BROTHERS TRIUMPH IN MEN’S AND WOMEN’S FINALS
THE young Darwin Brothers outfit came of age with a courageous 28-26 grand final win over reigning premiers Litchfield Bears to seal the 2020 NRL NT A-grade title.
The two-time champions Bears came in as raging-hot favourites with experience and previous results on their side, but Brothers refused to let that daunt them.
Litchfield probed early on with plenty of chips over the Brothers defensive line, but the Brethren proved to be no pushovers under the high ball.
And it was Brothers with their speedy backs who scored first. A Nick Yarran run down the left wing gave the side the momentum needed to see Rodney Baird over the line moments later.
Brothers found themselves scoring again soon afterwards, a Thomas Clarke chip gifting his side’s most experienced player, Leon Rotumah, with a try. But the Bears weren’t out of the battle long with big Adam Hall crashing over to bring the two-time premiers back within a score.
The Brethren kept composure beyond their collective experience and pushed on in attack, with Yarran this time scoring himself after breaking a tackle on the left wing.
Litchfield opened the second half with intent but once again found themselves up against a solid Brothers line.
Inspired by their defensive work the Brethren pushed up the field once again and another Clarke chip allowed fullback Isaac Kurnoth to outpace two Litchfield defenders to score.
Aidan Singleton scored soon after and by then the young Brothers could probably dare to dream of a title, holding on after four late Bears tries.
“There’s a lot of emotions. It’s been a long time for this club and we’ve finally pulled through and that’s down to the hard work the club has put into these juniors,” captain Aaron Pollard said. “Now everyone here is not only grand finalists but winners. We were hungry and believed in each other, that’s what this club is about.
“They shouldn’t have given us a taste because with these young guys we won’t go away.”
Coach Leon Cleal was elated with the victory.
“The emotion is overwhelming. We’ve held it back for the past few weeks to build to this,” Cleal said. “I thought it may have been a bit too much for them in the last 20 when Litchfield came back at us but to their credit they held on. They’ve got a real self-belief that even I underestimate.
“This rates up there as one of the best wins I’ve had.”