One of the Tigers Captains Royce Tout, with Coach Aaron Gorrell, and Aaron’s two children Will (left) and Charlie.
In a breathtaking display of grit, resilience, and unyielding defensive fortitude, the Gundagai Tigers clawed their way back to the pinnacle of Group 9, defeating the Wagga Kangaroos 10-6 in a nail-biting grand final at Geohex Park on Sunday afternoon.
This victory wasn’t just a championship; it was a statement. A defiant roar from a team that, by their own admission, had been written off all year. The Tigers’ journey to this moment was a true test of character. They became the first premiers since Tumut in 2019 to win after taking the long route through the finals, having been convincingly beaten by the very same Kangaroos in the major semi-final, 34-16. That defeat, however, wasn’t a setback—it was the making of them. It exposed their weaknesses and fortified their resolve.
As coach Aaron Gorrell would later reveal, it was a moment of reckoning that paved the way for their ultimate triumph.
A Story of Two Halves
The grand final started in storybook fashion for Gundagai. The Tigers couldn’t have asked for a better beginning, capitalising on two uncharacteristic dropped kicks from the Kangaroos inside the opening 12 minutes. This early pressure paid off handsomely, as two of their most dynamic players, Tyron Gorman and James Morgan, crossed the line for tries.
Gorman, who would later be named the best player in the grand final, and Morgan set the tone early, their efforts giving Gundagai a comfortable 10-0 lead and sending a clear message to their opponents. But the Kangaroos, a team with a point to prove and the pain of two recent grand final losses etched in their memories, were not about to surrender. They responded in kind 20 minutes into the clash when a mistake from Gundagai’s Meli Drauat the back provided the opportunity they needed. Ollie Hoskins was the beneficiary, scoring a crucial try.
Charlie Barton’s successful conversion narrowed the gap to 10-6, and from that moment on, the game turned into a brutal, high-stakes arm wrestle. The two teams’ defensive lines, hardened by a season of gruelling rugby league, refused to surrender an inch. The second half was a masterclass in defensive rugby league from the Tigers.
The Kangaroos, desperate to avoid becoming the first team in 36 years to lose three straight grand finals, threw everything they had at Gundagai. The tension was palpable. Every tackle was a war, every yard gained was a victory.
Eight minutes into the half, after Kangaroos player Zac Graham was helped to his feet, the Tigers’ defensive resolve was put to the ultimate test. They somehow managed to drag Zeik Foster down just short of the line, not once, but twice, before heroically holding up James Hay with only four minutes remaining.
Time and again, the Kangaroos looked destined to score, but each time, the Tigers had an answer. Their fortitude held, and they clung on for the hard-fought 10-6 victory.
A Coach’s Tears and a Captain’s Triumph
For coach Aaron Gorrell, the win was the culmination of a profoundly special and deeply personal season. He was visibly moved after the final whistle, the weight of the achievement bringing tears to his eyes.
“Our defence in that second half was ridiculous,” he said, still in awe of his team’s performance.
“I haven’t seen a side defend like that. We were out on our feet, got a few penalties against us, and we just kept finding a way.”
Gorrell, who had a distinguished playing career with over 60 games in the NRL and a stint in the English Super League, before winning three premierships with Queanbeyan Kangaroos, said this premiership as a coach was unique.
The committee, led by David Tout and Martin Hay, had been so welcoming since he joined from Brothers after a one-year stint that he felt an instant connection. “It’s just such a tight-knit group, and it’s been the easiest coaching job I’ve ever had,” he said. “They set the standards, they drive them, and I was a passenger.”
He spoke of the team’s unwavering belief in the face of widespread doubt. “We were told we weren’t going to make the five, we were going to get beat every week in the semis, nobody rated us at all except for us, and I think that’s what makes it so special,” he said.
The team learned a harsh lesson from their major semi-final loss,where their completion rate was a dismal 41%. They knew what they had to fix, and they fixed it.
“How tough they were in that second half, I’m still in shock,” Gorrell added.
He also shared how the club felt like home, a truly special place with a unique community spirit. “I’ve never met a tighter-knit group…the whole club, whole town, it’s been amazing. They’ve been so welcoming, and it’s been my favourite year so far.”
He emphasised how, despite the pressure and the tough moments, he always felt confident in his team’s heart.
“It was a tough watch, but I always felt comfortable. I knew that they wouldn’t give up.” Captain Derek Hay celebrated his third premiership success with the club, but his first as captain, making this one all the more meaningful. After spending the previous two years in a co-coaching role with Blake Dunn, which included a year where they missed the finals after an undefeated 2022 premiership success, proving their doubters wrong made this victory taste even sweeter.
“I just think everyone wrote us off after our last two seasons,” Hay said.”We built on last year, but then again, we lost a few players, but I think it’s extra special with that underdog mentality.”
Hay revealed that even coming into the grand final, the bookmakers had the Kangaroos as heavy favourites.
“Coming here today, I think ‘Roos would have been $1.10. I don’t think too many people gave us a chance,” he explained. “But we spoke about doing whatever it takes. We didn’t care what anyone said about us as we knew what we could do when we got it right.”
The game plan, Hay explained, was simple but effective.”We just held the ball for such long periods and knew we had to do that as they’re too good a team, especially their forward pack. We knew they had to come out of their own 20, and we just made them do that set after set for the whole game.”
He credited his team’s superior fitness for the victory, a byproduct of having played more games in the lead-up to the grand final.
“That’s our 20th game for the season, and they’d only played one game in a month coming into the Grand Final, so sometimes it can be an advantage, sometimes it will be a disadvantage, but we wanted to use it to our advantage today.”
For Hay, the win was a collective effort forged over three years. “It’s not just this season, this has been a three-year goal, so here we are.”
He also hinted at his future, expressing his love for the club and town. “I’m 28, I’m not too sure what the future holds; I suppose if I’m in Gundagai still I will throw the jersey on again, I love this town, I love the footy club, so I’ll be there next year and I just love turning up and playing with my mates and we had a really special group this year, we were very tight knit, probably haven’t had that for a while.”
The Tigers’ victory capped off a remarkable day where all five preliminary final winners went on to take out their premierships, solidifying Gundagai’s place at the top of Group 9 once again. It was a victory forged in self-belief, disciplined defence, and the unbreakable spirit of a team that refused to give up, no matter the odds.
– Tully Potts
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