Sarina Crocodiles are the newly crowned Mackay & District Junior League A Grade champions for 2024.
Lightning struck twice for the Crocodiles after toppling premiership favourites Mackay Brothers 16-14 in last Saturday’s Grand Final showdown at the Junior League Fields.
It followed Sarina’s spirited 24-18 victory over the Leprechauns in the major semi-final.
Brothers won thirteen of their fourteen matches during the regular season - losing just one match against Mackay Magpies to wrap up the minor premiership.
Sarina opened the scoring after three minutes with a Mitch Fogarty try that was converted by fullback Zane McKellar.
Elusive three quarter Jayden Batchelor returned serve with a 16th minute try before centre partner Rydge Smith booted a penalty goal to lock the scores at 6-all at the half-time break.
Australian Universities winger Kane Simon scooted over for a try after the interval to give Brothers a 10-6 lead before Sarina piled on two quick tries for a 16-10 advantage.
Brothers winger Matthew Skaife bridged the gap when he scored in the 68th minute with goal kicker Smith failing to convert.
The Leprechauns are celebrating an A Grade Womens premiership triumph after skittling the Mackay Magpies 20-0.
Dashing winger Nali Hine and talented fullback Madi Westecott nabbed try doubles with Westecott and lock Cassie Adlam landing conversions in a dominant performance.
Brothers were best served by classy halves Imogen Healy and Mersades Lawson, prop Montanah Best, back rowers Ebony Temple and Shaylee Hazledine, hooker Lara Hutchinson and the powerful Adlam and Westecott.
Moranbah Miners clinched the Reserve Grade Mens premiership after trouncing Brothers 52-20.
The Miners ran in ten tries in a high scoring encounter with second rowers Oakland Stowers and Dylan Paterson, fullback Hayden Bell, winger Cameron White, interchange players Ilai Faamita, Mitchell Chadwick, David Butler and prop Jamie Maliko all crossing for four-pointers.
Moranbah half back Shannon Rupapere booted four goals and Maliko (two) to complete the rout.
Brothers fullback Assan Munro and second rower Joshua Borg scored tries with five eighth Alex Lawton potting two conversions.
The Sarina Crocodiles celebrate their thrilling 16-14 victory over Mackay Brothers, securing the 2024 Mackay & District Junior League A Grade Championship. Photo credit: Jessica Wilson Photography
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