Jamie Parsons
A cold and windy Narrandera Sports Ground greeted the Proten Cup Grand Final teams but things warmed up quickly with an upset 20-18 win in the men’s for the Rankins Springs Dragons over the home side.
The Lizards were after a three-peat having won the cup in 2022 and 2023.
But the win was an emotional one for Dragons players and first time coaches Damian Walker and Josh Johnston.
They led the team to a premiership after finishing fifth with only one win in 2023, and after beloved local players Dane Richards and Sam Prince passed away last year.
In the women's grand final Barellan Rams came out firing after Ivanhoe Roosters caused the upset in the Major Semi-final defeating Narrandera.
Barellan shot to a 10-0 lead early before Ivanhoe pegged one back. In the second half the Rams continued their dominance with Tommi Booth completing a hat-trick to seal a back-to-back premiership for Barellan, 26-6.
The cold wind was still blowing at the start of the men's grand final with the Dragons starting well via centre Codey Parsons, who was returning from a pec injury but still managed to dive over in the eighth minute.
A Dragons error led to Malek Afuamua scoring but then tries to Jamain Morgan and Brody Williams continued the Lizards first half dominance for an 18-4 lead at the break. Narrandera centre D'Andre Williams sent to the sin bin right on the siren.
The Dragons used that extra man advantage to get back into the game with prop Jason Cronin barging over before adding his second a few minutes later after a Damian Walker 40-20.
Now only down by two points, a penalty for a late hit marched the Dragons down the field again and rookie of the year Salesi Fatafehi put in a grubber to the corner, which beat everyone but winger Jesse James.
With 10 minutes left and now up by two, the Dragons repelled several Narrandera raids on their line to win 20-18. Croni was named Player of the Match.
The Dragons increase their premiership tally to three in six years, with Narrandera on two and Goolgowi one.
Rankins Springs, a small town of 200 people, maintain their footy club on a small group of volunteers, local players, a few expats and some good mates willing to travel out for training each week combined with some big away trips.
Despite a small population, the love of rugby league that dates back generations has produced some brilliant footballers and some big hearts.
The club has now gathered three premierships from three deciders since the Proten Cup began in 2018, and 12 grand final appearances in their last 20 seasons played dating back to 1992.
No-one forgets that Rankins Springs spent 12 years in the wilderness after the collapse of Group 17 in 2006.
Eight players - both coaches along with Brent Parsons, Andrew Streat, Jamie Parsons, Billy Vearing, Josh Curphey and Bart McIntyre - have been a part of all three grand final wins.
The Proten Cup 2024 Presentations followed the men’s and women’s grand finals. Winners are:
Women's
Top try scorer - Sophia Kelsey (Barellan)
Top points scorer - Monique Higgins (Barellan)
Best back - Sophia Kelsey (Barellan)
Best forward - Christine McDonald (Barellan)
Most Improved - Amber Clarke-Baldock (Hillston)
Rookie of the Year - Tilly Heath (Rankins Springs)
Coach of the Year - Joel McIntyre (Rankins Springs)
Best & Fairest - Bobbi-Lee Goolagong (Ivanhoe)
Men's
Top try scorer - Noah Forbutt (Barellan)
Top points scorer - Noah Forbutt (Barellan)
Best back - Jack Glyde (Rankins Springs)
Best forward - Jason Cronin (Rankins Springs)
Most Improved - Sam Richards (Rankins Springs)
Rookie of the Year - Salesi Fatafehi (Rankins Springs)
Coach of the Year - Kye Longford & Gary Ingram (Narrandera)
Best & Fairest - Oswald Herrmann (Barellan)
