If Gundagai can get the job done against Temora on Sunday, there will be plenty of truth in the lyrics of Slim Dusty’s famous song when the Tigers make the trip home.
The Gundagai Tigers will be hoping the premiership cup is once again “On the Road to Gundagai” when they take on the Temora Dragons in the Great Northern Group 9 Premiership First Grade Grand Final at Geohex Stadium.
The Tigers booked their place in the decider with a commanding 42-6 victory over the Dragons in the major semi-final, earning themselves a direct passage into the grand final and an extra week to prepare.
Temora were forced to take the longer route, overcoming the Southcity Bulls last Sunday to secure their place in the decider and a chance to avenge their heavy semi-final defeat.
The sides split their two regular season encounters, with one victory apiece, ensuring Sunday’s clash will provide a fitting finale between two sides who have shown they are capable of beating each other.
Gundagai will head into the decider with plenty of confidence, with five-eighth Tyron Gorman in excellent form, while workhorse forwards and leaders Royce Tout and captain-coach Hayden Ashcroft will be expected to lead the way through the middle.
Electric centre Gabriel Gul will also provide the Tigers with an attacking threat capable of causing plenty of problems for the Dragons’ defence.
But Temora have no shortage of weapons of their own.
Fullback Hamish Starr has been one of the competition’s standout players throughout the season after claiming the Weissel Medal as Group 9’s best and fairest, while former NRL star Josh McCrone will provide the Dragons with plenty of direction and experience.
Centre Brendan Nima was also outstanding in Temora’s win over Southcity last weekend and will present another major challenge for the Tigers’ defence.
Ashcroft was pleased with Gundagai’s attention to detail in their major semi-final victory over Temora and will again be looking for a disciplined defensive effort from his side on Sunday.
Just as importantly, the Tigers will be looking to their middle men to lay the platform for the likes of Derek Hay and Will Herring to work their magic and create opportunities in attack.
Having been caught out by Temora in their final regular season meeting, complacency is unlikely to be an issue for the Tigers.
With another premiership now within reach, Gundagai will be determined to make the most of the opportunity presented to them and produce the type of performance required on the biggest day of the Group 9 season.
The Tigers will also have the benefit of experience on their side.
Only a handful of players from Sunday’s squad were not part of last year’s premiership-winning team, meaning the majority of the side know exactly what it takes to succeed when the pressure is at its greatest.
And should they manage to get the job done, the players can expect a reception to match the occasion when they return home.
Premiership celebrations in Gundagai are rarely understated, and if the Tigers can do their part at Geohex Stadium, there is little doubt a massive party — and plenty of fireworks — will be waiting for them when they make the journey back down the road to Gundagai.
Tigers path to the Grand Final..
Round 1 – v. Junee 14-18
Round 2 – v. Tumut 36-0
Round 3 – v. Albury 28-6
Round 4 – v. Brothers 60-12
Round 5 – v. Southcity 42-12
Round 6 – v. Young 18-18
Round 7 – v. Temora 38-24
Round 8 – v. Kangaroos 6-6
Round 9 – v. Cootamundra 20-12
Round 10 – v. Junee 18-16
Round 11 – v. Tumut 24-22
Round 12 – v. Albury 22-24
Round 13 – v. Brothers 16-7
Round 14 – v. Southcity 40-18
Round 15 – v. Young 56-10
Round 16 – v. Temora 10-34
Qualifying Final – v. Junee 36-12
Major Semi Final – v. Temora 42-6
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