The A Grade and Reserve Grade teams both win grand final matches
By Kirra Livingstone
THE Beerwah Bulldogs are on top of the world after the A Grade and Reserve teams triumphed in hard fought grand final victories on Sunday.
It was back-to-back wins for the A Grade squad, which overcame the Coolum Colts 20-16.
Earlier the Reserves defeated the Caloundra Sharks 32-16, to give the team its first Grand Final win since 2021.
Club president, Ref Hammill, said it was an incredible day for the club.
“I’m very proud of the teams and the club, I couldn’t have asked for a better result,” he said after the A Grade victory.
“The boys played tonight like they’ve played all season, hard and pretty direct, defence was great and they displayed great teamwork.
“We always seem to let teams try to catch up in the last five to 10 minutes in our grand finals, but the boys knew they had to dig deep to win this game.”
It was a close call for Beerwah who were trailing 10-8 at half time.
Coolum nearly scored in the dying seconds, but Colts prop, Jaeden Usher, was held up over the line.
A Grade coach, Darcy Hill, said the win capped an “incredible journey” following a challenging season with injuries and early losses forcing the team to dig deep to make the finals.
“I’m on top of the world,” he said.
“It was an unexpected win, from where we started the season to where we finished it’s an incredible journey.”
Doggies A Grade captain, Matty Kidd, said the entire team performed when it mattered.
“It’s pretty special. I certainly didn’t expect that seeing where we started (the season),” he said.
“I’m just so proud of the boys it was such team effort until the end, and everyone put their bodies on the line.”
Reserve Grade coach, Stevie Reay, said he was thrilled not just for the team, but the whole community.
“I’m pretty excited and it’s something that has been building for us for a few years,” he said.
“I’m so glad to finally win,” he said.
“We’ve always been around having a win, so it’s good to finally get that reward we’ve worked hard over the last five years.”
20-year club veteran and Reserve captain, Rakarl Kake, chalked up his 150th game and said he was thrilled for the team.
“It feels really good to have this win,” he said.
“Watching our younger boys coming through is absolutely the most rewarding part.
“It really tops it off.”
Bulldogs centre, Ben Leggett, scored twice, with Kane Zalewski converting four of the team’s six tries.
Congratulations to the Reserve and A Grade Beerwah Bulldogs teams!
kirra@gcnews.com.au
