Sunbury Tigers remarkable turnaround fell just short of premiership glory in the NRL Victoria Storm premiership first grade.
The Tigers were bottom of the ladder with just one win after eight rounds. Instead of giving up, the group were able to win through to finals.
After two finals wins, the Tigers won through to face the Truganina Rabbitohs on September 7.
The Rabbitohs’ experience shone through as they came away with a 36-14 win. Truganina scored two tries in the first 10 minutes to set the tone for the rest of the game.
Tigers coach Grant Paaka said he couldn’t be prouder of the playing group.
“It was one more than last year when we made the preliminary final,” he said.
“At round eight we were at the bottom of the ladder and at that point we could have shut up shop and just saw out the season.
“We fought back and the way they fought back was really pleasing. We weren’t just beating teams by a couple of points.
“We were putting on good score lines, The last round against Truganina and it gave the group confidence heading into finals.”
Paaka said they didn’t have high expectations heading into the finals and were determined to stick to their structures and plans.
It was enough to get them to the grand final.
“We have a group with an average age of 19-20 in a senior men’s competition,” Paaka said. “Truganina purely beat us on experience.
“We give credit where credit is due as they were the better team. I said to the boys after the game, I would have been proud of you either way.
“I have been proud of what we have achieved and how we got there.”
Paaka said the group would only be better for the experience.
He said the group had shown resilience that is hard to coach and you generally only get through experience.
“To make a grand final is a big testament,” he said. “Grand finals are different games and they have a lot to take out of it.”
Grand final weekend was a big weekend for the club.
After all their sides made finals this year, the club had three teams in grand finals.
Their under-14 girls division 1 team claimed the premiership, 18-12 against the Werribee Bears, to claim the club’s first female premiership.
The under-14 boys division 2 team lost to a dominant Hume Eagles team, 22-16.
After a few tough years over Covid, the club has now recovered and there’s a lot of positivity around the place.
“We’re proud to have three teams in grand finals,” Paaka said. “We’re getting expressions of interest from far and wide and from other sporting codes in Sunbury.
“Our female participation is growing immensely and there’s a big overall growth. We’re rapt with the season and it’s been a successful one.”
