With 18 rounds of the regular season in the books, the 2024 Group 9 top five is locked away, with the Young Cherrypickers winning the Minor Premiership ahead of Temora, Gundagai, Wagga Kangaroos, and Albury.
Jeff Hanson runs his eye over the top five in the lead-up to this weekend’s first round of finals and what will be an exhilarating month of finals footy.
Young Cherrypickers
Position: Minor Premiers (14 wins, one draw, one loss): 33 points
Summary: The Young Cherrypickers have been the team to beat all season long, losing just one game on the way to establishing one of the best Group 9 regular season records in recent memory.
They solidified their status as competition favourites in Round 18, defeating the second-placed Temora Dragons 26-12 at Nixon Park on Saturday.
The Cherrypickers boast a massive forward pack, good halves, and explosive backs, and the support of the Young community.
The Cherrypickers have not won a title since 1991, and if they are to lift the trophy at the end of September, it will break a 33-year premiership drought for one of the more loyal and parochial supporter bases in country Rugby League.
Players to watch: Hard-working skipper and prop Tom Giles will lead from the front as he has done all season long, while fullback Nic Hall is an excitement machine that can score from anywhere on the field.
Temora Dragons
Position: 2nd (13 wins and three losses): 30 points
Summary: Temora is the only team to topple Young in 2024, with the Dragons handing the Cherrypickers an 18-14 defeat in Round Nine.
The Dragons have been here in recent years, breaking a finals drought in 2022 before claiming the Minor Premiership in 2023.
In those two seasons, they bowed out of the finals in straight sets, and they are yet to prove that they can handle the Group 9 finals cauldron.
If the Dragons want to make their mark and help Temora to their first title since 2006, the Josh McCrone-led outfit needs to find another gear, which starts with a home Semi-final against Gundagai on Sunday.
Players to watch: Young playmaker and former Junee Diesels Will McDermott has a lot of pressure on his shoulders, but the talented footballer has former NRL star Josh McCrone guiding him.
He also has a talented backline at his disposal, including arguably the best back in the competition, Hamish Starr. Starr is a terrific defensive player who can also sniff out a try, and he’s the secret to Temora’s success.
Gundagai Tigers
Position: 3rd (10 wins and six losses): 24 points
Summary: The Gundagai Tigers have been the surprise packets of the 2024 Group 9 competition, with the powerhouse using an unusual method of flying under the radar to finish third.
Premiers in 2018, 2020 and 2022, the Tigers missed finals for the first time in more than a decade in 2023 after an exodus of players.
Calling on a good mix of local players, including some very talented juniors and marquee recruits, Gundagai has continued to improve this season.
The Black and Gold will be a scary prospect in finals as their squad is littered with premiership winners.
Players to watch: Country representative James Morgan is another excitement machine who can sniff a try from out wide. If he gets a chance in finals, he could prove the difference for Gundagai.
Gundagai has a robust pack in the middle, and Jake Hay oozes classes. He could be one to watch when the Tigers travel to Temora on Sunday.
Wagga Kangaroos
Position: 4th (Nine wins, one draw, and six losses): 23 points
Summary: After losing the 2023 Grand Final, Wagga Kangaroos entered the 2024 Group 9 season as favourites.
Injuries have hurt the Wagga side, but they still boast abundant talent, including multiple premiership winner James Smart, try-scoring machine Jacob Mascini, and tough-as-nails prop James Hay.
They play at home on Saturday, hosting the Albury Thunder in an Elimination Final. If they want to emulate their feats from last season, they’ll have to take the long road to the Grand Final.
Players to watch: Hay is an understated front rower. He’s not about the big hits and making headlines, but he gets through a load of work and is the heart of the Kangaroos’ engine room.
At the back is Mascini, who has elevated his game in 2024, crossing for 16 tries. There are points in this Wagga side, and Mascini can sniff out a try as well as anyone else in the competition.
Albury Thunder
Position: 5th (Eight wins, one draw, and seven losses): 21 points
Summary: Until Round 18, the Albury Thunder didn’t know if they would be playing finals footy before thumping Wagga Brothers 78-6 at Greenfield Park on Sunday.
Led by another former NRL star, Justin Carney, Albury has an exciting squad capable of taking on the big teams.
Consistency has been their biggest challenge, but they have hit some good form leading into Saturday’s Elimination Final against Wagga Kangaroos.
Players to watch: It’s hard not to like Isaac Carpenter, who’s been one of Albury’s best this season.
A versatile player who can play in the forwards and centre, he led the competition with 18 tries alongside Temora’s Joel Kelly.
He is an outstanding edge player and hole runner, and on Saturday, he will test the Wagga Kangaroos’ defence.
Another dangerous commodity is Lachy Munro, one of the best players in the competition.
He plays ad-lib footy and leads his team around the park, and if Albury is to make a finals run from fifth position, Munro will play a prominent role.
Team to beat: Young
Dark Horse: Albury
Click here for the Group 9 finals draw.
