The Western Suburbs Rosellas pushed aside a disrupted season to knock over minor premiers Maitland Pickers 14-6 in the Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League (Real NRL) reserve grade decider at the weekend.
After trailing 6-4 at the break, the Luke Miller-mentored squad displayed plenty of resolve to not only score a couple of late tries but hold its much-fancied opponents at bay in an entertaining contest at McDonald Jones Stadium.
“That was an emotional rollercoaster,” he said.
“I’m extremely proud of the boys.
“They’re a tight-knit bunch of blokes, so they certainly deserve this.
“All up, it’s a really special day for the club.”
Pre-match, Wests captain and prop Nick Haggerty said the “players were all mates, who were there to have fun”.
And, Miller reiterated that statement.
“I think that showed in the latter stages of the second half,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.
“They were there for each other… if someone missed a tackle, another would be there to make it up for them.
“The guys didn’t want to let anyone down.
“It’s been a highly-emotional year in my first season as coach.
“But, I believe this win is a fitting reward for the boys.
“It would be nice if the club can build on this in 2024.
“These players are first-graders in waiting.”
The Rosellas narrowly missed the top five in the Denton Engineering Cup, secured the reserves’ crown and reached the decider of the under-19s.
So, things are looking up for Wests after a bleak start.
“In all fairness, it’s been a tough year for the club,” Miller said.
“We didn’t have a lot of players to begin with, our pre-season was poor due to a lack of numbers.
“However, we’ve rallied around each other and we got the result [today].
“So, it’s a feather in our cap.
“This victory, knowing what the guys have gone through, makes everything sweeter.
“It’s special, a really great day.”
The Pickers, who had only lost one match previously, kicked off the scoring through winger Jye Bieman-King to lead 4-0.
His opposite number Ben Glasheen levelled it up at 4-all.
A penalty to Bieman-King gave Maitland a narrow 6-4 advantage at the interval.
The Rosellas refused to surrender… and it was flying winger Malu Fiu who broke the deadlock. Five-eighth Joe Lewis converted to put his team ahead 10-6.
The Pickers threw everything at Wests, with fullback Bailey Taylor causing his rivals numerous headaches.
But, the Rosellas swooped in the dying stages, via centre and man of the match Dylan Hemsley, to secure the encounter 14-6.
The defeat was a bitter blow for Maitland, who was keen to send its skipper and popular clubman Jarrod Smith out a winner.
“We had plenty of ball but didn’t take our chances,” he lamented.
“That’s footy.”
Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League
2023 grand final results:
- Denton Engineering Cup: Maitland Pickers d South Newcastle Lions 46-10
- Reserve grade: Western Suburbs Rosellas d Maitland Pickers 14-6
- Under-19s: Lakes United Seagulls d Western Suburbs Rosellas 14-11
For more sports stories:
- REAL NRL: Foundations for Maitland ‘dynasty’ firmly laid
- REAL NRL: Seagulls swoop to claim under-19 thriller
- REAL NRL: Pickers honour ‘Crito’ after successful title defence
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
