rest are blokes that have got injuries or niggling injuries. We’ll go in with still a pretty strong squad, but towards the back end of the game, if the results are in the bag, we’ll look to bring some blokes off, but Pat won’t play again, Royce won’t play again. We don’t think Joe will and we will assess probably tomorrow and have a look, and if anybody’s carrying anything it’s probably the week to give them off, but blokes that haven’t got any injuries or that will play and depending on how the game’s going will depend on how many minutes blokes like probably Hayden that’s played big minutes every week, and Wilson (Hamblin), who’s done the same. So we’ll give them a spell if the opportunity comes up, but we won’t be taking them lightly.”
Gorrell emphasised the importance of continuing to build momentum. “We’ve got to build to the game the final week, so that’s how we’ll be going to the game, so we will get our backyard sorted, and you still have to respect the team you are playing, we’ll be doing that for sure.” He noted the contrasting style of play in the upcoming match. “You can take it either way. We knew Coota were going to be physical, and they were, and our blokes matched, and I thought Joel Field took it to their middles. He was great. But this week, table-wise, it looks a little bit easier. But you have got to respect your opposition, and we won’t go into any game thinking it’s just walk in and get two points. But if you have to pick a game, you are not going to pick against Tumut, Temora or any of the top five teams. So with all due respect, it’s probably not a bad game to have leading into the semis.”
Gorrell singled out several players for their strong performances, including Benjy Hannan. “He’s massive for us. He started the year with a bit of an injury and probably started the year behind the eight ball, but he’s built great the last two weeks. He’s started on that right back row and played 80 minutes both, and he scored three tries, but I thought the best part of his game was his defence. He aimed up, and he gave a fair few kilos away to most forwards in the comp, but how tough he played and how he defended on the weekend was very pleasing. Come that first week of semis, I’m going to have a nice headache for whoever starts there because he just really put his hand up and put himself in a good position to keep his spot.”
The coach also praised the toughness of Joel Field. “Joel Field took it to their forwards. I thought they’re probably one of the most physical packs in the competition. He took them head-on and kept asking to go back on as soon as he sat down. So it was pleasing to see how he played on the weekend.”
Additionally, Gorrell commented on the return of Derek Hay. “Derek Hay was good again. He’s kicking game and his toughness at seven is always good.” He also mentioned the debut of a young talent. “Young Archie Wheaton, we gave him his debut. He’s just recently turned 17. He did the full pre-season with us, but wasn’t allowed to play until he turned 17, so he had a couple of reserve grade games, and he’s shown that he is a player with a fair future in front of him. We got him on for that last 15 minutes on the weekend, and he showed that he’s going to be a good player in years to come.”
Finally, Gorrell reflected on the upcoming semi-final opponent. “They are both going to be very tough. We’ve beaten them once, both sides, and they’ve beaten us once. It will be tough no matter who we play, but hopefully we get that home semi, so if we win on the weekend, we obviously get that, so hopefully they really give it to each other and it’s a physical game, and they lose a couple of players each (jokingly). We are in a good position this week. We’ve got to still go in and get the job done, but I don’t think it’s going to be as physical as that game will be. So hopefully they give it to each other.”
Tigers’ Taggers Flying to End the Season
The Gundagai Tigers League Tag side made it three wins on the bounce when they edged out the Cootamundra Bullettes in a 12-10 thriller at Les Boyd Oval. The game was crucial for the ladies, who secured a spot in the finals with the victory. It’s been a fairytale year for the side, who last season only managed to win one solitary game, and also only won two games the previous season.
Coach Chris Rainbow thought it was up there with his side’s best performance of the season. “It was good to close that last game off. We are definitely up on a high at the moment, but we know the job is at hand this weekend. It’s a tough one.
“Laci Bower, Monique Luff and Shae Smith were our best. They are our experienced girls. They are not doing anything they are not expected to do, they’re leading these young ones around, and they’re doing a great job at it.”
Rainbow understands the task at hand this week when the ladies host the dazzling Wagga Brothers, who maintain an unbeaten record at this point in the season. “I’m hoping to finish third, but it’s a big ask to knock off the undefeated Brothers side. We’re going to be up against it.
“We’ve only picked up two major injuries this year. We had a few niggling ones for the season. Danielle Hand tore her ACL, and then Dempsey Elphick broke her hand. Dempsey won’t be back as she’s only just come back from surgery, and obviously, a torn ACL meant the end of Danielle’s season as soon as it happened.
“Danielle was a huge loss with the ACL. Dempsey is a big loss, too. She’s just as experienced. She knows how to close off close games, and that leadership we have missed.
“Temora and Brothers are just that step above the rest of us, but then you’ve got Coota, Gundagai and Tumut that are all in that bunch together. “It would be great to finish and play at home, we would have all three grades at home during that first finals game. It would cap off what has been a greatly successful season at the Club.”
The ladies’ game will precede the men’s game, kicking off at 10:00 am at Anzac Park.
– Tully Potts
The South West Slopes Times covers an area approximately the size of Fiji in country NSW. We look after a population of more than 50,000 people with our staff servicing 7 major towns and dozens of villages with our story telling footprint.
We offer weekly print editions at $3 a copy and we also offer digital subscriptions across 3 months $30, 6 months $60 and 12 months $120.
We are one of the last truly local independent family run newspaper businesses in the state.
Contact us today to find out how we can promote your business or organisation across our huge network by emailing ads@thetimes.net.au or by calling 0413 763 216.
If you have a news tip, lead or scoop for us please make contact as we love celebrating our communities. You can contribute articles via our South West Slopes Times website.